Unscripted Moments: Street Photography in Santa Barbara with Meryl Meisler (In-person Learning – Six Sessions – Santa Barbara, CA)

About

In-Person Learning

Join celebrated street photographer Meryl Meisler for an immersive six-day workshop in Santa Barbara, where you’ll explore the art, technique, and philosophy of street photography. Through a combination of in-depth discussions, hands-on shooting, and group critiques, you’ll dive into key topics including the history of street photography, dynamic composition, and the elusive “decisive moment.” Meryl will guide you through strategies for approaching strangers, gear and technical considerations, and capturing compelling moments on the fly.

Over the course of the workshop, you’ll photograph in a variety of locations and light conditions—morning, afternoon, and evening—creating a unique body of work that reflects your personal vision. You’ll learn how to curate, sequence, and present your images with confidence, crafting an artist’s statement that ties your work together. By the end, you’ll have a polished collection of images, a clearer sense of your photographic style, and the motivation to continue developing and exhibiting your work in the future.

This workshop is perfect for photographers looking to refine their street photography skills, deepen their storytelling abilities, and engage with a like-minded creative community.

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INCLUDED WITH TUITION: 

• Opening reception and orientation on Thursday, May 15th
• Dinner on Thursday, May 15th
• Wine tasting mixer event at local winery on Friday, May 16th
• Guided art tour/walk-through of local gallery Saturday, May 17th
• Closing panel discussion and slideshow event on Tuesday, May 20th
• Morning coffee & pastries and lunch for all five workshop days, May 16-20
• Classroom rental/location in Santa Barbara
• Instructor and course assistant(s)

NOT INCLUDED WITH TUITION

• Airfare (if applicable)
• Lodging accommodations (if applicable)
• All transportation, including to and from workshop location in Santa Barbara (if applicable)

PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICY
A $500 deposit is required to reserve space in the workshop (you may also elect to pay the tuition in full). The balance is due two months prior to the start date. Refund requests arriving two months or greater before the start date will result in loss of deposit ($500). Refund requests arriving one to two months prior to the start date will result in a 50% loss of the workshop fee. No refunds will be provided for requests arriving less than one month prior to the start date. All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to info@lacphoto.org.

Meryl Meisler inspired by Diane Arbus, enrolled in a photography class at The University of Wisconsin–Madison. She moved to NYC in 1975 and studied with Lisette Model while photographing her Long Island hometown and the city around her. After working as a freelance illustrator by day, Meryl frequented and photographed the infamous New York Discos. As a 1978 CETA Artist grant recipient, Meryl created a portfolio of photographs exploring her Jewish Identity for the American Jewish Congress. After CETA, Meryl began a 31-year career as an NYC Public School Art Teacher. Upon retiring from teaching, she began releasing large bodies of previously unseen work in exhibits and books. Her monographs A Tale of Two Cities: Disco Era Bushwick (BIZARRE), Purgatory & Paradise SASSY ’70s Suburbia &; The City (BIZARRE), and New York PARADISE LOST Bushwick Era Disco (Parallel Pictures Press) received international praise. A book of her street photography from 1973 to 2022 (Eyeshot) is forthcoming. Meryl is an honoree of the 2021 Center for Photography at Woodstock Affinity Award. Time Magazine includes her on their list of the greatest unsung female photographers of the past century. Meryl continues to dig through her archive while continuing her visual memoir. The best is yet to be revealed. ClampArt represents her work.  Photo by Kevin Frest.

View instructor profile here.

Details

• Six Sessions
• Date: Thursday, May 15, 2 pm – 4 pm, Friday through Monday, 9 am – 4 pm, Tuesday, May 20, 9 am – 12 pm PST
• Enrollment Limit 12 participants
• Skill/Experience Level: Open to all levels of fine photographers
• Tuition: $2,715 Non-Members; $2,615 Members; (Become a Member and save!)
• Location: Santa Barbara, California

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