Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Assignment/Response Workshop
with Douglas Beasley
May 1 & 2, 2021
SOLD OUT
Thursday Lecture Still Open
This weekend workshop is not about making ‘pretty’ pictures or ‘postcard’-like records of one’s travels. It is about making a deeper, more authentic connection to the natural world, then learning to express that connection through our photography. We will be using land, sky and water as well as ourselves to transform an emotional experience into a visual one.
This workshop will be about making, not taking, photographs by nourishing a deepening in our heart/soul/self and then bringing that awareness into our photo making process. We will work on giving our photos more layers of meaning to make stronger, more powerful images.
Inspiration will be sparked by a balance of conversation, meditation, readings and short writing exercises. Much of our time will be spent outside working on photo assignments and exercises. Fun, laughter and introspection are to be expected as well as artistic growth.
The beautiful and sprawling Chicago Botanic Garden, North of Chicago, will be our home for this workshop. Numerous photo location opportunities include include large and small water features, English gardens and an extensive Japanese gardens weaving through several small islands.
Who Should Attend:
Open to all levels but students should have a good working knowledge of their camera and want to take their image making to a more meaningful and personal level. Digital and film, in all formats, are welcome.
DATES:
Thursday, April 29: evening slideshow lecture, with Q&A following
Saturday & Sunday May 1 & 2, 9 AM – 5 PM
COST:
$595 Members $749 Non-members
REGISTRATION:
Chicago Botanic Garden
Testimonials About This Workshop:
“While away from all distractions, I felt my strongest connection with nature ever. I sensed the scale of the universe, especially on those clear nights when the Milky Way was just beyond arm’s reach. This is the place to step back in time and find one’s center through simple living, community meals, and cooperative care of the earth. There is a constant, but not nagging, reminder of our human impact on our planet, whose curvature is remarkably visible on the horizon, and the images we crafted hopefully showed our compassion for her.”
– Margaret Grosspietsch, Minneapolis, MN
“I want to say a hearty thank you for all you brought to my photographic perspectives this past week. Suffice it to say I am bringing a new eye and way of seeing to my work as an artist and have actively begun thinking about how to turn my work toward more art and less of whatever may be keeping me from it! It was, for me, a life-bending experience at the very least.”
– Ann Marie Waterhouse, Sun Prairie, WI
“As a mother of two, running a business, this Creed gave me permission to make time for my own art and so discover a world full of more fun and joy than I could have imagined.
Thank you to all of you for making a South African living in North Carolina so welcome in Minnesota. Mallard Island was an amazing experience and taught me so much. I am grateful to you all. The week was magical. Thank you for creating a safe and grounded container for the self-discoveries and for the canoe ride to honor the rocks.”
– Catherine Anderson, Charlotte, NC
“Thanks for being a great teacher. I may totally take this back when I get my film developed, but I feel like I have gained a lot of confidence as a photographer. And I am hooked on your workshops. I hope I can do more in the future.”
– Jennifer Starbright, Minneapolis, MN
“Thank you for a beautiful week of learning and growing.”
– Anne Field, Mendota Heights, MN
View student photography from the Chicago Botanic Garden
View Doug’s photos from the Chicago Botanic Garden
