The breakthrough moment: a master class with stephen wilkes
An online experience for advanced photographers
OVERVIEW:
Letting go, getting lost, happy accidents, experimenting, taking risks, embracing fear
…These are the traits that are common to many of the most dynamic artists across the rich tapestry of art history. It is these characteristics that we will seek to encourage and develop in this all-new workshop offering featuring master photographer Stephen Wilkes, of National Geographic and Day to Night™ fame.
One day this autumn, Stephen was driving along a forest-lined road with his assistant at the wheel, and he began snapping away, incorporating motion blur into his usually very still imagery. Thus a new series ‘Autumn Drive-By’ was born.
How many times have you experimented with your photography, pushed yourself to be open, and explored new methods beyond those to which you are accustomed? How often, since your earliest days as a photographer seeking to find your voice, have you broken down your own personal boundaries and stepped out of your comfort zone with a willingness to fail?
In this workshop designed specifically for experienced photographers, we encourage you to break free of the ties that bind you to your current habits and established style, in deeply meaningful ways that do not require you to travel to far-flung places or visit exotic cultures to create powerful work.
From his early commercial work and street photography centered on isolating subjects with long lenses, to progressively wider-angled work and projects like ‘Ellis Island’ and the time-bending, mind-warping Day to Night, as well as recent Covid aerials of New York, few photographers can rival Stephen Wilkes in his ability to push his own boundaries and create new forms within his portfolio.
With this rare opportunity, you will not only benefit greatly from Stephen’s lessons and expertise, but the class critique sessions run by Stephen will be invaluable as you learn from each other’s work in a tight-knit group. Moreover, your one-on-one meeting with Stephen will help you to break through to the next stages in your photographic life and career, all from the comfort and security of your home environment.
SCHEDULE:
In this five-part, master class workshop, the small class size and format spread across 2.5 weeks will allow for time to work on assignments, reviews of your work by Stephen, and important feedback to further develop your breakthrough moments. Classes will be conducted via Zoom and each session will run for 2~2.5 hours. This class includes an individual 30-minute one-on-one session with Stephen, to be scheduled separately.
*Sessions will be recorded for viewing on a private channel exclusive to participants so that you can review Stephens’s lessons after the workshop is complete.
SYLLABUS:
Day One
Case studies of artists whose creative process is driven by experimentation / Group portfolio review
Day Two
Finish group portfolio reviews/ Assignment
Day Three
Evolving experimental imagery into a new concept and body of work
Assignment review
Day Four
Creating a narrative within this new work
Continuing to explore your experimental assignment
Day Five
Final assignment review.
Where do you go from here? After you’ve created a series and new body of work exploring the process of editing and refining this new perspective: Exhibitions /Prints/ Online Presence
CLASS LEVEL:
For experienced photographers who are comfortable with handling their camera and exporting images for critiques using applications such as Lightroom, Capture One, Photoshop, etc.
CLASS SIZE:
This master class is limited to 10 students.