1 – THOU SHALT
ADJUST CAMERA SETTINGS
Every smartphone is shipped with a series of defaults. Many of these need to be adjusted to optimize camera functions. We help students navigate that labyrinth as part of our pre-shoot protocols. The first step in student interaction with their smartphone cameras. Song: “Fever” – Adam Freeland Remix, Sarah Vaughn   >Spotify

2 – THOU SHALT
STABILIZE YOUR SMARTPHONE
It’s probably safe to assume you and your smartphone are inseparable. Except when you unintentionally drop it. Whether hand-held, on a selfie stick, or at night on a tripod, simplified stabilization precautions work best. We will teach them to you…  Song: “Do It Again, Live 2012” – The Beachboys  >Spotify

3 – THOU SHALT
DEVELOP OBSERVATIONAL POWERS
Our Experiences create peer learning environments where students receive personalized mentoring from a professional photographer. They are not about Tips and Tricks. They learn a photographer’s mindset, how meaningful images are created and the joy they can bring to others. Photographic contortion…  Song: “Turning Point,” Mighty Joe Young   >Spotify

4 – THOU SHALT
CONTROL YOUR TECHNOLOGY
A smartphone is programmed to do what you tell it to do. Once students understand operational modes, settings and lenses, they lose their fear of technology. In our sessions, we fill the chairs one at at time to avoid confusion. Gaining control of your camera…  Song: “He’s a Pirate” – Klaus Badelt, Pirates of the Caribbean  >Spotify

5 – THOU SHALT
BECOME A STUDENT OF LIGHT
Using natural light to meet the objectives of your image is ongoing at our Experiences. From seasonal variances, to second sunsets, to the framing power of contrast, lighting is the one element photographers constantly chase. Finding moments worthy of sacrifice… 

6 – THOU SHALT
BELIEVE IN COMPOSITION
Compositional strategy is a fundamental principle of photography that includes lighting, viewer focus and emotion. Student images dramatically improve once they include composition in their decision-making. Does a sloping horizon line bring drama to the action?  Play Ball…

7 – THOU SHALT 
APPRECIATE DETAIL
Our workshops celebrate details often missed in every day life. Whether its the veins of a leaf, the ground shadows we walk on, or the survival texture of an aged saguaro, details define our world. Though not always immediately visible, finding details is like an easter egg hunt. Look close enough, you will find them. And be rewarded…  

8 – THOU SHALT 
PRIORITIZE MOMENTS
Different kinds of memories. Different kinds of photographs. The impact of a memorable scene depends on observing opportunities as they present. This graduation shot required readiness to capture one moment, when all the guys looked in the same direction. I just hung out off to the side, looking like a photographic parent watching the action…

9  – THOU SHALT
EDIT EMOTIONALLY
We introduce image editing according to group skill level and smartphone version. Startng with filters, continuing with in-phone editing controls. Witnessing wide eyed smartphone users see images transformed will soon be one of our instructional videos. There’s nothing quite like like a juicy BEFORE-AFTER editing critique to energize a room…

10 – THOU SHALT 
REMEMBER THIS COMMANDMENT
There will come a day when students look down and smile at a recent photo they’ve taken. The lighting and composition will be perfect. They will remember their mentored training and enjoyable peer group. They became believers in the process, and can’t wait to share their new images with others…

WORKSHOPS

 

All photos were taken with an iPhone.

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