| An Intimate Portrait of Place

Guided by fine art photographer Lee Anne White, immerse yourself in the world of landscape photography and learn to bring out the unique spirit of a location.

To know a place, we must slow down—to see not only the big picture, but the intimate details that give it character. To observe not only the terrain and what grows there, but the history of the land and our connection to place. To become aware not only of what we see, but how a place makes us feel. 

In this workshop, we’ll explore the concept of landscape and look at what gives a geographic location a unique sense of place. We’ll photograph not only the natural landscape but also designed and built environments that reflect the relationship between humans and the land over time. We’ll explore the rocky shorelines, estuaries, woodlands, and gardens of Coastal Maine, as well as cultural and historic sites. Some days we’ll go on extended field trips to explore a specific region. On other days, we’ll work closer to Rockport, with time in the classroom for lessons, discussions, and image reviews.

This course will help you refine your vision and explore new ways of seeing and thinking about the landscape. Your goal for the week is to put together a small series of working images that convey a story, capture the spirit of the Maine Coast, or express an emotional response to the landscape. Journaling is one of the creative tools we’ll use to help reach that goal.

Bring your digital camera, a sturdy tripod, and a laptop or tablet with image-editing software for downloading, processing and sharing images. You should already be familiar with your camera’s operation and have a basic understanding of exposure metering and image processing. A polarizing filter is strongly recommended. We’ll spend a lot of time walking and wandering, often on rugged terrain, so pack light and wear sturdy walking shoes or boots.

All Image Credit © Lee Anne White.