Back to basics: Layering

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Judging from the correspondence and comments flying around recently, it’s about time we did a refresher course here on the fundamentals of composition and image-making. As usual, there’s far too much obsession over hardware and not enough thought about what it’s actually being used for. This will be the first of several posts from the archives in this theme. That said, those people are unlikely to read these posts anyway…

There are two obvious definitions to layering: the literal splitting of the frame into planes of different distances, and the metaphorical addition of implied meaning through careful choice of subjects and subject placement. Ideally, an image should employ both to reward the viewer on further contemplation and to provide a visual that isn’t overly literal or one-dimensional. Unquestionably, a degree of ambiguity is required too, especially when working with implied meaning. But how can we consistently make images that fire on all cylinders?

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Boxing day sale: 50% off all videos at the Teaching Store – Final call: ENDS 21 JAN

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Firstly, we hope all our celebrating readers enjoyed a good Christmas with their families – and may there have been a photographic toy or two under the tree for you. If not, and even if there was, we’re celebrating here in the tradition of retailers worldwide and offering you a crazy boxing day discount on all workshop videos at our Teaching Store: 50% off the total amount for all purchases over US$100 – so now’s the time to fill out your collection. This applies to single videos (not bundles – though adding singles with the coupon will result in significantly more discount anyway 🙂. Use the code XMAS2017 at checkout – but please note there are a limited number of vouchers. Enjoy! MT

NEW video: T1 Travel Photography

Click to watch the trailer above

We’re pleased to offer a new video in time for your holiday season viewing and vacations: T1: Travel Photography!

Shot on on location in Prague, T1: Travel Photography focuses on making the most of your trip photographically – and how to come home with unique images that represent what you saw and experienced. It covers everything from pre-trip planning to post-trip workflow, camera maintenance, field tips and everything in between. The location city is both beautiful yet widely seen and visited, making getting something different an interesting challenge. Join us in this video for a unique blend of philosophy, technique and composition/seeing.

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New: Workflow III for Photoshop or LIGHTROOM

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Workflow III unifies workflow across Photoshop and Lightroom, works with a single curve in RGB mode only, eliminates the need for color correction and includes my custom profiles for most popular recent cameras (the full list below), compatible with both PS and LR. Almost every image you’ve seen on this site since the beginning of 2016 has been processed (or reprocessed) with Workflow III.

Click to continue after the jump for more info, testimonials and to buy.

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One place left final 2016 Masterclass: Prague (September)

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There are still a couple of places One last slot is available for my final workshop of 2016 – the Prague Masterclass (5-10 September). Click on  for the details, or send me an email to book. This is likely to be the last workshop for some time…

Places left for final 2016 Masterclasses – Singapore (Jul) and Prague (Sep)

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There are places still available for the final two workshops of 2016 – the Singapore Masterclass (1-6 July) and the Prague Masterclass (5-10 September). Click on the respective links for the details, or send me an email to book. These are likely to be the last workshops for some time…

Layering

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There are two obvious definitions to layering: the literal splitting of the frame into planes of different distances, and the metaphorical addition of implied meaning through careful choice of subjects and subject placement. Ideally, an image should employ both to reward the viewer on further contemplation and to provide a visual that isn’t overly literal or one-dimensional. Unquestionably, a degree of ambiguity is required too, especially when working with implied meaning. But how can we consistently make images that fire on all cylinders?

[Read more…]

2016 Masterclasses and Workshops

Prague Masterclass 5-10 Sep 2016  The Weekly Workflow The Print School

Current status: Prague (full, accepting standby bookings) 

Please email me to book, or if you’d like more information 🙂

Prague Masterclass, September 2016 now open for booking

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It’s that time of the year again. Prague seems to be one of those evergreen locations that’s always popular and perhaps the most frequently requested – so here we go 🙂 This time, it will run from 5-10 September 2016 inclusive, which I think is one of the best times of the year both climate and tourist-wise. Here’s the report from the previous Masterclass in Prague in 2015. I’ve actually only got a few places left, so if you would like to join us, please be quick…read on for the details, or send me an email to book.

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Introducing the Printing School, in collaboration with Wesley Wong of Giclee Art

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It is with pleasure that I’m announcing a new collaboration today with master printer Wesley Wong of Giclee Art, whom you’ll remember as the gentleman who takes care of all my art and exhibition printing – and has done for the best part of five years now. I think it’s safe to say that there’s no way to view a lot of the information captured at a single glance other than in print – there are no monitors that can display 50MP, for instance – and there’s also no better way to make an absolute reference image. I think this is very important as a photographer to take your own vision further; if you cannot visualise the finished product, how can you show it to others – or expect them to be able to appreciate your vision too? Beyond this, there is also the tangible satisfaction of producing a print and having a physical object as fruit of your labor. However, there has always been a gap between learning the art of printing in such a way as to be accessible to all – because of the physical element – and the economics of experimentation and running your own printer. As much as I print personally, it still doesn’t make sense for me to own my own hardware – there are periods where I don’t print at all, and keeping the printer in working order would require dumping very expensive ink through the heads to keep things flowing. Of course, if you utilise external print services, this is moot.

Following demand for printing workshops from a widely spread audience, Wesley and I have been working on these challenges for a while now, and we believe we have a solid teaching structure that addresses all of the issues. Beyond that, it also allows for one on one and personalised tuition around the needs of the individual in much the same way as the email school. Continue after the jump for the explanation, and to sign up. We will limit this to just five students for the first intake.

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