Join an engaging exploration of the synthesis between two distinct art forms: photography and painting. Students discover transfer techniques that integrate photographic images and text directly onto painted surfaces, resulting in intriguingly layered works. Participants explore traditional collage and photomontage, and master new methods that allow for opaque and translucent layers. Reductive methods, such as sanding and scraping, reveal the history of earlier photographic layers and suggest an archaeological approach to image development. The workshop emphasizes experimentation and exploratory approaches. Students produce a portfolio of physical examples of all techniques.

Images and poetry have long shared a deep and resonant dialogue, each illuminating the other in unexpected ways. This workshop invites students to explore that intersection, using the visual language of photography to respond to and be inspired by the written word. In this workshop, students photograph, edit, print, and sequence a small body of work inspired by poetry. Each morning begins with group dialogues and critiques designed to help participants refine their narrative voice and strengthen their conceptual approach. Along the way, they are introduced to artists and writers who have merged image and text, expanding the possibilities of both. Working with a range of photographic techniques—including portraiture, landscape, appropriation, and alternative processes—students are guided in bringing a project from concept to final form, gaining confidence in experimentation and new ways of seeing. Field trips complement studio activities.

The deceptively simple cyanotype process—one of the oldest photographic printing methods—offers a stunning range of exquisite and mysterious blues. Students embark on an exploration of this timeless technique, experimenting on various papers to create both photograms and photographs while learning to produce digital negatives. While cyanotype stands alone as a beloved process for contemporary photographic artists, many practitioners push its boundaries by toning their prints with organic botanical toners, unlocking a remarkable spectrum of colors and hues. This versatile method also pairs beautifully with other alternative techniques, including gum bichromate. Participants delve into the vibrant possibilities of layering gum bichromate over their cyanotypes, engaging deeply with color and process while connecting to the medium’s rich artistic heritage.

Discover the exquisite beauty and timeless allure of hand-crafted platinum/palladium printing in this immersive workshop. The combination of platinum and palladium yields prints with remarkable tonal depth, subtlety, and unmatched permanence. Participants will learn to create digital negatives from their own images, brush-coat light-sensitive emulsions onto watercolor paper, and expose their prints to UV light. No prior experience is necessary.

This workshop is designed for photographers interested in reimagining the politics of image-making through the lens of lived experience — particularly those shaped by gender, feminism, marginalization, and underrepresented perspectives. Drawing on both historical strategies and speculative approaches, participants will engage in collaborative and experimental exercises such as multiple exposures, camera-passing, and surrealist "exquisite corpse" techniques. Together, we'll challenge traditional roles of photographer and subject, questioning photography's roots in authorship, control, and visual dominance. Through image-making, critique, discussion, and selected readings, we'll explore how even the smallest choices — editing, framing, language — can reinforce or resist dominant structures of seeing. This workshop invites play, experimentation, and critical reflection as we ask not just what an image shaped by marginalized experience looks like, but what it can do.

For curious kids, a camera is a magical tool to explore and capture the world! In this fun, hands-on workshop, students dive into the art of storytelling through photography, learning to see their surroundings in exciting new ways. They’ll explore the history of image-making, experiment with cool techniques like cyanotypes, and work with today’s digital photography. Inspired by the beautiful Anderson Ranch campus, participants create unique photographs and prints, sparking creativity and a potential lifelong love of photography.

To be seen is a gift, and to provide that gift requires time, intention, and nuance. A compelling, intimate portrait is the result of care and trust for the photographer and their subject. In this workshop, participants explore the personal purpose of a portrait and how to hone their skills with the photographic elements of thought, lighting, environment, composition, posing, and direction. Through lectures, assignments, discussions, field trips, and critiques, participants learn technical and practical aspects that make honest portraiture possible.

Dive into the art of storytelling through animation! We kick off the week with Wick Editor, where students create hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animations. Next, the fun continues as we explore stop-motion animation, crafting sets from recycled materials and bringing clay characters to life. As the movies take shape, students learn to use iMovie, adding sound effects and special touches to make their films shine. We wrap up the week with an awesome film festival, where parents are invited to a showcase of their children’s animated creations!

