Photography & New Media
Code: P1024-25
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I
Level I
Students are new to photography and new media and have no formal training in photography, video, multimedia or animation. Students have basic computer literacy.
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II
Level II
Photography students have a basic understanding of photography principles and technology and are comfortable using an SLR camera in manual mode. New Media students have a basic understanding of video, multimedia or animation software. Students have basic computer skills and are comfortable using a Macintosh computer.
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III
Level III
Photography students have some formal training and significant experience making, capturing and digitally processing images using Adobe Lightroom and/or Adobe Photoshop. New Media students have some formal training in conceptual and technological aspects of video, multimedia, coding or animation and are versed in the appropriate software applications. Students have a portfolio of their artwork.
Family Stories
Aug 4 - 8, 2025
9AM-5PM
Concept
Explore ways to create art that draws from both past and present family experiences, whether inherited or chosen. We consider the stories of those in front of our cameras, as well as those we only know through photographs. How do we understand people and our lives through photography? How can we create meaningful work that captures the essence of those with us now, connects across time and distance, or reflects on the past? Participants are invited to bring ideas for future projects, works in progress, archival materials (such as negatives and prints), or simply their digital or film cameras. For those interested, we offer the opportunity to develop black-and-white film. Together, we explore how to create meaningful and resonant work from our family lives and immediate surroundings.
The workshop begins by examining a range of artists from the past 50 years who have used personal family experiences as a foundation to address broader issues. Artists such as Larry Sultan, Emmett Gowin, Nan Goldin, Sally Mann, Tomiko Jones, Odette England, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Tommy Kha, and D’Angelo Lovell Williams will serve as inspirations as we consider when and how personal stories can resonate through art. Participants are encouraged to envision various approaches through studio work, presentations, discussions, one-on-one meetings, and critiques. Together, we explore how images can create layered meanings and how photography serves as a medium for personal reflection and intergenerational dialogue.
Media & Techniques
Digital photography, workflow, digital printing, Adobe Photoshop, lectures, presentations, group discussions and feedback
Faculty
Betsy Schneider
Betsy Schneider’s photography and video work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is part of many notable collections. She was named a Guggenheim Fellow in 2011, and her book To Be Thirteen—a result of that fellowship—was published by Radius in 2017. Her current project The Best Girl on the Team consists of 50 interviews and portraits with people who have been the only girl on a sports team.
Betsy Schneider, Watermelon
Workshop Details
Workshop Supplies
For general information about studio access, shipping, and more, please visit our info page.
If you have any questions regarding your supplies for your workshop, please contact Jack Fox, .
Provided by Anderson Ranch
Equipment
- 24" iMac
- Adobe Suite
- Epson Flatbed Scanner
- Epson P800 SureColor Printer
Supplies
- Allotted paper and ink (for inkjet printing)
What you need to bring
Required Tools and Supplies
- Digital Camera and accessories
- Digital or physical archive of family photographs and other memorabilia
- External hard drive or access to cloud storage to save digital works made
- Presentation of personal work for first day of class, 15-20 images
Optional Tools and Supplies
- Personal items for field trips, i.e layers, sturdy shoes, water bottle
- Sketchbook/Journal**
- White (or light colored) T-shirt for screen printing**
* Available for purchase in the studio.
** Available to purchase at the Anderson Ranch ArtWorks Store for 10% off. The store aims to stock comparable items, though specific products from the supply list may vary based on inventory.
Learn more about shipping supplies and artwork to and from the Ranch in the Student Handbook.
Lodging & Meals
Housing is limited and includes shared and private lodging options. Reservations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you reserve housing, the better your chance of receiving your preferred option. Please note: Workshop costs do not include accommodations.
NEW: Course fees includes a welcome dinner and lunches. In our effort to foster a stronger sense of community and accessibility at Anderson Ranch, we include the welcome dinner and all lunches as part of course fees for summer workshop students. Our hope is that this adjustment will encourage all students to come together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations. The Ranch Café Meal Plan, which is included with Room and Board fees, strives to provide healthy, creative meals that will nourish your artistic creativity. Learn more.
We have established a Business Safety Plan with added layers of precaution that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, students, faculty and guests while continuing to provide you with the Anderson Ranch experience that you know and enjoy.
Photography & New Media
Photography has always been a vital part of Anderson Ranch, one in which students explore visual storytelling through a variety of contexts and concepts. The program has uniquely evolved to focus on both traditional photography and new media— making it one of the only workshop settings of its kind. Three floors of the Fischer Photography Center house state-of-the-art equipment, including three photography studios, two Mac labs, a traditional darkroom, and a lighting studio with strobe and continuous lighting for photography and video.
All Photography workshops are rooted in the same idea—powerful art requires rigorous inquiry of techniques and ideas. We focus on technical skills, content and critical dialog. Students have access to color-managed media labs equipped with 24-inch iMacs, flatbed and film scanners, Epson printers, and cutting-edge software including Adobe Creative Cloud. When appropriate, students utilize strobe and tungsten lighting equipment, seamless backdrops, green screen, audio and video recording equipment and Epson large-format printers.
The Ranch Photography and New Media team creates an inspiring environment, allowing artists of all levels to explore lens-based media and the journey of artistic discovery in the unparalleled setting of the Colorado Rockies.
Don’t know where to start? View the skill levels for Photography and New Media workshops.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a historic, rustic campus that features gravel pathways and uneven terrain that may pose challenges for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. We strive to provide accommodations to ensure all guests can access and enjoy our programs and facilities. With advance notice, our staff can offer personalized assistance and coordinate access to studios and campus spaces. For questions or to request an accommodation, please contact us at (970) 923-3181 or [email protected].
Anderson Ranch is happy to extend a 20% tuition discount for summer one- or two-week adult photography and new media workshops for SPE and the Center for Fine Art Photography members at the student membership level or above. Please email [email protected] with your SPE or CFAP membership information prior to registering and we will send you a promo code to complete registration with your discount applied. You are also welcome to call 970-924-5089 to register after verifying your membership with us. **Please note, this discount must be approved prior to registering and cannot be applied retroactively. SPE and Center for Fine Art Photography discount does not apply to Advanced Mentored Studies programs or Destination Workshops, nor can it be combined with any other discount, scholarship or special offer.
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.
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