Drawing inspiration from the traditions of landscape photography and photomontage, intermediate and advanced photography students have an opportunity to develop a personal vision of the modern landscape incorporating archival photo resources and camera techniques, including snapshot, montage, documentary, and collaged panorama. Any and all cameras and formats are appropriate.

Students begin by exploring a broad range of photographic responses to landscape photography and an informal viewing and discussion of the Smithsonian exhibit The Beautiful Time: Photography by Sammy Baloji. Class time combines field trips, illustrated lectures featuring landscape photographers’ projects contrasted with Baloji’s, digital lab sessions, and informal group critiques. Web-based resources are accessed during and outside class time. Participants are introduced to the equipment and technical aspects of the discipline, and develop a personal style by exploring and recording transitions in urban landscapes. An on-location photo shoot provides an example of the process. Work will be displayed online in a class blog and reviewed in class.

Those enrolling must have both shooting and digital experience. Participants provide their own cameras, and film and scanning if using film. Students may elect to use or purchase Photoshop or other software, including free 30-day trial versions for use at home. Field trips and independent work may require considerable walking and collaboration with other students. Students provide their own transportation.

Instructor Barbara Southworth is a professional landscape photographer and instructor.

6 weekday sessions, 3 hours each; 2 field trips, 5 hours each

The Beautiful Time: Photography by Sammy Baloji is an exhibit at the Natural History Museum of photos of a mining community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Baloji, an emerging master of the urban landscape, often combines historical images of the town and its people with his own, creating context and contrast for the viewer to contemplate.