What makes a Good Photograph & How to Spot a Signature Style

Creativity Live Series.

In this course using Zoom, we have joined two workshops together from the Creativity Live Series. The first half is What makes a Good Photograph? You will have half and hour lunch break, then we continue with How to Spot a Signature Style.

Part 1:

What makes a Good Photograph

What is it that makes some work stand out?

And others fall by the wayside?

We’ll demystify what makes a good photograph in clear language, learn more about the genres of photography, and who stands out, plus give you some professional tips on how to shoot powerful images.

This workshop is for you if:

• You’d like to understand what makes a good photograph, so you can try out these techniques on your own images.

What will you learn?

• Understand why some images are more celebrated than others.
• How to easily recognise the difference between a snap and a photograph.
• The terminology used when reviewing images.
• See who stands out in the world of photography, to enhance your knowledge.
• Build your confidence to shoot images you love.

Lunch

Part 2

How to Spot a Signature Style

Image: © Gregory Crewdson. Courtesy Gagosian. 1

It seems the holy grail in photography is to ‘have a style’.

But what does a style look like? And is it all visual?

We’ll equip you with the skills to spot signature styles in photography, how that fits with their work, plus techniques on how to find your own style.

This workshop is for you if:

• You’d like to be able to clearly see photography styles, understand why you are drawn to them, and develop your ability to see a style in your own work.

What will you learn?

• How to spot signature styles in photography.
• Understand some common styles and trends in photography that come and go (and why you should avoid them).
• How a style reinforces the message of a photograph.
• Have the tools to be able to look through your images, and pick out an emerging style you can build from.

The details

• A live online workshop, by Zoom, with half and hour break for lunch.
• Consisting of 4 signposted stages, with lots of visual examples (so we show not tell), guided voting (to confirm your understanding), live demonstrations plus ongoing support post-workshop, so you can try the techniques for yourself.
• You won’t need your camera, just a cup of tea, a pad and pen.
• You will be sent a PDF guide after the workshop finishes, which contains all the materials used in the workshop, plus some professional tips on how to develop your photography.

Creativity Live is a series of workshops designed for those without a formal education in photography. Heavily visual, with plenty of examples, we take a show-not-tell approach to teaching, guiding you step-by-step through the more creative elements of photography; so you understand how to make your work stand out, see behind the scenes how the best images are made, and build your confidence - and ability - to take your photography forwards.

View the whole series at this link.

IMPORTANT

Please look out for the attachment in your confirmation email, it contains the Zoom joining link and passcode. If you don't receive it, please email learning@rps.org  

Jon will need access to your email address to enable him to send you any workshop notes - we will presume that by booking this course you are giving permission unless you contact us to state otherwise. 

Overseas participants - Please check the time of the workshop if you are outside the UK. This link which will help you to calculate the timing of the online workshop: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html

Tutor profile 

Jon Cunningham, is a professional photographer and founder of award-winning creative education company, Creative Escapes. His work has been published in The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Country Living and more, shot 7 books for Penguin and Dorling Kindersley, taught photography internationally across 16 countries, mentored dozens of photographers from beginner to professional, and is the author of ‘Teach Yourself : Your Complete Photography Course’ (Hodder). 

Quote from happy participant:

"This was my first RPS event and I loved it. Just what I needed"

Main Image: © Noah Berger/Associated Press