Sundays In NY, Composition Workshop


	Last Updated: Apr 28th, 2012 - 07:09:17

Sundays In NY, Composition Workshop
By DE Contributor
Apr 10, 2012

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Today everyone has some form of camera from cell phones to DSLR's. We are overly inundated with photography. And there's a reason, images hold tremendous power, from selling us products to generating special moments on the street to cherished memories with family. In the Sundays in NY sessions, we will take this powerful tool and expand our vision, resulting in a new way of seeing.

Sundays in NY is a street photography workshop taught by documentary and travel photographer Judith Farber aimed at strengthening your compositional skills, creating perfect framing in the viewfinder before clicking the shutter. Learn the "art of seeing" in photography, going from snap shots to fine art in one session. Find and and capture "moments," quick pockets of energy, emotions and spectacular visuals that are fleeting within seconds. Perfect the skill of being quick on the shutter.

Participants will receive instant critiques on your photos with suggestions/feedback/tips with every click of the shutter, key to improvement. This personal feedback challenges and enables participants to make use of the suggestions, and you begin to "get it" with a new awareness of "seeing." If your motive is to create better family shots, portraits of your dog, capturing your best friend's wedding, or a future in photography as a career, all of us have the capacity to learn, to improve our "photographic eye." Participants always come away with a better perspective and understanding in achieving fine art images, with snap shooting a thing of the past.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS LEARN
1. from snap shots to fine art
2. quickly access a scene with quick preparation
3. find the light
4. create perfect framing
5. the power of "seeing"
and much more....

There is a crucial protocol when photographing on the streets, for the city streets are pure theater without the obtrusive fixture of a stage. View actors, poets, dancers, mothers, fathers, children, all living moments without a script. It's a photographer's paradise.

The workshop is held every weekend either at inspiring historical indoor venues in the Winter months and outdoor ethnic neighborhoods around NYC in Spring, Summer and Fall (calendar link below). With the warmer weather, Bethesda Fountain in Central Park is a viable location to learn the most basic, simple composition techniques and exercises. It is suggested for beginners to attend this session first before hitting the streets in the ethnic neighborhoods. If you are a more experienced photographer, sign up for the street sessions.

All cameras from a point and shoot to professional DSLR's are welcome, including all photo levels, beginners to professionals. The only requirement is an understanding of a few basic camera functions (how to turn off the flash, change your white balance, change your ISO).

WORKSHOPS
* Group composition workshop at Bethesda Fountain - learn very basic composition skills, essential foundation for all other sessions

* Group street photography workshops - walk the streets in various ethnic communities, Chinatown, Spanish Harlem, Harlem, Shooting from the Hip, the High Line, etc.

*NEW PRIVATE Image Coaching/Critiquing - your images are critiqued and analyzed. The learning curve is quick and participants become more proficient in self-editing and framing.

*Technical Session - learn your camera functions from fun exercises

*Night Photography session - capture the beautiful lights of NY

*Prefer one on one? PRIVATE street photography, Night, Technical and PRIVATE Image Coaching sessions are available - jump start your skills! (see calendar page for details)

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER GO TO: SundaysinNY.com
email: jf(at)SundaysInNY.com

CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT CALENDAR

(makes a great gift!)

Portfolio
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it's all about the feedback

How do I know if this venue is right for me? Can I improve my eye and feel that passion you have?

JF: You learn how to use your eyes in a fresh new way. It's about "seeing" what's around you. First learn to "see" without the use of a camera. Begin to frame artistic vignettes. As you find what your eye is drawn to, then bring in the camera and practice being quick on the shutter. It not only takes time to find out what draws you in, but also patience, as this becomes a repetitious process of searching for those special moments of energy while practicing to photograph them quickly. And if you have the slightest passion for any of this, you will keep going and won't give up.