Discover the exquisite beauty and timeless allure of hand-crafted platinum/palladium printing in this immersive workshop. The combination of platinum and palladium yields prints with remarkable tonal depth, subtlety, and unmatched permanence. Participants will learn to create digital negatives from their own images, brush-coat light-sensitive emulsions onto watercolor paper, and expose their prints to UV light. No prior experience is necessary.

This workshop asks students to engage in close readings of image, sound, and text in order to develop their own creative practice. Authors and artists examined include Roy DeCarava, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Dawoud Bey, Tina Campt, Baldwin Lee, Susan Sontag, James Baldwin, Endia Beal, and Joni Mitchell. Students will explore questions such as, How are history, region, identity, social location, sound, and disposition communicated through image? How can narrative be a co-creative endeavor alongside image? How does the body of the photographer figure in images even when not visible? What ethical principles ought to guide visual and narrative storytelling? Class sessions will include writing exercises and peer critiques.

Photography is by definition an act of time travel, but this workshop in wet-plate collodion process adds a unique and creative aspect to modern practice. The course explores making tintypes, glass negatives, and ambrotypes with a variety of formats, including 6x6 plates made with Holga cameras and using supplied 4x5 cameras. Whether new to the process or honing basic skills, this workshop is a great fit for anyone interested in early hand-crafted photography.

Explore what it means to work closely and respectfully with people as a documentary photographer. Emphasizing humanistic storytelling, dignity, and genuine connection, participants deepen their approach to documentary photography and photojournalism while actively producing work throughout the week. The focus is on building confidence and developing the skills needed to foster meaningful, lasting relationships with individuals and communities.Participants are encouraged to bring a personal project to develop and will also be assigned a story to document in the field, applying techniques of observation, engagement, and ethical storytelling to create a compelling body of work.

The genre of conceptual photography gives photographers the opportunity to act as auteurs of their own fictional visual narratives. In this five-day hands-on workshop we take our gear on various locations to stage, light, direct, and photograph models on set for our own constructed narrative images. These constructed works may tell stories, suggest dreams, or reveal inner landscapes. Looking to acknowledged masters for inspiration, we compose and choreograph our scene for authentic emotional resonance. In addition, we explore and learn the core principles of lighting, and then learn new skills in digital workflow, including how to retouch, refine, and apply color grading.

In this workshop, students expand their collage techniques with digital and traditional processes to create simple and layered composite images and constructions. Combining painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, wood, paper and found or fabricated imagery helps tell the story. Students use the laser cutter to cut or engrave paper or other materials and push their imagery further by utilizing the capabilities of the UV printer. Demonstrations include collage, nontoxic resin, laser engraved imagery and cutting, and transfer techniques. Participants have the freedom to explore individual projects with the assistance of the fabrication lab assistants. Discussions include developing content, narrative, and artistic voice through combined techniques.

This workshop invites participants to design and build custom computational tools for digital drawing and image-making, and to translate generative work into physical form using pen plotters.  Through an emphasis on tool-building and exploratory “vibe coding,” students investigate distinctive and unconventional approaches to mark-making. Rather than relying on existing software, participants develop their own image-making instruments using languages and frameworks such as JavaScript, Python, p5.js, Three.js, or Processing. The workshop foregrounds the creation of bespoke workflows and pipelines, allowing each student to align technical decisions with their individual creative vision. Iterative development is central to the process, positioning tool-building itself as a core creative practice. Custom tools may be published online or shared via GitHub, contributing to a growing library of generative instruments. Final outcomes may include pen-plotted drawings produced with robotic plotters, digital prints, or interactive, web-based applications.

Students explore a wide range of traditional and experimental screen printing techniques, examining the expressive potential of digital and mechanical mark-making, richly layered color, and dynamic variable editions. Processes covered include drawing fluid and screen-filler stencils, photo-chemical stencils created from both hand-drawn and digital imagery, monoprints/monotypes, and the integration of found collage materials — all paired with hybrid approaches that merge analog and digitally produced images.

