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
Information on these pages refers to the 2008 institute; information for the next session will be posted when available.
Introduction
Give your travel photojournalism career a boost at the Society of American Travel Writers' first annual Institute for Digital Travel Photography organized by SATW¹s Freelance Council and presented in cooperation with the Department of Journalism, Marquette University, and assisted by the Wisconsin Division of Tourism.
Sessions will be held July 24-27, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with three great photography pre-institute tour options around Southeastern Wisconsin.
The program is open to both SATW members and anyone interested in digital photography. Information can be found at http://www.satw.org/digitalphotoinstitute/.
Overview
SATW Institute for Digital Travel Photography
Aimed at honing your technical skills and business acumen, 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. Space is limited to 60 registrations on a first-come, first-served basis.
The first annual SATW Institute for Travel Writing and Photography will take place from Thursday-Sunday, July 24-27, 2008, 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 2007, 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.