Thanks again for the great tips! - Steven from NY

First of all, I'd like to say Thank You again, for your kindly and patient teaching. I did learn a lot yesterday. You introduced me to the world of art. My girlfriend was surprised the improvement I had after looking at my work. I appreciate your guides, comments and encouragements. I used to hear about the rules you mentioned, but never knew how to achieve until you showed us. For example, I didn't know what to exclude and include in order to attract viewer's focus to the object. Of course, yesterday was only the beginning and I understand that there is much more to learn from you. I believe it was a great and successful start. As I said yesterday, you teach well. - Kei Yin Wong

It was nice working with you again yesterday. I especially thought showing us examples on your iPad of your work taken in the exact same location was VERY helpful. I can't think of a better way to help us see the way you see, and I think that helped me the most during our session. - David from NY

I hope to attend one of your classes soon. I still think about the one class I took a year ago. It has had the biggest impact on me as a photographer so far. Thanks! - Leon from NY

Thanks for a great class today, Judith! I learned so much and can't wait to start putting my new skills to use. - Jodi from NY

I definitely enjoyed the experience and learned something from it. Dan from NY

Hi Judith, First it was nice meeting you today. I enjoyed our session and look forward to scheduling the next one. - Dave from NY

Enjoyed my day in the park-had my horizons expanded - Tony from NY

Thanks for a great afternoon in Chinatown on Saturday! Looking forward to working with you again!! - Lori from NY

Daylong session...some of our class. I don't know where some of them were at that particular time... It was 4pm and HOT, and you all were seeking refuge in the shade. Thank You for a great workshop! :) - Ray from NY

Hi Judith! Thank you so much for the class on Sunday. I can't stop looking for/ noticing the leading lines!!! :) I ended up in the park for a few hours after class taking shots and playing...looking forward to more classes with you. Please include me on your mailing list!! All the best. - Lala from NY

Hey Judith, thanks for a great class yesterday, it feels great to actually have an idea of what to look for when taking pictures - Fitz from NY

I took the Paris workshop class with Judith and learned so much. I can't believe how different my photos looked at the end of the class compared to the beginning! She is such a great teacher and the class was so much fun! Thanks Judith! - Fran, Paris workshop

I really enjoyed the workshop yesterday. I am now highly motivated to get out more with my camera and try the things you suggested---like the hip shots. So many of my shots were a bit out of focus, and while I appreciate what you said about that not always being bad, I think it also indicates that I need to learn to steady my hand. Lots to practice....Yet I wasn't unhappy with around half of what I got, so I feel like there's promise. I will look forward to the possibility of seeing you again in NY for a workshop in September. - Laurie, Paris workshop

Thank you for an interesting class today! Really enjoyed learning about your composition techniques and ideas. - Rebecca from NY

I just wanted to thank you again for the workshop today. It was really eye-opening and helpful. I'm very excited to go out and practice now! - Heather from NY

I can't tell you how wonderful the two classes were, especially the Central Park class. I was the 'photographer' at a friend's birthday party last weekend and got to apply stair background and corners as folks descended to the dining room at the host's duplex - would never have thought to get the shot without your guidance, so thanks. - Cathy from NY

Thanks for a great class yesterday! I'm seeing lines and repetition everywhere I look now! :-) - Shane from NY

Really enjoyed Sunday's class at Bethesda Fountain, now I know what's wrong with each of my photos!! - Noelle from NY

It was such a pleasure to attend your workshop today. You have a very charming demeanor and I appreciate your honest and encouraging words. I have a much better perspective now. Thank you for showing how to keep it simple. I am definitely looking forward to meeting you again. - Shilpy from NY

Thank you, Judith! Loved the workshop! - Natalia from NY

Thanks for the class yesterday! - Kate from NY

I really enjoyed the workshop, I'm looking forward to meet you again, I'm glad we met. - Pablo from Acapulco, Mexico

Hi Judith, I took your class yesterday in Todos Santos, I loved it and lots of my pictures turned out great, Thanks! - Penny from TS, Baja Mexico

a lot to learn still - but definitely eye opening in terms of focusing in on what one is really trying to capture - would love to have more time with you on learning the finer aspects of creating the perfect photo - another workshop?? - Ruth from TS, Baja Mexico

Thank YOU so much for a great day. I learned stuff we'll use and continue to grow in the future. I look forward to the next workshop in December. - Mike from TS, Baja Mexico

First thanks SOOOOOOOOO much for the class. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and could not only see what you were trying to teach, but felt it. I really appreciate you and the experience and I have learned never ever to look at a camera in the same way. Short but profound lesson...the best way to learn. - Nanette from TS, Baja Mexico

