First built as an 8 story building to sell, service and manufacture Studebaker Carriages in 1884, a few years later construction resulted in the addition of 2 more stories and now remains a tribute to the best of old world architecture. Located in the Chicago Landmark Historic Michigan Boulevard District, the magnificent granite columns accessorize the entrance and were at one time the largest of its kind in the nation. Add the interior Art Nouveau motifs and murals that define the decor, and you will agree that there are photo ops on every floor in every direction. The Art of Detail is present with vintage sconces, wrought iron stairways and patterns on the floors and walls.
Your DPA instructor will help you to employ classic rules of composition throughout the space from Leading Lines looking down the staggering atrium, negative space along the hallways and other creative ways to express your signature style.
But the greatest opportunities lie within the opportunity to capture dynamic environmental portraits, set against a soulful sensibility of a past, somewhat abandoned energy that remains still rich with narrative. After all the space, long past its original function, now houses artists studios, art galleries, interior design firms, musical instrument makers and a variety of other artistic endeavors including a symphony hall and ballet school. You undoubtedly will chance upon artists and artisans more than willing to pose, as well as photo ops to turn snapshots of your co-attendees into mood laden portraits with dramatic lighting, vintage murals as backdrops, and ornate design elements to accessorize each model shoot. You may even walk away with some portfolio worthy images of yourself!
Meet just inside the entrance of the building at 410 S Michigan Avenue, just across from Grant Park.
Bring your camera
Each Composition in the Field class begins with a talk with one of our experienced instructors, and then you and your fellow students take a stroll through one of a variety of photogenic locales (in any of the 20+ cities the DPA encapsulates). There is street photography, magnificent interiors, farmers markets, zoos, landscapes, and more, photos of which are included within. These photos are a mix of student and instructor images in many different venues and cities across the United States and Canada.
You will have fun in the three-hour session, learn to shoot strategically, get more interesting photos of the event, and walk away with a foundation to improve your photographs in the future, whether you’re traveling, or at a birthday party and everywhere in between.
Please note – if a class must be canceled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control we will be happy to work with you to reschedule. If you should need to cancel and require a new class date, contact us. A $25 transfer fee will be imposed without a 3-day notice before the scheduled class.
