Workshops
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
—with Adam Marelli
Every photographer wants to take better
pictures. We want to distill the chaos
of daily life into a single, powerful frame.
If you want to open your lens to a new
view of the world, then join me on a
bespoke program in the lessons of
design made specifically for
photographers.
“The Workshop” with Adam Marelli, 2013 Schedule.
Expect Success
When I opened the doors of my studio to fellow photographers, I expected to teach people how to improve their images. It was not a hope or a maybe, but a mandatory commitment I make to everyone who studies with me. You WILL improve the way you see, the way you take pictures, and the way you understand Art & Design. Why do I believe this?
I believe there are certain aspects of being a photographer that can be taught and others that cannot be taught. Master artists develop a sixth sense after years of training that only comes with maturity. But everything short of that last 1% is based on a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding that is passed down from one generation to the next.
As an artist, it is my personal passion to share the knowledge that was given to me over the years. By combining my training as an sculptor, builder, draftsman, and photographer these workshops will open up a level of understanding that is simply not taught in any other workshop in the world. Believe me, if someone was doing it, I would have taken it myself.
We practice our craft until success becomes an instinct. Master metalsmith Yasuhiro Hirakawa from my series “Master Craftsmen.” © Adam Marelli
2013 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
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Bangkok [ T H A I L A N D ] January 25th–27th
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Zurich [ S W I T Z E R L A N D ] April 19th–21st
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Matera [ I T A L Y ] May 22th–26th
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London [ E N G L A N D ] June 14th–16th
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Venice/Verona [ I T A L Y ] September 30th–October 4th
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Kyoto [ J A P A N ] November 11th-15th
SIGN UP: theworkshop@adammarelliphoto.com
DON’T SEE YOUR CITY
If you would like to arrange a workshop in your part of the world, email me at theworkshop@adammarelliphoto.com and we can make an arrangement. (4 person minimum)
” Bus Stop “
Making friends with the locals. Matera [ I T A L Y ] © Adam Marelli
Intimate Groups
Workshops come in all shapes and sizes, from lecture halls to solo tours. My workshops are scaled to feel like the perfect dinner party, with just enough variety to keep things interesting, but not so many people we feel weighed down. This allows me to spend time with everyone because I truly enjoy teaching. A classroom with a bunch of numbed out college students, being overcharged for their educations was never an interest of mine. I want to work with photographers who take time out of their daily lives to develop their craft with a camera. These workshops are designed for us to work individually on your skills, aspirations, and your ability to See more clearly than ever before.
” Tip to Tail “
The gondolas of Squero di San Trovaso. Venice [ I T A L Y ] © Adam Marelli
Design Secrets
The reason the workshops are so unique is because they provide a shortcut to years of artistic study. We have all heard photographers say, “I could not draw, so I decided to become a photographer.” That is a guaranteed admission that they do not know anything about how to design a picture. Cartier-Bresson said it best, when he revealed that taking pictures is “Recognition of an order.” I enjoy photography so much because of my training as a draftsman. But you do not have to spend ten years studying as a draftsmen. The camera takes care of reproduction, but it needs an intelligent eye to guide it to success. Understanding the Principles of Design used by the great master artists will:
- Improve your ability to see beyond anything you have encountered before.
- Open your eyes to the vast resources that lie in master artworks around the world (you think the Sistine Chapel was interesting before? Just wait till you take Introduction to Design)
- Teach you that once you understand the Principle of Design you will NEVER run out of material.
Re-Inventing the Critique
Who wants to sit in a room and have a bunch of strangers tell them about their pictures?…No one. I understand this. Between university, teaching, and professional work I have been a part of critiques and panel discussions that convinced me, there is a BETTER WAY TO CRITIQUE. These workshops take a completely new approach to giving critiques. I won’t reveal all the secrets (there are snoops on the internet who would love to know what I’m doing), but here is a loose description.
- Bring images that inspire you. I want to see what motivates you to take pictures. It matters.
- We will compare what you WANT to do with what you are actually doing. This will allow you to see the tools your artistic heroes are using in each image.
- Then, instead of giving you a list of books or names, we will look at images that match your current level of design to give you a step by step approach to reaching your goals. Successful artists are not made over night. But I don’t believe in making things harder than necessary. Just because I have been studying art for two decades, does not mean you need to suffer through it too. These workshops were created to make life easier than normal.
” Relaxing at the ferry. “
Nicoya Pennisula [ C O S T A R I C A ] © Adam Marelli
Seriously Relaxed
Before we get too serious, let us remember that we love photography because it brings us pleasure. Sit back, enjoy a glass of Barolo and lets have a look at your images. Developing a critical eye is part of being a good photographer, but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves in the process. The hardships should be in picture taking, but once its all over lets enjoy some good meals together. Wherever we are in the world, we enjoy the best in local, authentic cuisine. My preferences for food, travel, and accommodations are simple…I value locally grown artisanal goods in every shape and form.
