Spring Workshops 2008
to register or for more information contact: Kristen Merola, Education Coordinator
email: workshops@vsw.org or call 585-442-8676 x112
Introduction to Photography
Marta Filipek and Rona Gelman
Mondays and Wednesdays: January 28–May 7
6:30pm - 9:30pm; $475
Photography I is an introductory course in the tradition, craft and aesthetics of constructing images with light-sensitive materials. This course will include lectures, demonstrations, slide presentations and critiques.
Marta Filipek and Rona Gelman are graduate students at the Visual Studies Workshop.
Intro to Video
David Frassetto
Mondays; January 28-May 7
6:30pm-9:30pm; $475
Intro to Video provides an introduction to the use of video as a medium for individual expression and creativity. Develops basic video skills (i.e., the operation of the video camera, analogue editing and digital video systems) and fundamental procedures in planning and producing a videotape are presented through demonstrations, lectures and practice sessions. Uses screenings and artists' presentations to illustrate contemporary work in video.
David Frassetto is a graduate student at the Visual Studies Workshop.
Photography II
Meghan Smith
Tuesdays and Thursdays: January 29–May 8
6:30pm - 9:30pm; $475
Photography II is an advanced course in the tradition, craft and aesthetics of constructing images with light-sensitive materials. This course will include lectures, demonstrations, slide presentations and critiques. Pre-requisite: Photography I
Meghan Smith is a graduate student at the Visual Studies Workshop.
Introduction to Web Scripting and Design
Michael Leonard
Thursdays: February 7, 14, 21 and 29
6:00pm-9:00pm; $125.00
Introduction to basic web design, script, and maintenance. Students will learn how to create a website from scratch to publish, focusing on basic HTML. Also covered will be utilising free to almost free tools and resources for the students own web page after the conclusion of the class. Students only need a basic understanding of computer use.
Michael Leonard is a practicing area photographer and graduate student of the Visual Studies Workshop. In the area of Internet development he has been creating web pages for commerce, medical research, data collection and artistic portfolios for the past ten years.
Basic Bookbinding
Marlene Seidman
Saturday and Sunday; February 23 & 24
10am - 5:00pm; $125
This two-day workshop will teach basic book binding techniques including: accordion, pamphlet, and Japanese stab bindings. Students will learn about the importance of paper grain and tricks to creating simple book structures. The second day, students will use the new skills to create more complex albums and a hard cover journal. Materials will be provided, but students should bring decorative papers and any images and text they would like to incorporate into the books. The instructor will thoroughly demonstrate basics of bookbinding tools, materials, and procedures. No previous bookbinding experience is necessary.
Marlene Seidman is a mixed media and installation artist. She holds an MFA from Visual Studies Workshop and a Master of Education from Lesley University.
Alternative Photographic Processes: Cyanotype and The Van Dyke Print
Kiera Faber
Wednesdays: February 20, 27, March 5, 12
6:30pm – 9:30pm, $150.00
This studio class is designed to provide the necessary tools for making cyanotype and van dyke prints from 35mm negatives, digital imagery, drawings, and found objects. We will scan, make contact negatives, and mix chemistry before beginning our printing process. We will experiment with different papers and fabric to see the wide variety of printing options these mediums have to offer. Your instructor will also demonstrate how adding drawing and painting to your finished prints can alter your imagery in unique and interesting ways. Please bring any of the items listed above to the first class that you might want to work with and be prepared to work in the darkroom.
Kiera L. Faber works in 16mm film, video, photography, artists' books, and drawing. She received her MFA from the Visual Studies Workshop in 2007. Her films have been screened in film festivals nationally and internationally, most notably in Greece, Armenia, New Zealand, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York.
DVD Pro Studio Workshop
David Frassetto
Saturday and Sunday; March 1 & 2
10am - 5pm; $125
In this 2 day workshop participants will get an introduction to DVD Studio Pro software including best file formats, importing of materials, menus, linking and burning of DVDs. DVD Studio Pro is an Apple specific application and a working knowledge of Apple computers is helpful. Students are encouraged to bring a motion project already in a MOV or Mpg2/Affi format and a laptop if they have one.
David Frassetto is a graduate student at VSW who has been working with DVD Studio Pro for 5 years.
Advanced Tools and Scripts for Internet Portfolios
Michael Leonard
Thursdays: March 6, 13 and 27
6:00pm-9:00pm; $125.00
Students will learn how to integrate Java, CSS and other advanced scripts into their web page to make a more professional and individual web page. Methods of making upkeep easier, and improving search results (google ranking) will also be covered. Students need a working knowledge of HTML and web page basics.
Michael Leonard is a practicing area photographer and graduate student of the Visual Studies Workshop. In the area of Internet development he has been creating web pages for commerce, medical research, data collection and artistic portfolios for the past ten years.
