Photography & New Media
Code: P0713-23
-
IV
Level IV
Students have advanced skills and knowledge of the ceramics field. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field and have a portfolio of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.
Master Class: Whitney Johnson and Kris Graves and Long Term Projects
Jul 17 - 21, 2023
9AM-5PM
Concept
In this masterclass, students develop their documentary or narrative-based projects with renowned photographer Kris Graves and creative executive Whitney Johnson, with the goal of completing a body of work and preparing it for distribution outlets. Over the course of a one-week workshop and additional virtual mentorship meetings, participants get advice on researching and producing their projects, receive feedback/critique on their aesthetic approach, edit and sequence their work, hear real-life case studies from guest artists, and actively participate in a creative community of peers. This workshop also will meet virtually in December for a final critique session.
Portfolios will be accepted on a rolling basis. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio are as follows:
- Submit digital images of your work in one single PDF (as opposed to individual JPG attachments) via email directly to Anderson Ranch Workshop Manager Esther Nooner at [email protected]
- The single PDF must be less than 10 MB to be considered.
- Include 5-10 images of your work with image identification that lists the title, media, dimensions and year of each image.
- While not required, it is helpful to see an artist statement addressing the images you send.
- Include “Advanced Portfolio Review” in the subject line of your email, as well as the title of the workshop for which you are applying.
- Please provide a phone number where you can be reached and a link to your website.
Submissions that do not follow the requested directions will not be reviewed.
If you are accepted, a deposit of $650 will be required within one week of notification of acceptance to hold your place. Housing will be assigned on a space-available basis upon enrollment.
Media & Techniques
Sequencing, editing, group discussions on historical and contemporary topics in photography, artist presentations, peer and faculty feedback,
Supply ListFaculty
Kris Graves
Kris Graves is an artist and publisher based in New York and California. He creates artwork that deals with societal problems and uses art as a means to inform people about cultural issues. Using a mix of conceptual and documentary practices, he photographs the subtleties of societal power and its impact on the built environment, exploring how capitalism and power have shaped countries—and how that can be seen and experienced in everyday life.
Whitney Johnson
Whitney Johnson is the director of visuals and immersive experiences at National Geographic. Prior to joining the magazine, she was the Director of Photography at The New Yorker, where her work was widely recognized, earning awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors, Awards of Excellence from the Society of Publication Designers, and a Peabody.
Kris Graves, "Latency"
Join Waitlist for Master Class: Whitney Johnson and Kris Graves and Long Term Projects
Thank you for your interest in the waitlist. When space in a workshop or program becomes available, registration will open on the website. Everyone on the waitlist will be emailed to alert them of the opening. This ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to register for the workshop or program.
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.
Anderson Ranch is happy to extend a tuition discount* in one- and two-week adult photography and new media summer workshops** for members of SPE and the Center for Fine Art Photography at the student membership level or above. Please email reg@
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 Esther Macy Nooner, [email protected].
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: Tuition 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 the tuition 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.
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.
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
O
Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
-
Virtual Workshop
Virtual Workshop, learn from the comfort of your own home.
Oct 6 - 8, 2025
Monday AND Wednesday, 3-5PM (Mountain Time)
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
The iPhone as Your Creative Camera
Rob Comeau
Tuition $275
Code VFP4101-25
Experience the magic of Anderson Ranch from the comfort of your own home or studio with our new virtual photography workshop. This isn't your average Zoom experience—this workshop includes two immersive, hands-on learning tutorials designed to feel like you’re right here in the Ranch photography studio. With small class sizes (limited to 12 participants), you’ll enjoy personalized instruction, meaningful feedback, and the chance to connect with a creative community. About the Workshop The iPhone has revolutionized photography—offering an incredibly powerful camera that fits in your pocket. While most of us carry one daily, few tap into its full photographic potential. This two-part online workshop is designed to help you unlock the creative power of your iPhone, combining technical skills with artistic insight. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of your device and a sharper eye for image-making—ready to capture the world around you with clarity, intention, and style. Mastering the Camera in Your Pocket In our first session, we’ll take a deep dive into the iPhone’s native camera functions. You’ll learn what the device excels at, where it has limits, and how to work creatively within those bounds. We’ll cover everything from lens selection and image file types (HEIC, JPEG, and RAW) to capturing RAW images using third-party apps when your phone doesn’t support it directly. We’ll also explore specialized shooting modes like Portrait, Time Lapse, Live, Panorama, and Night Mode. Finally, we’ll look at how to customize camera settings to fit your personal shooting workflow. Mobile Editing for Maximum Impact The second session focuses on transforming your shots through powerful mobile editing tools. We’ll walk through Apple’s built-in editing features and introduce you to versatile apps like Snapseed and ProCamera that provide professional-level control. Whether you’re refining exposure, enhancing color, or applying creative filters, you’ll learn how to bring out the best in your images—all from your phone. By the end of this course, you’ll have a stronger grasp of both the technical and creative tools your iPhone offers—and your photographs will reflect that growth. PLEASE NOTE: This virtual workshop will be held live via Zoom on Monday and Wednesday, October 6th and 8th, from 3-5PM MST. This workshop meets via Zoom Video Conferencing software (download free from Zoom.com). An Anderson Ranch staff member co-teaches the class and coordinates the online platform. Further details will be emailed to registrants. Recordings will be available for 60 days following the workshop.
Jan 5 - 23, 2026
Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM
Participants may register for one, two, or three weeks
TUITION is $1,255 per week or $3,765 for three weeks
January Studio Session: Photography & New Media
Jack Fox
Tuition $1,255
Code ZSP0101-26
Anderson Ranch’s January Studio Sessions provide artists the opportunity to work on independent projects while receiving mentoring and critique sessions with Anderson Ranch artistic staff. Each participant receives an assigned studio space, orientation, and access to equipment, as well as some morning group demonstrations and / or critiques. This program affords artists the experience enjoyed by national and international artists who access our state-of-the-art studios. Participants may expand their practices, take artistic risks, try new media or complete works for exhibition. IMPORTANT DETAILS: Students will be responsible for all material costs associated with their projects. Private dorm rooms are available at Anderson Ranch for an additional fee; click here to view January 2025 lodging options. TO APPLY: Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. Contact Esther Nooner with questions and to apply: [email protected]
-
O
Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Jan 5 - 16, 2026
9AM - 5PM
Painting and Photography: An Archaeological Approach to Text and Image
Kate Leonard
Tuition $2,440
Code JANSTU2026P
Two art forms collide in this fascinating look at the intersection of photography and painting. Join us for an engaging exploration of the artistic synthesis between these two distinct art forms. Discover new transfer techniques that integrate photographic images and text directly onto painted surfaces. Using traditional collage and photomontage, 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. We begin each morning with a technical demonstration illustrated with visual examples from contemporary art. A range of integrated photographic painting approaches will be introduced on paper, canvas and panels in acrylic. By midweek, our investigations continue to larger artworks tailored to each student.