With the release of our AYP Club, we’re reposting this from last May, we’ve come a long ways since then with new updated resources I’ve added here- MS

Last week we had a really smashing workshop at B&H, the mother-ship of all camera stores. If you’ve never been there, imagine a full department store dedicated just to photography and video. At 11 AM on a rainy Wednesday, the doors opened and the event space filled up fast and continued to fill until there was standing room only–every presenter’s favorite conditions. I was ready to charge out with education and inspiration, with the aim of advancing the group’s photography.  Judging by the enthusiastic response from the crowd, I’d say we made some progress.

I love the feel of interacting with a “live” group, especially after concentrating on all the video interviews we’ve been rolling out. On the other side of that equation is the synergy of bringing the wealth of experience gained from the talented and deeply knowledgeable photographers I’ve been “Hoovering” information from– we’ve got quite a storehouse.

Our plans have always been to connect my show Advancing Your Photography with our live workshops and add to the mix the heart of a real photography school–both in a live-physical state as well as on line for those who can’t make it in person.

So what do you say we get this party started, no matter how simple at first?

Okay, if you’re game, let’s get going:  When I attended the San Francisco Art Institute, it was pretty simple. You were exposed to new ideas and information, and you got a lot of critiquing. Ah, the weekly moment of truth when you put your photographs up on the wall with push pins. Then the instructor would walk around those four walls with the whole class trailing and critique your work. Yes, it really is that bare bones: learn, shoot and get critiqued–then go out and shoot some more!  Sure there are variations on this but that’s the gist of the curriculum.

So if you’re aboard, let’s get going. What’s the first step?

1. If you haven’t done so yet, sign up for your free AYP Club Membership. Yep, this is our online Club–which will connect to your off-line AYP Club Chapter.
2. Go to the Forum > General>two easy steps… (even if you did this assignment back in May, do it again from the view of where you want to go now)
3. Write down your goals. Where do you want to advance with your photography?  This can be as simple as “learn to take portraits” or more complex, but whatever you really want to go for, write this for yourself, and tell me by leaving a comment.
4. Attach to your comment one (yes uno as in a single) of your photographs that you’re willing to get feedback on. I’ll try to give you a simple straightforward response.

We’ll keep this up week after week: I’ll give you new knowledge to chew on, give you quizzes from our videos with assignments following each and you put up your work. We’ll feature the best each month and maybe even get some prizes for the winners, but remember we’re building this club together so bear with the process as we get rolling, be patient if we get behind a bit!

For those brave souls who are aboard, the only cost for now is your willingness to get off your butts and do it! And if you like what we’re doing, spread the word.  This is how we start our photography club right now and with your help we can keep building it—expanding our scope, curriculum and student body. No matter how crude and simple our beginning, our purpose is Advancing Your Photography.

But as of now school’s in session, who’s the first brave artist to step up and show me what you got?