Gold Sharon Tenenbaum Photography - Talk & Learn Patreon Series

287 Talk & Learn May 12, 2026 - Low Key
May 13
Low-key photography is all about restraint, intention, and control. Instead of illuminating everything in the frame, you work primarily with shadow, allowing darkness to dominate while carefully introducing light only where it matters most. The result is often dramatic, moody, and deeply focused—images that feel intentional rather than descriptive.

This is one of my favourite topics. It literally lets you paint with light—isn’t that what photography is all about?

In low-key work, light becomes your brush and shadow your canvas. You decide what to reveal and what to conceal, guiding the viewer’s eye with precision. Low-key images let you selectively choose which part of the scene you want your viewer to see, stripping away distractions and emphasizing form, texture, and emotion. It’s less about what’s there, and more about what you choose to show.

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288 Talk & Learn May 19, 2026 - Action
May 19

Action photography is all about capturing movement, energy, and the feeling of a moment in motion. While many people immediately associate action photography with sports, the theme goes far beyond that. Action can be found anywhere — in the movement of people on a busy street, a dancer mid-motion, fabric flowing in the wind, an animal in motion, crashing waves, or even subtle gestures that suggest energy and momentum. The key is that the image should clearly communicate movement and make the viewer feel that something is happening within the frame.

A successful action image does more than freeze a moment; it tells a dynamic visual story. Motion can be captured in different ways — by freezing the action sharply, by intentionally introducing motion blur, or by combining both techniques to create tension and atmosphere. The challenge is not simply photographing movement, but doing so with intention, composition, and timing so the final image feels alive and full of energy.

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289 Talk & Learn May 26, 2026 - Food
Food photography is about far more than simply documenting a meal or creating traditional cookbook-style images. While beautifully plated dishes certainly have their place, this theme encourages you to think beyond straightforward presentation and explore food as a creative photographic subject.

Food can be approached through mood, texture, colour, shape, light, abstraction, storytelling, or even humour. The image does not necessarily need to make the viewer hungry — it should make them feel something. You might focus on the steam rising from a cup of tea, the chaos of a busy kitchen, the graphic patterns created by ingredients, or the relationship between food and the people interacting with it.

This theme is an opportunity to experiment with atmosphere, composition, and visual narrative. Think about how light interacts with texture, how colour can create emotion, and how food can become part of a larger story rather than simply the subject itself. The goal is not just to photograph food, but to interpret it creatively through your own photographic vision.

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290 Talk & Learn June 2, 2026 - Landscape
Landscape photography is one of the most widely photographed genres in the world. Beautiful mountains, forests, coastlines, deserts, and skies are captured every day by millions of photographers. Because of this, creating a landscape image that truly stands out requires more than simply photographing a beautiful location — it requires vision, originality, and intention.
For this theme, we are looking for landscape images that push beyond the predictable. Strong compositions, unique perspectives, and creative techniques should play an important role in your approach. Consider using methods such as Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), multiple exposures, long exposures, unusual focal lengths, selective focus, or creative post-processing techniques such as color manipulation and tonal reinterpretation. The goal is not experimentation for its own sake, but rather using technique to strengthen mood, emotion, and storytelling.

Most importantly, your image should communicate something about the landscape itself. What drew you to the scene? What feeling, atmosphere, or story are you trying to convey? Even highly abstract or creatively interpreted landscapes should remain connected to the essence and “nature” of the environment being photographed.

This theme challenges you to move beyond postcard photography and create work that makes the viewer stop, pause, and look longer. Surprise us with your vision. Show us not just what the landscape looked like, but how it felt to experience it through your eyes.

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291 Talk & Learn June 9, 2026 - Salon Show - Student Work
A special Salon Show featuring the bodies of work created by participants in the Series Development course. This session celebrates not only the finished images, but also the months of thought, exploration, perseverance, and creative growth that went into bringing each series to life.
Creating a successful photographic series is one of the most challenging undertakings in photography. Unlike a single strong image, a series requires consistency, cohesion, and a clear artistic voice. Participants were challenged to move beyond individual photographs and create a body of work that communicates a deeper idea, emotion, or narrative.

