Current course schedule

Spend quality time with a professional photographic artist; we offer private instruction, small group workshops and classes, and darkroom rental packages for self guided users.

Workshop – Darkroom Know How 

Teaching Artist: Nathalie Gosselin

All Levels are welcome – basic darkroom skills required.

 Whether you are just starting out or have been printing for years, if you feel there is room for improvement, this workshop is designed for you!

 The goal of this four week workshop is to improve your printing consistency and confidence in the darkroom. Learn how to properly evaluate a negative and a test strip, determine correct exposure and contrast, and perfect your burning and dodging.  After this workshop, you will know the difference between a final print and one that still needs work.  Consists of guided darkroom sessions, one-on-one assistance, constructive critiques, and demonstrations by a master printer.

 4 weeks, 12 hours $169

Ongoing

 

The Cyanotype & Finnegan's Market - Weekend Printing Expedition

Teaching Artist: Tatiana Parniakova

Intermediate, Advanced, previous experience with cyanotype printing required

Travel to Hudson Quebec's famous Finnegan's Market for a weekend 'found object' printing expedition. Antique glassware, woodworking and other objects form the basis of your creative oevre. Continue exploring the gorgeous mid 19th Century technique for creating and exposing your own paper. Cyanotype is experiencing a modern renaissance due to a unique ‘hand made’ process and stunning deep blue tone. Students will learn how to contact print with an ultra violet exposing unit, and may create large-scale photographic negatives on a 19 inch Epson 4000 printer. Final work will be produced on artist-grade cotton rag paper.

2 days, 10 hours $149

Summer, 2007

Seminar Group: Bringing Your Work Into Focus

Teaching Artist: Tatiana Parniakova

"We must not neglect the importance of photographic tools in our efforts to express ourselves through images; technical knowledge of the medium is imperative if we are to realize our artistic vision.” Tatiana Parniakova

This seminar focuses on five fundamental topics of the Fine Art photographic process. Each topic is interrelated - a greater understanding of one enhances knowledge of the others. The topics are also hierarchical, providing each participant a suitable entry point into the group and a clear path for development. The topics are:

1. Looking at Photographs (developing the eye)

• How do we recognize potential in a negative, contact sheet or print?
• Identifying determinants of an excellent photograph (Composition, Content & Cuality)

2. Talking About Photographs

• Learning specialized terminology (useful ‘art-speak’)
• Practicing communication through regular critique
• Developing introspective tools through presentation and feedback

3. Understanding Context

• Learning the historical backdrop to your work, and its contextual relationships
• Untangling aesthetics and technique
• Defining the unique aspects of photography, its inherent qualities and its limitations.
• Utilizing technology in the interest of art

4. Selecting your images

• Focusing and economizing the selection process (creative triage)
• Selecting subject matter
• Refining your themes and ideas

5. Conceptualization of a Body of Work - Portfolio or Exhibition

• Final selection
• Presentation methods
• Submitting to galleries
• Publicity

The seminar will consist of regular class critiques, presentations, discussions, lectures, guest artists, and museum/gallery visits. Students are expected to work independently between meetings to prepare samples of current work. Exhibition space will be provided at the Intofoc.us Photography Centre, and online at www.intofoc.us for a group show.

8 sessions, every 3rd week

Ongoing

 

Introduction to Black and White Photography

Teaching Artist: Randy Cole

Beginner

Marvel at the magic of traditional black and white photography in this comprehensive course. Cover the basics of film camera operation, development and printing - essentials for the inquisitive hobbyist or emerging artist. Students explore the principle functions of the camera such as movement and depth of field, and the effects of light and composition in a photograph. Course includes outings, studio and darkroom time. Rentals available.

8 weeks, 20 hours $229

by appointment*

Photographing the Nude - The Female Figure

Teaching Artist: Randy Cole

Intermediate/ Advanced: complete knowledge of camera basics required

In the spirit of traditional media like painting and sculpture, photographers have long looked towards the nude figure as a complex source of inspiration and creativity. In small, intensive group sessions, students will work with a professional model to learn how light falls on the body and reveals shadow, form and texture. Aesthetic and social issues tied to this genre will be explored, and the figurative work of photographers such as Alfred Stieglitz, Francesca Woodman and Duane Michaels will be analyzed. Students will work with a female model during this workshop, and an emphasis will be placed on the study of the female form. Adjacent darkroom rentals are available.

4 week workshop by appointment*

Photographing the Nude - The Male Figure

Teaching Artist: Randy Cole

Intermediate/ Advanced: complete knowledge of camera basics required

Same as the Female Figure Workshop, but students will work with a male model, and an emphasis will be placed on the study of the male form. Adjacent darkroom rentals are available.

4 week workshop by appointment*

*Courses are available by appointment to groups of 3 and up. Please call 514-862-2613 to inquire, or email randy@intofoc.us.