Adventures in Stillness: Exploring the Pacific Northwest through Photography and Creative Processes

This course invites students to develop or elevate their photography skills during several scenic retreats and excursions throughout the Pacific Northwest, including a sail aboard a local sailing ship. Students will practice slow observation and image composition, imagining and capturing subject matter using digital cameras from the college’s Media Loan department. Our learning module topics will include technical camera use, portraiture, and creative applications of natural light, such as long exposures and night photography. Additionally, we will host a physicist for a photography-related physics lesson.

For their final project, participants will experiment with non-traditional printing methods on various surfaces using photo-sensitive dyes. 

To encourage more time spent capturing images and less time at the computer, students will focus primarily on creating compelling SOoC (Straight Out of Camera) images, emphasizing thoughtful composition, lighting mastery, and precise exposure techniques to reduce reliance on post-processing software.

Following our initial virtual learning on camera use techniques, students will embark on local and regional excursions led by faculty. Students should expect 2-3 weather-dependent, in-person voyages. If walking on uneven ground or another mobility concern exists, please contact the faculty to discuss an accommodation–she is happy to help. Our final project will involve curating a set of thematic images and experimenting with alternative printing techniques on a variety of non-traditional surfaces such as cloth and wood.

Students with an interest in building their photography portfolio who will not be able to participate in local in-person instruction should contact the faculty for an ILC opportunity prior to the summer ILC registration deadline. 

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies: 

2- Digital Photography

2- Experimental Photography