Conceptual Photography With a Twist: Crafting Illusions & Creating Otherworldly Places
Level: Lighting - Intermediate
This three day long workshop is designed for photography students who are beyond the technical and compositional skills they have mastered, and who are now wanting to take their photography to the next level. In this case, “concept”!
Beyond the well executed, meticulously composed and captured photograph is where concept lives, and adds yet another layer to the visual experience for your audience. Done well, it can engage the viewer more fully; enrapturing them in the message you are bringing to their attention that could very well evoke a personal experience and connection within them.
This workshop will introduce the hungry student to the “idea” process by first tapping into their creative sensibilities, followed by brainstorming and cultivating ideas, and then nurturing it/them to reality. This tried and true procedure will unveil the critical thinker the student already is, and reveal the perpetuating process of “one good idea leads to another”. Once realized, the student then becomes an idea machine, able to carry on his craft and talent for poetic storytelling into future projects and commissions.
We will work in groups over the course of this three-day workshop, yet each participant will experience every step of the creative process- from sketching the concept, creating props, scheming lighting, directing their subjects, and editing their images. In the end, the student will have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to bring a fantastical thought to vivid reality.
You are a confident user of all the manual shooting modes on your camera for exposure control.
You are familiar with simple lighting set ups and have had some hands on time with lighting equipment. You understand and can set up the different triggering systems.
You are aiming to be introduced to some new ideas and techniques to experiment with different creative outcomes.
Portfolio Review Required
Our sincerest desire is to maintain a consistent level of photographic proficiency so that you and your fellow participants can get the most out of this workshop. Therefore we ask that you submit a sample of images that demonstrate your experience is at the defined level of the workshop.
To submit a selection of your images, click on 'Add to Cart', Agree to Terms & Conditions and then you will be instructed to upload them.
We will review your images and respond to you within 1 working day. If we do not feel that your choice is appropriate, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.
who should attend
You are a confident user of all the manual shooting modes on your camera for exposure control.
You are familiar with simple lighting set ups and have had some hands on time with lighting equipment. You understand and can set up the different triggering systems.
You are aiming to be introduced to some new ideas and techniques to experiment with different creative outcomes.
Portfolio Review Required
Our sincerest desire is to maintain a consistent level of photographic proficiency so that you and your fellow participants can get the most out of this workshop. Therefore we ask that you submit a sample of images that demonstrate your experience is at the defined level of the workshop.
To submit a selection of your images, click on 'Submit Portfolio', and then you will be instructed to upload them.
We will review your images and respond to you within 1 working day. If we do not feel that your choice is appropriate, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.
* Your note book and pen.
* Day 2 will be the shoot day. Everyone will be shooting using Hugh's camera so you don't need to bring your own.
* On day 3, bring your laptop with a copy of Photoshop CS3 or above.
What you should bring
* Your note book and pen.
* Day 2 will be the shoot day. Everyone will be shooting using Hugh's camera so you don't need to bring your own.
* On day 3, bring your laptop with a copy of Photoshop CS3 or above.
About the Instructor
Hugh Kretschmer
At the age of 13, his father, showing him how to develop his first pictures in the family darkroom, introduced Kretschmer to photography. From that point forward, he never looked back, and went on to study photography, receiving a BFA from Art Center College of Design in 1984, graduating with honors.
Since then, Kretschmer has been creating conceptual photo-illustrations for a large number of editorial and advertising clients, both here in America and abroad, most notably Vanity Fair, New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Fortune, and GQ, as well as Old Spice, Toyota, Honda, Huggies, Penn & Teller, and Purina.
His work has garnered numerous industry awards in Communication Arts Magazine, American Photography, Graphis Publications, The International Photography Awards, and The Society of Publication Designers. His work has been the subject of many articles and profiles appearing in Plastik Magazine, Communication Arts, Juxtapoz, Graphis, Vision and Shutterbug Magazines. His
work is collected through Fathom Gallery in Los Angles, Sakura Gallery in Paris, and in 2018, HEPTA Gallery in Seoul.
Kretschmer’s teaching career started at the age of 32 at Art Center College where he taught advanced still life for 3 years, until moving to New York. After moving back to Los Angeles, he has since taught photography at Santa Monica College, and, presently, UCLA and The Los Angeles Center for Photography.
Artist Statement
My photographs have been described as fanciful, curious, imaginative, unusual, or a little creepy. Some are influenced by myriad dreams and desires of what life could be like…if only.
While others are commentaries on the human condition, influenced by a perspective that honors and embraces the assets and deficits we all share as human beings, seasoned with a touch of quirk and irony."
Wednesday, February 7
9:00 AM -
6:00 PM
Thursday, February 8
9:00 AM -
6:00 PM
Sunday, February 11
10:00 AM -
3:30 PM
Includes UAE VAT 5%
Cost $1125
Workshop Location
Cancellation & Exchange Policy
- You can cancel and/or exchange your GPP Photo Week 2018 workshop until January 7, 2018. No refunds or exchanges after January 7, 2018.
- If you cancel your workshop before January 7, 2018, you get back 70% of the workshop value.
- If you want to exchange your workshop for a different one, it must be of the same or higher value, providing that you pay the difference for a more expensive workshop.