In this workshop, every participant creates at least one small, fully realized video game using Scratch, an inviting and playful programming platform perfect for exploration and experimentation. Our approach is inclusive, welcoming, and fast-paced as we delve into game design within an artistic context. Through a blend of hands-on demonstrations and creative prompts, participants are encouraged to tinker, explore, and craft their own games, complete with original characters and stories. Thisworkshop is open to all skill levels including beginners. Se habla español, and all are welcome!

For curious kids, a camera is a magical tool to explore and capture the world! In this fun, hands-on workshop, students dive into the art of storytelling through photography, learning to see their surroundings in exciting new ways. They’ll explore the history of image-making, experiment with cool techniques like cyanotypes, and work with today’s digital photography. Inspired by the beautiful Anderson Ranch campus, participants create unique photographs and prints, sparking creativity and a potential lifelong love of photography.

Master Class This workshop invites participants to rigorously re-imagine the experiences of migration, home, beauty, and work through innovative discourses on memory and desire. By engaging with a curated selection of films, artworks, and readings, participants are encouraged to take creative risks as they explore how to rethink the cultural dimensions of migration, narratives of work, and evolving concepts of beauty. We print original work and utilize archival images as valuable resources for inspiration and context. A commitment to dedication, mutual respect for peers, and a passion for artistic exploration are essential components of this transformative experience.

In today’s contemporary art landscape, where mixed media is increasingly prominent, exploring the development of 2D imagery for 3D forms offers a timely approach in ceramics. This two-week immersive workshop investigates the intersection of photography, digital processes, and ceramics, encouraging students to combine and expand these media in innovative ways.Focusing on narrative development, participants work with personal, found, or generated images to create compelling visual stories on clay surfaces. The workshop emphasizes the conceptual potential of photographic imagery and pictorial illustration, guiding students in designing and producing photographic decals for transfer onto fired ceramic forms. Students will handbuild forms, then move into image preparation, design, and transfer techniques. By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained both technical skills and conceptual strategies to integrate 2D and 3D elements seamlessly, opening new possibilities for contemporary ceramic practice.

Master Class This master class and intensive seminar examines photography in the era of artificial intelligence. Each day combines morning theory sessions with afternoon practical workshops. In the mornings, participants engage in seminar-style discussions on the history, politics, and aesthetics of computer vision (CV) and AI, using readings from the instructor’s forthcoming book as a foundation for critical dialogue. Afternoons focus on hands-on practice, where students experiment with Python, OpenCV, and large language models to develop their own computer vision tools through “vibe coding.” No prior programming experience is required. The course emphasizes critical inquiry and rapid experimentation, preparing students to create original projects at the intersection of photography and AI.

"We tell ourselves stories in order to live." This line opens The White Album, Joan Didion’s famous 1979 essay collection. While Didion does not write much about photography, her words often feel photographic—capturing the sharp, complicated truths of everyday life. “We live entirely, especially if we are writers, by the imposition of a narrative line upon disparate images to…freeze the shifting phantasmagoria which is our actual experience,” she writes. Many photographers recognize their own work and process in that idea. A photograph can tell a story, suggest a truth, or linger somewhere in between. But to connect with an audience, a series of images needs some kind of structure—whether it is a sequence, a portfolio, a book, or an exhibition. This workshop, led by an editor from Aperture Magazine, focuses on editing, sequencing, revising, and shaping a cohesive body of work. It is designed for students who have a project or body of work and want to develop it further through feedback and critique. Participants explore different approaches to editing and sequencing, and practice giving shape to their work through presentations, group and individual discussions, and critique. The workshop also draws on the work of other artists and considers strategies for thoughtful presentation, helping students bring their projects to full fruition.

This workshop invites students to explore how to enhance landscape photography — natural or urban — through mixed media techniques, deepening the narrative and emotional impact of each image. Participants gain hands-on experience combining photography with printmaking, drawing, painting, and collage. Students receive guidance in Italian and Japanese marbling traditions, learning how to create pattern and texture on photographic surfaces. By integrating representational and abstract approaches, they transform landscapes into imaginative, emotive, and visually dynamic compositions. Through discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on experimentation, participants refine their creative vision and develop original artworks that expand the possibilities of photographic storytelling. This class is ideal for artists and creatives who would like to explore or amplify their photographic language by expanding its limits through mixed media experimentation.

