Douglas Hart to host photography workshop

Photographers of all ages will get the chance to practice their skills or learn the basics of taking pictures Friday.

Robert Wiseman, award-winning photographer and professor of library services at Eastern, will be teaching a workshop on photography starting at 9 a.m. at the Douglas Hart Nature Center, 2204 Dewitt Ave. E., Mattoon.

Wiseman said he plans to work with those attending individually. He said he will go over the basics of using a camera, give those attending a chance to take pictures at the center and then go over the pictures they took.

“It will be a fun kind of thing, nothing complicated,” Wiseman said. “It will be hopefully simple and interesting for those who attend.”

Recently Wiseman had two photos accepted and one photo honored at the Central Illinois Camera Clubs Association.

He said he has been involved with photography all his life.

“I’ve practically done everything in photography,” Wiseman said.

He said he is interested to meet those who have signed up for the workshop and plans to tailor things to their interests. He said he finds there are always people in a community interested in photography.

“I want people to use their cameras as sort of a fun day,” Wiseman said.

Jennifer Tariq, the education director at Douglas Hart, said the center has had workshops before, but this is the first time they have had Wiseman visit.

She said the workshop will consist of both classroom work and field work. Participants will take macro, or close-up, shots and landscape photos, she said.

Tariq said the workshop will be open to adults and children, though the employees of the center prefer if children are accompanied by an adult. She said the workshop is expected to end around noon.

Wiseman said there are currently five people signed up for the workshop. Tariq said they expect more and there are still spots open. Since they want Wiseman to work with participants individually they do not want to sign up too many people.

“We don’t like big crowds,” Tariq said.

She said during the end of the workshop, participants will download their photos and share them with each other.

“They’ll go over what worked and what didn’t work,” Tariq said.

Wiseman said he will bring his computer, printer and other necessary equipment for the workshop. He said participants will likely get the chance to make prints of the better photos they have taken.

He said since the workshop is aimed at being simple and straightforward, participants do not need an expensive camera.

“Most people have simple cameras, which will work just fine for what I have planned,” Wiseman said. “My camera equipment is probably overkill for 99 percent of the people, I suppose. Whatever they have that works for them, that’s what they need to have.”

Wiseman said running a workshop is not something he has done before, though he has wanted to do it for a long time. He said he is glad to be able to do it this summer.

“Summertime is a nice time because there are so many things to take pictures of,” Wiseman said. “It’s a better time, more possibilities and such.”

He said the nature center is also an excellent place to take photos of.

“It’s quite nice,” Wiseman said. “People should really take advantage of it.”

Registration for the workshop costs $5 and proceeds go to help fund the Douglas Hart Nature Center. Wiseman said he will try and find a place for anyone without the money to register.

Those interested can call the center at 217-235-4644.

Seth Schroeder can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].