| Staging & Lighting the Cinematic Photograph

Guided by Richard Tuschman, discover the secrets to staging, shooting and editing powerful and emotionally evocative cinematic photographs.

As fine art photographers, how do we develop, strengthen, and maintain our ability to conceive and craft constructed compositions with compelling emotional resonance? Whether assembling objects for a still life, constructing digital montages, or directing and shooting an ensemble of actors, together in this workshop we will uncover and explore the practical tools and long-term strategies necessary to achieve success in our quest to become more effective emotional messengers.

Guided by Richard Tuschman, over the course of the workshop, we will look at lots of photographs by poetic visual storytelling masters, both past and present. Learning by example, we will analyze their choices for lighting, composition, themes, and subject matter. Students will have access to Maine Media’s on-campus photographic studio facilities throughout the week, where we will learn to shape light expressively. Then we will take what we learn there on the road to shoot on location. Models will be available. The goal of the workshop will be for each participant to create a small variety of staged or constructed images, to be presented at the conclusion of the workshop. Throughout the workshop, Richard will be available for individual reviews and feedback.

The following week

Consider taking Richard’s follow-up on-campus class The Art and Craft of Photoshop Post-Production for those wanting to make the most of their photographs in Photoshop:

All image credit ©Richard Tuschman

Past student work

Left to right: Dennis Barnicle, Marcia Mahoney, Sally Ness, Vaness Filley