This engaging workshop inspires teens to explore their passion for photography through hands-on experimentation, creativity, and play. Students learn how powerful photographs connect with viewers visually, emotionally, and intellectually, while developing both technical skills and conceptual thinking. Students will work with Cyanotypes and Cyanlumen prints to create unique, analogue images. Participants practice storytelling, environmental photography, and digital image creation using Adobe Photoshop. They explore techniques for capturing unique and compelling images, drawing inspiration from their own work as well as influential photographs from the past and present. In addition, students learn to edit and retouch photos in Photoshop, combining and blending images to create layered, imaginative compositions. By the end of the workshop, participants have strengthened their technical skills, expanded their creative vision, and produced a portfolio of original photographic work.

Discover how to tell powerful real-life stories using just a smartphone. In this immersive one-week workshop, learn the art and craft of short documentary filmmaking from concept to final edit. Guided by an acclaimed filmmaker, participants gain hands-on experience in filming, interviewing, scripting, and editing as we create a short profile of a local personality or a visiting artist at the Ranch. We’ll explore practical techniques for framing and composition, how to utilize natural light to best effect, and sequencing shots to shape a compelling narrative. Whether new to filmmaking or looking to expand your creative toolkit, this course teaches the confidence and skills needed to capture authentic stories with the equipment we all carry.

This workshop immerses students in the creative possibilities of mixed media by integrating photography with both traditional and experimental drawing and painting techniques. Participants work with watercolor, acrylic, India ink, graphite, and pastels to build layered, dynamic surfaces that merge photographic imagery with expressive mark-making. Through hands-on demonstrations and guided projects, students explore image-transfer methods, surface manipulation, and innovative approaches to combining materials. The workshop places strong emphasis on conceptual development, encouraging participants to transform personal, found, or generated photographs into evocative works that blur the line between representation and abstraction. By the end of the week, students create a cohesive series of artworks that demonstrate technical versatility and reflect their individual creative vision.

Photographers with developed bodies of work dive deeply into the art of creating zines and photobooks, exploring how these formats function as powerful tools for structuring, refining, and sharing long-form photographic projects. The workshop includes in-depth demonstrations of essential techniques—such as hand-binding methods, cover construction, trimming, sequencing workflows, and layout planning—so participants can see each step of the bookmaking process in action before applying it to their own projects. Throughout the week, photographers receive guided instruction in editorial decision-making, narrative development, and conceptual cohesion. Structured activities include collaborative editing sessions, peer critiques, guided sequencing exercises, and hands-on design modules using both analog and digital tools. Participants experiment with dummy-book structures and materials, learning how choices in paper, binding, and format influence the reading experience. By the end of the workshop, each photographer leaves with a deeper understanding of visual storytelling, sequencing, and layout, as well as one or more tangible prototypes or mock-ups of their own publication. These drafts serve as concrete foundations they can continue refining into fully realized zines or photobooks beyond the course.

This immersive workshop invites participants to delve into the art of handmade papermaking and the alternative photographic process of cyanotype. Participants explore the natural world as a source of both materials and inspiration, emphasizing the inherently place-based nature of these techniques. The first part of the workshop focuses on collecting and processing local plant materials, including invasive species, to create handmade paper. Participants learn essential papermaking techniques, such as fiber preparation, pulping, sheet formation, and drying, while discovering which plants are best suited for papermaking. In the second phase, participants investigate photographic imagery through the lens of place and connection. Using cyanotype—a historic photographic process known for its vivid blue tones—participants design image-based compositions that integrate seamlessly with their handmade paper. By merging organic materials with photographic imagery, the workshop creates a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of craft, nature, and storytelling. Ideal for artists and creatives interested in sustainable practices, alternative photography, and the expressive potential of handmade paper, this workshop fosters innovation and a deep appreciation for place-based artmaking.

