This is a creative workshop course that pays homage to the grandmasters of fine art portraiture and still life both in photography and art. With the use of props, lighting and visual analysis you...
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You will be studying the lighting, composition and narrative of old master works, both painted and photographic. We will then create our own images in a modern contemporary style that pays homage to these past works of art. You will learn about posing, creating atmosphere with lighting, and you will be given guidance on editing your digital images in a painterly style.
As a team you will work together to source and use props and clothing that will enhance your image.
What will we cover?
- Light quality and direction - Studio lighting techniques - Composition using colour, texture and shadows - Discussion and guidance on painterly style editing - Art directing people and using props - Using manual exposure and studio lighting.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Apply manual exposure settings with studio lighting - Analyse light quality and light direction in an image and apply the approach to your own work using modern-day studio lighting. - Explore narrative and symbolic characteristics of the old masters. - Direct people and use props effectively - Use paintings and photographs as a reference point for composing and art directing your own photographs.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an intermediate course . You will be expected to have knowledge of the manual exposure controls of the camera. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group activities and discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a range of techniques including demonstrations, small group practical exercises, group and individual assistance, hand-outs and image crit.
Please note the City Lit uses Apple Mac computers in the Photography studio.
The course also uses Google Classroom (an online teaching resource) for you to share comments with your class, download course material and upload images for group crits. Please ensure that you have logged on to google classroom before coming to your first class. If you are having problems with this please visit our website for further information (Link below) or visit our IT help, situated in the main City Lit building.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will be required to bring objects and props in order to create your compositions. The more you put into this course the greater the result. You will be expected to share your props and ideas with your teams. Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. The City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, (Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Sony) lenses, tripods, and studio lighting which you are welcome to use during the taught hours of the class. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note: PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The City lit has a huge range of practical and theoretical photography courses. Browse the web site for inspiration.
Ed Gregory is a multi-talented Entrepreneur and photographer. As the owner of Edwin James photography and Picturesnap photography, Ed has over 32 years of experience in Hair and Beauty, Fashion, commercial photography, as well as family portraiture, events, and high-end wedding photography. Each of the businesses covers different aspects of this portfolio. He is an expert in shooting in Natural light, Mixed-light, and studio lighting and holds full professional qualifications with the MPA, BIPP, and the Guild of photographers. Ed's photographic and award-winning retouching and image-making have received accreditations and awards by all of the above national and international governing bodies mentioned. Teaching and Learning are a massive part of Ed's Life, and he feels it's essential to pass on knowledge. His background in education started in 1998, delivering HNC photography to London Students. Joining the CityLit team was a natural progression that has allowed him to give back some of the fantastic knowledge and experience he has accumulated over his long career. Software expertice in retouching using - Photoshop - Lightroom - Creative Cloud
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/fine-art-photography-focus-on-dramatic-lighting2237425Fine art photography: focus on dramatic lightinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1764849596/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Creative, commercial & documentary photography/Courses/New courses228511321702170417431228511321702<p>This is a creative workshop course that pays homage to the grandmasters of fine art portraiture and still life both in photography and art. With the use of props, lighting and visual analysis you will reconstruct the atmosphere of fine art paintings and photography. Taking inspiration from Dutch master painters from the 17th and 18th centuries, and master photographers from the 1930s and 40s, such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Berenice Abbott, we will create contemporary versions using light and props.</p>002235430Fine art photography: focus on dramatic lighting239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-16T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJan 2026Art & designVY554239239Fine art photography: focus on dramatic lighting191155239Ed Gregoryfine-art-photography-focus-on-dramatic-lighting/vy554-2526<p>This is a creative workshop course that pays homage to the grandmasters of fine art portraiture and still life both in photography and art. With the use of props, lighting and visual analysis you will reconstruct the atmosphere of fine art paintings and photography. Taking inspiration from Dutch master painters from the 17th and 18th centuries, and master photographers from the 1930s and 40s, such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Berenice Abbott, we will create contemporary versions using light and props.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-16 00:00:00<p>You will be studying the lighting, composition and narrative of old master works, both painted and photographic. We will then create our own images in a modern contemporary style that pays homage to these past works of art. You will learn about posing, creating atmosphere with lighting, and you will be given guidance on editing your digital images in a painterly style.</p><p><strong>As a team you will work together to source and use props and clothing that will enhance your image.</strong></p><p>This is a creative workshop course that pays homage to the grandmasters of fine art portraiture and still life both in photography and art. With the use of props, lighting and visual analysis you will reconstruct the atmosphere of fine art paintings and photography. Taking inspiration from Dutch master painters from the 17th and 18th centuries, and master photographers from the 1930s and 40s, such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Berenice Abbott, we will create contemporary versions using light and props.