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Okay. Your birthday present was that cool Nikon camera. You've gotten really good, congratulations. Wow. "Hey, did you shoot that photo?" ITS FANTASTIC. 
"Gee, I have tons of great photos, but what...

The technique of simplicity in photography is worthy of comment. The concept of simplicity is used to single out parts from its surrounding. Those new to photography can quickly grasp the concept for creating a successful image with the understanding of the crucial importance of impact in relation to keeping photos simple.
Simplicity remains one of the first main components of a good photograph. The simpler the picture, the easier it is for the viewer to comprehend the intended focal point and appreciate it. The end result is usually the creation of a successful image.
A simplistic photo is not difficult to master, and can instantaneously be achieved merely by either getting closer to the subject or avoiding adjacent distractions. Distractions and clutter surrounding your main subject that do not add further strength to the image only diverts the eye away from the intended focal point. While there is definitely a place for cluttered images and busy backgrounds in photography down the photo road, for beginners, the best...

 
Welcome to the "People's Program"
Posted by | Richard Stromberg | December 19, 2008
Most of the schools teaching art and photography tend to turn out people who become "Elitist." You know the kind; they somehow think they're a little better than the rest of us. They send out the message, "I'm superior." or I'm "too good" for the rest of you.
I've always thought that some of what goes on in these "schools" has done a disservice to their students as well as the rest of us. I have seen grown men and women reduced to helplessness and tears because of needlessly cruel critiques. I've seen teachers insult and demean students just for the sport of it.
Many people have told me "after I got my MFA in photography I never picked up a camera again" and "now, I know that I was abused." When I was a younger...

Meghann Riepenhoff earned her BFA in Photography from the University of Georgia and her MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Riepenhoff has lectured with The San Francisco Photo Alliance, The San Francisco Art Institute, The Headlands Center for Research,...

Johnna Arnold lives and works in Oakland, CA as a photographer and artist. She received a BFA in photography...

Carlos Arrieta is a Commercial/Fashion photographer based in unpredictable San Francisco.  His past clients range from small clothing...

The History of Richard Stromberg's Chicago Photography Classes
In 1995, as a result of complications from thyroid cancer (and poor care from doctors) I developed carpal tunnel in both wrists. I arrived in class one night with two assistants to help me teach. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both of my wrists that morning at 7:00 AM. But at 7:15 PM, with helpers to write for me on the chalk board, I was teaching my Photo I class. It never occurred to me that maybe I should be at home recuperating. It was one more reminder to me the kind of dedication and love I had for teaching photography at the Jane Addams Center (JAC). For twenty six years no matter where my career as a professional photographer and photo journalist led me, most evenings at 7:00 PM I walked into a classroom to teach photography.
I started volunteering at JAC in September of 1969. The first task I accomplished that month was a Film Festival of old black and white movies to help raise money as part of a Center-wide "Fiesta" fund raiser. In October 1969 I started creating a Photo Program, with the intention of working with teenagers that were abusing drugs, a common problem in the late 60's. That was the genesis of the most important work I would do in my life. In 2002 Hull House Association was compelled to sell their most valuable asset, the building that housed the Jane Addams Center. Hull House had mismanaged their funds to the point that selling the building was necessary in spite of the hundreds of families that depended on their services. The Photography Program alone had served more than 10,000 adults and adolescents over its 33 year history.
In 2001 a few students in the JAC Photography Program approached me with the purpose and intent of moving the Photography Program to a new venue. Their words were, "we think this program should continue" and "we would like to help you move the program". A committee was formed, a name was chosen and a not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization was formed. We found another 501 (c)(3) to act as our fiscal agent. We rented some space at Montrose and Ravenswood and started to hold non-darkroom classes while we figured out where to set up permanently. When we chose the name we all put a lot of emphasis on the word "Center". That third word was very important to all of us because it said "community". After 33 years of managing a program with just volunteers, we had created a community. A very resourceful community of dedicated women and men who thought that what we had at JAC was worth working to recreate, and worth working hard for. And work they would and they did.
There we were in 2003, we were a 501(c)(3), we had a name and, we were in a space holding non-darkroom classes. We had a community of people that were waiting to see what was going to happen; how was our story going to turn out? We were turning the city inside out looking for money, resources and a way to continue the program. All we had was heart, a will to work hard and a way to make money once we built the darkroom space. None of that qualified us for a loan, and who would donate money for a middle-class photography program? The hallmark of the program at Jane Addams Center was that we never received any money from foundations or the City or State or Feds. The photography program was self-sufficient, class fees and volunteers were able to keep the program going for more than 33 years. (The decision I made in 1969 to not go after monetary grants resulted in keeping the program going for all of those years while all of the other similar programs in the city folded as grant money just dried up in the 1970's.)
One of my friends in the program was a real estate agent and came up with a building at the corner of School Street and Lincoln Avenue. It was a flat iron building. The first floor and lower level had been vacant for more than 10 years, we were told. The building had been converted into condos, but the first floor and lower level (that had been a bank when the building was built) just did not sell when the building was converted. Sometime after the conversion someone thought they might put a restaurant in the space, but after the first floor was gutted their circumstances changed and the space was just boarded up and left empty. For some years...

Shane Powers has been teaching photography to youth and adults for most of the past decade.  Shane hails from the Wild West town of Boise, Idaho and is one class away from his MFA in Photography at Academy of Art University in San...

Meghann Riepenhoff earned her BFA in Photography from the University of Georgia and her MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Riepenhoff has lectured with The San Francisco Photo Alliance, The San Francisco Art Institute, The Headlands Center for Research,...

Michael Shindler is the Studio Manager at RayKo Photo...