This course reimagines landscape in contemporary photography—not as scenery, but as a living threshold where history, identity, and climate converge. Exploring intersections of gender, identity, environment, and spirit, we’ll ask how art can witness collapse while opening pathways to transformation. Students create and share work that embraces impermanence, finds beauty within loss, and honors the inseparability of self and place. Through shared knowledge, dialogue, and accountability, we build community and deepen artistic practice. The course invites artists to connect soul to practice, engage a world in flux, and create images that awaken perception and reimagine possibility.

Explore the dynamic intersection of screen printing and collage through unhinged silkscreens, layered imagery, and texture. Participants begin by creating bold screen printed works using hand-drawn or photo-based methods. Prints are then transformed through cutting, tearing, and pasting onto new substrates such as paper, vinyl, or found materials. This hands-on workshop welcomes all skill levels and emphasizes intuitive play, composition, and storytelling through composition and negative space. Demonstrations, open studio time, group critique, and one-on-one guidance support students in developing unique works that merge screen print and collage into vibrant hybrid artworks.

Explore the creative and historical possibilities of cyanotype in this hands-on workshop. Using non-toxic chemicals, working in both sunlight and UV light, you will create prints on paper and fabric while experimenting with this versatile 19th-century photographic process to create gorgeous, blue-and-white prints. Students will learn how to work with liquid emulsion, select papers and materials, calculate exposure, and develop their cyanotypes. Students can work with natural materials and found objects to create cyanotype photograms. Students are also welcome to bring an archive of digital images to incorporate into the process through digital negatives or scanned imagery. The workflow for creating and using digital negatives will be explored. Group discussions and demonstrations will support hands-on practice, creative exploration, and the development of individual artistic vision. Topics will include the use of alternative materials, combining the use of negatives and objects to produce unique works, creative presentation options, and the possibilities of making a home studio to continue your practice. Visual presentations of historical and contemporary artists working in the medium will also be included for creative inspiration. All cyanotype materials are provided, though participants are welcome to bring personal items for photograms, and unique papers and fabrics for experimentation as appropriate.

The digital age has opened new possibilities for visual storytellers of all kinds—from documentary photographers and photojournalists to conceptual artists—offering greater authorship, control, and reach. This workshop guides participants through the process of developing and sustaining a long-term personal project, with a focus on narrative development, creative vision, and strategies for sharing work with the world. Participants will learn how to: Identify and pursue a subject driven by personal passion. Build a compelling visual narrative with a distinct style. Sustain long-term projects with intention and discipline. Navigate the industry, make professional connections, and find opportunities for dissemination. The workshop embraces a wide range of visual languages and technologies, from still photography and digital video to transmedia and social media storytelling. Through hands-on guidance, participants will explore how to harness these tools to become more effective, impactful storytellers. The program is led by Ed Kashi, with over 45 years of freelance experience, and James Estrin, senior staff photographer at The New York Times and co-founder of the NYT Lens blog. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge, insight, and mentorship to help participants push their work to new levels. Program Dates: May 1, 2026 – April 15, 2028 In-Person Sessions at Anderson Ranch: Aug 17 - Aug 21, 2026 Aug 16 - Aug 20, 2027 This two-year immersive program is designed for dedicated artists seeking individualized mentorship, critical feedback, and a supportive cohort experience. Participants engage in a week-long, in-person residency at Anderson Ranch (one each year), complemented by ongoing virtual engagement throughout the program. Each year includes personalized one-on-one mentorship sessions via Zoom and a virtual group critique held in December. The program concludes with a final Zoom meeting in April 2028. Tuition is listed per year. Lodging and meals are additional. To Apply: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a deadline of February 28, 2026. To apply, please complete the 2026 Advanced Mentored Studies Online Application. A non-refundable deposit of $650 per workshop is required to reserve a space for an adult. Questions? For more information about the next session of the Advanced Mentored Studies Program, please contact: Andrea Jenkins Wallace, Vice President of Artistic Affairs and Artistic Director of Photography and New Media, [email protected].

Experience the complete creative journey, from capture to edit, collage, composting, composite, and print, in one inspiring week. In this hands-on workshop, participants develop a streamlined digital workflow that keeps creativity at the forefront while maintaining efficiency and organization. Learn to process and manage files in Adobe Lightroom Classic, then seamlessly transition into Photoshop for creative collage and composting, and experiment with third-party plugins to expand your creative vision. We’ll conclude by printing on a variety of fine-art papers, exploring how surface, tone, and texture influence your final image. Whether you’re refining your process or rediscovering your creative spark, this workshop provides the tools, structure, and inspiration to bring your vision to life, from capture to print.

