Description:
As photographers, we're all striving to improve our work. Every project provides opportunities to excel at what we do. And we hope (expect?) that over time our work will become more engaging and effective. The right gear and technical skill can help. But what about your design skills?

When you're making a photograph or other image, do you conscientiously use visual devices to create a specific impression on the viewer? Are you considering how color (or lack of it) affects your audience psychologically? When was the last time you purposefully employed the principles of photographic composition?

Most importantly: does your work effectively express your intentions?

To advance your art takes understanding and application of essential principles of graphic design. In this workshop, you will learn how to compose images that grab your audience and don't let go.  You will learn what make strong images strong and weak ones weak. How geometry and color affect the viewer's thought process and determine their response. How proportion and dominance make or break an image. This class will focus mostly on photography, with photographic examples, but the principles of design taught here can be applied to graphic design and fine art as well.

Topics include:
- The fundamentals of effective composition
- The image as communication
- Seeing creatively and more!

You will come away from this class with the knowledge of how to design your imagery with intention and direction. As a result, you will begin to see dramatic improvement in your photography.

The second half of the workshop will involve a critque of student images.  Bring your photos on a Flash drive or CD if you want to participate.

Course Photograph © Nathaniel D. Coalson. To see more of Nat's work, please visit NatCoalson.com.

Presented as a Lecture-Style Workshop:
Affordable workshops designed to introduce a subject quickly and efficiently. Students can take notes from the instructor's projected computer screen, and/or bring their own computer to follow along.

Who Should Take This:
Anyone who wants to take better pictures. A basic understanding of photographic principles will be helpful.

Instructor:
Nathaniel (Nat) Coalson is a Colorado-based photographer and designer with over twenty years experience producing commercial and fine art imagery using digital media. He is an Adobe Certified Expert in Lightroom and Photoshop and is an experienced instructor. For more information and to see Nat's work, please visit NatCoalson.com.

BDA Member Cost: $50.00 ($60.00 after Wednesday, April 21, 2010)
Non Member Cost: $70.00 ($80.00 after Wednesday, April 21, 2010)
Become a member to save $20.00