What we’re about
For beginner, intermediate and advanced photographers that want to get maximum leaning in the shortest possible time! These 'fun-shops' are taught by Michael Seewald, a working master fine-art photographer, and painter. He's created, and shown, photographic art the world over. His passion for teaching equals his photographic art skill level. Says who? Say the grads who've come from all all over the country to join him, from New York to Miami, and from San Francisco to San Diego. For some 35 years he's been sharing his knowledge gleaned from a degree in photography and, now, 50 years of practice in it. He's won dozens of national and international awards. We hope you take the opportunity to join Michael in one of his rare workshops in the Monterey area, or join him a little further out of town, in Yosemite or Napa, or even in his home town, based in San Diego.
__
"This exciting class turned my digital camera into an artist's tool! I learned the difference between 'taking a picture' and 'creating art'. ... By taking this workshop Michael will open up a whole new world of photographic possibilities for you, he did me." Troy Garrow, San Diego, CA.
_______________________________________________
“...Michael was great! 20 years of photography and I learned more in his two day 'A-Z', and his one day 'All about portraiture' class,
than I had in my previous 20 years of trial and error!" Rhonda Mazurek, professional photographer, Temecula, CA _______________________________________________
Welcome to the exciting world of master photographer Michael Seewald's photography workshops. These are 'too fun' to be called workshops his students say, so they call the 'fun-shops'!. But as fun as they are, they are super informative.
Lessons and gatherings for Beginners , Intermediate, advanced or pros...
__________________
From 3 hour classes on 'Intro to your camera' or 'Night photography made simple', and 'How to compose to make award winners' to the all encompassing 'Everything you ever NEEDED to know' (A-Z of both composition and technical). An intense, yet fun, three day class. Either here in San Diego, or Yosemite, or Carmel or Napa-Sonoma.
__________________
In the two and three day classes, Michael basically transfers the knowledge gained from his college degree and 40 years of practicing it, all into YOUR brain - no broth, no potatoes, no veggies, just MEAT! (Sorry vegans, meant no offense ;/)
Folks from the other side of the country have heard, word of mouth, that it's worth it to travel across the country for them, and many have!! But you don't have to, he lives here!
"The outdoor part (Days 2 and 3) gives the student real-time feedback and the opportunity to practice getting it right, sometimes using Michael's setup as an example. ...Practical advice about equipment and lighting too."
Eric Yee, advanced photographer. New York, New York
Weekend class of 9.28-29.'03
and our One Day Portrait class he flew back for later!!!
"...I leaned so much from Seewald's A-Z class, I knew it'd be worth it to come back for the one day portrait class, and it was!" Eric Yee
Michael Seewald has been teaching film, and now digital photography classes, since 1985. He's had hundreds of students take their skill level, not just up a notch or two, but right to the top.
These classes are taught with enthusiasm from a master. They are for photographers, and painters, that want to start winning art competitions, be they photographic or painting ones, or just make much stronger 'photo-art' during travel. Maybe you want to start selling or exhibiting your photos, or start making money shooting portraits and weddings, as many of Seewald's students have. But they also are for beginners that have a yearning to learn everything possible in a very short amount of time, and at a very reasonable price.
Your instructor has been winning awards as an artist since childhood, in both painting (since age 13) and photography (1st national award at age 19), and has a degree in it with 40 years of practical knowledge stacked on top of all that.
“... one of my favorite quotes: Someone once said, "Kindness without honesty is sentimentality, and honesty without kindness is cruelty". Michael was kind AND honest when critiquing our photographs ...”
Don Haake, intermediate photographer, Carlsbad, CA, San Diego class of 2.14-15.’09
Does he really know what he's doing/teaching? Good question, you'll be happy to know your next instructor/friend is the only photographic artist that has won EVERY major local, national and international competition there is in San Diego:
- 'First Place Color' Museum of Photographic Art's 'Int'l photo competition sponsored by the S.D. Reader
'Best of Show', San Diego International Photo Competition, besting over 3,300 world-wide entries.
'Best of Show' from the San Diego Art Institutes Southern California juried competition, besting hundreds of paintings, sculptures and photos combined, and judged by a sculptor.
Hundreds of first, second and third places in various local art / newspaper and magazine competitions.