Well it wasn't a Sunday in New York, but a Saturday in Todos Santos ain't chopped liver...Thanks Judith, it was a nice to see our town through your eyes. - Marc from TS, Baja Mexico

I really enjoyed the photo outing last Saturday. I think you did a great job in getting the point to me as to how you see subjects and some of your ways to make them most visible in a photo. The only thing I noticed was that at times it was difficult to take a photo and not get some of the other folks hands in the photo without knowing they were there! Looking forward to seeing you return to Todos Santos. - Gordon from TS, Baja Mexico

Thank you Judith for an amazing workshop! - Agnieszka from NY

Judith, loved spending time with you in NYC and learned so much!! Many thanks!!! - Yvonne from Australia

Thank you for the wonderful session in Chinatown; the observations on background selection was extremely valuable and has already improved my photography. - Cathy from NY

JP and Judith - thanks for a good all day class - Ben from NY

Spanish Harlem. Judith thank you for a wonderful class yesterday. - Teona from NY

Thank you for the wonderful experience! And for all your help and comments! - Ana from NY

I took her class Saturday and I highly, highly recommend it. She's phenomenal. In the same way that we did exercises for the various features on your camera, Judith will take you through various exercises but they'll be all about composition. - JP Pullos, technical photo teacher, (http://jpcolors.com)

Judith stresses a set of basic principles, which like all true wisdom seems simple but is really very deep. Practice makes perfect, her critiques are insightful and constructive, and her class is a ball. She attracts a very interesting set of compatible people. - Kathleen Brady, author of Lucille The Life of Lucille Ball and Ida Tarbell Portrait of A Muckraker.

This class had made a tremendous difference in my life and I will always remember it, I learned :
* how to create and distinguish a photograph with good composition from one that it too busy
* to have confidence in my ability to take a decent picture
* It is possible to fall in love again - Through photography I have found a new way, besides music, to connect to the human spirit...
Thank you Judith for making a difference in my life with your time, talent, patience and commitment to human connection thru Photography. You are respected and appreciated. - Gabriella from NY

Judith! I had so much fun today in your class, I've never been at Grand Central before, so I was excited about it. Look forward to be in another class soon. Thank you!!! - Nancy from NY

Judith's workshop was excellent. Not only does she lay out the concepts for the workshop with great clarity...she spends time with everyone...looking at images and making individual suggestions. I'll be back for more. - Charles from NY

Thanks again for today's class. I had a great time. I have never shot such good photos! - Lynde from NY

I wanted to say thank you for the Grand Central Workshop I attended last month. I learned so much and your workshop has inspired me to go out and take more photographs around the city. I wanted to share with you some of the photographs I took from our workshop. - Stephanie from NY

Your classes are so fun and I come away looking at everything from an entirely different perpective. - Lizzie from NY

My Pictures went from a D- to a B+. I have always struggled with getting the right shots, and didn't feel comfortable sharing my photos with friends or family. Judith is wonderfully talented, patient and encouraging. She explained the fundamentals of photography and improved my skills with her hands-on approach. In just one lesson, I had photos worthy of sharing. I can't wait to have my next lesson, and in the mean time I'm enjoying practicing the basics she taught me - Melody from San Diego, CA.

Thanks so much for Saturday's class! Really enjoyed it :) - Christine from NY

Wanted to thank you for your wonderful teaching. I'm really excited now to photograph. I learned a lot from you. - Diane from NY (author and world renowned storyteller, http://dianewolkstein.com)

I recently won the Best Student portfolio for 2010 at the College of Digital Photography here in Johannesburg. I had to submit 5 pictures from different genres, and the travel pic I submitted was one of the images I took on our photo walk at Bethesda Terrace! So many people love that photo - and I wouldn't have been there or 'seen' it without your guidance. Thank you for your input - it clearly paid off! - Tammy from South Africa

The workshop today was AWESOME!!! You made me see things in a different view and angle....I like to take street photos, real lives, watch people & snap that moment ...I really like your style....photography with a heart....Please include me in your mailing list...I would like to take more of your workshops. - Clare from NY

Thank you very much for the class yesterday. We really enjoyed the class. - Alla from NY

