Mastering Portraiture with Rick Ashley

In a few weeks, LensProToGo is proud to be hosting a master series workshop instructed by local photographer Rick Ashley at the LensProToGo Studios.

What is it that we are trying to accomplish when doing a portrait?

The objective of this 3-part portrait workshop is to examine the concepts, pre-production requirements, execution, and editing of a single portrait project.

During the first session we will ask ourselves:

- Who is the client?
- Do we have an editorial agenda or are we in discovery mode?
- With an endless number of lighting and set possibilities, what aesthetic and logistical issues do we need to consider for our particular project?
- How will we interact with our subject(s)?
- Will we place certain restrictions on ourselves?

To help us answer these questions, we will examine the work of other photographers, and ask questions like, “does the work reflect the subject(s) or the photographer?” and, “does the photographic technique enhance or hinder our access to the subject(s)”. During this stage, we will need to develop both an aesthetic and technical approach for the Saturday photo shoot.

The Saturday shoot will consist of photographing a group of individuals over a fixed period of time. Each photographer will build a set and have 10 minutes to photograph each of the models. The goal is for each photographer to execute his or her unique vision utilizing the same models, so that we may learn how different photographers approach the same subject.

The final session will allow us to review all portrait projects — either in print form or projected on screen. We will discuss the approach and ideas behind each project, the effectiveness of the technical choices, and the overall impact of the images. We will then have our work critiqued by a special guest who is a curator, portfolio reviewer, collector, and photographer. He will proffer his educated opinions about the work and discuss its relation to the art of photographic portraiture.

ONLY 8 SEATS AVAILABLE
Workshop Cost: $299/If you enroll by Nov. 15, 2011 6PM EST LensProToGo will pay $50 of your enrollment fee making your enrollment fee $249 (includes Saturday lunch)
Thursday November 17, 6:30-9:30p  |  Saturday November 19, 9:00a – 4:00p  |  Monday November 21, 6:30 – 9:30p
LensProToGo Studios, 152 Commonwealth Ave. Concord MA 01742. For directions visit here
To register – email Meg@lensprotogo.com or call 877.578.4777, ask for Meg

As a prerequisite for this course, you must have your own camera equipment and also be familiar with studio lighting techniques. This workshop is not a technical lighting or posing workshop. Instead, it is an analysis of the process and approach to a portrait and/or portrait project through discussion and hands-on exercise.

Rick Ashley graduated from Trinity College in 1976 and moved to the Boston area. To pursue his interest in photography, he enrolled in a professional school and worked as an assistant to many of Boston’s leading photographers. In 1979 Rick opened his studio, working primarily as a corporate/industrial photographer. His work soon expanded to include video production, shooting and producing sports marketing videos and television commercials. His work garnered several local advertising awards as well as a Golden Pencil from New York’s One Club. Clients included such diverse organizations as Women’s Olympic Cycling Team, IBM, and Ann and Hope Department stores.

Rick’s still photography clients included IBM, Digital Equipment Corp., Xerox Canada, Avatar Technologies, GM, Sperry, Video Express, Raleigh Bicycles, ISI Corporation, Franklin Sporting Goods, Dogz Togz, Boston University, Massachusetts Communications College, Moussy Beer, E. M. Parker Medical, GoodWives, Glass America, Coldwell Banker, and Town and Country magazine. In addition to commercial work, he has written and received several arts grants to pursue particular projects of interest.

While on an extended sabbatical in Italy, Rick explored digital image capture and manipulation, including its electronic and print distribution. During this period, Rick contributed to trade and textbooks on digital photography.