Boots on the Ground: Street Photography Basics

This seven-session class will introduce students to street photography. We’ll study historic and contemporary street shooters and make our own candid photographs in a variety of Los Angeles locations. We’ll meet once a week on Monday evenings, for lecture and critique, and once a week on Saturdays for a hands-on practice session.

Topics covered in class include what is good content and composition, how to capture a mood or a moment, and how to see light. Additional topics will include strategies for photographing candidly; the power of the decisive moment; how to approach strangers, and techniques for street portraiture. We’ll discuss equipment choices and lens selection, as well as the laws and ethics of shooting on the street, and best practices for brave but careful shooting.

Saturday field trips will be determined in-class, both times and locations, considering festivals, events, and parades.

We will look at works by haiku masters, soak our minds in them, and have short periods of sitting meditation and timed writing. We will explore different angles to writing this ancient and modern form. Natalie Goldberg will instruct us how to receive the haiku and get out of the way, so that writing does writing.

Bring notebook and pen (computers not necessary), and please wear comfortable clothing.