Skip to content

Class 4: Improving Your Photography and How To Critique It


Adult Learning / Hobbies -
Winter/Spring 2025 Adult

*This class can be taken by itself, but it is a part of a 4-part series. Class 4 has two sessions: presentation and critiquing.

Throughout the course, various assignments will be assigned, collected, and critiqued in class. These tasks aim to refine your photographic eye by exploring compositional rules and guidelines, the elements of art, principles of design, and an understanding of lighting. Additionally, you will experiment with different photographic genres and styles. The goal is to help you see, comprehend, and create purposeful, intentional, and personal images.

Lessons are organized by simple basic themes based on areas of discussion, starting with elements of art and principles of design which both influence and create good composition. Then moving on, lessons include the exploration of lighting, exposure, and motion, all of which exist due to the basic camera functions of Aperture and Shutter. Next mood and visual interest are introduced, and the lessons go from photographing things to places, then people, then ending on intent, message, voice and communication.

Assignments are then critiqued in class using a rubric scale of identifiable criteria and subjective based dialogue. Each session, with the goal of opening our eyes, our minds, learning to make the next image even better.

Course Materials:

Preferred: Everyone has a digital camera (10 plus Megapixels minimum). That said, I am used to accommodating a wide range of cameras from simple point-and-shoot, DSLR’s, and how to simulate basic camera operations using smartphone cameras.

Prerequisites: Though not necessary, enrolling in or understanding the content of The Photographic Eye (Class II), is suggested. Having that knowledge is the easiest way to make better photographs

Brad Perrin-Smith

My college education was in Fine Arts and Media Arts, where I concentrated in drawing, illustration, design, photography, and filmmaking, both on the east coast and here in Minnesota. After receiving a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD), I worked there for over 20 years, as Film Technician, Media Center Director, and then Director of Academic Support, supporting the film and photography curriculum and teaching sound production. I then went on to teach digital photography, video production, and computer applications in high school for another 19 years. My personal work has primarily been travelogue and fine art photography, as well as short experimental films early in my career, and freelance work in various mediums.

 May 2025 
SuMTuWThFSa
 
 
 
 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WS25-2-96-02-Part 2

  Brad Perrin-Smith


Central Middle School : Room 314
Thursday, May 15
6:00 - 7:30 PM

Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa

Min Age   18 yr.

Price: $ 55 00