12 Photography Masters

National Geographic Masters of Photography

12 Photography Masters
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  • In-depth Instruction; over 767 mins
  • On-demand video access anytime
  • Bonus downloadable PDF resources
  • Access to class Q&A
  • Available for purchase: $234.95
Learn how Cory Richards' approach to adventure photography has evolved beyond capturing the pure danger of climbing into something larger. Discover ways to reveal the human element in and culture of a locale using techniques including silhouette, leading lines, the vastness of a landscape and anticipation.
Continue your exploration of adventure photography by looking at ways to create dynamic results. Enjoy compelling shots from Cory Richards's portfolio as he illuminates techniques for drawing viewers closer, creating a studio-lit effect in the field, finding the unexpected, focusing on details and taking a picture of "people" -- without the people.
Head underground with Stephen Alvarez, a photographer who specializes in subterranean spaces and extreme terrain. Travel to breathtaking locales including Oman on the Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar, the catacomb passages of Paris and the Myo Lake Room in Papua New Guinea -- a place no human had previously been -- as he shares tips for lighting and finding adventures close to home.
Conclude your lesson on adventure photography by applying the skills you've acquired to the broader world. See what works and what doesn't as you explore how to craft a great "scene setter," zoom in or out for maximum impact and shoot images of the night sky. Also, learn the importance of good lighting and doing your research.
Jaguars. Snow leopards. Rhinoceroses. How do wildlife photographers such as Steve Winter capture once-in-a-lifetime, emotion-filled images of such elusive -- and dangerous -- animals? Find out as he takes you through the essential tools and techniques he relies on, from shutter speeds designed for sports photography to understanding and anticipating an animal's behavior.
Photographing a bird in the jungle is no different than photographing a bird in your own backyard. Learn how you can use the skills wildlife photographers employ in the field at home to make the ordinary extraordinary, including panning, using eye contact and incorporating the environment into your portraits.
Explore the key ingredients of a great photograph, including good light, great composition and identifying the moment, with Joel Sartore. In this lesson, you'll find out how to use storyboarding, remotes and additional tools in wildlife photography.
These days, good equipment isn't hard to come by and many people are able to take tight, standard shots of wildlife in focus. So, how can you do something original in a world awash in pictures? Find out as Joel Sartore delves deeper into the art of building photo essays and the mechanics of making exquisite images. Gather tips on lenses, where to photograph animals and more.
According to Jim Richardson, "When we tell the story of the Earth, we are telling the story of ourselves and our relationship to the Earth." Here, the veteran photographer takes you from the Hebrides of Scotland to his native Kansas as he illuminates his approaches to telling tales in a graphic way.
Return to Boreray, the Callanish Stones, the Isle of Muck and other locations Jim Richardson took you to in the previous lesson, so you can go behind the scenes to learn the messy process of how his remarkable landscapes were made. Also, get insider tips for preventing a sedentary feel in your work.
As Michael Yamashita walks you through his body of work -- which includes everything from a Zen garden to New Jersey traffic -- you'll pick up tips for shooting simple but effective landscapes. Go inside his story on China's Jiuzhaigou national park to understand how he approaches landscape projects and creates an air of mystery.
Continue to investigate what makes a great landscape photo by looking at the three key elements of any great photo -- light, composition and a moment -- and see how they factor into this genre specifically. You'll develop an understanding of negative space, sense of scale, leading lines, S-curves and the rule of thirds.
As you trace the diverse career of Jodi Cobb -- who has photographed everyone from famous musicians to the highly shrouded women of Saudi Arabia and geisha of Japan -- discover how rewarding it can be to photograph people, particularly when you get behind the public persona.
Find out how to approach people and get their permission to be photographed, and how to ensure you're telling a story in every image. Plus, discover the difference between a photographer and a tourist, as Jodi Cobb guides you through a close examination of individual photographs that explore the human condition.
Find out how Ira Block learned to incorporate people and interact with subjects even when conditions -- be they language or weather -- were against him. Discover how to make visual connections that advance a story, capture people in authentic moments and take advantage of intriguing backgrounds, lighting and atmospherics.
To capture a moment, you have to be ready. Ira Block shares how he stays prepared as he walks you through various ways to approach people and produce pictures with impact, including going for less obvious shots and photographing from different angles. Learn how to find the "right" image once you return home.
Join Michael Melford, a landscape photographer and expert in natural light, for a discussion on lighting fundamentals. Take a deep dive into the four kinds of light he specifically looks for -- diffuse light, side light, back light and "magic" light -- in addition to the types of filters he uses to control the available light.
What is it like to go on assignment for National Geographic? Find out as Michael Melford takes you through his process during shoots in Death Valley, Glacier National Park, New Mexico and other locations he's been assigned. Learn to anticipate the right shot -- and be prepared to wait for it.
What is there to know about color? Plenty, as you'll discover in this enlightening discussion with Annie Griffiths. Watch as she demonstrates how to use the different "personalities" of colors -- including black and white -- to communicate emotions. Get practical tips on shooting at different times of day, using backgrounds, creating silhouettes and more.
Light is the most elemental part of any photograph, yet it's easy to neglect. Study how light leads the eye through an image and unifies a composition, then learn how Annie Griffiths uses light to add drama and interest to portraits, nature shots and special event photos. Also, find out why you should limit the use of flash.
How do photographers put pictures together to tell a story? Learn what needs to be included for a photo essay to be successful from William Albert Allard. Together, you'll explore examples from his 40-plus photographic essays for National Geographic, including his groundbreaking first assignment on the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Dive deeper into the matter of visual storytelling and get background on Albert Allard's process. Consider how to craft photographs that show a sense of place, find lead images, capture often-photographed subjects such as the Eiffel Tower in new ways and take strong portraits -- be they "found" or "produced."
Ed Kashi, who has photographed in difficult locations from Syria to Nigeria, expands your education on storytelling by sharing how he captures political issues, cultures, landscapes, a sense of place, the daily life of the people and, ultimately, a cohesive feeling or mood in his work.
The digital revolution has radically altered both the media and journalism, and here, you'll see the impact mobile photography has had on Ed. Kashi's work. But first, examine advocacy journalism, another development in visual storytelling, through projects on sustainable development in Madagascar and on the devastating effects of kidney disease among sugar cane workers in Nicaragua.
 