The digital age has opened new possibilities for visual storytellers of all kinds—from documentary photographers and photojournalists to conceptual artists—offering greater authorship, control, and reach. This workshop guides participants through the process of developing and sustaining a long-term personal project, with a focus on narrative development, creative vision, and strategies for sharing work with the world. Participants will learn how to: Identify and pursue a subject driven by personal passion. Build a compelling visual narrative with a distinct style. Sustain long-term projects with intention and discipline. Navigate the industry, make professional connections, and find opportunities for dissemination. The workshop embraces a wide range of visual languages and technologies, from still photography and digital video to transmedia and social media storytelling. Through hands-on guidance, participants will explore how to harness these tools to become more effective, impactful storytellers. The program is led by Ed Kashi, with over 45 years of freelance experience, and James Estrin, senior staff photographer at The New York Times and co-founder of the NYT Lens blog. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge, insight, and mentorship to help participants push their work to new levels. Program Dates: May 1, 2026 – April 15, 2028 In-Person Sessions at Anderson Ranch: Aug 24 - Aug 28, 2026 Aug 23 - Aug 27, 2027 This two-year immersive program is designed for dedicated artists seeking individualized mentorship, critical feedback, and a supportive cohort experience. Participants engage in two week-long, in-person residencies at Anderson Ranch (one each year), complemented by ongoing virtual engagement throughout the program. Each year includes personalized one-on-one mentorship sessions via Zoom and a virtual group critique held in December. The program concludes with a final Zoom meeting in April 2028. Tuition is listed per year. Lodging and meals are additional. To Apply: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a deadline of February 28, 2026. To apply, please complete the 2026 Advanced Mentored Studies Online Application. A non-refundable deposit of $650 per workshop is required to reserve a space for an adult. Questions? For more information about the next session of the Advanced Mentored Studies Program, please contact: Andrea Jenkins Wallace. Vice President of Artistic Affairs and Artistic Director of Photography and New Media [email protected]

This immersive international retreat invites travelers to deepen their experience of place through photography and mindfulness. Set on Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula—celebrated for its striking natural beauty and enduring cultural traditions—the program encourages participants to slow down, observe closely, and engage more fully with the landscapes and communities they encounter. Photography and mindfulness work together to support presence, curiosity, and reflection. Much of the Dingle Peninsula lies within the Gaeltacht, where Irish remains the language of daily life. The land carries visible traces of human history spanning thousands of years, from ancient settlements and monastic sites to working harbors and living craft traditions. Over the course of the week, travelers move between guided experiences and independent exploration, allowing space for both shared discovery and personal response to the rhythms of the land. Daily activities weave together photography, walking, yoga, and mindfulness practices led by Andrea and Charlotte, alongside site visits with a local Irish guide. Emphasizing experience over output, the retreat invites travelers to consider how stillness, attention, and cultural context shape the way we see—and how photography can deepen our understanding of place rather than simply record it.

This workshop is designed as an intensive, hands-on learning experience. Students work in small teams to develop their individual creative voices through daily studio and on-location sessions with local talent. Each morning begins with presentations and instructor-led demonstrations, followed by an open forum for individual critiques of student work. Instruction focuses on how to observe and understand light, communicate effectively with subjects, and create authentic, connected portraits. Participants also learn to select lenses, adjust camera angles, and use lighting techniques to enhance their images. The class incorporates the latest LED lighting technologies and light modifiers, giving students practical skills for professional portrait work.

In this workshop, participants explore the landscape through photography and transform their images into handmade books. Through field trips, discussions, and editing sessions, students develop a personal visual narrative rooted in place. Back in the studio, we introduce simple book structures, such as the pamphlet and accordion book, that allow images to unfold and connect in new ways. Combining photographic vision with tactile craft, this class offers a complete process from making photographs in the field to creating an artist's book that tells a story of landscape.