Gregory Halpern: Documentary Sur/Realism
Featuring a curriculum of 16 lessons, this class unpacks his approach to portraiture, the power of editing and sequencing in building photographic narratives, and shares insights into how his celebrated projects and photobooks – including A, ZZYZX and Omaha Sketchbook – were created. Follow Halpern as he creates new work in and around his native Buffalo, NY, focusing on his attempts to create compelling portraits of strangers met via Craigslist and encountered along the way. Halpern shares his end-to-end process, from pressing the shutter and creating contact sheets to his approach to editing and sequencing, giving his honest reflections on the successes and the failures. This class offers a host of valuable advice that can be applied to your photographic practice, from thought-provoking discussions on the genre of documentary photography, to playful exercises on the relationships between images when presented in a sequence.
Season 1
16 episodes
- 1. IntroductionMeet your tutor Gregory Halpern as he offers an insight into what you can expect from this course.CCJan 1, 2022
- 2. Discovering PhotographyLearn about Halpern’s early interests in photography: from his roots in Buffalo to early photographic inspiration Milton Rogovin, and the mentors he’s encountered along the way.CCJan 1, 2022
- 3. Creative DevelopmentHalpern reflects on his development as a photographer, starting with his first project Harvard Works Because We Do rooted in a classic documentary approach and sharing how the rejection of this approach led to him establishing his voice and aesthetic as a photographer.CCJan 1, 2022
- 4. ProjectsHalpern talks through his portfolio to date, including projects ZZYZX, Omaha Sketchbook and Let the Sun Beheaded Be. In this lesson, he shares how he approached shooting and editing each project, and the challenges and concerns he grappled with along the way.CCJan 1, 2022
- 5. Developing ProjectsHalpern shares insights into how he works and develops projects, focusing on his connection to places and people, his approach to shooting, and how he embraces limitations and sees failures as part of the process. The photographer also offers advice on maintaining momentum and finishing projects.CCJan 1, 2022
- 6. The Photographer’s PlaybookLearn more about this resource for photographers, created by Halpern and Jason Fulford to help creatives break out of their routines.CCJan 1, 2022
- 7. PeopleIt can often be difficult to approach and work with people, and for established photographer’s like Halpern this is no less daunting. In this lesson, Halpern’s passion for working with people is clear as he shares key advice on photographing people, while outlining the importance of being honest with your intentions and being able to encourage and direct your subjects.CCJan 1, 2022
- 8. Buffalo, Part OneIn the first part of this case study, we follow Halpern as he navigates portrait scenarios with subjects found via Craigslist.CCJan 1, 2022
- 9. Buffalo, Part TwoIn the second part of this case study, we see Halpern tackle more portrait scenarios with people found via Craigslist, as well as the photographer embracing a chance encounter with a family in the neighborhood.CCJan 1, 2022
- 10. Niagara FallsIn the final case study, Halpern heads to Niagara Falls to photograph strangers, approached spontaneously in this busy environment.CCJan 1, 2022
- 11. GenreHalpern shares his preoccupations with documentary photography as he unpacks the possibilities of genres within the medium.CCJan 1, 2022
- 12. Editing, Sequencing & NarrativeThree foundational elements for Halpern are explored in this lesson, as the photographer shares theory and practical examples of his approach to editing, sequencing and narrative. He also looks into some of his favorite photobooks and shares examples of the theory put to practice.CCJan 1, 2022
- 13. Photobooks, Part OneDuring this lesson, Halpern shares his love of photobooks and walks us through the development of his own publications: A, ZZYZX, and Omaha Sketchbook, exploring his choice of materials, layouts, sequencing and reflecting on his original book dummies.CCJan 1, 2022
- 14. Photobooks, Part TwoContinuing on from the previous lesson, Halpern shares the development of his recent publication Let the Sun Beheaded Be and Confederate Moons.CCJan 1, 2022
- 15. Process, Analysis & ReflectionIn this lesson, Halpern discovers the results of the images shot earlier in the course. Follow the photographer and his thought process as he creates an cohesive edit of the images in front of the camera.CCJan 1, 2022
- 16. Professional PracticeIn our final lesson, Halpern focuses on the importance of having a photographic network and offers advice on how you might maintain and grow your own. He ends on a key topic: how to support yourself as an artist, sharing how teaching became his way to sustain personal photographic projects and how to balance commercial and personal projects.CCJan 1, 2022
Gregory Halpern: Documentary Sur/Realism
Featuring a curriculum of 16 lessons, this class unpacks his approach to portraiture, the power of editing and sequencing in building photographic narratives, and shares insights into how his celebrated projects and photobooks – including A, ZZYZX and Omaha Sketchbook – were created. Follow Halpern as he creates new work in and around his native Buffalo, NY, focusing on his attempts to create compelling portraits of strangers met via Craigslist and encountered along the way. Halpern shares his end-to-end process, from pressing the shutter and creating contact sheets to his approach to editing and sequencing, giving his honest reflections on the successes and the failures. This class offers a host of valuable advice that can be applied to your photographic practice, from thought-provoking discussions on the genre of documentary photography, to playful exercises on the relationships between images when presented in a sequence.
Maturity rating
Not yet rated.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service.
Details and artwork from TMDB. Availability from JustWatch and can change without notice.