Thank you for such a great class...we had a great time and all of your tips were extremely helpful! - Carolyn from NY

Thanks for class it was informative and fun! - Naomi from NY

Today was great! Learned to take great shots and made a friend! Thanks again! - Alyssia from NY

It was a pleasure learning from you yesterday, and I feel like I could learn a lot from you. I wanted to ask how much are private lessons? Can you forward a list of the locations that we can go to? - Janet from NY

Had a great time yesterday. Can't wait to take some of your other classes - even though I'll have to wait until 2011 when you have availability!! Madi from NY

Judith is such a great teacher. Thanks again. - Michael from NJ

I loved your class it was awesome! - L.A. from NY

I wanted to thank you for spending the afternoon with me for the private session shooting in Chinatown. Your eye for composition really amazes me. When I go out to shoot I always take the time to really think about what I want the picture to look like, the placement of subjects, which objects do or do not add to the photo. I can see definite progress in my work. - Pam from NJ

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon in Red Hook. - Sam from NYC

Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the Chinatown day. I am telling friends about you and more of them when I'm home. You were great. I learned something I knew well but hadn't been doing much of lately. - Judy from Santa Monica

Thanks again so much for an enjoyable and educational workshop last weekend. Hope to learn from you again sometime soon. - Marc from NY

I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, picked up some pointers (which, by the way, I used the following day in Central Park doing an engagement shoot), and, of course, meeting you. I look forward to the next workshop. - Ron from NY (professional wedding photographer)

Thanks again for your suggestions and critiques. I learned a lot. I know I have a lot more to learn. - Eleanor from NY

Yesterday was fun and a good day's shooting. Thanks for your input and ideas. I particularly like the "shooting from the hip" idea. Tried it again today when I was at the Metropolitan Museum. I'm going to keep working on it. - Susan from NY

Thank you for taking the time and effort to teach. Within the first 15 mins of your class I could not recognize the pictures on the back of my camera's LCD screen as mine! But most importantly after the class, pictures I took were completely different than those before - looks like I have been able at least to some extent assimilate what you taught us. That in itself speaks volumes about your teaching skills. I would love to join your classes again in the future. - Roy from NJ

Thanks again so much for an enjoyable and educational workshop last weekend. Hope to learn from you again sometime soon. - Marc from NY

Thank you for such a great class...we had a great time and all of your tips were extremely helpful! - Carolyn from NY

I really enjoyed the class. It's amazing how much one can quickly improve. I really liked that we chose a few themes (simplicity, backgrounds, etc.) and stuck with them for the class. - Michael from NJ

I put together this gallery for you to see the beautiful pics I was able to take that day. Thanks for your encouragement and praise! - Karen from NY

I managed to get one of my best shots, a monk with a prayer wheel. I'll post it and a few others. It was an enjoyable experience. The area is certainly interesting. - Robert from NY

I had a wonderful time shooting with you at the Museum of Natural History. After reviewing my photos, I realized how much I am learning to visualize and to take my time. I hope to grasp the concept that less is more when taking photographs and that simplicity tells a better story. You made the session interesting and taught us many different techniques of composition. I also appreciate the fact that you took the time to review and critique our pictures. You have opened up my eyes to observe and be patient. Thank you for a great day and as always I look forward to shooting with you. - Lourdes from NY

At first, I was just curious on how street photography works. I was so excited when you offered Chinatown, the perfect venue with all the action that takes place in a very busy area. Then when you handed me the article about simplicity, I was like how on earth will I be able to get a simple shot in a very crowded and busy place. But then you nailed it! I was looking at the pictures and I can't imagine being able to take those shots alone in Chinatown! Also, I used to take pictures just minding the subjects that interests me. Not concentrating much on the backgrounds or color contrasts. But your workshop taught me how to put it all together to become a work of art. It's like learning how to paint without the brushes and just the camera as the medium. Thank you for everything that you have shared with me yesterday. You're awesome! I had so much fun. I really enjoyed the workshop! I learned a lot and I'm so excited to share with you my favorites. It took me a long time to get to the 6 train as I was so busy looking at every wall, sign and interesting subjects around canal street. Need to work a lot on the "shooting from the hip" technique though. Everything was a miss. hehe! Anyway, I'll see you in Bethesda Fountain, looking forward to the next workshop. - Luzel from NJ

I came to your Astoria trip and I certainly enjoyed it. Would you please put me on your mailing list as I'd like to do some more. I love your images of a small figure against a background, but I found that 'simplification' hard to achieve amidst the bustle. But I shall keep looking for backgrounds. I'd love any comments you would care to make. - Jeanne from Ct.