Captain Frank Worsley was certain a man who know how to keep it cool.
WORKSHOP Philosophy
“Never is etiquette and good form observed more carefully
than by experienced travelers when they find
themselves in a tight place.”
— Captain Frank Worsley
of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance
10 Things you will NOT find at my workshops
- Gear Heads. We like cameras, but we prefer the pictures they make.
- Big Egos. Image making is a 45,000 year old tradition and has produced some of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known. We proceed humbly.
- Temper Tantrums. We are in it together and even when things go wrong, we remember Captain Worsley’s quote above.
- Camera Bi Partisanship. It does not matter if you use a Phase One, Leica, Hasselblad, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Olympus, Ebony, Leaf, Alpa, Pentax (am I leaving anyone out?) We will not be debating which platform is better. My only concern is what is good for you.
- Fist Fights during critiques. Unless we all have our cameras out and can practice shooting the scene as it develop. Band aids will be provided at no extra charge.
- Photo Vests, Camera backpacks, and white gym socks. While we might not be ninjas, we don’t want to scream photographer by the way we look. A stealthy gentleman or gentlewoman is greatly appreciated. And no one in the business of aesthetics should be walking around in pulled up white gym socks.
- Tour Guides. We will sniff out interesting parts of the globe together. Photographers use translators and handlers, guides are for tour buses.
- Elitists. We come from a range of academic, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Remember if your nose is in the air its very hard to take a good picture.
- The Rule of 3rds. Known to artists as the Rebated Square, I will dispel with all of the childish guidelines of composition that prevent photographers from making better pictures.
- HDR. HDR is an insult to an artists sense of value, color, and hue. Its effects on the greater photographic community have been disastrous. These workshops will restore your sense of authority over the subject matter and remove the crutch of technology from photography.
I so get you! This is what I’ve been waiting for. Thank you
)
Hey Nurul,
We can definitely arrange for a session or two after the workshop in KL. Once the dates are sorted out I will let you know and post it here from everyone else to see.
Will be fun to come over to your part of the world.
Best-Adam
By the way, when you’re in KL, I’d like to arrange for a 1 to 1 (or mayb 2) session. Let me know how this works, k. My email as stated. TQ.
Nurul
Hi Adam any room open, and will thier be any field work etc.
Hope all is well
Best John
Hey John,
There are a few spaces left. We had more people register than we can accommodate, so whoever gets their payment in first will secure their spots.
Would you like to sign up?
We will have field shooting on Saturday and Sunday.
Best-Adam
I love your style of teaching and the list of 10 Things is wonderful! I don’t have the means to travel to foreign countries or even to New York, so those workshops are out for me. Could you possibly do something in the northwest (please not Seattle!) or southwest – southern Utah is beautiful for photos. I live in Montana and so these locations are easier to get to for me as I can drive.
Thanks for the consideration!
Bea
Hi Bea,
Happy to hear you are enjoying my style. I have not been to Montana yet, but the easiest thing to do in the short term would be to sign up for One-on-Ones. We can have sessions over Skype, and this way you dont have to drive anyway and there is no travel fee.
Drop me an email (adam@adammarelliphoto.com) you are interested.
I only say this because I do not have any west coast workshops planned.
Best-Adam
Hi Adam,
I am attending your NY workshop with Eric Kim later this month and am looking forward to it. I was reading your blog about bringing images that inspire us. Can you elaborate on that?. Will we be receiving more info before the workshop? I know it’s always a good idea to bring a small portfolio too so you can see where we are coming from visually.
Thanks again,
Lisa O.
What a shame that I can’t make your Italian workshop. I am in Europe for the first part of September but need to be back home by the 17th.
Maybe next year. Especially if I get lots of notice on the time.
By lots, I mean 3 months or more.
Let’s get Adam out to the west coast! I’m in Las Vegas, but I’d travel to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego or Phoenix to attend. Any other west coasters interested? Let’s make it happen!
Rob,
We will put something together to make it a reality.
While I am away in September I will have a chance to sit down and think about a schedule.
Best-Adam
Echoing Rob-L – Yes! I would love to attend a west coast workshop. My preference is for the San Francisco bay area but that’s not mandatory.
Hey Rao,
Ok, I will definitely look into this. San Francisco could be a great option. We will have to sort out venue and all of that stuff, but it would be wonderful to come out there and have a workshop with you guys (and the ladies too).
Best-Adam
Hi Adam, Are there any spaces left in the Toronto workshop. Please put me on the list if there are.
Thanks, Lee
Thanks Lee,
I will let the other Toronto-graphs chime in here too. We will set something up.
Looking forward to it!
Best-Adam
Hey Adam
I’m a huge fan of your work and your passion for strong composition/subject matter. I would absolutely love to spend some time with you on a workshop, but your current locations are all a stretch too far?
