Abstract Expressionism & Photography

‘Creative photography’ is surely a misnomer. The creativity comes from within. We may protest that we are not creative, yet as children, we are all creative. Oftentimes it is hammered out of us as we grow. We learn to conform. We stand in line. We pay heed to ‘because’ instead of ‘why not?’

Valda Bailey and Doug Chinnery have spent the last ten years discovering the joy to be had in using their cameras in unconventional ways. They have built up a loyal following of students who have learned from them how to move beyond the technical and instead, focus on creative expression.

This December, joining us via Zoom from England, Valda and Doug take you on a four-hour adventure to explore the imagination, color outside the lines, push against convention, and bend the rules. On the first morning, they talk about the ‘how’s – the myriad ways in which we can subvert our camera’s conventional settings in order to produce images that are expressive and imaginative. There are many variables we can use as we work through a sequence in order that we might realize our creative vision. They cover post processing and the firmly held belief that the creative process doesn’t end the minute we remove our card from our camera. Oftentimes, that is just the beginning.

On day two, Valda and Doug cover the ‘why’s. The challenges that arise when we move beyond simply replicating what is in front of our lens. The ideas that flow when we open our eyes to the possible and decide to interpret rather than replicate. Whether your interest is pure abstraction, soft painterly impressionism, or vibrant expression, they show you how you can use your camera to create images that invite the viewer to go beneath the surface. Images that are about who you are as an artist.

They also discuss how photography and art overlap and how the abstract expressionist movement has provided them with a framework within which to explore their ideas. Prioritizing the development of imagination over technical brilliance, seeking interpretation not replication and putting emphasis on emotional expression rather than prescriptive dogma. It is not an approach that suits everyone, for sure. It needs an open mind, an imaginative approach, and an acceptance that there will be many failures. In return, Valda and Doug show you a way to make images that are personal and uniquely yours, not easily replicated, and won’t have been made a million times before.

Question and answer sessions bring each day’s program to an enjoyable close.