Have you ever asked yourself what makes a good photograph? If you haven’t, you should—and if you have, this workshop is designed to help you answer that all-important question. Join Dottie Lopez as she leads you on a fascinating journey to learn which visual elements are present in those images that speak to the masses. Through lively discussions, image presentations, daily assignments, and group critiques, we explore the visual foundation for creating a compelling photographic image.

Dottie reviews the images of iconic and obscure photographers, evaluating the visual techniques and design elements that make the images memorable ones. Under her guidance, we investigate different ways of seeing: using space and depth; finding harmony and balance; and depicting discord and drama. Throughout it all, we focus on that crucial element, the capturing of the critical moment.

While knowing how to design the elements in a photograph is important, equally essential to a powerful image is the use of light. In our five days together, Dottie imparts the fundamentals of light—how to see it and evaluate its quality, how to manage it, and how to record it to enhance the power of your photographs.

By the workshop’s end, you possess a solid foundation in seeing, constructing, composing, and playing with light to create images you are proud to share.