Teaching Photography
I love teaching photography and the art and the "scientific magic" of visual and media literacy. My hope for every student is successful self-expression that leads to self-realization. Especially for the youth in resource communities and recovering from trauma, my goal is to bring my students to a mastery of craft.
I aim for students to gain technical-life-skills- making effective photo and writing exhibits, video interviews, public service announcements, scripted movies.
Broadly, I organize these classes under the DeSoto Photography School, found in the Facebook page by the same name.
Currently only accepting individual and small group coaching sessions. I am continuing to teach after-school programs with Houston Fotofest Literacy Through Photography.
In General
Send an email requesting coaching or class and topic of interests. I am willing to ccommodate group as small as three students
My home base for teaching is El Rincon Social, an artists' studio warehouse in Houston's Second Ward.
Recent classes include:
Glasscock School of Continuing Education.
"Collaborative Documentary Workshop"
Over 9 weeks this workshop will teach the ins and outs of "crowd" shooting a topic or event using off the shelf cameras and software. Starts Feb. 24, 2014.
"On Automatic: Getting the Most from Your Camera's Presets."
This second class for the Continuing Studies program at Rice University.Over two Saturday mornings,starting on March 22, 2014. On Automatic is designed to help every student master the mechanics of camera controls. With this knowledge, we can let the camera do its job as participants learn how we all "see" photographs to "make" images of personal expression.
Topics I Teach
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY- Conducted over four classes, participants learn basics:
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Fill flash both built in and compact flash operations;
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Studio equipment: mono light and power pack strobe, umbrella, soft box, barn doors, snoots, backdrops and boom light stand.
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Discussion also includes lens, settings, mixing natural and studio lighting and building “model rapport”.
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Models are part of this class.
BEGIN AGAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
This isan exc iting class for anyone who loved shooting film cameras but have not been as happy working with digital cameras. We will be mixing old and new gear and sharing the logical transition from film camera to digital camera.
HOW TO PROCESS FILM IN YOUR KITCHEN SINK
In this workshop participants learn tips and tricks to successfully process film without a darkroom. Why? Because many photographers love the unique look of film negative, shoot "toy" or pinhole cameras in addition to or over a digital image. Discussion includes various scanning techniques and alternative printing options.
BASIC ENLIGHTENED INTUITION PHOTOGRAPHY
This workshop functions as both an introduction to photography as well as place to get the most out of the automatic and preset settings of a digital camera, iDevice-from cell phone, digital point and shoot, digital single lens reflect camera, DSLR.
Gain an understanding of the intuitive nature of your photo making through a lively lecture threading 3,000 years of human creativity from the camera obscura to the current digital capture devices and photo managing computer software. Improve your photography through shooting and composition tips so as to gain your person visual “voice.”
ENLIGHTENED INTUITION PHOTOGRAPHY
Delve into the craft of camera operations and move beyond the automatic camera settings. Learn a road map to explore both the how and why of:
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Shutter speeds and F-stop operations;
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ISO settings; lenses;
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White balance controls and
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Histograms.
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Learn the evolution from darkroom lab techniques to digital computer lab.
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Learn how to effectively use the built in flash and off camera compact flash.
Course work includes exercises on a logical way to move from the automatic to manual controls.
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
These are field trips to various locations and events throughout the city.
Discussion includes tips and tricks for effective use of
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Fill flash to improve photography,
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Legal freedoms and responsibility for public venue photography,
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Alternatives to tripods for effective low light photography.
Great for travel and event photographers to build their skills.