A Beginning in Photography

It’s always a good idea to start at the beginning, which is certainly true when it comes to photography. Learning the technical skills to use the tools well is the first important step, then developing an awareness of light, composition, design, detail, storytelling, and the many other creative aspects of the medium come next. This week-long workshop combines both technique and creative vision, while Jennifer Spelman and Santa Fe provide plenty of inspiration. Whether you are new to photography or have been making pictures for a while, a thoughtfully planned workshop is a smart idea.

Beginning a journey in a supportive, nurturing environment is one of the keys to success. Jennifer helps provide this with her patient and easy-going nature coupled with years of experience as a photographer and a teacher. Designed like a hands-on user manual, this workshop provides you with the knowledge essential to explore all the capabilities of the digital camera—be it a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or an iPhone. Jennifer guides you through the camera’s menus and the critical variables of exposure and focus. A step-by-step primer of Adobe Lightroom is the next step that allows you to properly organize and develop your images.

Mornings are devoted to lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and image reviews of the previous day’s assignments. You are on the move with Jennifer in the afternoons practicing new skills during daily field sessions in and around beautiful Santa Fe. This promises to be a fun week mastering the basics of digital photography and cultivating creativity in an energetic and supportive atmosphere. By the workshop’s end, you have gained a solid technical foundation and a photographer’s eye that permits you to make the photographs you’ve always dreamed of.