Kathryn Kolb's
Composition Intensive
All day Workshop
Feb 22, 2014
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
2 - Hour Critique
Mar 8, 2014
10:00am - noon
location:
This is Kathryn's original, in-depth and practical approach to the elusive principles of how a picture works. How can one shot "sing," while another nearly identical shot seems to miss the magic? We'll focus on how to see more interesting design in your viewfinder, starting with how we see and process visual information from the moment we enter a scene. This class is intense, thorough, and will reinvigorate your views of art. "Just wanted to say thanks to you again . . . I went out with my camera almost everyday last week, and I really look thru my camera differently . . . I've even managed a couple of shots I can say with conviction -- WORK!" - Stephanie Smith, 2012 Form is the key to Kathryn Kolb’s unique photographic vision of landscape and landscape detail, and her images are never cropped. From her more “realistic” vistas to her pure abstract designs, Kathryn works in layers of composition that combine to shape the viewer’s overall experience of an image. In articulating her own structure-based vision, Kathryn has developed a series of principles and language that explain how composition works and how to recognize and enhance design in your own work as well as better understand other photographs, paintings or any 2-dimensional artworks. Kathryn shows how visual elements may go unnoticed by many of us at a conscious level, yet they form structures that have powerful resonance. She uses many examples to illustrate a wide variety of composition forms and shows how even the subtlest details can make or break image "reads." Included are works by Cartier-Bresson, Edward Weston, Vivian Maier, Claude Monet, Ansel Adams, Elliot Porter, Vincent van Gogh, and a number of other photographers and painters in addition to her own work. Kathryn also discusses how design elements link natural forms and fine art, including the mathematical principles of "dynamic symmetry." Open discussion and group critiques are designed to raise everyone's awareness and share ways to see & understand how structure and composition work. Topics covered include: - 5 types of photographic read - 4 layers of design - how the mind creates meaning independent of subject - examples of how structure "works" and "doesn't work" - how small details can make big changes in image "reads" - how natural forms create compelling design - math of "dynamic symmetry" Photographers at all skill levels are welcome in this workshop, which focuses on the art of seeing, not on equipment. Even collectors and just general appreciators of photography, painting and graphic design will enjoy this presentation. --- Prep notes and directions sent to confirmed participants. Comments about Composition Intensive: “Material was fresh and very well researched and presented.” “This class took my composition to the next level . . . my photos are better already!” “Composition was covered in a new way, not a re-shaping of what I already know.“ “Very helpful. Putting words to the underlying visual structure of a photograph is difficult, but Kathryn is doing what’s difficult in this workshop.” “Kathryn’s excitement about the subject made it a memorable experience, and she included us in the conversation, did not lecture to us” “Great speaker/storyteller brings a great message and new perspective to the eye . . .” “I found my eyes were opened and art and math are very related.” “ . . . clean, neat constructive criticism that encourages the artist in all." - from Composition Intensive class evaluations 2012
Questions? - contact Kathryn
above photograph: TN Dandelion 1 ©Kathryn Kolb