Upcoming Workshops
Manuela Thames Workshops
Storytelling Through Self-Portraiture (Online Learning - Six Sessions Over Six Weeks)
Photographers often feel ambivalent about self-portraiture—curious and fascinated but also wary. Posing in front of a camera and looking at yourself in an image afterward is often intimidating, if not frightening. After all, we can be our own worst critics.
Yet a range of famous photographers are renowned for their self-portraiture: Francesca Woodman, Cindy Sherman, Man Ray, and Trish Morrissey, to name a few. So, what is it that motivates photographers to pick up a camera and turn it towards themselves?
While drawing on her years-long experience in self-portraiture, Manuela Thames addresses that question and many others. What is the appeal of the genre and what distinguishes it from the popular selfie? What is the purpose of using yourself as your own model and what can be learned from it? Most importantly, how do you get started?
We begin with exercises that illuminate the technical aspects: equipment set-up, camera settings, focus, lighting, posing, props, location, and post-processing. In addition to guiding you through the steps for a successful self-portrait photo session, Manuela also shares inspirational strategies for generating concepts and ideas. Through photography assignments, writing assignments, discussions, personal feedback, and studying work by various self-portrait photographers, you will slowly move out of your comfort zone, and begin to experience the joy, fun, and fulfillment that accompany this unique creative endeavor.
February 10 - 27, 2026
Maine Media Workshops
Exploring The Art Of Multiple Exposure (Online Learning - Six Sessions Over Three Weeks)
Join fine art photographer Manuela Thames for a three-week online workshop that delves into the world of creating multiple exposure images. This workshop is designed to expand your creative vision and elevate your photographic skills.
We begin this workshop with a step-by-step introduction to combining two or more images in Adobe Photoshop. You will learn to use blending modes, layer masks, and other tools and adjustments essential for creating multiple exposures. As you practice these techniques throughout the initial sessions, we’ll also explore the option of creating multiple exposures in-camera. Through experimentation with different settings and reviewing results, we will learn the advantages and disadvantages of both methods. Additionally, we will study the work of various photographers who employ multiple exposures in their art.
February 10 - 27, 2026
South East Center Of Photography
Diptychs, Triptychs, and Beyond (Online Learning - Six Sessions Over Three Weeks)
Diptychs (and triptychs, quadriptych, etc.) have become popular ways to allow images to tell a story or evoke a concept or feeling. It is a fun, creative and imaginative tool to communicate one’s vision as an artist and give new meaning to images. Manuela Thames begins this six-session online workshop by introducing and reviewing techniques necessary to create diptychs using Adobe Photoshop. Participants practice the techniques through various assignments throughout the workshop. As participants become more comfortable with some basic techniques, we move on to creating triptychs and even quadriptychs or beyond, and we explore alternative ways of creating such combinations outside of Photoshop. In addition, we will dive into basics of color theory and visual design and the possibility of including mixed media. Each session includes group image reviews led by Manuela and the study of a diverse selection of photographers.
The goal of this class is to develop one’s own vision for combining/pairing photographs and a better understanding of how to choose the right images, as well as to enjoy the experimentation, play and surprise that comes with this process. This workshop is for photographers of all genres including portraiture/self-portraiture, landscapes, street photography or still life. Get ready to be inspired and expand your horizon for creative image making!
