To download a printable enrollment agreement, please click here.

This is an advanced darkroom-based color printing course designed to assist the student in honing their color printing skills in the color darkroom while at the same time giving them an intensive critique of their color film-based image making, providing guidance in developing a cohesive body of color photographic images. Throughout the 12-week course, each student will meet with the instructor on an individual basis as well as present their work for in-class group critique, in an effort to address and solve aesthetic concerns, both visual and technical, specific to their images. Assignments will be given on an individual basis, each geared to the student’s specific visual and technical needs. The final class will be devoted to final presentations of work done by each student in the class.

 Prerequisite: Basic Color Darkroom or equivalent previous experience in the color darkroom.

Workshop FULL - To be on the waitlist, please download a printable enrollment form, click here.

Advanced Darkroom is the first in a series of two black & white workshops aimed at expanding artistic control of the fine art print. During this first twelve-week period we will explore several advanced negative and print making techniques we can use to bring our creative vision to print. A review of artistic controls in the negative making, the highlight-based printing system, multiple filter printing, color filters in black & white photography, low light photography and selenium processing are some of the topics we will study.

Prerequisite: Students should know how to develop film and make a print in the darkroom. Basic Darkroom at NESOP or two years of black & white negative and printmaking are strongly suggested for this workshop.

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This class studies and practices 19th century photo processes. We will explore salt printing, cyanotype, platinum printing, pinhole photography and more. These processes require a deeper level of connection with materials and are a jumping-off point to a world of greater creativity. Class time will be divided into demonstration, lecture, class critique and guest speakers. In short, this class hopes to create a safe space where you can take a chance, play and fall back in love with photography. Students are expected to bring negatives and purchase their own materials for each process they wish to explore beyond the demonstration.

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In this workshop, learn to photograph a variety of architectural subjects—interiors and exteriors will be explored. Working with large 4x5 format and the latest digital technology, you will learn observation and analysis skills, composition, dramatic use of light, balancing portable lighting with existing light and handling technical exposure issues. You will be exposed to working with mixed lighting, filtration and distortion issues. Digital workflow as it relates to architecture will be covered.

Prerequisite: Art of Studio or Creative Lighting

Take this rare opportunity to work with Zone System photographer Nick Johnson, exploring the magic of the 4x5 camera and the beauty of prints made from large format black & white negatives. This is a workshop that should thrill both the beginner and the experienced 4x5 photographer. 4x5 cameras will be provided for those that would like to experience the world of large format negatives, but have not yet invested in their equipment.

The workshop will include: controls and usage of the view camera, film processing, print making, zone system expansion and contraction, field trips and classroom discussion.

Class is limited to 12 persons

*An additional security deposit of $300.00 will be required of all students in need of a view camera outfit.

This intense course will provide students with the advanced business and marketing skills specific to the wedding photography industry. Through weekly lectures, in-class guests and studio visits, students will be exposed to many different approaches to running a successful wedding photography business. The essential tools of the wedding photographer will be identified and the concepts of always being professional and prepared will be stressed throughout the course. From consultations, contracts and pricing to self-promotion, marketing and working with vendors, all aspects of the business of wedding photography will be addressed.

This is an advanced color printing course designed to assist the student in honing their color printing skills while at the same time giving them one-to-one critique on individual photographs or guidance in developing a cohesive body of color photographic images. The instructor will meet with each student weekly, on an individual basis. In these individual critiques, the discussion will address and solve aesthetic concerns, both visual and technical, specific to their own images. Two of the twelve classes will give the students the opportunity to present their work to the rest of the class enabling them to get a wider base of feedback. Assignments will be on an individual basis, each geared to the student's specific visual and technical needs. The final class will be devoted to presentations of work done by each student in the class.

Prerequisite: General Color

This darkroom-based course introduces students to a variety of alternative techniques beyond traditional black and white processes. During the first half of the course, many unique darkroom techniques, including several types of toning, bleaching and hand-coloring, are demonstrated and explored. In the second half, students are encouraged to continue experimenting with these techniques, discovering ways that they enrich their photographs and support the creation of their artwork. Regular analysis of the technical results and group discussions addressing the effectiveness of the techniques on the final images are consistent components of this course.

Prerequisite:  Basic Darkroom or equivalent experience.

In this course, students will learn the underlying fundamentals necessary in developing a successful electronic marketing strategy for their photography business. Hands-on experience using the electronic tools available today will allow students to develop an electronic business presence that will put them on the path to modern success. Weekly lectures and demonstrations will help students learn to use social media and social marketing to present their marketing campaign, join and build electronic communities and learn effective search engine optimization. This course requires students to have a clear understanding of who their customers are and what their product offers, therefore, successful completion of "Advanced Business Development" or "The Leap: How to Move From Amateur to Professional Photographer" is required to enroll in this course.

This is a critique-based course designed to assist students in the creation of a fine art photography portfolio and explore effective ways to promote and market their work. Students are open to work with film or digital; black and white or color, and are encouraged to bring a minimum of five printed images to class every week for critique. Essential career skills for professional fine art photographers, such as creating artist statements, answering calls for entry and writing grant proposals will be addressed. Weekly discussions on self-promotion, web-marketing and understanding venues to show and sell work will round out this course for anyone looking to establish themselves in the world of fine art photography. This advanced course requires at least a solid technical foundation in photography.

