WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Photography is a medium that offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding of our ourselves, others, and our relationship to the world. This workshop focuses on engaging with ideas and practices that explore intimacy in photography.
The word “intimacy” is often misunderstood as being synonymous with sexuality but in this course we will define it as deep familiarity and connection. We will look at intimacy using a variety of approaches, in both private and public space, and in our relationship with the natural world.
This course, lead by Cheryle St. Onge and Jason Langer, will concentrate on photographing people and oneself for the purposes of interpersonal understanding and empathy, something that is often daunting for photographers.
During this eight-week course, participants will continue to develop a photographic project at any stage, refining their approach through editing, research and writing. These skills will help students feel more comfortable photographing loved ones, strangers or to become more knowledgable about the place they are photographing.
Each session will include time for presentations, discussion and ample opportunities to share and review work. The first part will feature presentations by Cheryle and Jason, along with discussions on key ideas. The second part will be dedicated to reviewing student work and offering insightful suggestions. St. Onge and Langer will help students gain a better understanding of their natural interpersonal skills and help undo any unhelpful habits.
The workshop will include a strong focus on writing, helping students develop artist statements that articulate their ideas with clarity and intention.
We will study the work of artists who have created powerful images which shorten the distance between themselves, their cameras, and the people, places or things they photograph. We will examine exemplary intimate photographs, discern what makes them so, explore their techniques and develop our own methods of intimate image-making that exude closeness, sensitivity and deep familiarity.
During the workshop, Special Guests Mark Steinmetz and Andrea Modica will each present their work in separate sessions, followed by Q&A and conversations.
Photoshop and/ or Lightroom are recommended and students should have access to some kind of printer or lab to make work prints.
The workshop will be taught online via Zoom.
