Talent is insignificant. I know a lot of talented ruins. Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but most of all, endurance. — James Baldwin
If, as James Baldwin, one of the most accomplished writers of the 20th Century, writes, talent is insignificant and beyond it lie what he calls “the usual words” such as discipline or endurance, what conclusions can we draw from this? What lessons can we learn? How can we use Baldwin’s lesson and apply it to our practice to take our work to the next level? In this four-week workshop, we will cover a number of hands-on strategies that enable us to vastly improve our process and practice, which, in turn, will provide the necessary basis for artistic growth. We all know that it is impossible for a photographer to grow if s/he doesn’t take any pictures. But behind and beyond the taking of the pictures, there are a number of important strategies that can be applied to maximise one’s productivity, which, in turn, serves to increase one’s creativity. It’s the stuff that art schools won’t teach you. Making art can be difficult, but the only difficulties should be those posed by art itself — and not the ones homemade because of inefficiency and a lack of the proper work methods. Thus, we will look into art and art making in general, the roles of research, process, and experimentation, and the larger picture behind one’s practice. A number of basic and very simple work strategies and tools will be explored that can get implemented easily and that will not break the bank. Each meeting will consist of a mix of presentations and conversations with participants. At the end of the workshop, each participant will be able to apply the strategies and tools to their own practice, taking into account both the particulars of their own work/life situation and their own personality. Four weeks Saturdays 12:00 pm-1:30pm, 2:00pm-3:30 pm EST Dates: 18, 25 March, 1, 8 April 2023 Open to all ages and all levels Limited to 5-12 participants $300
You want to write a sentence as clean as a bone. That is the goal. — James Baldwin
You might not think of yourself as a writer. However, as a photographer you will be unable to avoid having to write about your work. Photographs are typically organised into projects, which come with a statement. Another important piece of writing is the artist statement — also a standard requirement in the world of photography. How do you produce those pieces of writing, though, when you’re not a writer? We all have been taught to write. In fact, we write on a regular basis, whether it’s a shopping list on a small piece of paper, an email to a friend or business partner, a birthday card for a loved one, or whatever else. But that’s just writing, whereas producing the statement — that’s Writing, isn’t it? Well, no. In this four-week workshop, we will cover the basics of how to write about one’s photographs. Specifically, we will see how the distinction between writing and Writing sets up a false dichotomy. We will learn what constitutes good writing in a photography/art context, and we will practice and discuss writing. In addition, the role of writing as a very useful tool for one’s photographic practice will be explored. At the end of the workshop, each participant will have arrived at a fully formed artist statement, plus a statement for one of their projects. In addition, each participant will know how to apply the principles taught in the workshop to their future practice. Four weeks Sundays 12:00pm-2:00pm, 2:30pm-4:30pm EST Dates: 19, 26 March, 2, 9 April 2023 Open to all ages and intermediate to advanced levels Participants need to have a finished or almost finished project that they can write about Limited to 4-8 participants $400
Send an email jmcolberg@gmail.com, and we'll arrange all the details. Also, email any questions you might have.