Welcome to the "People's Program"

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 teacher, just starting out I inadvertently may have hurt students because of my ignorance and inexperience. Never Again.

In this new place I've decided to use the name "Richard Stromberg’s Chicago Photography Classes." I've done that to help distinguish the classes at "Chicago Photography" from the crowd. After 39 years of teaching, 44 years in the business and more than 10,000 students, my ego doesn't need any more help.

I think of the program at Chicago Photography as the "People's Program." No "attitude" or "elitism" permitted here. Chicago Photography is about learning and work and personal growth and mentoring and teaching and using your skill and talent to enrich life, yours and others. The only accent here is on learning.

Oh, and it's also about fun, not the kind of superficial fun you have in a bar, the kind of fun you have when you learn and accomplish something, the kind of fun you have as you get to know people and as you get to be known. The fun you might have sharing what you know with others and the inspiration someone might get from you and you from others.

Chicago Photography is to be a Community Center devoted to photography and personal growth and to sharing and mentoring. Chicago Photography is affordable and will work to bridge the "Digital Divide." As all of my classes have had, throughout my career, a healthy mix of people, ranging in age from late teens to mid-sixties and older; people of all races; singles, married, divorced, empty nesters, gay, straight, whatever. Learning and using Digital cameras and Film cameras, too. At Chicago Photography we pride ourselves on being "student centered."

Come in, call or text my cell phone: 312-671-7717. If you're buying a camera I will save you money. No e-mail please.

— Richard ;-)

And if anyone wants to know, I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, a Democrat and a little left of center. After the election I was very proud of my country. The last time I was proud of my country was when we went to the moon. For those of you keeping score, that was 1969.