Do you have any plans to hold a workshop in London at all?
If anyone reading this would be interested in a London based workshop, please let us know, if we can get enough interest between us, it might just help persuade Adam to jump on a flight!
All the best
Matt
I too would be keen to attend a London workshop. I would have loved to attend the Venice workshop, but the dates didn’t work out for me.
Hey Andrew,
I will keep you posted on the London workshop. It seems as if the requests are growing in number. I really love London, so it will be good to head back there.
We spent 6 months studying there during university. That winter was a bit hazy, but fun nonetheless.
Best-Adam
Keep us posted on any plans for London
Hey Michael,
It is looking like a Late Spring workshop in London will be in the mix. I just need to sort out the dates for the Leica Akademie here in NYC for the Spring, then I can find a long weekend that works for London. I would like to make it at least (3) full days. The NYC weekend workshop we had was great, but not enough time to cover all the material.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Best-Adam
Adam,
I didn’t read this page entirely until now. I’ve been looking through many of your brilliant articles this evening.
The 10th point (HDR) you have listed as things people will not find at your workshops was hilarous. Thanks for the laugh, and I couldn’t agree more
– Borge
Hey Borge,
I guess you would be able to say best, whether the 10 list is accurate or not.
Certainly no HDR. haha. Enjoy that monochrom.
Best-Adam
Hi Adam,
Very keen to see more of your work. Not sure if I’m just blind but I can’t find it on your site.
Cheers,
Jason
Hey Jason,
You can find some more of it on my facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/AdamMarelliPhotography?ref=hl
My art/photo website will not be revised until 2013.
Best-Adam
Hello Adam,
I would be very interested in being on the mailing list (if you have one) for your workshops. I am hoping that there would be an opportunity for me to connect with you somewhere in the world. I’m just looking for a reason to travel and learn more about my craft from someone who knows how to teach. You come highly recommended. Thanks in advance.
Hi Andre,
Thank you for the note and I hope that you are having a fantastic New Year’s Eve.
Will be sure to add you to the mailing list. Look forward to having you at one of the workshops soon!
Best-Adam
I just watched your B&H lecture on Youtube. Very informative. Learned a great deal already! Happy New Year.
A
Hey Andre,
Happy to hear you enjoyed the video. Its great to see such interest in design. There are so many ways to look at image making beyond leading lines and rule of thirds. The standard composition talk is so tired.
Have a fantastic New Year!
Best-Adam
Hello, Adam
Sorry for this late
I just know about your Bangkok workshop
do you still open for an application?
Hi Adam,
I just watched your B&H video; what a wonderful and refreshing approach to photography! I always believed that there was more than the rule of thirds. I new photography was art, but I’ve never seen it presented as art. I live in Edmonton, 4 hours from the Rocky Mountains. Will you ever come to Western Canada? Do you have any other means of teaching such as ebooks, on-line classes, other videos, etc?
Do you have a mailing list?
Barb
Hi Barb,
Glad you enjoyed the video and happy it has such a far reach. At the moment there are no plans to be in western Canada, but if you can get a minimum group of 4 photographers for a 3 day workshop, we can look into some dates. In the mean time I will send you the information for One on One sessions.
Best-Adam
Interested in joining London workshop. Are there places left please?
Best, Eva
I really like your photos, Adam. Just wondering about your comment on HDR. Didn’t ALL if not almost all great landscape painters HDR with their brushes before we actually knew about digital HDR?
Hi Nhan,
The short answer to your question is, no they did not use HDR. Their system of establishing value was determined by establishing a hierarchy of lights and darks. HDR, in the majority of the cases is a matter of layering images to bring back areas of blown highlights or black shadows. Email me 5 HDR images and I can respond to you in a more complete fashion.
My email is adam@adammarelliphoto.com.
Best-Adam
Hello!
I’m delighted to discover your superb grasp of image and better your ability to share that interest so well.
Thank you for your Good Works!
Warmest and most sincere regards,
Dan Kasberger, Chicago
Hey Dan,
Thank you for writing here. Happy to hear that the writing is proving useful for you. I trust it is shedding new light on both art and photography. You have some world class museums in Chicago. Please be sure to check them out.
Best-Adam
I’ve just discovered your site and work and can’t wait to spend hours perusing and learning. I have to say, though, that this may be one of the singular most priceless pieces of photography advice I’ve ever seen: “And no one in the business of aesthetics should be walking around in pulled up white gym socks.”
Signed, a new fan
Hi Dani,
Glad you have discovered the site and hope that the articles are helping your photography. And I love when photographers find little “gym sock gems.” Its so true. When I worked in construction I also had a particular distrust for any architect that could not match their clothes. We expect people in the realm of aesthetics to practice it in all walks of life, socks included. : )
Best-Adam