</p><p>- Light quality and direction<br/>- Studio lighting techniques<br/>- Composition using colour, texture and shadows<br/>- Discussion and guidance on painterly style editing<br/>- Art directing people and using props<br/>- Using manual exposure and studio lighting.</p><p>- Apply manual exposure settings with studio lighting<br/>- Analyse light quality and light direction in an image and apply the approach to your own work using modern-day studio lighting.<br/>- Explore narrative and symbolic characteristics of the old masters.<br/>- Direct people and use props effectively<br/>- Use paintings and photographs as a reference point for composing and art directing your own photographs.</p>This is an intermediate course . You will be expected to have knowledge of the manual exposure controls of the camera. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group activities and discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.<p>You will be taught using a range of techniques including demonstrations, small group practical exercises, group and individual assistance, hand-outs and image crit.</p><p><br/>Please note the City Lit uses Apple Mac computers in the Photography studio.</p><p><br/>The course also uses Google Classroom (an online teaching resource) for you to share comments with your class, download course material and upload images for group crits. Please ensure that you have logged on to google classroom before coming to your first class. If you are having problems with this please visit our website for further information (Link below) or visit our IT help, situated in the main City Lit building.</p><p><strong>You will be required to bring objects and props in order to create your compositions. </strong>The more you put into this course the greater the result. You will be expected to share your props and ideas with your teams. Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. The City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, (Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Sony) lenses, tripods, and studio lighting which you are welcome to use during the taught hours of the class. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note: PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to).</p>The City lit has a huge range of practical and theoretical photography courses. Browse the web site for inspiration.PhotographyCreative, commercial & documentary photographyvirtual191239155VY554NONEFri16/01/26 - 13/02/2618:00 - 21:0018:0021:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEd GregorySome experienceAvailable courses2026-01-16T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Art & design239239Fine art photography: focus on dramatic lightingfine-art-photography-focus-on-dramatic-lighting/vy554-2526<p>This is a creative workshop course that pays homage to the grandmasters of fine art portraiture and still life both in photography and art. With the use of props, lighting and visual analysis you will reconstruct the atmosphere of fine art paintings and photography. Taking inspiration from Dutch master painters from the 17th and 18th centuries, and master photographers from the 1930s and 40s, such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Berenice Abbott, we will create contemporary versions using light and props.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-16 00:00:00<p>You will be studying the lighting, composition and narrative of old master works, both painted and photographic. We will then create our own images in a modern contemporary style that pays homage to these past works of art. You will learn about posing, creating atmosphere with lighting, and you will be given guidance on editing your digital images in a painterly style.</p><p><strong>As a team you will work together to source and use props and clothing that will enhance your image.</strong></p><p>This is a creative workshop course that pays homage to the grandmasters of fine art portraiture and still life both in photography and art. With the use of props, lighting and visual analysis you will reconstruct the atmosphere of fine art paintings and photography. Taking inspiration from Dutch master painters from the 17th and 18th centuries, and master photographers from the 1930s and 40s, such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Berenice Abbott, we will create contemporary versions using light and props.</p><p>- Light quality and direction<br/>- Studio lighting techniques<br/>- Composition using colour, texture and shadows<br/>- Discussion and guidance on painterly style editing<br/>- Art directing people and using props<br/>- Using manual exposure and studio lighting.</p><p>- Apply manual exposure settings with studio lighting<br/>- Analyse light quality and light direction in an image and apply the approach to your own work using modern-day studio lighting.<br/>- Explore narrative and symbolic characteristics of the old masters.<br/>- Direct people and use props effectively<br/>- Use paintings and photographs as a reference point for composing and art directing your own photographs.</p>This is an intermediate course . You will be expected to have knowledge of the manual exposure controls of the camera. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group activities and discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.<p>You will be taught using a range of techniques including demonstrations, small group practical exercises, group and individual assistance, hand-outs and image crit.</p><p><br/>Please note the City Lit uses Apple Mac computers in the Photography studio.</p><p><br/>The course also uses Google Classroom (an online teaching resource) for you to share comments with your class, download course material and upload images for group crits. Please ensure that you have logged on to google classroom before coming to your first class. If you are having problems with this please visit our website for further information (Link below) or visit our IT help, situated in the main City Lit building.</p><p><strong>You will be required to bring objects and props in order to create your compositions. </strong>The more you put into this course the greater the result. You will be expected to share your props and ideas with your teams. Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. The City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, (Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Sony) lenses, tripods, and studio lighting which you are welcome to use during the taught hours of the class. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note: PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to).</p>The City lit has a huge range of practical and theoretical photography courses. Browse the web site for inspiration.PhotographyCreative, commercial & documentary photographyconfigurable
