The Art of Low Light Photography is suitable for serious amateurs possessing a good level of knowledge about photographic principles.

By Anand Holla


Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. These poignant words by renowned polymath and author-inventor-political theorist Benjamin Franklin pretty much sums up how important involvement is to learning new skills.
For its Fall 2015 Community Education Program, the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCU-Q) has rolled out a wide range of art, design and craft courses at VCU-Q in Education City or at IAID (Academy for Dance, Music & Arts) that seeks to involve the creative side of you. You can either register online (qatar.vcu.edu) or visit VCU-Q for in-person registration.
VCU-Q says, “Registration for late spring classes closes October 1, but as seats are limited and classes sell out early, we recommend you sign up as soon as possible.” That’s true. A course titled Through My Eyes - A Creative Photographer’s Perspective, for instance, is already sold out. Here’s a quick lowdown, as provided by VCU-Q, on the courses that are on offer:
Good Morning Qatar – A Photo Walk Journey is suitable for promising and serious amateurs holding a good level of knowledge about basic photographic principles. For some classes, students will be meeting offsite to do hands-on practical studies outdoors – some occasions call for meeting very early in the morning to catch the light of the “golden hours” (dawn). Photographer Salim Abdulla will take you through everything from an introduction to ethics and trios of photography to people and portraiture photography. The course is on from October 10 to November 21. The fees is QR1,220.
The Art of Low Light Photography, also instructed by Abdulla, is suitable for serious amateurs possessing a good level of knowledge about photographic principles. Just like the other course, there will be some outdoor meets. From very early Friday mornings to the time before dusk and into the “Blue Hours,” the course takes you through techniques that help you master long exposure, analysis and editing of photographs, and HDR photography, among other things. Priced at QR1,400, the course runs from October 10 to November 28.
Designed for a new generation of storytellers, the Camera Filming course is a hands-on, intensive programme. Taught by Ibrahem Saber, a known name in television production, the classes – in Arabic – will examine the implications for production, composition and lighting and what camera would be best to use, among other insights. Priced at QR850, the course runs from October 5 to 28.
The Intermediate Oil Painting course will explore various conceptual aspects of painting in good depth by utilising the technical skills acquired in oil painting basics. By looking at several art movements, students will develop their own ideas and execute paintings based on the methods discussed in class. Instructor Zoe Hawk, an American expat who teaches art in Doha, will traverse gestural painting, surrealism, pop art and contemporary concepts. Priced at QR1,200, the course is on from October 6 to November 24.
Aimed at children from ages 8-14, Cartooning, Bringing Characters to Life by art teacher Maya Ismail is an eight-week course in which students will be able to develop animation skills, and creativity through the creation of a fully textured 3D character model, which they will transform into a story. Apart from providing kids with the skills and working methods to create satisfying and original characters, the course will see the characters visualised into an animated short story, which will be created panel by panel to convey the story. Priced at QR850, the course is on from October 10 to November 28.
In another eight-week course Colour Theory and Painting, Ismail will teach students the additive and subtractive principles of colour theory as they will apply to the visual communication design process. Emphasis is placed on colour mixing, colour relationships, visual impact. The student will demonstrate skills in designing with colour, while developing sensitivity for hue, value, intensity, proportion and placement in a composition. Upon gaining a visual awareness and critical observation of colour, the student will be better equipped to problem-solve in the visual media. The course is on from October 10 to November 28. The fee is QR850.
In Digital Illustration: From Sketch to Final Artwork, quirky characters and intriguing environments come to life. Artist-illustrator-instructor Charlene Kasdorf will teach you how to create visual stories with imaginative twists and develop them into digital illustrations. Participants are guided through a two-phase process; creating several sketches by exploring ideas using pencil, pen, and coloured inks, and using Photoshop, developing colour and texture to emphasise character and composition, with lessons in design skills. The course is on from October 8 to November 26. The fee is QR850.
Another interesting course helmed by Kasdorf is Inks & Drawing Mediums. This course will practice contemporary approaches in drawing that cultivate free and energetic artwork. The exploratory processes readily lend themselves to capture the culture and environment in Qatar, to which each participant responds to in a unique way. The class will practice various methods to see anew and draw inspiration from regional and contemporary artists. The class will draw and paint from observation with time to reflect and critique. The course is on from October 8 to November 26. The fee is QR850.