A key component of the process was the development of a vision statement. This statement served as a roadmap, helping photographers define their intent, make creative decisions, and maintain focus throughout the project. As we review each series, we will discuss how effectively the images support the artist’s vision and how the work evolved from concept to completion.

This promises to be an inspiring and educational session, offering valuable insights into the creative process behind long-term photographic projects. Whether you are considering creating a series of your own or simply wish to better understand what separates a collection of images from a cohesive body of work, this Salon Show is not to be missed.

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292 Talk & Learn June 16, 2026 - Seascape

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292 Talk & Learn June 16, 2026 - Seascape

The sea has inspired photographers and artists for centuries, offering an endless range of moods, emotions, and visual possibilities. From the raw power of crashing waves during a storm to the serenity of a calm ocean at dawn, seascapes can evoke feelings of awe, solitude, peace, mystery, or even tension.

For this theme, consider how you can use light, weather, movement, colour, and composition to communicate the emotional character of the sea. Are you drawn to its strength and drama, or to its quiet and contemplative nature? Look for images that go beyond simply documenting a shoreline and instead capture the unique relationship between water, light, and atmosphere.

Keep in mind that this is a Seascape theme—not a skyscape, cityscape, or landscape. While the sky, coastline, boats, structures, and surrounding environment may play supporting roles, the sea itself should be a dominant and essential element of the image. Be mindful of how much of your composition is actually water and whether the image would still qualify as a seascape if the sea were removed.

As always, we encourage originality in both vision and execution. Challenge yourself to create an image that makes us stop and look twice, whether through an unusual perspective, creative technique, compelling light, or a powerful emotional connection to the sea.

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293 Talk & Learn June 23, 2026 - Close Up

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293 Talk & Learn June 23, 2026 - Close Up

The Close Up theme challenges you to look beyond the obvious and discover new ways of seeing the world around you. By moving closer to your subject, you can reveal details, relationships, and perspectives that are often overlooked when viewed from a normal distance.

For this theme, avoid predictable close-up subjects such as flowers, insects, and other traditional macro photography. Instead, seek out original subjects and explore how getting physically closer can transform an ordinary scene into something visually engaging and thought-provoking.

Consider how proximity can change the viewer's understanding of a subject. What details become important? What stories emerge? How does the close-up perspective create a stronger connection with the subject? Your goal is not simply to magnify something small, but to present a familiar subject in a fresh and unexpected way.

Successful images will demonstrate creativity in subject selection and show how a close-up perspective can reveal something new, surprising, or meaningful about the world around us.

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294 Talk & Learn June 30, 2026 - Bridges

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June 30
Bridges are much more than structures that connect two points—they are symbols of connection, transition, movement, and human ingenuity. Whether grand architectural landmarks or simple footbridges tucked away in nature, bridges offer endless photographic possibilities.

For this theme, look beyond simply documenting a bridge and consider how you can use it as a compositional element within your image. Explore leading lines, patterns, symmetry, light, shadow, reflections, and the relationship between the bridge and its surroundings. Consider photographing the entire structure, focusing on interesting details, or incorporating people to add scale and storytelling.

Think about the many ways bridges connect not only places, but also ideas, cultures, and experiences. Challenge yourself to find a fresh perspective and create images that reveal something unique about the bridge and its role within the landscape or urban environment.

Successful images will demonstrate thoughtful composition, creative vision, and an ability to transform a familiar subject into a compelling photograph.

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295 Talk & Learn July 7, 2026 - High Key

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High key photography is all about creating bright, luminous images that evoke a sense of lightness, elegance, and simplicity. Rather than relying on deep shadows and dramatic contrast, high key images are characterized by soft tones, clean backgrounds, and an abundance of light while still retaining important detail in the highlights.

