In a few short hours on Jan. 22, Freeman Patterson took 240 photography enthusiasts to a place where they could dream.
Langley Fine Arts School’s Chief Sepass Theatre was packed with people who came to learn from one of Canada’s foremost photographers in a workshop organized by the Langley Camera Club.
In between images of exquisite artistry, Patterson gave a great deal of insight into his profession, sharing tricks of the trade and imparting hints to create an image that is as perfect as a photographer can make from the point of view of perspective, texture, pattern, shape and balance.
And speaking of point of view, a photograph does not need a centre of interest, he said.
Sometimes, Patterson said, the whole picture is the centre of interest.
He touched upon multiple exposures, and how to create stunning photos by using panning, turning, rotating and zooming techniques.
He showed images that put to the test generally accepted principles of photography: For example, photos in which nothing is in focus.
Patterson, who has photographed animals and landscapes all over the world, urged artists to honour the sense of scale, honour the habitat of wildlife, and to back up and move away from objects in order to view them in their context.
He encouraged photographers to capture the mundane. Patterson showed how he took a plain, featureless white plastic chair and, with light and patterns and texture, created a striking image.
Patterson, who does not use a flash, ended his presentation with a seven-minute slide show “A Place to Dream.” Set to Robert Gass’ composition, The Journey Home, the show reflected what club vice-president Bill Kellett called the entire presentation: Nourishing inspiration from a master of the craft.