Point of Departure

Date  |  Tuesdays October 6, 20, November 3 & 17, 2020

Time  |   7PM-9PM

Location |  Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC)

1070 Bannock St.,  Denver, CO 80204

Cost  |  $256 Non-Member   $232 Members

Instructor  |  Preston Utley

Skill Level  |  All Levels

When photographer Dorthea Lange would go out and photograph she would emphasize having a “Point of Departure.” For Lange that meant looking for something specific, a particular type of person, a certain mood or a quality of light. To put it in other terms…not having a point of departure is like going to the grocery store without a shopping list….you’ll get some food but you might not get all the ingredients you need to make a recipe.

This workshop is about reaching a new understanding of what it is you are looking for. It is for those of us who love what I prefer to call “straight photography.” Throughout the four class sessions we will investigate what it means to have your own personal point of departure and we will put that in action through photographing out in the real world. We will look at your work on the first day of class and get an idea of what you are interested in. After that class, you will be set with the task of exploring your vision.

Whether you photograph professionally or simply enjoy documenting life as it is, this workshop will open your mind and eyes to what your own personal vision is, and we will bring you a new level of awareness while out photographing.

Because this workshop will not focus too heavily on technical details and is more approach based all skill levels are welcome. However a basic working knowledge of aperture and shutter speeds will be helpful to you but not necessary. No matter your experience level you will walk away with a new understanding of how to make photographs that reflect your personal style and vision.

Materials needed

• Any camera is fine, digital is preferred but film is welcome as well. Regardless of what you shoot; DSLR, Mirrorless, smartphone, etc. you will learn how to read a scene and consider what it is you’re looking for while out in the field.
• Participants are asked to bring 5-10 images of their personal work to share with the class the first day.