“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place … I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” - Elliot Erwitt

“Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.”  - Arnold Newman

Any form of creative practice allows us to immerse ourselves in the process of making things or capturing things. In its early years, photography was lauded primarily for its unique ability to accurately document and record things. However, it took many years and much debate within the art world, for it to be recognised in any way as an art form.

In this workshop, we’ll explore some of the characteristics that differentiate photography created as art from photography created from mere observation or documentation of a place, or scene. We’ll look at photography as art through creating a different world in your photograph from the one you see in front of you, brought about through emotion, meaning, editing, and how you present your work.

We’ll have the opportunity to put these thoughts into practice through photographing on location. Time will then be spent inside working through a range of post-production/editing techniques (including compositing), whether it be ‘creating’ an image or simply enhancing your images to take them to the next level. Group discussions and individual guidance will help you to push and develop your ideas and image(s).

Ahead of the workshop, spend some time gathering ideas and inspiration around photographic art, along with examples from the work of others that you find interesting or perhaps even want to achieve during the workshop. You are also welcome to bring existing photographs you’ve captured to work with. There will be plenty of tips, tricks, and guidance along the way, to help bring your ideas and visions to life.

Bio

A photographic artist, Kaye Davis takes observed elements from the natural world – foliage, flora, trees, shorelines – and manipulates these to create new stories. Through quiet, considered simplicity, Kaye’s landscapes and botanical studies celebrate the beauty that exists in nature. She aims to create work with an atmosphere of joy, peacefulness, and calm.

An international award-winning photographer and Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP), Kaye has also been awarded the NZIPP’s highest awards distinction of Grand Master of Photography, NZ Professional Photographer of the Year in 2013, and NZ Creative Photographer of the Year four times.