Digital Photography Live In-the-Field @ Noe Valley

Composition in the Field: Noe Valley

There are charming, intense and whimsical street portraits to be had in Noe Valley no matter which direction you point your lens. You’ll find dog walkers, skateboarders, couples hand in hand and the other players of your garden variety revitalized community to tell a universal story for the entertainment and enlightenment of those who view our images, yourself included. In addition to sidewalk outdoor cafe patrons to photograph, there are the rows and rows of Victorian and Edwardian houses, 4th highest number of them in San Francisco, to add color, place and time to your visual narrative.
 
And every Saturday, from 8AM to 1PM is the Noe Valley Farmer’s Market when vendors come in and set up stands to sell produce, fruits, hand made items and other wares that offer environmental portrait opportunities and close up abstractions of colorful fruits and vegetables. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Noe Valley shooting locale is the vibrant wall murals, photo ops in and of themselves, but also excellent backdrops for portraiture. Your instructor is an expert on engaging passerby’s to pose, and can help you learn the same friendly approach to getting cooperation amongst strangers, or work with a workshop co-participant as your model, teacher included. Maybe a group shot. You might even be the subject for others! 

Besides people to accessorize these murals, there are the regularly appearing birds in flight, cars and bicyclists driving by to help you learn the art of panning, creating a sense of action within your photograph. Or for study in contrasting color layouts, keep an eye out for the lone fire hydrant, street sign, mail box or other stationary item within proximity of the mural that serve to highlight the art work and create a dynamic visual impact of  your images.

Please bring your DSLR or another type of digital camera that you use, a fully-charged battery, and the equipment that you can carry. You should dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and carry a bottle of water.

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.

Please note – if a class must be cancelled 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.