Introduction
Give your travel photojournalism career a boost at the Society of American Travel Writers' annual Institute for Digital Travel Photography organized by SATW’s Freelance Council and presented in cooperation with the Department of Journalism, Marquette University, assisted by the Milwaukee chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Milwaukee Press Club and VISIT Milwaukee. The Institute runs from July 9-13, 2009, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The program is open to both SATW members and to anyone interested in digital photography. Information can be found at http://www.satw.org/digitalphotoinstitute/.
Overview
SATW Institute for Digital Travel Photography
The Freelance Council of Society of American Travel Writers is sponsoring an intensive four-day travel photography course to aid career-minded professionals and to help advanced writer/photographers better understand the ins and outs of the genre. The program is aimed at honing your technical skills and business acumen. Space is limited to 60 registrations on a first-come, first-served basis.
The second annual SATW Institute for Travel Writing and Photography will take place from Thursday-Monday mid-day, July9-13, 2009, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. SATW also sponsors an annual Institute for Travel Writing and Photography, held each January in Orlando, Florida.
The SATW Institute for Digital Travel Photography is presented by the Society in cooperation with VISIT Milwaukee and the Marquette University journalism department. Assisting will be the Milwaukee chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Coalition of Photographic Arts, the Milwaukee Press Club and other photography/media groups.
Presenters include members of the Society, North America’s largest and most respected association of journalists specializing in travel, and other noted photography experts. The Institute kicks off with a showing of the SATW Bill Muster Photo Competition winners from 2008, followed by guest speakers discussing the intricacies of travel photography, stock and art photography and related issues.
The sessions are aimed at advanced beginners and intermediate photographers seeking to learn how to use travel photography for articles and guidebooks and for professionals seeking additional outlets and wishing to sharpen their technical skills.
The aim of the Institute is to prepare photographers to earn a good living providing quality travel art that can augment publications, serve stock agencies and provide travel-related graphics to the industry.
As with the Orlando Institute, the Milwaukee program is not a program pushing "luxury travel for free on your vacation." As will be demonstrated, there is no quick or easy way to become a successful photographer, particularly one engaged in travel. The Institute is an intensive real-world, hands-on program intended to help start or improve careers.
All site programs have been selected for their saleable photo opportunities and, as such, participants should consider how to approach each stop and event as a money-making opportunity. Photos taken at these events will be used in assembling a portfolio for the Institute’s critique sessions. Shooting goes on rain or shine as if each participant has been given an editorial assignment that must be completed.
The Milwaukee course was wonderful. With five full-time teachers, the student/teacher ratio was amazing. It was easy to get answers to questions like how do you work with raw files? And how do you straighten a horizon? We also had guest lecturers. One was an art editor who explained that she looks for good lighting, color and composition, and vibrant images that tell a story. She prefers brief e-mail queries with an on-line portfolio.
The teachers included SATW president–elect, Tim O’Keefe, who taught keywording for on-line photo agencies. Michael de Freitas insisted that we shoot on shutter or aperture priority so we can have more control over our pictures. Ellen Barone talked about gear, check lists, and how to put copyright and contact data on all your pictures. Paul Hennings of StockAnswers.com said that the most popular stock subjects are youth culture, business and technology, families and kids, still life and active seniors.
Teachers accompanied students on photo shoots, giving helpful tips. Michael, Paul, Ellen and Jennifer LaFond critiqued portfolios. Each student got a one-on-one five minute session with each of them. They were so helpful. And such fun!
Travel writers who can’t take pictures to accompany their own stories will become dinosaurs. Even if you don’t agree with the message, this Institute is great for people who wants to improve their picture taking. A bonus is beautiful, hospitable Milwaukee. Its Calatrava Art Museum beats anything Toronto has.
--Ruth Lor Malloy, SATW Active Member