"Michael Seewald is amazing to work with! ...the class was so very helpful and surprising to someone like me who 'thought' they had a good eye for composition. He pushes you to the limit of frustration to better bring about the artist in you. At the same time he is fun, generous and kind. And most of all, PATIENT! I am amazed at his graciousness with everyone no matter what the skill level or equipment brought to the class.
His suggestions are never without merit and always helpful. Oh, and his story telling isn't bad either. At the end of the class you will want more and guaranteed you will want to go on at least one trip with him in the future. Very Addictive. Very fun! Very educational!
Thank you Michael for all your generosity!"
D'Arcy Lewis, Temecula, CA
Class of 5.'06
He has also created the most extensive collection of art portfolios of any photographic artist alive. With over 55 trips, usually a month per place, to various world-wide locations ... from Australia to Iceland, from Portugal to Costa Rica, from India to Molokai, and from Russia to Peru, just to name a few - hey, that rhymes, cool ;/).
And he recently has had a bit of acclaim for all this creating, as he was invited to exhibit his art at a major fine art museum in Kunming, China. Entitled 'Life Elsewhere', he exhibited 50 of his personal favorites from all his travels to date, a tiny selection from the hundreds he's created.
He has been interviewed on many of the local TV 'magazine' programs, been written up in the San Diego Union Tribune , North County Times, Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar Times newspapers, as well as the national fine art photography magazine The Photographers Forum.
"...I learned more in 3 days than I had in several school classes ... Tamara Ames, beginner, San Diego, CA.,
Yosemite class of 3.20-23.'09
More info, images of his latest released series, Vietnam, and hundreds of student testimonials, at www.seewald.com
***
Yep, this is for beginners, intermediate, advanced AND PROS too! Hundreds of testimonies
from all the above levels are on our website: www.seewald.com
"I really enjoyed the class and I came out with a lot more value from it than I thought I would. It made me want to use my camera for other uses besides my commercial photography too. It opened the door to the joy of photography ...."
Rick Whitehead, Professional photographer.
N. San Diego County, Class of 11.'05
_____ Click here to check dozens of testimonies...
Sign up or contact Michael to do so at 858.245.0485
Upcoming events (4)
See all- San Diego 2 day, A to Z photo workshop, only $895.Needs location
## Details
Special 2 day class Sat. and Sun. Questions or to sign up, call Michael direct. 858. 245. 0485 Only $895, with a $195 deposit to hold your space.
'Becoming a Master Photography Workshops' presents:
Michael Seewald's 2 day Photography Class,'A-Z all about photography, both compositional and technical'
Seewald's workshops...the difference over others? You aren't just driven around to pretty sites, which you could do on your own, you are taught how to see, think and create, like a master, from a master. That way, when you get to pretty places on your own, you'll be able to make exciting, award winning art with the concepts you've now practiced and learned.
NOTE: Attendance listed here is partial, we have most folks sign up through our other social media and mailing lists also.The following video testimony is for beginners thinking of taking a class: David Durney explains that he not only learned what he came for, but much, much more. AND YOU WILL TOO!
Beginner student testimonyThis following video testimony is for advanced/pros thinking of taking this class: a 20 second video testimony, Jason Ellis, a pro from Los Angeles for 30 years and known as the 'King of Covers', with over 500 under he belt now, touts all he learned!
Advanced grad testimonyTwo full days for only $895. A $195 deposit will hold your space.
This is a BONUS class- you will receive a Seewald original photo 11x14" in size, valued up to $1,000!
PLENTY of ONE-ON-ONE time with master photographer Michael Seewald, no more than 8 students per class.***
" this exciting class turned my digital camera into an artist's tool! I learned the difference between taking a picture and creating art. ...by taking this workshop Michael will open up a whole new world of photographic possibilities for you, he did me. ....”
Troy Garrow,
San Diego, Ca. / Class of 1.20-21.’07***
This is a two day class where you will learn everything from A-Z, in both the technical AND the compositional department. You can not make award winners without having the full knowledge of these elements, and Michael Seewald, an international award winning artist, will be your guru in attaining all this info.
