Unit 1: INTRODUCTION

PHOTOGRAPHY

Welcome to Photoclass!

Welcome to Photoclass! I'm thrilled to be kicking off this journey with you as you practice your photography. Whether you’re here to dust off an old camera, pick up a brand-new hobby, or refine skills you’ve been honing for years, you’ve come to the right place.

This class is a balance between the technical and the creative, walking you through both the precision of camera settings and the freedom of self-expression. We’ll be touching on everything from basic concepts like exposure to more advanced techniques that help you discover your unique photographic style. Above all, we’ll be cultivating an environment where constructive feedback and mutual support lead to real growth.

Don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit nervous or unsure about where to start. That’s perfectly normal. I'm here to offer guidance, encouragement, and the occasional nudge to get you out of your comfort zone. Remember, you’re not alone in this your classmates are all on this learning curve together, ready to share insights, feedback, and support along the way.

I can’t wait to see what you create!

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Setting goals for yourself is a crucial step. Acknowledging why you’re taking the course allows you to think critically about each lesson and focus on your individual objectives within the lesson’s learning objectives. What do you hope to get out of this class? Take some time to really consider why you’ve decided to join - it will help keep you motivated and engaged throughout the year.

In your learning journals, you will find a space to write down your goal, as well as identifying a photo you’ve taken in the past that you’re proud of. With the photo, it’s very possible that you aren’t sure why you like it. Take some time to really look at it. Is it a memory that makes you smile? Do the colors just work for you? Maybe it just “looks cool.” Write all that down. All reasons are worth noting. We’ll look back on these goals midway through the year, and again at the end. The learning journal will help you to track this progress.

With that goal in mind, you are set up for success - see you in class and enjoy the creative process!

It’s time. Time to get into why we’re all here: photography.

Before we get into details and techniques, let’s take a moment to appreciate what photography really is at its core. It sits at a unique intersection of science, technology, and art. Yes, it’s important to understand the technical stuff those camera settings, that new piece of gear but what truly defines your work is the creative vision you bring to it.

Of course, being comfortable with your gear is paramount. I encourage you to try out manual modes trust me, it’s the best way to see how things like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO play together. Still, let’s not knock the auto modes. Depending on the scenario, they can be your best friend. The ultimate goal is to feel comfortable with your equipment so that when an idea hits, you know exactly how to approach it.

As for gear, there’s an old saying that “the best camera is the one you have with you.” We can all get gear-envy sometimes (cutely referred to as G.A.S.—Gear Acquisition Syndrome), but fancy tools aren’t a shortcut to creativity. Instead, push your current setup to its limits. Figure out what it can do and note where it falls short. Only then can you decide if an upgrade makes sense.

A G.A.S.eous State

G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) can sneak up on even the most disciplined photographers. It’s totally normal and sometimes fun to get excited about new equipment. After all, who doesn’t love the promise of that perfect new lens or camera body? However, we don’t want your enthusiasm for gear to become a roadblock. If you find yourself fixated on what you could buy next, pause and think: how can you make the most of what you already have?

By staying mindful of this tendency, you’ll keep your focus on developing your skills rather than chasing the next must-have gadget. Your growth as a photographer isn’t defined by the number of lenses you own, but by how you use them.

Inspiration

One of the biggest challenges many photographers face is not knowing where to start, finding the motivation to create, and staying inspired. It’s a common experience, whether you’re just starting out or have years of practice behind the lens. Throughout this class, we’ll encourage you to push yourself to create new work consistently. For some, this will be exciting. For others, it might leave you thinking, But what should I create?!

Let's explore strategies and tools to help you overcome those inevitable moments when inspiration feels out of reach because, let’s face it, those moments will happen. With these resources, you’ll have a reliable foundation to get back on track and keep your creative momentum going.

A large portion of this course will focus on feedback and inspiration.

First, let’s tackle inspiration. One of this week’s assignments involves you seeking out inspiration in the form of another photographer’s work. We often see the question: ‘but where do I go to be inspired?’ A fair question, and one which has various answers depending on your personal idioms and interests. I also believe strongly in finding inspiration outside of your given medium - meaning don’t be limited to photography, but seek out different sources of art; film, music, traditional, modern, written, etc. But, getting back to photography, there are different resources available to you to seek out contemporary and older photography.

