Photography: Creative Exercises

Entry requirements: It is necessary to have some time during the week (±2 hours per week) to complete the assignments (we don’t photograph during class), and to have some budget to make (low quality) prints every week. It is a plus if you know how to use manual settings, but you could work on automatic mode.

Do you like to photography, but need some inspiration and incentive to go out and photograph? Then this course is for you! During this course you will get weekly assignments that guide you into storytelling with photography. It will teach you to observe your surroundings with fresh eyes, and to photograph with a concept in mind. It will also introduce you to the world of storytelling with photography, by discussing the work of famous photographers. The assignments are designed to give you plenty of creative freedom, but also provide a framework to keep you on track. Every week we will discuss the photos that you’ve made during class, which teaches you how others perceive your photographs.

What you will learn

• how to use photography to tell a story
• How to quickly go from assignment to images
• How to analyze and discuss photographs
• How others perceive your photographs
• What styles of photography you like (or dislike), and where you’d like to focus on
• Additional techniques knowledge that comes up during the work discussions.

About the teacher

Jasper Zijlstra (1990) is a “photographic explorer” dedicated to inspiring wonder and improvement through his work. He uses his camera to gain access to complex, unknown, or hidden worlds, ranging from sterile laboratories to personal stories. Since 2021, he has focused on making scientific research more accessible by collaborating with researchers to visualize their methods and results in new images. At Parnassos, he teaches both photography courses and, surprisingly, bookbinding.

For more information about the teacher, visit www.jasperzijlstra.com.