Zen and the Art of Photography
Split Rock Art Program, Northern MN, with Douglas Beasley, July 11 – 17, 2010
Revitalize your photography while exploring your relationship to your subject, your camera and yourself. This will be a unique opportunity to rethink our expectations of what it means to 'see'. We will work on cultivating simplicity and making more insightful photographs, supporting the notion that a photograph is not 'taken' but 'made'. We learn to become better photographers by becoming more in touch with our inner selves and then use that awareness to clarify our approach and connection with our subject; whether it's a person, place, or thing. We will also learn about natural light, composition, depth-of-field and exposure issues. Much practical advise will be given but more importantly you will practice how to use this information to make more powerful images.
Inspiration will be sparked by a balance of conversation, critiques, sharing, meditation, readings, poetry or whatever means necessary. Daily photographic exercises and assignment will be site specific and concerned with both internal and external growth. Participants will learn to deepen their visual awareness while clarifying their approach, making their image making both more personal and more meaningful. Most days will also include field trips with Doug to local treasures such as the beautiful rocky North Shore of Lake Superior and the surrounding forrests. You do not have to be a 'nature' photographer to benefit from this workshop.
This is a challenging invitation to redefine not only what is personally suitable subject matter but your whole approach to creative epression. Students will leave the workshop with the start of a new body of work that has more clarity, power, simplicity and more reflects who they really are as well as a new framework in how they see themselves as photographers and how their art fits into their daily life.
Split Rock Arts Program, now in its 27th year, is run by the University of Minnsota. This retreat is being hosted at the University’s Cloquet Forrestry Center in Northern Minnesota, near Duluth, about a 2 and a half hour drive from the Twin Cities. We can help arrange car pooling from the Twin Cities. Delicious healthy meals are prepared from many locally-sourced ingredients and are raved about by those who have been there before.
See some student photography from Vision Quest Photo Workshops.
Student testimonials from this workshop:
“Doug is a wonderful facilitator, leader, and teacher. He lives the subject matter and it shows in his work and class materials.” — Marcia Getto, Cedarburg WI
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“Doug is a wonderful facilitator, leader, and teacher. He lives the subject matter and it shows in his work and class materials.” — Marcia Getto, Cedarburg WI
“I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had last week at your workshop. This morning when I was running on my normal path, it was amazing how different things looked. I have been seeing the same sights running for many years, but this morning things just look more clear. I could see the reflection of the trees in the water below, the colors around me seemed brighter, the edges of the shadows more defined. I don’t know if it was the lighting or was I just more tuned in to seeing things more clearly, looking not just for the good picture, but looking for the great picture. Thank you for helping me fine-tune my vision. I look forward to getting out and practicing what we learned during the workshop.” — Tiny Murphy, Newport Beach CA
“I was a bit skeptical of the title of the course, since the word Zen is often used rather freely these days, but Doug completely won me over. His quiet, friendly interest in his students, and his fabulous sense of humor were just what I hoped to find — as well as his refreshingly simple approach to making art. Thanks for such a great week.” — Candace Buending, St. Louis Park MN
“Doug has a wonderful manner — calm, open, approachable, humorous. So often photography workshops and the people who attend them are solely focused on technique. Technical skill is important and classes are an important learning opportunity to build technical skills. But Doug is about learning about yourself as an artist, finding your creativity and your personal photographic vision. That is a very important contribution.” — Catherine Jordan, St. Paul MN
“This is my 4th Split Rock workshop over 16 years and this one was by far the best. It was about figuring out what art I need to make rather than learning what the instructor likes to do (though the instructor’s teaching and presentations were essential to the class). I am extreme introvert so usually I’m exhausted by all the people interactions by Wednesday. That didn’t happen this time because the assignments gave me ideas and promoted introspection. I will be able to apply the techniques I learned going forward.” — Kathy Sedro, Lake Elmo MN
“The program is a life changing and enhancing event. Extremely thought provoking, inspirational and affecting. Although a photography course, the principle can be applied to many aspects of my life.” — Mil Miketic, Minneapolis MN
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Who should attend:
While participants must have a working knowledge of their camera, the creative process of image making will be emphasized over the mechanics of camera use. Both digital and film, in all formats, welcome but to receive feedback on work in progress digital is required. Open to all levels of experience but better suited to those looking to expand their creativity and vision. If you are interested, please register as soon as registration is open, as this class filled immediately last year.
Split Rock Arts Program website:
For registration information, please visit http://www.cce.umn.edu/Split-Rock-Arts-Program
Dates:
Sunday July 11 at 4:00 P.M. to Saturday July 17 at 11 A.M.
Cost:
Tuition and fees $650; University of Minnesota credit available; optional shared room and board at the Cloquet Forestry Center $485.
Class limit:
16
Registration information:
To register, please contact Split Rock Arts Program, 612.625.1976