Explore Wicker Park Historic District, a vibrant 4-acre neighborhood known for its abundance of charming shops, galleries, and restaurants that attract artists, culture enthusiasts, and visitors from around the world. Established in 1868 by aldermen Charles Wicker and his brother Joel, the district has undergone significant transformations while preserving its historic character. Forbes ranked Wicker Park as the 4th hippest neighborhood in the U.S., making it an ideal location for compelling street photography that captures building interiors, exteriors, neighborhood residents, and the diverse visitors exploring this culturally rich area.
Your instructor will demonstrate practical techniques for selecting dynamic backdrops that enhance environmental portraits, including the neighborhood's colorful wall murals, vibrant storefronts, eye-catching signs, and remnants of 19th-century street construction. You will learn strategies for engaging with people on the streets, capturing them in natural poses, and finding angles that are most flattering. This includes learning about close-up shots, broader perspectives, color selection in backgrounds, aperture-controlled depth of field, and how to create compelling compositions where colors either complement or contrast your main subject.
The three-hour Composition in the Field class begins with instruction from one of our experienced photographers, then you and fellow students explore this photogenic locale together. You will develop skills you can apply not only when photographing friends and family but also when you yourself are the subject of portraits taken by others.
An added benefit of this workshop is the Wicker Park Bucktown Farmer's Market, which provides additional environmental portrait opportunities with vendors and their colorful displays of produce, flowers, antiques, and flea market items.
Meeting Location: 1425 North Damen Avenue in front of the Field House
What to Bring: Your camera and appropriate battery, and equipment for three hours of walking and shooting
Please Note: If a class must be cancelled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control, we will work with you to reschedule. Should you need to cancel and request a new class date, contact us. A $25 transfer fee will be charged if you provide fewer than three days' notice before your scheduled class.
