Learn how a mindful approach to photography can redefine your creative expression.

Dates:
Aug 5, 2024 - Aug 9, 2024

Levels: Intermediate, Advanced,
Workshop Fee: $1495
Workshop Duration: 1-week (Monday-Friday)
Workshop Location: On-campus
Class Size: 12

Image of a hair with a hula hoop - by Doug Beasley

Join us for a powerful week exploring new ways of seeing and making photographs that emerge from a more personal and intimate place. We will learn to harness intuition, spirituality and even introversion, as creative forces in our art, life and photography. We revitalize our creativity by exploring the relationship between subject, camera and self. By cultivating simplicity with purpose and vision, we will create more powerful, as well as more personal photographs, supporting the concept that good photographs are not ‘taken’ but ‘made’. More depth and meaning are encoded into our work by becoming more in touch with our inner selves, then using that awareness to deepen the connection with our chosen subject; whether person, place, or thing.

Creative Mindfulness is a challenging invitation to redefine not only what is personally suitable subject matter but our whole approach to creative expression. Inspiration will be sparked by a balance of group discussion and talks, sharing work-in-progress, critiques of assignments, personal feedback, writing exercises, readings, poetry and even meditation morphing into action. 

Through a calculated series of daily photo exercises and assignments, we will increase visual awareness while clarifying our approach, making images that are both deeply personal and more meaningful. Insightful and powerful photographs will be created by cultivating simplicity and by developing the power of intuition, fueled by the balance of contemplation and decisiveness (be mindful/act now). We will also pay attention to lighting, composition, depth-of-field and exposure issues but don’t be scared- this is not a technical workshop! Much practical advice is given in these areas but more importantly, we practice using this information to make more meaningful images.

Who should attend

While participants must have a strong working knowledge of their camera, the creative process of image making will be emphasized over the mechanics of camera use. Both digital and film, in all formats are welcome. Open to all levels of experience but better suited to those looking to expand their creativity and vision than those seeking technical help.

Materials Fee: $20. Includes numerous handouts and Doug’s Zen & the Art of Photography workbook.

All image credit ©Douglas Beasley

Past student work

(left to right): Fritz Fenyvessy, Janet Casey (x2), Macia Getto

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Instructor: Douglas Beasley

Douglas Beasley’s personal vision explores the spiritual aspects of people and place. His photos, whether landscapes or nudes, act as spiritual metaphors, expressing the physical connection to the metaphysical. Exhibited and published internationally, grants and commissions fund much of his personal work. His second book, Earth Meets Sprit, was recently published by 5 Continents Editions of Milan, Italy. As director of Vision Quest Photo Workshops and creator of Vision Quest Photo Assignment Cards, Doug's extensive teaching experience includes numerous workshops worldwide which always emphasize heart, soul and vision over the mechanics of camera use.