DSLR Camera Photography for potters and ceramic artists with David Hempenstall

Are you a potter or ceramic artist looking to elevate your craft through stunning photography? Have you got a DSLR camera but not getting the results you want? We've got just the course for you!

We are thrilled to be presenting this course in collaboration with PhotoAcess.

In the world of art, visual representation is often the first impression an artist makes on an audience. This is particularly true for potters and ceramic artists who rely on the visual appeal of their creations to attract buyers, secure gallery placements, and connect with a broader audience through social media. The importance of high-quality, well-composed, and professionally presented photographs of their work cannot be overstated. Working in a largely 3D medium presents some unique issues for ceramic artists and potters. Let us help you learn the skills required to produce better, more consistent and professional photos of your work.

Artists are increasingly wanting to produce great images of their work for:

• Professional Portfolios
• Gallery applications
• Social media and online presence
• Increasing accessibility to their work
• Increasing their creative autonomy and control
• investing in professional skill development to advance their careers
• In collaboration with PhotoAccess Canberra
• DSLR Photography for potters and ceramic artists

Duration: 6 hours 

Course Outline:

Learn about DSLR photography for

• Portfolios, gallery applications, and social media
• Tips for creating consistency in your portfolio.
• Understanding the importance of storytelling through photos

Equipment and Gear

• this course is an extension of the smart phone photography course for those who want to spend more time focusing on higher level photography skills.
• You can bring your own DSLR or use one at Photo Access. If you require a cmera please advise Canberra Potters in advance of the course by contacting [email protected]
• Please ensure your camera battery is fully charged and bring your laptop if you have one, a card reader for your camera or cable to link your camera to your laptop.

Basic DSLR Photography Principles for photographing your work

• Understanding composition, framing, and perspective
• exploring camera modes (Manual settings, aperture and shutter priority)
• Simple lighting techniques for artwork
• Choosing the right backgrounds and settings
• Focusing and depth of field
• Controlling DOP for artistic effect

Lighting

• Natural v artificial light
• Tips for diffusing and controlling light

DSLR cameras

• Hands-on practice with a DSLR camera and settings
• Group photo session with participant’s artwork as subjects

Digital Darkroom Basics 

• The importance of post processing for professional results
• Introduction to photo editing software and apps
• Cropping and resizing
• Adjusting exposure, contrast, and colour balance
• Enhancing details and sharpness
• creating a consistent look

Practical Exercise: Editing Your Photos 

• Participants edit their own photos using simple editing apps (provide recommendations)
• Tips for enhancing the appearance of their artwork.

Photographing for Different Purposes

• Portfolios, gallery applications, and social media
• Tips for creating consistency in your portfolio.
• Understanding the importance of storytelling through photos for social media

Social Media and Online Presence

• Brief introduction to using social media platforms for artists.
• The dos and don'ts of sharing artwork online
• Why building an online presence with great photos of your work is important

Tutor

David Hempenstall is a documentary photographer who, for most of his career, has explored the broad outskirts of personal and cultural memory, autonomy, archive and the aftermath of conflict. He has also developed a strong commissioned practice, focused particularly on places of memory and interpreting collections within cultural institutions and archives.

From 2005 to 2007, David documented the discovery, exhumation and analysis of victims in mass graves in Iraq. These photographs were used as evidence in the trials of a number of prominent Ba'athists such as Saddam Hussein and Ali Husan Al-Majid during the Anfal trial in the Iraqi High Tribunal. On leaving Iraq he embarked on an on-going, personally driven effort to photograph in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.  In this undertaking, he examines the multi-generational links of family and the possible emergence of a new nation state in the Pacific.

PhotoAccess