One of the most highly anticipated classes within the Photography program is PH 450: Travel Photography Techniques. The goal of this class is to learn about how to photograph on the go: from everything like what equipment to pack, how to pack it effectively and safely, to how to interact with local people, visit tourist spots as well as finding hidden gems, and prioritizing your time. Having these learnings happen with the backdrop of a regional, domestic, or International class trip is the most exciting part of this course.
The first trip abroad was back in 2018 in Ecuador, then followed by Ireland. When the pandemic hit in 2020, this class was unable to enjoy the full travel photography experience. Being safe and cautious in 2021 helped revive this tradition with a trip to New Orleans and then a trip visiting National Parks and the varied landscapes of the American West. 2022 brought the students to The Big Apple, New York City. In Spring 2023, photography instructor Sammy Hearn took twelve photo and video students to visit Spain's beautiful landscapes and even more breath-taking architecture. This year, photography instructor Lisbeth Norton and department chair Tom Stanford and the class of sixteen students traveled to the Pacific Northwest: Seattle Washington and Olympic National Park.
THE PH 450 CLASS
From the class syllabus:
"On this trip we will learn how to make more memorable travel images, become more comfortable photographing people and navigating unfamiliar places and its people. You will also enrich your own travel experiences by connecting with others through your viewfinder, using your camera as the key that opens the door to others’ lives.
"Learn how to capture and focus on what you most enjoy, then channel that passion to photograph the essence of a place with your own personal 'voice.' By the end of this trip you will be required to produce 30 images for your final portfolio."
THE ITINERARY
SEATTLE, WA → OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
FRIDAY APRIL 19TH / SATURDAY APRIL 20TH - Seattle → Port Angeles
Pike Place Market, Seattle Central Library, and The Gum Wall with focuses on shallow depth of field, architecture, street photography, food photography, leading lines, people, environmental portraits. Sunset at the Harbor in Port Angeles.
SUNDAY APRIL 21ST - Olympic National Park
Sunrise shoot at Lake Crescent. Hike to Marymere Falls. Focusing on flora/fauna, macro photography, landscape, foreground interest, reflections.
MONDAY APRIL 22ND - Olympic National Park
Sunrise shoot at Hurricane Ridge. Hoh Rainforest and the Hall of Mosses Trail with lush greenery. Focusing on landscape, interest, color, broad depth of field, detail shots of intricate moss-covered trees.
Photo by: Jimmy Judd
TUESDAY APRIL 23RD - Olympic National Park
Head to Kalaloch Campground to photograph the famous 'Tree of Life.' Drive to Rialto Beach to watch the sunset, see rock formations, and study the tide pools. Focus: reflections, leading lines, fast/slow shutter speeds.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 24TH / THURSDAY APRIL 25TH - Port Angeles → Seattle
Free shoot day back in Seattle, and then heading back to Nashville!
Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts of #nossistudentwork Thank you to Lisbeth Norton, and our Photography Department Chair, Tom Stanford, for encouraging and leading this class experience!