MASTERCLASSES 2012                Masterclass (5 h): 150$ / Masterclass extended (7 h): 250$

November 2012

Masterclass and workshop are 2 different things. A workshop is the opportunity to make a portfolio. For it, I will give you some practical directions, some good addresses and the unique occasion to fly in an aerial photography helicopter. A masterclass is more a training, both theoretical (compositional techniques and  construction of your style) and practical. It's 1. all about photography, 2. all about New York.

The size group varies. Sometimes you can be alone, sometimes you can be with 5 other photographers (Max per group being 6). The practical side of a masterclass is on one particular neighborhood per day. Choose from the list below which one(s) you want to deepen. The theoretical side will change depending the levels of the photographers (beginner, amateur, expert, professional) and the numbers of classes you will take. I want to cling to your interests in order to create some enthusiasm for photography, not boredom. Come 10 times, it will be 10 times different.

1. STUDIES AND GOALS



The main goals of these masterclasses is (a) to learn how to approach New York city in photography and (b) to find your style, your own touch, to enhance your unique creativity.


            (a) New York is a unique city. It's an amazing playing field but it's easy to feel overwhelm. If you're a traveler, Manhattan is so rich, you usually start to take everything in pictures, that's to say nothing when you look at the huge stock of photos. If you live here, you can lost the grit to discover something new. I've seen many travelers knowing better New York city than lifetime New Yorkers. In both case, these masterclasses will help you to focus on your work as a photographer and on the comprehension of New York as a living entity. To photography a city, you have to show on a photo the personality of this place, as much as though you were working with people. You have to enhance your feelings, your senses, while translating the soul of a building. For that, I will discuss with you about the architectural philosophy of some of the styles present in New York city.


            (b) About photography, these classes will help you to forge your own style. It's a question of frankness about yourself. Do not do what you don't like even if others like it. Be yourself! Style in photography is as important as eloquence in theater: it's what gives to your photos an original touch. Creativity at all costs is pointless. Creativity with a purpose is what turned a craft into an art. Style is not only aesthetic, the form, it's as well the content, the way your ideas will appears. These classes want to help you to define yourself as a photographer. I will explain to you how to develop your own instincts, and to control them in order to be able to communicate with others, with viewers. If you're fed up to make snapshots, if you want to progress in your passion, these masterclasses should really interest you.

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2. STRUCTURE & SCHEDULE



Here is the schedule/course of a masterclass, and of a masterclass extended:

0800-0900 Theoretical class (1h) depending the level, this first hours is about:

                          New York in photography/ photography in New york

                          About architecture in photos

                          About optimal gear and the choice to make

                          About the approach of the reading lines

                          About narrative conversion

                          About emotion translation

                          About turning pro

This hour will establish a focus, in order to get the best of the following photo tour. Focus in mind, as in the lens, is fundamental to observe the environment, not only to see it. I will prepare you to the practical core of the masterclass, for you to understand not what you wish to do, but what your really want. I will show you that there is more than blank walls to see. It's all about sharpening the mind, to stay aware of surrounding marvels.

0900-1200 Practical class (3h): photography around a landmark/neighborhood

Discover or rediscover a district with the mind of a hunter. We will drive out some original photos from cover. We will go further than the clichés. New York is so photographed from millions persons, from the past 100 years, it seems arduous to get past the obstacle of déjà-vu. But, and that's the miracle of New York, there are always more secrets, treasures, hidden lanes. Let's, not visit, but track down some creative angles and unusual paths. I will explain you as well some architectural tips to understand a building, which is important to fix on a photo the character behind the concrete and the steel.
see below the list of interests



1200-1300 Theoretical class (1h): The end of the normal masterclass will be dedicated to :
                       * The style and how to enhance it
                       * The mistakes and how to progress on them
                       * The sorting and the objectivity to get despite subjectivity
                       * The requirements of the post-processing 

I will help you to define your style, to polish it in order for you to get photos depicting your ideas. Photos are here to share your emotions and thoughts. Art is a tool, an extension of your mind and soul.



1330-1530 Technical class (2h, only for the masterclass extended): Post-processing techniques and workflow
                       * Goals to set and to follow
                       * Choices of softwares
                       * Explanations of the most important tools
                       * Description of a good workflow
                       * Techniques to complete your ideas


We're going here in my meeting office where I will show some post-processing techniques, how to organize your photo collections, how to define the best workflow depending the photos you're making.

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3. DESCRIPTION OF THE CENTERS OF INTEREST



Before starting these masterclasses, I ask myself which way was the best and more convenient for you. To prepare a fix calendar was too rigid and maybe not appropriate for neither people working in New York not for those coming here for e few days. I've decided to let you choose the area which appeals the most for you, and together we will find an available place in a already formed group, or create a new one. So, browse this list, note a top 3 and let me know. We will work together for a date.


        
                       * Busy tales of Midtown center

A intense area around the Empire Stae Building


                       * American blend of Chinatown

A legendary area around Mott street


                       * Cliffs of Financial district

A dense area around Trinity Church


                       * International laid-back of Turtle bay

A world famous unknown area around the UN Headquarters


                       * Eastern gate of Murray Hill

A busy area around the Chrysler building


                       * Townhouses and modernity of Chelsea

A chic area around the High line


                       * Chicago school of Midtown south

A popular area around the Flatiron


                       * Lost burrough of Lower East Side

A working class area along Bowery


                       * On the edge with Brooklyn heights

A historic area along the Promenade


                       * History and iron of Soho

A treasure area around the cast-iron buildings


                       * Wake up of Tribeca

A former industrial area around the Powell building


                       * The stirrings of East village

An eccentric area around the Tompkins square


                       * Songs of Harlem

A mythical area around the Apollo theater


                       * Existences along Broadway

A world apart area around the Broadway


                       * Games and skylines of Central park

A romantic area around the Pond


                       * Timeless words of Greenwich village

A Bohemian area around theWashington square


                       * Special visual narration with Degas & Monet at the MET

A visit to the true masters to understand how work the classical composition


                       * Special visual emotion with Tapiès & Rothko at the Moma

A visit to the true masters to understand why abstract in not a fancy word


                       * Special skylines

A visit to some places with great vistas of Manhattan

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4. WRITE TO ME



If you're interested, please send me a mail by the box below.

Tell me your availability and your centers of interest (choose a neighborhood from the list above). With these informations, I will give you the more adapted workshop available.

Feel free to ask me anything.

Tell me your level of skills (beginner, amateur, expert, professional) in order to put you in a group of the same levels. if it's not your first masterclass with me (if it's your 2nd or more participations), you will be with other photographers with the same number of participations, in order for you to learn always something different. No redundant classes with me!


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5. PAYPAL TIME

 


When you find a masterclass you like, and when we find a date and a groupe around your center of interest with your level of skills, it's time to confirm the booking. The masterclasses are fully refundable until a week before the start. After, it will be only 60 %.

 


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6. TIME TO COME WITH YOUR CAMERA



When the booking has be approved by payment, we will discuss about what gear you have to carry and about all your photographic questions. The Masterclass usually starts on Union Square, at 7:45 AM, but I will confirm the schedule and meeting point. If you choose to go light on the lenses, I should suggest you to take your laptop to share your work and for me to show you some technical post-processing advices on your own softwares, especially if you go for the extended version.