© Alan M. Thornton

This workshop is filling quickly. Please call soon to register (505) 983-1400, ext. 11.

Location portraiture is one of the most rewarding and exciting pursuits in photography—requiring us to interact with our subject, our location, and the light and atmosphere we find or help to create. It is about photographing life while it is happening, with a little creative control thrown in! Participants in this workshop learn to understand and apply the principles of location portraiture through the creative possibilities of location, light, and most importantly, the subject. Mornings are devoted to lectures, demonstrations, and critiques. The rest of the day we practice lighting techniques in a variety of inspiring locations around Santa Fe. Our subjects include hired models, people we meet in town, and our fellow workshop participants.

The focus of the week is on creating simple but expressive lighting schemes with professional strobe lights, from mono lights to more complex multi-light power pack systems. We explore the use of soft boxes, grid spots, reflectors, and colored gels, and learn how to select those best suited to a particular subject and scene. We learn to adapt existing light, both natural and artificial, to intensify the effect we want our portraits to convey. Other topics include the rigging of lights, packing and preparing for location, various cameras and equipment, and creative ways to photograph a portrait. Alan also demonstrates large-scale location shoots and discusses how to break a few photographic rules to make a stronger portrait.

Instructor(s)

Alan M. Thornton has been an advertising, editorial, and fine-art photographer for 16 years, working with various editorial publications in Boston and advertising clients including Hewlett Packard, Apple, John Deere, Land Rover, Nike, and TV Guide. One of Hewlett Packard’s Prestigious Photographers, he has also been an instructor for the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University in Massachusetts, and the Hallmark Institute of Photography. In his fine art and travel documentary work, Alan’s most recent project took him to Turkey, where he spent one summer exploring the mountainous regions of the southeast. This is Alan’s seventh year teaching for the Workshops. His web site is www.amtproductions.com.

Who Should Attend:
Amateurs and Advanced Amateurs

What You Should Know:
Working knowledge of digital workflow and manual mode on your digital SLR camera

Accommodations Available:
On-campus housing available. Click here for pricing information and suggestions for off-campus housing.

Meals:
Meal plan required
Breakfast available

Tuition & Fees:
Tuition: $1,225.00
Model and Location Fee: $350.00