Grammar 1
Most photography classes focus on technique or personal expression.
But often, the underlying structure of the photograph is left unexamined.
As a result, students can describe what they are trying to do,
but not how their images actually function.
Grammar 1 introduces the core ideas that determine how photographs work—
and how meaning is constructed.
Why this approach is different
Without an understanding of structure, it is difficult to see why one image works and another does not—
or how small changes might alter its meaning.
This often leads to a reliance on instinct or preference, rather than a clear way of working.
The Grammar of Photography is built around this problem.
It provides a way of looking at photographs that makes their structure visible—
and allows you to use that structure deliberately.
Lecture
The first half of each class consists of a lecture examining how photographs function, using examples from across the history of photography.
These lectures examine how photographs produce meaning—how framing, vantage point, timing, and the organization of forms—the grammar of the image—that 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.
Assignment
Each week includes a shooting assignment designed to put the ideas from the lecture into practice.
The assignments are about working with a set of constraints and questions that focus on specific aspects of visual grammar.
They are not about producing strong images immediately, but about learning how these elements operate within a photograph.
This is often where the difficulty lies.
The ideas introduced in the lecture are straightforward, but applying them consistently—across different situations and over time—requires sustained attention.
Through this process, you begin to understand how photographs are constructed, and your work becomes more deliberate and more precise.
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.
What you will learn
You will learn to:
recognize structure in photographs
understand how images hold attention
understand how meaning is shaped by small decisions
make photographs that are more deliberate and coherent
The goal is to develop a way of working you can continue to build on over time.
Who this class is for
You do not need a particular subject, style or prior background in art or photography.
Grammar 1 is designed for:
Photographers who want a serious foundation
Photographers who feel their work could be stronger but aren’t sure why
Photographers who feel stuck or repetitive and are looking for a more deliberate approach
You should be comfortable:
working with a camera with manual controls
reviewing and selecting your images
making basic adjustments to your images
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 would like to see how the full program is organized:
How to Begin
→ Email: info@grammarofphotography.com
Include a brief note about your experience and what you would like to develop. I’ll respond with information about upcoming sections and help determine the best way to begin.