The Art of Action-Movement
Sara Segerlin
Saturday; March 29
10am-5pm, $75
Today’s film genres and contemporary artists are pushing the boundaries in how we see and experience the body’s movement in time and space. This 1-day intensive workshop will critically explore the Art of Action-Movement on Camera through the visual scoring of choreography, environment, and sequence of shots. In this workshop we will review a wide-variety of film works from the likes of Elizebeth Streb, Gary Hill, Asian Cinema, and much more! Most importantly, you will get to practice new video camera techniques using the body camera, the dolly/tracking system, and interactive projections.
Sara Segerlin has a Master of Fine Arts specializing in Media Production and Interdisciplinary Art. She recently completed a public art project for the Town of Brighton, which was a site-specific video/sound installation placed in the woods at nighttime.
Digital Darkroom
Matt Walker
Tuesdays: April 1, 8, 15 and 22
6:30pm - 9:30pm; $125.00
This workshop explores options for making images using film and digital cameras, high-resolution scanners and inkjet printers. Working primarily with Adobe Photoshop software in the VSW Macintosh computer lab, this workshop will show you how to create high quality, consistent and Archival inkjet prints from scanned film and digital cameras. This workshop will help photographers adapt their technique to incorporate digital technologies developing a cohesive workflow in a customized digital darkroom.
Participants should have basic Mac skills and photography experience. All are encouraged to bring a digital camera with RAW capabilities, a laptop (if possible), film & images for scanning and processing. Additionally, use of the inkjet printers will require the purchase of paper and ink to be determined during the first week of the workshop.
Matt Walker holds an MFA from VSW-SUNY Brockport and is currently an instructor at VSW and Monroe Community College. Matt works in a hybrid environment utilizing both film-based and digital technologies. As a photographer, Matt uses contemporary spaces to develop concepts of past environments. http://cognitive-landscapes.net/
Introduction to Final Cut Pro
Bernice Cross
Thursdays: April 3, 10, 17, 24
6:30pm - 9:30pm; $175
This class will cover the basics of digital video editing using Final Cut Pro and the basic handling of digital video cameras. Instruction will include but is not limited to, asset handling, the importing of video, sound and/or stills into Final Cut Pro. Instruction will also be given in the generating and manipulation of text and filters, editing assets along with exporting from Final Cut Pro. No prior experience with video editing is necessary. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital video camera, digital stills, music and/or video footage to class. A limited number of digital video cameras will be available for students.
Bernice Cross is a MFA candidate at the Visual Studies Workshop in conjunction with SUNY Brockport. As an educator she has taught at RIT and VSW. Bernice uses multi media to express her interest in consciousness. She has exhibited nationally and internationally.
Non-Press Photographic Image Transfers
Ilana Swerdlin
Saturday: April 12
10am - 5:00pm; $100.00
During this workshop students will learn several low-cost techniques of image transfer without using a press. Photocopy transfers using solvents and gels, as well as photocopy transfers using oil-based ink can transfer images onto cloth, glass, paper and other varied substances. A short lecture will cover the uses of these techniques in collage, printmaking, book making etc. Students will have time in the afternoon to work with the processes demonstrated. Materials will be provided but students are encouraged to bring their own photocopies or images for transfer.
Ilana Swerdlin is a pursuer of the mixed medium. She received her MFA at VSW this year, and spent last summer in NYC as an intern at the Lower East Side Printshop.
Historic Processes: The Ambrotype
Jenn Libby
Saturday and Sunday; April 19 & 20
9:30am - 5:00pm; $175.00
In this two-day workshop you will learn the basic steps needed to make an ambrotype, a thin negative on glass that appears as a positive when viewed against a dark background. This 19th century wet-plate collodion process is often confused with the daguerreotype but it is less reflective and easier to view. You’ll learn how to cut and clean glass, sensitize and process plates, apply a protective varnish, and house your final photographs. You will learn to make unique, in-camera images as well as images from your positive slides using an enlarger. Wear old clothing as silver stains are likely. Participants should bring their own large format camera and tripod if available.
Jenn Libby teaches historic photographic processes in the graduate program at the Visual Studies Workshop and works as a researcher at George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film. www.jennlibby.com
Making Portfolio Boxes
Rachael Hetzel
Saturday and Sunday: April 26 & 27
10:00-5:00 pm; $150.00
Learn how to make custom clamshell portfolio boxes for ephemera, artist books or photographs. In this 2 day workshop several portfolio techniques will be covered. Students will learn to use binders board, book cloth, patterned papers and adhesives. All materials will be provided.
Rachael Hetzel teaches at the University of Rochester and runs her own letterpress print shop. http://www.pistachiopress.com/