Urban Photography: Buildings, People, Techniques

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA    Wednesdays, October 25 through November 29, 2023, 9:30–11:20 a.m.

Six-week course offered by Simon Fraser University at their Downtown Vancouver Harbour Centre campus

Imagine photographing the built environment in a way that conveys the intent of the original designers. Drawing equally from the visual arts of drawing, painting and photography as well as the sciences of human vision, we’ll examine how best to portray the three-dimensional world around us on a two-dimensional canvas, utilizing the two most common techniques of colour along with black and white imaging. Example images presented will be achievable with all modern cameras, including camera phones. We’ll also cover the art and science of composition, provide thoughts on creativity and discuss generic gear options.

Note: This lecture-based course is designed for anyone interested in photography, regardless of level of experience or expertise.

A $50 discount will be applied automatically for adults 55+.

We will offer this in-person course on Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m. beginning Oct 25. Registration will open August 16.

Course outline

• Week 1: Photographing architecture in urban settings
  We’ll consider the importance of recording “contrasting light” along with the “edges of objects and elements.” In addition, we will focus on portraying “volumetric space” while controlling the “sense of depth” in a scene.

• Week 2: Candid urban street photography: the human condition
  We’ll explore photography of people in candid situations, generally within the urban public realm. Techniques and image examples will consider image making for the shy and retiring photographer.

• Week 3: The joys and frustrations of conveying colour in urban photography
  We’ll assess the complexities, contradictions and confusion of colour in portraying urban settings. While colour photography is the most popular photographic technique, it is also, in many ways, the most elusive and difficult to comprehend and control.

• Week 4: The lure of luminance: the power of black and white photography
  We’ll examine why black and white photography in urban settings can be so compelling. We’ll also discuss an ideal, basic editing workflow to allow for enhanced flexibility in image processing.

• Week 5: The benefits of an image series in creative urban photography
  We’ll cover the concept of “The Creativity Triangle,” an approach to creative urban imaging for the logical and rational mind that will improve, enhance and specifically benefit your photography.

• Week 6: Impacts of Artificial Intelligence in Photography: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
  We’ll review the impact of AI on photography and touch on its potential uses for both the “art” and “practice” of photography. While AI is an emerging science being discussed daily in the media, we’ll analyze its value or lack thereof.

What you will learn

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Understand key elements of urban photographic composition, inspired by the history of drawing and painting, and the neuroscience of human vision

• Comfortably photograph candid scenes of people engaged in activities associated with an urban context

• Appreciate why colour in photography is natural yet so complex and confusing in its interpretation, and recognize the advantages of black and white photography

• Enhance your urban photography by combining storytelling with key characteristics of fine art imaging

• Explore the controversial upsides and downsides of incorporating artificial intelligence into your photographic pursuits

How you will learn

• Lectures

• Participation in discussions

• Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas, SFU’s online learning system

• Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

Learning Materials

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.

Technical Requirements

Handouts and other course resources will be available on Canvas, SFU’s online learning system.

To access the resources, you should be comfortable with:

• Using everyday software such as browsers, email and social media

• Navigating a website by clicking on links and finding pages in a menu

• Downloading and opening PDF documents

(click on any photo below to view a high-resolution version)

Week 1: Photographing architecture in urban settings
Week 2: Candid urban street photography: the human condition

Week 3: The joys and frustrations of conveying colour in urban photography
Week 4: The lure of luminance: the power of black and white photography

Week 5: The benefits of an image series in creative urban photography
Week 6: Impacts of Artificial Intelligence in Photography: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

About the Instructor

Along with being an Academician at the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Rick Hulbert is an international award-winning and published architect, urban designer and photographer with a passion for teaching. Rick has been a frequent lecturer, teacher and seminar panel participant on four continents. He is a former president of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

As an architect, Richard has won design awards or has had his works published every year for four decades. His teaching reflects his knowledge of the history of the two-dimensional arts of drawing and painting, along with the science of human vision. Rick was one of only two photographers from North America to be invited to participate in the World Art Games held in Bratislava, Slovakia. Check out his photography website and learn more about Rick, including student testimonials about his teaching.