For this theme, think beyond the traditional high key portrait. Explore how the high key aesthetic can be applied to architecture, nature, still life, landscapes, or everyday scenes. Consider how light can simplify a composition, reduce distractions, and draw the viewer's attention to your subject.

A successful high key image isn't simply overexposed. The challenge is to maintain subtle detail, create separation between the subject and the background, and use light intentionally to produce an image that feels fresh, airy, and visually engaging.

Experiment with natural or artificial light, exposure, and composition, and challenge yourself to create photographs where brightness becomes an essential part of the story.

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296 Talk & Learn July 14, 2026 - Choose a Colour

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For this theme, your challenge is to create an image where one colour becomes the dominant visual element and plays an important role in the composition, mood, or story.
Choose a single colour and use it intentionally to guide the viewer's eye or evoke an emotion. The colour may come from your subject, the light, or the environment—but it should feel natural and integral to the image.
A few guidelines:
Black and white are not considered colours for this assignment.
Please do not create your chosen colour by simply applying a colour filter or tint in post-processing. The colour should exist naturally within the photograph.
A blue sky on its own is a little too predictable. Challenge yourself to find a more original and creative use of colour in your surroundings.
Think about how colour influences mood, creates contrast, establishes harmony, or becomes the subject itself. Whether subtle or bold, successful images will demonstrate thoughtful composition and a creative use of colour rather than simply documenting something that happens to be that colour.
Surprise us with your vision, and don't be afraid to look beyond the obvious.

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297 Talk & Learn July 21, 2026 - From the Ground

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This week's challenge is to change your perspective—literally. Get down low and photograph the world from ground level. Imagine seeing the world through the eyes of a dog, a cat, a child, or any creature whose everyday view is just a few inches above the ground.

A low perspective has the power to transform an ordinary scene into something unexpected and compelling. It can make familiar subjects appear larger than life, emphasize leading lines, create dramatic foreground interest, and reveal relationships that simply aren't visible from eye level.

Don't just lower your camera—think about how this new viewpoint changes the story you're telling. How does it affect scale, composition, and the viewer's emotional connection to the image? Challenge yourself to embrace this unusual perspective and show us a world we don't normally see.

Successful images will demonstrate thoughtful composition, creativity, and an effective use of a low viewpoint to create a fresh and engaging perspective.

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298 Talk & Learn July 28, 2026 - Nature in the City

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Exploring the relationship between the natural and built environments.

The key to a compelling image is context—it’s not enough to simply photograph a tree, flower, bird, or animal. The image should clearly convey that nature exists within the city. Include recognizable urban elements that give the scene a sense of place while also showcasing the defining characteristics of the natural subject, whether it’s vegetation reclaiming an urban space or wildlife adapting to city life.

Just as important is originality. Challenge yourself to move beyond the obvious and show us this relationship in a fresh, creative, and unexpected way. The strongest images not only tell the story of how nature and the city coexist, but do so with a unique perspective that makes us see the familiar in a new light.

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299 Talk & Learn August 4, 2026 - Shadows

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Shadows are far more than the absence of light—they are a powerful compositional element that can add mystery, drama, depth, and graphic impact to your photographs. Often, it is the shadow itself, rather than the object casting it, that becomes the true subject of the image.

Success with shadow photography begins with recognizing form. Look for strong shapes, clean lines, interesting patterns, and the relationship between light and dark. Shadows have the ability to simplify a scene, reveal hidden geometry, or transform an ordinary subject into something abstract and intriguing.

Timing is equally important. Early morning and late afternoon produce long, elegant shadows that stretch across the landscape, emphasizing depth, texture, and leading lines. In contrast, the harsh overhead light of midday—often avoided by photographers—can create bold, high-contrast shadows with crisp edges, making it ideal for graphic compositions and minimalist imagery. Neither approach is better than the other. There is no right or wrong here—you make the rules. The challenge is to recognize the unique opportunities that each quality of light presents and use them to support your creative vision.

