Courses

This course invites students of all skill levels to photographically explore the details in our surroundings that are often overlooked. We will focus on appreciating the visual delights of “seeing” close up and revealing familiar elements in unfamiliar ways. Close-up photography transcends the constraints of true macro photography and can encompass interesting images made from very small subjects (plants, foods, feathers, insects) as well as the abstract details of larger objects (architecture, geological features). We will learn to blend the technical capabilities of close-up photography with the traditional elements of compelling imagery, and we will study how composition and light become even more important facets in the realm of close-up imagery. We will learn to control depth of field and “figure to ground” separation and examine the roles of color, contrast, shadow, texture, and form to create intriguing compositions—both simple and complex. We will also explore the post-capture world of “making” the photograph as we further refine our images using contemporary digital editing tools, and we will post and comment on our photos. Using simple variations of saturation, exposure, and cropping, we will work to transcend the role of documentary photography and gently explore more artistic expressions. By the end of the course, students will be able to capture compelling close-up photographs wherever they go.