Sculpting Photos
The sculptures in the west wing National Gallery of Art offers photographers a unique creative challenge: The art is already shaped by light, form, and intention. In this class we will explore how photography can re-imagine three-dimensional works through thoughtful observation and creative choices.
By paying close attention to light, shadow, texture, and perspective, photographers can reveal new interpretations of sculptures, highlighting details, moods, and relationships that may not be immediately visible to the naked eye.
Through guided looking and hands-on practice in the galleries, students will learn how camera position, framing, depth of field, and timing transform solid, static objects into dynamic photographic images. Whether isolating a gesture, emphasizing scale, or experimenting with abstraction, this class encourages photographers to move beyond documentation and toward personal expression, using sculpture as a powerful starting point for visual storytelling.
Whether you’re new to photography or looking to deepen your practice, this class invites you to see the sculpture and your creative process in fresh ways.
In this class you will learn to:
- Develop observational skills by learning to analyze sculpture in terms of form, space, light, and texture, and translating those observations into intentional photographic choices.
- Explore creative photographic techniques such as framing, perspective, and selective focus to reinterpret sculptures and create expressive, original images in an indoor museum setting.
- Build visual storytelling skills by using photography to convey mood, movement, or meaning, helping students articulate a personal response to sculptural works.
All cameras are welcome, from your smartphone to DSLR. However, we recommend the camera you use has multiple lenses or a zoom, and ability to adjust exposure.
Lenses in the range of 28mm to 200mm would be appropriate. No flash or tripod since we'll be in a museum.
Questions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com.
Class limit: 8-9
What People Are Saying About Michael
"He is excellent with adult learners — great deal of patience, humor, and kindness. I would love to take another class with him!"
"Michael is fantastic. So articulate, instructive, and patient!! We all were saying at the end of the class how amazing the afternoon had been!"
"I was blown away by the class!!! Much more then I expected it to be! I can’t wait to take more! I loved the way he explained things and the order he did stuff in made lots of sense. You can tell he is a seasoned teacher, and an experienced photographer who also loves it! Can’t wait to squeeze more of his classes into my schedule...."
“I thought the class was a good mix of class time with history, concepts, guidance, how-to-approach and then practice time on the streets of DC. Michael provided very good direction as well as hands-on tutoring in the field. Very happy with the class.”
“I wanted to write to say how much I enjoyed the class. My first experience going around with a photographer seeing what catches his eye and it was so great you were pointing out pictures I could get. So relaxing!”
“Michael's presentation was comprehensive and very instructive. He provided excellent suggestions for finding opportunities while in the field, including how to use background, shadows, gestures, etc.”
"This was a great class! I am a beginner and I never felt intimidated or overwhelmed. The class was a lot of fun and I feel like I learned so much. I’m looking forward to taking another one soon"
"Michael gave great advice and feedback on composition, framing, and focus. He did a great job of reinforcing the importance of slowing down to stop, think and re-think about everything in the frame or as he put it, the "what" and "why" for each frame."
Instructor: Michael Koren
Michael Koren is a free-lance sports and event photographer in the Washington/Baltimore metro area specializing in youth sports game-time action and team portraits. Prior to this Michael worked professionally shooting model portfolios, corporate portraits, product photography for catalogs, and client advertising campaigns.
Class Cancellation Policy
- A refund or a credit towards another class (less a $20 processing fee) can be given if cancellation notice is given more than 5 business days from the scheduled class.
- If there is no cancellation notice, or it is given 5 business days or less, no refund or credit will be given.
- Please check the name and date of the class carefully. Requests to reschedule a class will incur a $20 processing fee provided notice is given more than 5 business days prior to the class. If request to reschedule is given less than business 5 days prior to the class, no refund or credit will be given.
- If Capital Photography Center cancels or postpones a class due to weather or low enrollment, you can choose a full refund or a credit towards a future class.