Michael leads you step by step through the critical thinking process necessary to 'make', not just take, a photograph. Worth looking at not just for a second or two, but for many seconds. You'll learn the principles to captivate your audience with well thought out images. He'll give you the 'map' you have been missing to make your 'art' pop, to make 'WOWS', like his. It's not just luck, it's skill, and he wants to pass this knowledge to YOU, at very reasonable prices for what you get!
This is something passed down from the masters, 'how to see', 'how to compose', how to 'hold someone's eye in your art', and not even many photo professors understand this well, nor a lot of pros, that's why you just might have one or two in your class, that flew in from N.Y., or San Fran, etc., in the class with you, it's not uncommon!***
"...Was I crazy for flying across the country for a weekend course? Very possibly, but I would do it again. I went to learn about composition and I did. I feel grounded now in an area that was a mystery to me. ...I feel I have acquired some of the basic building blocks of good composition. With practice and perseverance I may find it easier to produce more of those “WOW” photos Seewald wants us to make.
Was it worth the trip? An unqualified YES!"
Mike Gotthelf, advanced photographer,
Boston, MA/ Class of 2.25.'06.25-26.'06
***
"Oh my goodness, I knew I had a lot to learn but I never imagined I could learn so much...! I took away so much knowledge and hands on experience from this workshop. I was somewhat nervous about my beginner skill-level but Michael's ability to teach while exercising his natural tendency to turn everything into a joke was great!! I was at ease in no time.
Becki Smith, San Diego, California.
Beginner photographer/ class of 11.'06
***
Questions, or to sign up call 858. 245. 0485 Leave a message and we'll get back ASAP.
More info, along with dozens of testimonials and class schedule, here:
More info, testimoinals, on Seewald's website here
***
Cancellation Policy
San Diego class cancellation policy as of 1.1.'11. Cancel 14 or more days before class, a certificate good for a future class will be issued (good for one year). With less than 14 days before class: No refund nor certificate will be issued. Not responsible for medical emergencies. Class held rain or shine. - Napa Sonoma, 3 Day, intense yet fun, Seewald 'A-Z photographic fun-shop' $995Needs location$195.00
'Becoming a Master' photography workshops present Michael Seewald's Napa, California, Two or Three Day, 'A-Z everything there is to know, compositional and technical', photo workshop.
Three back-to-back days of intense, yet fun, learning with master photographer/artist Michael- only $995. ($195 deposit, with the balance due two weeks prior).
This is a BONUS CLASS: Everyone that takes all three days receive an approx. 16x20" $2,250 Seewald original, of choice, for doing so!
Click to watch a YouTube video- Beginner testimony
***
"...Was I crazy for flying all the way across the country for a Seewald workshop? Very possibly. But I would do it again. ... Was it worth the trip, an unqualified YES! "
Michael Gotthelf, Massachusetts, Advanced amateur, Class of Feb. 2006
***
Who is Michael Seewald? Maybe the most awarded (as far yas winning national and international competitions), artist alive. With a degree in photography, and forty years of traveling the world creating over 65 portfolios, a month per trip) he's also the most productive photographic artist alive too!
***
And by the way, hundreds of Seewald's collectors have purchased, sight unseen, over $1,000,000.00 of his art in the past two decades! He now receives an average of $2,700 per photograph, sight unseen, a year in advance of the patron even seeing what they have purchased!
***
"..I thought he did a great job of explaining everything. He was very patient with us and didn't make us feel bad when we didn't know or understand things....
...I went into the class hoping to learn the manual functions of my camera, as I had never learned that. I've tried reading books and it just never "clicked". I really felt that I got it after day one, and after day three I felt completely comfortable. ...I learned a LOT about all the functions on my camera I never used and feel like that was a huge benefit. I loved that we went out and "shot" in the field so that we could really get comfortable with the new ideas and techniques we were learning.
Michael picked beautiful spots to shoot. ... I really look forward to taking more classes ..."
Pamela Scholten,
Class of 2.25-27.'11
Intermediate photographer, Anaheim, CA***
Click to view a YouTube PROFESSIONALS testimony
"These two and three day Napa photo classes/ workshops (aka 'fun-shops') are not to be missed. They generally fill up fast and provide great images that you will be able sell, if you are wanting to that is, Or to just hang them on your walls for you and your friends to appreciate for the rest of your life- guaranteed." MS
This is one great place to take an outdoor workshop. We not only learn all of the basics of good compositional factors but receive all of knowledge so we can use the technical skills needed to make them as well. We have a chance to apply all of the new knowledge in one of photography's heartlands.