 
24 Lessons
12  hrs 47  mins

Taking better photographs is a snap with this first-hand look at the creative process of award-winning National Geographic photographers who have mastered the trade. During class, you’ll gain rich insight for your own images and develop a toolkit of simple but effective techniques to use again and again. Your journey begins with adventure photography, as you see how to reveal the culture of a locale through silhouette, leading lines, the vastness of a landscape and anticipation. Then, learn how panning and incorporating the environment will lead to better photos of wildlife in your own backyard. Want to harness light for more impact? Take a deep dive into the four kinds of light: diffuse light, sidelight, backlight and “magic” light, before learning the “personalities” of colors. Plus, conquer the three key elements of any great landscape — light, composition and the moment — and end class with simple strategies for emotionally compelling storytelling.

12 Photography Masters

Learn from 12 top National Geographic photographers: William Albert Allard is an award-winning photographer and writer who has contributed to National Geographic since 1964. Stephen Alvarez is an award-winning expedition photographer and filmmaker who has worked with National Geographic since 1995. Ira Block is an internationally renowned, award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker who has produced more than 30 stories for National Geographic magazine and its affiliates. Jodi Cobb has worked in more than 65 countries, documenting closed societies and disappearing cultural traditions. She has spent more than 30 years as an award-winning National Geographic staff photographer. Annie Griffiths is an award-winning National Geographic photographer and the Executive Director of Ripple Effect Images. Ed Kashi is an award-winning photojournalist, filmmaker and educator whose work is frequently featured by National Geographic. Michael Melford is an award-winning photographer who specializes in travel and landscape photography. He has worked with National Geographic for more than 30 years. Cory Richards is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker, specializing in adventure and expedition photography. He frequently contributes to National Geographic. Jim Richardson is an award-winning photographer, specializing in landscapes, global issues, and rural life, who has worked with National Geographic for more than 30 years. Joel Sartore is an award-winning photographer who has contributed to National Geographic for more than 25 years and lectures to audiences around the world. Steve Winter is an award-winning wildlife photographer specializing in big cats. He has worked with National Geographic for more than 20 years. Michael Yamashita is an award-winning photographer specializing in regional photography. He has worked with National Geographic for more than 30 years.

12 Photography Masters

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