WEEK 4 Photography, Attention & Wonder

Seeing with New Eyes

Photography teaches us to slow down and notice.

Participants will explore selected outdoor locations and learn how images can help us pay attention to beauty, impermanence, memory, and place.

At Red Deer Lake, we will photograph the church gardens and memory garden.

No photography experience is required. Phones are welcome.

The focus is not technical perfection but learning to see.

What to Expect

This beginner-friendly photography class is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to take better photos using their smartphone—whether it's an iPhone or an Android device. No previous photography experience is needed!

We'll begin with approximately 45 minutes learning a few simple photography concepts and discussing the day's activity as we share our meal. Then we'll head out for 45–60 minutes to take photographs, followed by a final hour of sharing and discussing our images as a group. If time allows, we'll also touch on basic photo editing and cropping techniques.

Sharing your photos with the group is completely optional, but it can be a fun way to learn from one another. If you're using an Android device, it may be helpful to know how to upload your images to Google Photos or bring a way to transfer them as JPEG or PNG files for viewing. Danah is very familiar with Apple devices and the Photos app, and will be happy to demonstrate editing techniques using those tools.

We'll stay within easy walking distance of the building as we explore the wonderful Memorial Garden, with all its flowers, and surrounding field. This setting offers a variety of natural subjects, textures, colours, and landscapes that are perfect for practicing composition and observation.

After our photo walk, we'll return to the Multipurpose room downstairs to view and discuss our photographs together.