What we’re about
Greetings Photographers! Please use your best email to sign up for this group or you will miss last minute announcements when there is a change in venue due to weather.
This Boston based photography meetup offers workshops and classes that help you take your photos from like to LOVE. If you are ready to learn how to take better photos, but you don't want to get bogged down with all the technical stuff, then you're going to love this group. WE are the most active photography meetup group in the Greater Boston Area with events nearly every weekend.
We are not just a fun social photo group, we are also serious about improving the quality of the photos by focusing on what matters most. How to use your camera, how to see more creatively, and how to use composition to make the most of every subject.
Join us to have fun while photographing the beauty of your life. You will meet some great people, discover new areas of Boston off the beaten path, and gain confidence in your photography skills. Beginners and intermediate photographers welcome. You can see more of my photography and instructor experience on my main website: https://www.curioussoulphotos.com
“ Outstanding for broadening your photographic vision and discovering your specific strengths. Teaches the ingredients of creativity in a clarifying and actionable way. ”
— Henry Gessau on Feb 18, 2018.
I’ve taken 8 photography workshops with Suzanne and learned a great deal at each one. Her planning is incredible. In addition to scouting the best places to photograph for the theme of the workshop, she provides such helpers as maps, example images and reminder cards outlining the key points. These cards allow us and encourage us to practice after the workshop is over. We are invited to post our images on the site and comment on each other’s work. She comments on each person’s endeavors as well. Her style of teaching involves getting to know each student (many of us are repeat students) and provide guidance as we shoot during the workshop. I feel I have really improved my skills due to her excellent teaching! (Did I mention how much fun we have?) Bonnie Greenberg on May 30 2018
This meetup group is for you if:
- You own a camera and you'd really like to use it more, but you're not really sure where to start and what to do. Perhaps you are ready to take that camera off the auto setting so you have more creative options?
Maybe you've taken a photography workshop before or tried picking up one of those thick, boring books, but you quickly got overwhelmed and overloaded with the technical stuff. Or you have tried to learn online but found it difficult to apply what you learned out in the real world.
You'd like to learn how to take better pictures of things you find interesting. That could be nature, people, landscape, architecture, etc. Whatever you feel drawn to. We are a learning group and each class builds specific skills to improve your photography. You also receive constructive critique after class to help you get better and better. If you are a life long learner, curious about photography you have found the right group.
I personally lead each workshop so you receive clear, simple instructions to quickly build your skills and creative confidence. I have a masters degree in education, worked at Polaroid for 15 years, and 20 years of experience training people to see creatively. During each class you also receive handouts so you can practice the skills on your own. I am a master level instructor so know how to present content in a clear precise way that sticks with you.
You would like to explore related topics like creative photography and mindfulness? This unique approach encourages you to slow down, take fewer photos of higher quality by experiencing the beauty of your life.
Which is better A. or B.
And the best part? The techniques you'll learn will have an immediate impact on your photography. You'll see an instant improvement and you'll also have an opportunity to get positive and constructive feedback for your work in a supportive environment.
If that sounds good to you, then I invite you to join our group. You'll learn a lot, meet some warm and wonderful people, and have lots of fun while you improve your photography. I'm looking forward to meeting you in person soon.
All I ask is PLEASE INCLUDE A REAL PICTURE OF YOUR FACE for your profile description when you join us. I can't find you in a crowd when we meetup if you use a photo of your cat:)
You can learn more about my background and philosophy at https://www.curioussoulphotos.com
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/flow-tography-better-photos/id499049037?mt=11&uo=4 My book
Welcome to the group!
Suzanne
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Contemplative Photography Workshop: Lilacs & More Arnold ArboretumHunnewell Visitor Center at the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA$65.00
Greetings Photographers, You are invited to join this contemplative photography workshop to make new friends and take your nature photos from like to LOVE. We will walk slowly and breathe deeply. A perfect way to relax and release stress. Discover the power of composing yourself before you compose the image.
The official lilac Sunday is the week prior to our class. We go after that date to avoid the crowds. This is weather permitting so if we have rain, refunds will be issued.
Learn how to see nature through the eyes of an artist. Discover, appreciate and photograph the beauty of nature through this mindful approach to photography called Flow-tography. Create photos that capture the natural wonders of the Arnold Arboretum in your own unique way. Print cards to share with family and friends sure to brighten their day.
I have designed a specific walking tour just for photographers and will lead you to the spots that are perfect for photos. We will experiment with composition structures used by pros for abstract, macro and closeup photos. We will work on 3 different artist styles, realism, impressionism, and abstract.
We will also focus on some more advanced methods such as manual focus and bokeh effect (blur background of light)
When you spend time with a professional instructor, you receive specific guidance and exercises designed to improve your photography right away.
Learning to see creatively means slowing down to notice simple details right in front of you the have the potential to make a great photo. The things other people walk right by will suddenly jump out at you begging for your attention. A walk in nature is the perfect way to introduce mindfulness into your photography practice. I will provide several easy ways to help you go slow so you see more. It is about being present while seeing. Dropping expectations and noticing what is there.
I will introduce you to some simple step by step practices for creative seeing so you can find beauty in the most unexpected places. I will show you some inspiring example photos to help get you started. I will help challenge your assumptions about what makes an interesting photo.
I have designed a series of three specific assignments to challenge your creativity and get you out of your habitual ways of seeing. We will start with macro, then mid range and end with landscapes. You will also have some free time to just wander on your own.
If you would like to learn how to use more of the features of your camera, this is the perfect time to go off auto with my guidance.
You will have a chance to try these ideas out right away with my guidance out on the grounds. You will receive individual coaching and critique while we are in the field shooting. This way you can be confident that you will be able to repeat the process next time you are out on a shoot.
We will work with color, texture, pattern, and light to make our photos come to life. As always, this is a non technical jargon zone. It is all about the creative act of seeing and capturing the moments of life with a fresh eye. There is a sudden sense of discovery when you get a glimpse of nature in this way.
This contemplative workshop is for you if:
• You want to develop your eye to see beyond the basic, obvious images.
• You would like to go off auto and explore depth of field with aperture priority.
• Your photos are “nice” but not jaw dropping all that often.
You are not sure what to include in your landscape images.• You have tried to go off auto before but need a refresher.
• You would like to go beyond the basics of composition and learn more advanced ways of composing your images using dynamic tension and harmony.
Taking better photos takes practice and with guidance the you know what to focus on and how to see with the creative eye of an art photographer.
I know you will leave with new tips and techniques for seeing creatively that you will be able to apply to any type of photography you do in the future. Handouts will be provided. iPhones welcome.
About your instructor: Suzanne Merritt is a master level instructor with a studio at the Boston Center for the Arts. She has led workshops on beauty, photography, and creativity in Asia, Europe and the United States for the past 20 years. She was the founder of the Polaroid Creativity and Innovation Lab and recently opened The Curious Soul Photo School in Boston MA.
The closest T stop Forest Hills on the Orange Line. Check the website of the Arnold Arboretum for directions. http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu
We are going to have a great time! You have joined the group, now join the fun. RSVP right away to hold your space.
Suzanne
You can find out how to practice mindful photography in my book: Flow-tography See link below.http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/flow-tography-better-photos/id499049037?mt=11&uo=4
