Bob Killen’s Fine Art Photography Course

September 24th at the Calumet Learning Annex, Santa Ana CA

September comes with vapor flowers and a low slashing light that harkens to the winter sun a few squares further down the calendar. Random Santa Ana winds make a dry, dusty sound before going away and scorching the southern California light, the Mediterranean air. Schools open and yellow busses grind through working— or not—neighborhoods sucking up bright faces thinking recess and prepubescent wonders about the boy or girl who won’t look their way. In the tight tile communities of upscale families, chrome- wheeled cars slipstream out of manicured streets to school parking lots like shallow waters trickling over fine sands. Child learners slide off leather seats and down into the blue morning shadows. Hitching and scratching, they lean forward against the weight of book filled backpacks and march forward to school’s double doors.

Then it’s over; the high-wasted light of a yellow afternoon comes and the children fade into lemon busses grinding; chrome wheeled Mommy coaches gliding, slight faces pressed to windows, minds with crystal visions yearning.

School is open! And as the above paragraphs painted a truncated word picture, photographers who enroll in the new Fine Art Photography Class at the Calumet Learning Annex in Santa Ana CA, will learn how to capture image themes that transcends viewers beyond words written. In this series, we employ mentored learning techniques to teach students the creative thinking that fashions visual metaphors, and to extend our emotional range through creative Photoshop strategies.

A course with a Successful History—

I measure a student’s success by their personal growth, their sense of self-expression, and the success of their full or part time careers as their work finds gallery space, online venues, and or on the pages of publications. Most importantly, I measure success by how their work makes a difference to their personal art audiences. Happily, many of our alumni have experienced individual shows and publication success. Others have found new ways to express long felt ideas, and a visual voice.

A Great Course Revised— The Fine Art Photography course is now a thesis level program with online support between the classes. Class modules are one, two, and three days and occur two to three weeks apart. Between the classes, students photograph and post produce a thematic project based upon a theme developed in class. Online support provides additional instruction, coaching, and assignments to internalize a broad range of fine art photography concepts.

Class Descriptions—

Fundamentals of Fine Art Photography— This is a full day of lectures, portfolio reviews, and the student interactive discussions. We explore photographic philosophies, a history of fine art photographers and their contributions, a visual review of contemporary fine art photographers and why their work merits recognition. In the afternoon session, we consider how themes occur, how photographers pursue them, and how audiences perceive the work. During the day, I conduct a portfolio review and all students join in with their thoughts and comments.

• On Line Support— The support consists of image reviews, artists statements, and reading material that helps photographers find their visual voice within this genre. Students submitting theme ideas and images for discussion of concepts under consideration.

• Intra Class Module— Between classes students explore and capture images to support their themes. We provide intra class and online review.

Vision beyond Documentation— In this two-day class students unleash their concepts and prepare a thematic statement, learn Photoshop tools for fine art, fine-art workflow, and how to build a custom work space for fine art projects.

• On Line Support— The support consists of image reviews in light of a chosen thematic, online technical Q&A for Photoshop applications directed towards finding a visual voice and or for specific artistic applications. We provide input to keep the student images within their stated thematic objective.

• Intra Class Module— Between classes students continue to capture images that support a theme that is a vision beyond documentation. We provide intra class and on line review.

Fine Art Master Tools— In this three day class students concentrate on bringing their thematic images to life. They work from capture through output and learn to paint with light, control luminosity and use masks to deepen the emotional range of their images. With the use of new tools and techniques students learn to master and expand emotional range, edit images for a theme, and learn how to combine, intuition, serendipity, and purpose into a successful fine art project.

• On Line Support— The support consists of image critique, and technical Q&A for Photoshop techniques. We also provide valuable feedback to keep the student’s theme on course and within their stated thematic objective.

• Intra Class Module— Between this class and the next, students continue to capture and refine additional images in support of their themes.

Fine Art Output— The print is the thing and in this three day module students learn to construct fine art prints with Epson Printers and Epson substrates. Epson technical staff is present to help students handle their work professionally. Students master soft proofing, tonal adjustments, fine tune detail issues, and learn to further refine their themes during the print stage in pursuit of their thematic objectives. Students leave class with finished prints in archival storage sleeves.

• On Line Support— The support consists of technical Q&A for printing applications for fine art photographs and feedback on tonal adjustments in support of their stated thematic objective.

• Intra Class Module— During the time between this class and the next students continue to capture and refine their prints on home or outsourced printers for a final portfolio review.

Developing an Audience— In this two day course students learn how to find and develop an audience for their work. We explore: marketing strategies, audience recognition and the six portals of audience development. We also cover web presentations, galleries, online galleries, and the power of social media.

• Alumni Support— Student’s who complete all five modules will show their work in the Graduate Gallery Exhibit, as well as in our online gallery. We have developed a special Facebook discussion group where alumni can post their work and discuss their projects with other graduates.

The Graduate Gallery Exhibit— Students who successfully complete all five modules will have the opportunity to show their work in a Graduate Exhibit at the Learning Annex Gallery. This exhibit begins with a reception night, and is open to the public. We promote the show through various online advertising, with direct mail, and within the Calumet stores. Reviewers from art publications often attend and we invite collectors who are interested in emerging growth artists.

Requirements—

Desire— You must have a teachable spirit, a desire to learn, and a need to express yourself visually.

Photoshop— You must be comfortable with Photoshop and have a working knowledge of the tools, layers, file management, and adjustment layers.

Computer— You must bring a laptop with Photoshop CS5. Your machine should have a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, and sufficient hard drive space to manage the image work load.

Monitor— Your monitor should be calibrated. If not we will help you calibrate your monitor in class.

FAQ—

I’m not sure if I have the talent for Fine Art?— This program teaches you how to discover the unique visual voice that lies within you, and how to grow and refine your voice. It is not a matter of talent; it’s a matter of commitment and character.

Do I have to take all five class modules?—Yes, if you expect to gain a full understanding of and become proficient as a fine art photographer. However, you can take individual classes of your choice but you will not eligible for: discounts, intra module support, the certificate program, or to participate in the Graduate Gallery Exhibit.

Do I have to pay for all five modules at once? —No. You may pay for the modules as you go.

Are there discounts available?—Students who sign up for all class modules are eligible for a 10% discount. Students also receive promotional in store discounts on equipment and supplies.

What if I can’t complete the course?—The Learning Annex Administration judges the merit of each withdrawal case. Students who leave the program are eligible to join the program the next semester but the instructor will determine the reentry module.

Will I be able to sell prints at the Graduate Gallery Exhibit?— Yes if someone chooses to buy one of your prints. It will be your responsibility to provide the print, Certificate of Authenticity, and to deliver the print.

Will our instructors guide us through the Exhibit Process?— Yes, support staff form Bob Killen Fine Art and the Calumet Learning Annex will guide you through the process.

I am coming in from out of town. Is there a place I can stay?— Yes contact our studio manager, Michelle Bracey at michelle@bobkillen.com and she will help you with accommodations.

To enroll on line go to: http://bit.ly/qVlkXG

Or call: Calumet 714-285-0143