Upcoming Workshops
September 16- October 3, 2025
Santa Fe Worshops
Ditpychs, Triptychs and Beyond (Online Learning - Six Sessions)
Diptychs and triptychs and quadriptychs 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.
Photo-based artist Manuela Thames begins this six-session online workshop by introducing and reviewing the techniques necessary to create diptychs using Adobe Photoshop. You then practice the techniques through various assignments throughout the workshop. As you become more comfortable with these basic techniques, we move on to creating triptychs, quadriptychs, and beyond to explore alternative ways of creating such combinations outside of Photoshop. In addition, we dive into the basics of color theory, visual design and the creative possibilities of including mixed media. Each of our group session includes an image review led by Manuela followed by an inspirational look at a diverse selection of photographers who are pushing the boundaries of joining images to tell their stories.
SE Center for Photography
Diptychs, Triptychs and Beyond (Online Learning - Six Sessions)
Diptychs and triptychs and quadriptychs 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.
Photo-based artist Manuela Thames begins this six-session online workshop by introducing and reviewing the techniques necessary to create diptychs using Adobe Photoshop. You then practice the techniques through various assignments throughout the workshop. As you become more comfortable with these basic techniques, we move on to creating triptychs, quadriptychs, and beyond to explore alternative ways of creating such combinations outside of Photoshop. In addition, we dive into the basics of color theory, visual design and the creative possibilities of including mixed media. Each of our group session includes an image review led by Manuela followed by an inspirational look at a diverse selection of photographers who are pushing the boundaries of joining images to tell their stories.
November 4- 21, 2025
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.
