Establishing a personal voice—a unique vision of the world—is one of the most challenging and surprisingly interesting parts of being a photographer. In this three-week journey, Michael Crouser supports participants as they discover how to create photographs that reflect their vision in a richer way, regardless of their level of experience.
Together we look at the work of established photographers who use photographic elements in specific ways to create a personal look and feel. As we are exposed to artists who inspire or influence us, we also improve our own work by exploring photographic concepts from composition, subject choice, and perspective to equipment, light, setting, and image presentation (not to mention the relative merits of color versus black-and-white).
Each time we meet, participants are given two fun assignments that take their work to a new level, and each successive class features time to review the previous week’s work. In our last session, after considering of the work of a range of photographers, we delve into the fine shades of meaning between homage, inspiration, and plagiarism.
Michael doesn’t tell people how to take pictures; he helps them learn what it is they love about taking pictures. Join him for this popular course—offered online for the first time ever—and hone your aesthetic as you begin to create images that truly reflect your unique voice.
Working knowledge of digital workflow and manual mode on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera. Participants must be able to download and select images using image editing software for class sessions.
View Withdrawal and Transfer Policies for online programs.
Michael Crouser began making photographs at age fourteen. After college, he assisted in many Minneapolis commercial studios before setting out on his own, working with design agencies, industrial firms, universities, and magazines. Michael has been represented by galleries in the U.S. and Spain, and his work can be found in the permanent collections of several museums. In 2012 New York’s Leica Gallery hosted “Michael Crouser: A Mid-Career Retrospective,” and in 2014 he received the George Eastman/Power of the Image Award. He has taught at the International Center of Photography, Minneapolis Photo Center, and Santa Fe Workshops; his fine-art books include Los Toros, Dog Run, and Mountain Ranch.
Website: michaelcrouser.com
Instagram: @michaelcrouserphoto