We will also visit some galleries where Michael will point out how the compositional elements were used properly, or as in 90% of the time- improperly, and in no time the students are critiquing the art with that same critical eye.
***
BONUS CLASS - All participants that take all three days will receive a signed, Michael Seewald original photograph of choice, approx. 16x20" in size, valued at $2,250! WOW!
$995 for all three days, with a $195 deposit required to reserve your space.
Balance due 15 days prior.
Cancellation/refund policy: All classes outside San Diego county- cancellation policy as of 11.1.'11. Sixty or more days before class, a certificate good for a future class will be issued (good for one year). With less than 60 days before class: No refund nor certificate will be issued, but you'll still receive a $1,250 Seewald signed original of choice (from about a dozen images), so basically a 'no loss' policy. ;/)
- An intense, yet fun, 2 day San Francisco workshop w/ master Michael Seewald $695Needs location
## Details
'Becoming a Master' photography workshops present Michael Seewald's San Francisco, California, Two Day, 'A-Z everything there is to know, compositional and technical', photo workshop.
Three back-to-back days of intense, yet fun, learning with master photographer/artist Michael- only $695. ($195 deposit, with the balance due two weeks prior).This is a BONUS CLASS: Everyone that takes all three days receive an approx. 11x14" $750 Seewald original, of choice, for doing so!
Click to watch a YouTube video- Beginner testimony
***
"...Was I crazy for flying all the way across the country for a Seewald workshop? Very possibly. But I would do it again. ... Was it worth the trip, an unqualified YES! "
Michael Gotthelf, Massachusetts, Advanced amateur, Class of Feb. 2006
***
Who is Michael Seewald? Maybe the most awarded (as far yas winning national and international competitions), artist alive. With a degree in photography, and forty years of traveling the world creating over 65 portfolios, a month per trip) he's also the most productive photographic artist alive too!
***
And by the way, hundreds of Seewald's collectors have purchased, sight unseen, over $1,000,000.00 of his art in the past two decades! He now receives an average of $2,700 per photograph, sight unseen, a year in advance of the patron even seeing what they have purchased!
***
"..I thought he did a great job of explaining everything. He was very patient with us and didn't make us feel bad when we didn't know or understand things....
...I went into the class hoping to learn the manual functions of my camera, as I had never learned that. I've tried reading books and it just never "clicked". I really felt that I got it after day one, and after day three I felt completely comfortable. ...I learned a LOT about all the functions on my camera I never used and feel like that was a huge benefit. I loved that we went out and "shot" in the field so that we could really get comfortable with the new ideas and techniques we were learning.
Michael picked beautiful spots to shoot. ... I really look forward to taking more classes ..."
Pamela Scholten,
Class of 2.25-27.'11
Intermediate photographer, Anaheim, CA
***
Click to view a YouTube PROFESSIONALS testimony
"These two and three day Napa photo classes/ workshops (aka 'fun-shops') are not to be missed. They generally fill up fast and provide great images that you will be able sell, if you are wanting to that is, Or to just hang them on your walls for you and your friends to appreciate for the rest of your life- guaranteed." MS
This is one great place to take an outdoor workshop. We not only learn all of the basics of good compositional factors but receive all of knowledge so we can use the technical skills needed to make them as well. We have a chance to apply all of the new knowledge in one of photography's heartlands.
We will also visit some galleries where Michael will point out how the compositional elements were used properly, or as in 90% of the time- improperly, and in no time the students are critiquing the art with that same critical eye.
***
BONUS CLASS - All participants that take all three days will receive a signed, Michael Seewald original photograph of choice, approx. 16x20" in size, valued at $2,250! WOW!
$995 for all three days, with a $195 deposit required to reserve your space.
Balance due 15 days prior.Cancellation/refund policy: All classes outside San Diego county- cancellation policy as of 11.1.'11. Sixty or more days before class, a certificate good for a future class will be issued (good for one year). With less than 60 days before class: No refund nor certificate will be issued, but you'll still receive a $750 Seewald signed original of choice (from about a dozen images), so basically a 'no loss' policy. ;/)