Many thanks Judith for today. I had a great time and learned a lot. I went back and looked at some of my other photos and could really see where I may have had a great shot of something but there was miscellaneous stuff in the background or I could have made it more interesting. So that will be in my mind from now on. That and lines. Be in touch. - Heidi from NY

It's been some time since the workshop, but I thought you might like to see my shots from our Brooklyn Bridge & Dumbo excursion. I still have some more to work on. I'd also like to tell you that some of your comments that day have had a strong influence (for the better) on how I've chosen to compose certain street shots in camera. - Chris from Long Island.

Thank you for a great afternoon, and your patience. - Michael from Westchester

Judith, thank you for a great class Saturday. It was a great experience to be looking (and finding) simplicity in such a crowded area. After only a few hours I gained a whole new perspective on what to look for in fine art photography. Hope to see you soon. Thank you - Teona from NY

Thanks so much for a great day of shooting, I was very pleased with what I got and look forward to getting out with you again. - Michele from NY

Thank you for your kind words and support during the photo workshop. The workshop was fabulous, and I learned so much during the two sessions. Also, I too really enjoyed your company and the company of the others in the workshop. Judith, you are a wonderful person, and a great photographer and teacher. Thanks again. - Fred from upstate, NY

Thanks for the great afternoon at the Met. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned a lot! - Rachel from NY

I was quite the skeptical one with my short visit to NY, paying for a programme with my point and shoot. Judith responded in humour that it wasn't about the camera, but the bloke behind it. My travel photos are horrid, so I signed on. I asked too many questions and Judith graciously answered and the insight was worth every pound! Cheers! - JD from the UK

Thanks for the great day. I enjoyed the input and it gives me something solid to work on. I will be unable to attend tomorrow, but look forward to seeing the schedule on your website for other opportunities. - Karen from NJ

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this class but I am so happy that I participated. It was great to have freedom to shoot "using your own eye" and then have Judith point out composition issues. The class was very beneficial and I would recommend it highly. Grand Central is a fantastic place to roam. Oh and forgot to mention to Judith, I did walk away with a favorite photo. - Dhanny from NY

I'm very happy to have met you and enjoyed listening and absorbing your feedback/comments. The pictures I took with you turned out much more focused and definitely moving away from "snapshot" category. - Camila from NY

I want to thank you for a very enlightening photo shoot. You definitely do know the areas to grab the best images. I accessed an interview on the Internet that you had given (I forget with whom) and was so impressed to see that you knew and worked with Ansel Adams. That had to be a highlight of your career in photography. I'm very envious. Thanks again, and perhaps we can hook up again when you take your class outdoors. - Rhea from Queens

Judith is an amazing photographer and an excellent teacher!!! To be able to be taught how to shoot pictures correctly, get tips, and critique throughout the workshop is awesome! This was my second workshop and won't be my last :) - Tina from NY

I really thought I was a pretty good photographer until you showed me what I was ignoring. Now I am much more aware of what I see and what the camera can do. - Cammie from Brooklyn

Thanks a lot again for an excellent workshop! I did take a lot from our session and am much more conscious about what I am shooting and what to take pics of... (the number of pics taken actually declined after the session, and yet the number of "not boring" pictures increased a lot). - Joerg from Germany

I really enjoyed The Highline Park yesterday. Just starting to look through my pics and I believe I have a few I can work with. Thanks again Judith for another great experience and taking the time to look through the pics I took and offering suggestions to make them better. I hope to get some practice in before next time we meet. - Kim from Staten Island

I really enjoyed the photo-walk we had on Sunday, I was happy to hear your tips and observations along the walk regarding the shots I took. It made me think for the first time about my photos - what I like to shoot and what interests me. - Uri from Israel

(c)2012 judith farber

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