Local galleries, shows, markets, gatherings and events might seem like an obvious choice for inspiration, but they’re often overlooked in favor of online resources. There’s something uniquely powerful about standing in front of a physical piece of art, absorbing the colors, textures, and details in real time. Beyond photography, galleries host a variety of creative expressions from painting and sculpture to multimedia installations and each can give you fresh perspectives on composition, color theory, storytelling, and more. Plus, you might discover emerging artists or local talent you’d never have encountered online.

One of the best parts of visiting these spaces is the element of surprise: you never know what you’ll find on any given day. Maybe you’ll stumble upon a cutting-edge photo exhibit that challenges your notions of portraiture, or a traditional collection that inspires you to experiment with more classical approaches. The experience also connects you to your local artistic community, giving you a sense of place, context, and cultural flavor that a digital feed just can’t replicate.

Ready to explore? Here’s a resource to help you find galleries around the world, so you can tap into that well of inspiration whether you’re traveling or staying close to home.

Let’s look at some other spaces to find inspiration:

Social Media.

Famous Photographers.
Again, may seem obvious, but successful photographers are notable for reasons. This Fstoppers article lists the 100 most influential photographers of all time.

While not a comprehensive list, the above options will help you get started looking at photography critically and intentionally. Remember that not everything will spark inspiration, so when you find something that does, take note of it. You can make folders in your Google Drive of inspirational photos (don’t forget to write down the photographer and source), or bookmark sites and photographers who interest you. Some find that creating mood boards is a great way to start you on track to putting together your own work based on inspiring photos.

Feedback

A large portion of this course will focus on feedback and inspiration.

Being open to give and receive feedback is crucial to grow as an artist. Go in to feedback sessions with an open mind, ready to share your ideas, and be receptive to the ideas of others. If you want to get the most out of this class as you can, being active with classmates is the most important step.

Remember that giving feedback is just as valuable as seeking it out as it encourages you to articulate what it is about a photo that resonates with you and what changes you believe will make it stronger.

Critique, both giving and receiving is one of the most powerful catalysts for growth in photography. When you receive constructive feedback, you gain insights into how others perceive your work, learning to recognize patterns you may have overlooked and identifying areas where you can push yourself further. When you offer thoughtful critique, you sharpen your ability to see images objectively, training your eye to appreciate subtle compositional choices, technical nuances, and the overall storytelling potential of a photograph.

This isn’t just about finding flaws; it’s about learning how to communicate visually. Over time, you become better at articulating why certain elements do or don’t work, translating those lessons back into your own shooting and editing process. Embracing critique helps demystify what makes an image compelling, fueling your confidence and creativity as you continue to refine your craft.

When requesting feedback, it may help the critic to have some added context about what your goals were for the image, how you approached hitting your goal; basically why you made the choices you made. You may also add specifics about what you’re looking for feedback on specifically. All this information allows the reviewer to approach their critique in a way most meaningful to you.

Feedback is not personal, and while you may find some less helpful, focus in on the points which are. Going in with an open mind and an understanding of differing perspectives will ultimately help you to grow as a photographer.

During this class you will also be tasked with giving feedback. If you’re new to photography, you may feel that you’re not ‘in a place’ to give feedback to others. You’d be wrong. All perspectives have value, regardless of how long you’ve been in photography or the level of education you have of the subject. Photography is a visual medium, and you have been consuming visual media your entire life. You have an inherent understanding of it whether you consciously recognize it or not.

Alright, so you’ve accepted that you can give feedback, but now you’re asking ‘how??’

The main thing is that feedback should be constructive and actionable. What that means is that there needs to be more than what you like and dislike - there needs to be substance.

For example, non-constructive feedback would look like what you see in the comments of most instagram posts. You know the kind - “Sick tones, bro! 🔥🔥🔥”

While probably appreciated by the photographer, it doesn’t really say anything. Instead, note what makes the photo ‘sick’ and ‘fireemoji.’ Is it the composition, where the subject is places in the frame, the overall story? Identify why you are having the reaction to the image that you are.

When giving constructive criticism, it’s important to note what can be done to improve the overall image. This would look something like “I love the energy of the overall scene, but I think we could bring more attention to the subject. Try getting closer to the point of interest to really highlight it.” Notice how what works was identified, and actionable advice is given. For more on how to give meaningful feedback, read this Fstoppers article.