To download a printable enrollment agreement, please click here.

The human eye can see further into highlights and shadows than a camera could normally capture. Even high-end digital cameras can only record a fraction of the details that we can see. However, through the process of high dynamic range (HDR) photography, a photographer can digitally capture multiple exposures of the same scene and merge them digitally, producing images that contain full detail in the highlights, mid-tones and shadows. This course will explain the HDR process in detail and highlight its useful application in a wide range of photographic areas - including architectural, portraiture, product, wedding and fine art. HDR will change the way you think about photography and dramatically improve the quality of your digital images.

Prerequisite: Beginning Digital Camera or a basic proficiency using a digital-SLR camera. Basic computer skills are also recommended.

This course is designed to provide an overview to help prepare students, both mentally and literally, to launch their own photography businesses. Topics include understanding the photographer's market, creating a 5-year business plan, self-promotion and marketing tools, portfolio presentation/securing new clients, pricing and providing estimates. Legal and logistical issues addressed include understanding photo usage rights, copyright, model and property releases and other legal forms, invoicing and getting paid, insurance, and tax issues. Discussions will include effective means of preparing to launch your business and ways to stay in business as the photographic industry evolves. This course will also include a brief overview of professional studio lighting and a Photoshop demonstration for architectural, portrait, event, and product photography. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of all of the elements involved in running a photography business.

The word photography means "writing with light," but in this class, students will learn how to paint with light! This hands-on workshop extends the possibilities of night and low light photography by introducing the concept of light painting with hand held portable flash, flashlights and almost any other light source you can think of. The class will begin with an introduction to equipment, techniques and a presentation of light painted images, followed by a studio session where students can experiment with different sources using the light painting technique indoors.  There will be two outdoor sessions in different locations and critiques of images produced during the workshop. Students are expected to have a film or digital SLR camera, tripod, cable release, at least one flashlight and understanding of their camera and the basic principles of photography.

To download a printable enrollment form, please click here.

New technologies in photography have made Night Photography more accessible and popular than ever. Digital cameras allow for instant feedback that can serve as a guide for determining exposures, but there is more to successful night photography than simply exposure. This class will cover lighting, contrast, atmosphere, equipment choices and subject matter— all important factors in shooting at night. Over the course of the workshop, we will explore the world of night photography with both film and digital cameras, working with the light of the moon as well as with artificial light sources. During the course, participants will create a body of nocturnal images in a variety of locations. From relatively short exposures by streetlight to full moon exposures of an hour or more, we will explore the range of possibilities within this genre. See www.thenightskye.com for more information.

As photographers we are all trying to solve similar problems in presenting our work. Unavailable only a few years ago, the internet has produced a wave of publishing on demand services, each with its own niche and set of offerings. This course is intended to familiarize the student with internet publishing resources currently available and is designed to assist in choosing among them. Step-by-step, we will work with the “pre-press” problem of sequencing and arranging our photos, the process of selecting the right service offering the best “look” for the finished book and finally the mechanics of getting the selected photos through the online process needed to attain the finished book. Emphasis is on experimentation and a willingness to see our work in a new and possibly more powerful way.

Prerequisites: Basic proficiency with computers and internet is expected. Studens who have a existing body work to publish will benefit the most from this workshop.

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You have the camera and you have honed your skills; now, develop the tools you need to make the leap to become a professional photographer. This class will examine the current business models that dominate the professional photography industry. We will study the business tools necessary to start and operate a profitable business and we will examine new opportunities that technology offers today’s photographer. Whether your goal is a part-time business or a full-time career, weekly assignments will culminate in you crafting your own business plan, enabling you to launch your business and realize your dream. This is a business class for photographers who want to be in business for themselves.

In this class, the goal is to close the gap between the photographer’s experience of taking the photograph and what ultimately radiates from the final print. The first step is to realize than an increased understanding of film exposure and development is not simply technical, but is, in the end, a wonderful creative tool, which will alow the photographer’s artistic vision to be more fully realized. As students begin to produce negatives with which they are happy, we will explore some advanced printing techniques using fiber-based paper and selenium toning.

Prerequisite: Basic Darkroom

It’s all around us, and it invites us to look at it deeply with a camera—how do you visually define landscape? Intended for intermediate students with a working knowledge of the basic techniques of photography and comfort with darkroom and digital practices, this workshop moves you toward developing your own landscape vision. We will combine critiques of weekly assignments with an overview of the techniques and hardware involved in landscape photography in an urban environment. Topics covered will include camera choices, a short photo history of the urban landscape, format choice, the finished print, the creative use of lenses, exploring color and developing a workflow to support personal work. Students will be expected to select and complete a short project.

This class is designed to provide students with a concentrated introduction to the elements essential to the photojournalism portfolio through real world assignments in all the major areas: News (Spot and General), Sports, Features and the Picture Story/Photo Essay (multimedia will be discussed). This course will challenge you to explore the concept of visual journalism and teach you to use your camera as a tool for communication. Our approach is multi-layered, fluid and uncomplicated. We’ll briefly touch on the works of some professionals in the field like James Nachtwey and Paul Fusco, we will embrace the latest technology and we will shoot lots and lots of pictures. These three areas will merge constantly throughout the summer.