Students Photos

Valerie by Frank Guthrie, portrait class of 12.'07

Orchid,

Brendan Laurs, Class of 3.4-5.07

Click photo to enlarge. © Jeffrey Sitcov 2007.

Orchids at the Botanical Gardens
by Jeffrey Sitcov, class of 2/10-11/'07

Click photo to enlarge. Photo © student Mr. Kay Cheng

Jeffrey Sitcov receives his
'Certificate of Achievement'
by instructor Michael Seewald

"Michael will help you at any level to advance your skills. The information I learned will assist me in making better Photos right away..."

Jeffrey Sitcov,
Advanced level photographer,
Cardiff, California.
Class of 1.'98 and 2.'07.

Click photo to enlarge.
Group 'self-portrait' by Aimee Werth.
Class of 11.25-26.'06

Click photo to enlarge. Copyright Mark Albert 2006.
Courtesy crop by Michael Seewald

The Two Marks
Self-portrait by Mark Albert of the
Class of 10.1.'06

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Click photo to enlarge.
Copyright Chris Parson, 2007

Ghost Students by Chris Parson, class of 1.6-7.07.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Copyright John Garcia 2006.
Click photo to enlarge.
San Diego Botanical Garden Building
by John Garcia of the
Class of 10.1.'06

Copyright John Garcia 2006.
Click photo to enlarge.
Courtesy crop, density adjustments by Michael Seewald
San Diego Botanical Gardens, Interior
by John Garcia of the
Class of 10.1.'06

Rec'd from John Garcia:

"This course was extremely satisfying in that it really explained and demonstrated to me the key difference between just taking "photo album" pictures and taking photos that can be considered real art and appreciated by others. The lessons learned about the proper composition and use of the proper light are invaluable."

Group self-portrait by Mike Stevens of the
Carmel Class of 8.12-13.'06

Carmel Mission, flowers and windowsill
by Regine Schumacher.

Here is one of Michael's top students, Dan McGeorge's image of his second exhibit of his own work. Some of the images are from workshops held up in Carmel California that he took from Michael in the summer of 2005.

"Michael, Just an update on my last show. It was a great success. A lot of people came through. Sold 6 pieces. Created an interactive activity for guests when they came into the gallery, and really got them talking about the work (as you suggested at my first show you attended), and looking at it very closely. (And maybe buying!) Thanks again for everything."
Take care,
Dan McGeorge

Seewald Fun-shop class of 3.'06, in front
of the San Diego Museum of Photographic Art. Photo by Sheila.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Photo © Jay Turner
The ghost photographer and the Reader.

Here is a photo by Jay Turner of Jay Turner, or two of Jay Turner!!! He had just learned how to make ghost photos 'in-camera', this is not a photo-shopped image. Cool huh? Class of 5.20-21.'06

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Following four photos copyright
Mark Meader, class of 3.'06

Click image to enlarge.

Here's are some comments he sent to us with the photos.

Hey Michael:

Just want to say how much I enjoyed your class last weekend. I'm sure that each person got something different out of it depending on their experience, but I believe that anyone interested in improving their work would learn something from you no matter what their current level. I personally have had to sit through a lot of classes and critiques, but yours was definitely one of the most informative and interesting, ...

Before the class I couldn't quite put my finger on why your work stands out compared to a lot of other supposedly "highly experienced" photographers working in the same genre. Their work is technically competent, but kind of leaves me flat when I see it. Now I can see what an uncompromising approach you have when it comes to making sure every single element in a piece does something positive towards the whole. The result is a very "painterly" feeling to your pieces, which I guess appeals to me. ....

I'm attaching a few of my more interesting results from Sunday's shoot. The one with the umbrella in particular, I thought would be a total throw-away, but once I started playing with it using (hopefully) some of your concepts, I actually kind of like it. Of course if you have any feedback on any of these, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks again!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Click on image to enlarge.

Photo copyright Lois M. Kosch, class of 2.26.'06

Class of 1.7-8.'06, take during the short
photographic art museum tour we take on day two.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kaire Seema's favorites from our 11.19-20.'05 class.

Photo © Kaire Seema, 2005
Click on image to enlarge.

'Ghosts' preparing to make ghost photos.

