Start Here: Grammar 1
Grammar 1 is the starting point for the program.
It introduces the core ideas that determine how photographs function and how meaning is constructed.
This is not a class in camera technique.
It is a way of understanding how photographs work—and how to make them work for you.
What you will do
Each week includes:
A lecture examining how photographs function, using examples from across the history of photography
A shooting assignment
A critique of student work
Lecture
The first half of each class consists of a lecture built around a sequence of photographic examples.
These lectures examine how photographs produce meaning—how framing, vantage point, timing, and the organization of forms shape what a photograph communicates. Small changes in these elements can significantly alter the content and success of an image.
The course draws on ideas developed in writings by John Szarkowski and Stephen Shore, which consider how photographs organize meaning through structure, attention, and the arrangement of visual elements.
Critique
The second half of each class is devoted to a critique of student work.
The emphasis is on understanding what is happening in the work—why an image functions as it does, and where its meaning is unclear or unresolved.
The goal is not simply evaluation, but the development of a clearer and more consistent way of seeing.
This is where the ideas introduced in the lectures are applied directly to your own photographs.
What you will learn
Grammar 1 establishes the foundation for everything that follows in the program.
You will begin to:
recognize structure in photographs
understand how images hold attention
see how meaning is shaped by small decisions
make photographs that are more deliberate and coherent
The goal is not to produce a particular style, but to develop a way of working that you can continue to build on.
How the class is structured
The class meets weekly over ten sessions.
Each session combines lecture and critique, allowing you to move back and forth between understanding and application.
Ideas introduced in one week are revisited and developed in subsequent weeks.
This structure allows you to move beyond isolated insights and begin to work with greater consistency and intention.
Who this class is for
Grammar 1 is designed for:
Beginners who understand basic camera use and want a serious foundation
Photographers who feel their work could be stronger but aren’t sure why
Those who want more than technical instruction
Photographers who feel stuck or repetitive and are looking for a more deliberate approach
You do not need a particular subject, style or prior background in art or photography.
What you should be comfortable with
You do not need prior training in photography.
However, you should be comfortable:
using a camera with manual controls (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
reviewing and selecting your images
making basic adjustments using editing software
The focus of the class is not technical instruction, but how photographs function and how meaning is constructed.
The larger sequence
Grammar 1 is the entry point to a sequence of classes designed to be taken over time.
Each course builds on the previous one, revisiting core ideas in greater depth and applying them in new ways. This structure allows for a sustained engagement with the medium, rather than a series of isolated experiences.
If you are interested in how the full program is organized:
Registration and placement
Most students begin by getting in touch to discuss their background and determine the right starting point.
Email: info@grammarofphotography.com
Include a brief note about your experience and what you would like to develop.