Mark Steinmetz: Photographing Civilization

On April 5 and 6, Mark Steinmetz led an insightful workshop at Aperture Foundation, grounded in the tradition of American photography. The workshop began with a seminar on the history of the medium, critically examining the works of Walker Evans, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Garry Winogrand, Robert Adams, and Stephen Shore. Steinmetz highlighted composition, lighting, and thematic narratives, and shared many personal anecdotes from his experiences working with some of these photographers. He also presented his own photographs, discussing his experiences, inspirations, and publications. Each student was able to present his or her portfolio to the group and receive feedback related to the techniques and themes discussed in the lectures. It was a fun and enlightening weekend!

From the students:

“Mark is my favorite photographer, and having the opportunity to talk to and learn from him was an amazing experience.”

“Mark’s presentation of his own work and the presentation of other great photographers’ work enabled me to look at images that I was familiar with in a new way.”