Exploring Simple (online)

$100.00

In stock

July 7 & July 30, 2025 (Online)

Optional: In-Person Field Session (Location TBD) – Saturday, July 19, 2025

Online Sessions via Zoom & Field Assignment/Session “Wherever You Are”

Fee: $100

Maximum Attendees: 15

 

 

 

 

 

In stock

EXPLORE THE WORLD OF “SIMPLE” IN PHOTOGRAPHY

To simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary, so that the necessary may speak.– Hans Hofman

We live in a world filled with busyness and, often, clutter. When we’re photographing, it can be a challenge to simplify a scene or subject to include just what’s necessary to tell the story of what made us stop. Exploring “simple” is an exercise in subtracting what doesn’t belong, what doesn’t add to why we stopped and including only what matters for the specific image we’re creating.

It can be challenging to edit down to the essence. And, yet, that’s what allows a quiet image to “speak” volumes. The idea of “less is more” is part of what we’ll explore in the creation of the images for this workshop. Whether you find it in a landscape, a floral portrait or a still life, the more you remove, the more you clarify and strengthen the image.

During this exploration of “simple,” we will also cover the concept of Minimalism, which is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity. In photography we see this concept illustrated with limited colors or textures, shallow depth of field and use of negative space. This style of photography can be utilized with many different subjects.

Join Jamie Konarski Davidson for an educational and inspirational online workshop that provides an opportunity to embrace simplicity in your images, learn some history of minimalism in art & photography, approaches for seeing subjects differently and a variety of techniques that will help you see and create “simple” images in the field and in post. While you can participate in and experience the workshop from home or wherever you are, there will also be an optional in-person field session available.

STRETCH YOUR “SEEING” MUSCLES

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo da Vinci

As we explore the concept of “Simple”, you’ll find that it becomes easier to find beauty in the scenes and subjects that often evoke a sense of stillness and quiet, the opposite of scenes filled with many elements and objects. You’ll find that the process of “de-cluttering” what you put in the box, no matter the subject, will help you develop a practice of noticing the smallest of things that don’t belong. This noticing will allow you to simplify by removing visual distractions while in the field by not including them in your image.

As we explore the process of experimentation and play that photographing in abstracts provides, you’ll discover that abstracts are waiting to be discovered everywhere – in nature, architecture, food, fabric, furniture, and even in desk drawers. A single flower petal or leaf or a massive skyscraper can provide endless opportunities to create images that project simplicity.

Whether you unearth “simple” in nature, architecture, food, fabrics or even desk drawers, this workshop will challenge you to look at common and unique subjects differently. Simple awaits the literal purists as well as those who lean easily into the interpretive style of photography. The assignment can be completed anytime and anywhere, and the images submitted may be processed however each photographer is led. The primary constraint is that the images created must be new (not pulled from your archives for reinterpretation).

THE FINER DETAILS

Workshop Policies

Workshop Registration is $100 / person (SPACE LIMITED TO 15)

Online Sessions via Zoom (recorded)

Wednesday, July 7, 2025, at 7:00pm – Educational Session & Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 7:00pm – Assignment/Image Review Session

Optional In-Person Field Session (Location TBD) – Saturday, July 19, 2025, 8:30am – 11:30am (time subject to change)

Your “Exploring Simple” Assignment in the field may be completed wherever you are. No travel necessary.

Email jamie@newlifephotos.com for more information or to register by mail.