Whether your images are realistic or abstract, subtle or dramatic, the strongest shadow photographs are those where light, form, and composition work together to create an image that invites the viewer to look a little longer.

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300 Talk & Learn August 11, 2026 - Geometry

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Geometry is all around us—it isn't limited to circles and curves. Squares, triangles, rectangles, lines, angles, and even irregular shapes all contribute to the visual language of a photograph. This week, your challenge is to create an image in which geometry is the dominant element.

Pay close attention to the balance and relationship of the shapes within your frame. How do they interact? Do they create harmony, tension, rhythm, or contrast? Think carefully about composition, form, and how the shapes guide the viewer's eye through the image.

Most importantly, don't stop at simply documenting geometric shapes. A great photograph still needs a story. Use geometry to strengthen your message, evoke emotion, or reveal something unexpected. As always, originality counts—look beyond the obvious and show us geometry in a fresh and compelling way.

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301 Talk & Learn August 18, 2026 - Architectural Abstract

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Architecture doesn't always have to be photographed as a building. Sometimes, the most compelling images are found by isolating small sections and allowing the viewer to forget what they're looking at. This week, your challenge is to move beyond documenting architecture and instead create an image that celebrates shape, line, form, texture, pattern, light, and shadow.

Look for details that transform the familiar into the unexpected. Use your composition to simplify the scene, remove distractions, and emphasize strong graphic elements. Pay close attention to balance, harmony, and the relationships between the shapes within your frame.

Most importantly, create an image that sparks curiosity. The best architectural abstracts invite the viewer to pause, explore, and perhaps even question what they're seeing. As always, originality counts. Show us architecture in a way we've never seen before, and let your creativity—not the building itself—be the star of the photograph.

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302 Talk & Learn August 25, 2026 - Kiss

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When we think of a kiss, our first thought is likely to be a tender moment between two people, a spontaneous kiss captured on the street, or an intimate candid photograph. These moments can make wonderful images because they capture emotion, connection, and a fleeting interaction that might otherwise go unnoticed.

I would also encourage you to think beyond the conventional.

A kiss doesn't necessarily require people. Look for two things coming together—or almost coming together, at a critical point. It could be two flowers gently touching, two leaves meeting, branches reaching toward one another, or even objects and architectural elements that appear to "kiss." That tiny moment of contact, or the anticipation just before it happens, can create tension, intimacy, and visual intrigue.

Think carefully about timing and composition. Where that critical "kissing point" falls within your frame can completely change the image. Look for unexpected connections and relationships between subjects that might not normally be associated with a kiss.

As always, don't simply photograph the obvious. Find your own interpretation of a Kiss and surprise us with how creatively you can see it.

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303 Talk & Learn September 1, 2026 - Two Colours

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Look for ways to bring two colours together through contrast, harmony, repetition, balance, or tension. They don't have to be complementary colours—even two subtle or similar tones can create a powerful image when used intentionally. Pay attention to how much of each colour you include, where they appear within the frame, and how their relationship influences the composition, mood, and story.

And this week, I want you to challenge yourself. Blue is everywhere and is one of the easiest colours to find, particularly in the sky, water, and architecture. Try to resist the obvious choice of blue and look harder for something different. Seek out unexpected colour combinations—perhaps red and yellow, green and pink, orange and purple, or two colours you wouldn't normally put together.

The colours can come from anything: architecture, nature, street scenes, objects, clothing, or the unexpected details you encounter around you. You can even use post-processing to refine the colours and strengthen their relationship.

Most importantly, don't simply find two colours and photograph them. Create a photograph where the relationship between those two colours gives the image its story, emotion, and visual impact. Look beyond the obvious, challenge yourself, and show us something we haven't seen before.

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