The Art of Abstraction in San Miguel

Abstraction is an artistic form of creative expression that enables photographers to explore, experiment, and play. Embracing the ideas and concepts of abstract expressionism places the emphasis on the act of creation, i.e., the process, to design all-encompassing imagery that has deeper meaning and conveys layered stories. Various techniques, such as intentional camera movement (ICM), multiple exposure, single-frame abstractions, the use of textures, and creative layering in processing applications, guide photographers to create and build images. The resulting images are less about identifiable subjects and literal interpretations of a location, but are more about the expressive vision of the individual experience. 

We invite you to join André Gallant and Stephanie Johnson on location in the colorful and artistic city of San Miguel de Allende for an immersive workshop where you are encouraged and guided to tap into your inner artist. Well-known for their expressive abstract imagery, André and Stephanie share their vast years of experience with abstract techniques and assist you in making your own unique expressive images.

Over the course of the week, you have the opportunity for in-depth and immersive classroom time, morning and afternoon field work excursions, and processing sessions with each of these two instructors, where they share hands-on instruction of techniques, insights into their creative philosophies, and encouragement for you to find your own voice.

Workshop highlights include:

• Morning and afternoon location-based excursions in and around San Miguel de Allende to practically apply everything you’ve learned from the classroom instruction each day.
• Two full days of immersion with both André and Stephanie, which breaks down as follows for each instructor: two morning outings/two afternoon outings; two periods of instruction in the classroom; two sessions of processing, group discussion, and Q&A; two image review sessions.
• A guest speaker presentation from Freeman Patterson for a spark of creative inspiration on the first day of the workshop to kick off an immersive week of exploration and play.
• Pre-workshop material to help ensure you arrive in San Miguel de Allende with the necessary basic knowledge for accessing your camera’s multiple exposure and creative capabilities.
• A rich cultural experience in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and as a vibrant hub for the arts.
• A celebratory group dinner and image presentations on the final evening to share the work you’ve created during the week.

By blending intuition and a spirit of curiosity with the more technical aspects of abstraction, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore new ideas, techniques, and processes, while encouraging you to push beyond boundaries and to cultivate your own artistic voice. This workshop asks you to engage deeply—with your inner self and with others; to question deeply—continually asking “What if?” and to dive passionately into the realm of abstract expressionism.