Photo © Kaire Seema, 2005
Click on image to enlarge.

Artist (Joe) from the Spanish Village posing
for students in front of his old truck.

Photo © Kaire Seema, 2005
Click on image to enlarge.

Kaire getting into the action (bottom left) of this ghost group portrait.

Here is her note she sent to us with the pics:

"Hi, here are the pictures from the class! ..everything shot in manual mode, (per your request and instruction).. I know it is surprising." All the best, Kaire

Note she was so happy that she worked out all of the setting by herself, NOT ON AUTO EVERYTHING!
Folks leave proud of their accomplishments.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Images from our 11.5-6.'05 weekend fun-shop by John Pohlman ...

©John Pohlman '05
Seewald

Click on any image to enlarge.

Artist Studio, Spanish Village

6.15.'06
Michael,
Thanks to your teaching patience, and your actual-practice classes on composition and lighting that I took from you (Class of 11/2005), I am happy to say that three of my photos were accepted to exhibit at the Del Mar Fair this year, and two got an Honorable Mention in their particular class.
I was excited when I found out, but you know after a bit of thought, it isn't the awards that I am excited about, but the fact that I am actually improving. I just might get to be a photographer yet.

With regards,
John Pohlman

PS: The picture I took at the Spanish Village in Balboa Park that you have on your website was one of the photos selected. You encouraged me to enter it! Thanks.

'Ghosts' with statues.

11.21.'05
    "Michael, you are such a good instructor! You know, the first day, I got it all (the compositional part). The second day, (compositional combined with he technical) I did not get into it until the afternoon, I struggled and got frustrated, but once the information registered, it registered. Thank you so much for your encouraging and kind words.
    I went on a photo journey this last weekend and really thought about the principles you teach and it does make a big difference! And, yes I bought a decent tripod!..."

With kind regards,
John Pohlman,
Class of 11.5-6.'05

The following images were submitted by
beginner photographer Steve Cluer.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Photos copyrighted by Steve Cluer, 2004

Steve's statement:

"I went merely to support my wife's blossoming photo hobby, but found that even a non-artistic individual such as myself benefited greatly. As a result of Part I of the class, I am generally more knowledgeable in viewing art, how my eye involuntary moves from one subject to the next, how long my attention is captured by COI's (center of interest), intrusion/distraction elements all factoring into how well the shot has been composed and cropped.
But then to take that new knowledge and try to apply it in Part II with Michael’s coaching was truly rewarding; to begin really thinking about all of this new knowledge as I attempt to compose a shot, tweaking all of the technical aspects of the camera to achieve my objective, and wondering more and more is the shot even worth taking; this kind of thought process is the real reward and the permanent addition to how we look at making photographs. My wife and I were quite pleased with many of the pictures we ended up taking in part II of the class, and we are all the more critical of them. You can’t improve a process if you are not even aware of the mistakes you are making! Year by year I know the quality of our photos will improve."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Click to enlarge
Photo copyright Bruce Wallace, class of 1.18.'04
A ghostly Michael poses with student Kate Drake of Nevada.

Note from Michael: Sometimes we get into some very creative ideas in our classes. This is a 'straight' photo made with a single exposure using techniques discussed in our advanced 'Day II' classes. Everyone leaves with the ability to make very interesting 'ghost images'.

Here is one of Michael's taken during class
out in front of the Botanical Gardens.

Click on image to enlarge.

Disappearing Instructor

Click on image to enlarge.

Detail from Disappearing Instructor

Click on image to enlarge.

The class of 9.28.03 prepares to depart the Museum of
Photographic Art in San Diego's Balboa Park to resume the 'hands on' learning.

Click on photo to enlarge
Ghost students with Instructor- Balboa Park.
Copyright by beginning photographer Dan Clement, class of 3.13.'05.

This is the kind of fun and exciting image you will be able to make towards the end of class using your manual settings (yep, your MANUAL settings)!
You will adjust your aperture and shutter speeds manually with confidence after taking correct light-meter readings. You will compose a strong image and set the self-timer to working to get into your own award winning photos- Whew!

Like Dan Clement stated when asked if he'd gotten his monies worth,
"Heck Michael, I owe YOU more money!"

Tanya
By Dan Clement, class of 3.13.'05, of fellow student Tanya.