Lay Brothers’ Refectory, Fountains Abbey, England — Barnbaum

At the Jansen Art Center, Washington State…right at the Canadian border

August 4 - 7, 2026

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (and possibly more)

Workshop Fee: $750

Photography is a form of non-verbal communication. We will pursue this idea throughout our four days together, seeing how we can more effectively convey our thoughts through the amazingly powerful art form of photography. It will be a very stimulating, though-provoking experience, leaving you with new ideas and new avenues to pursue, while moving you up several notches in those you have been pursuing up to now. We will accomplish this in a relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere, yet thoroughly immersed in serious discussion throughout. We’ll be helping one another throughout our visit, with the understanding that everyone in the room wants to improve. Bruce recognizes that learning is not a one-way street from instructor to student, but a three-way street where students can not only help fellow students, but the instructor, as well.

Through his own photography, his books, and his workshops, Bruce is recognized as a leading figure in photography today, and is in demand for his clear, understandable way of explaining the thinking and methodology of photography, both outdoor in the field, or indoors in the darkroom or at the computer. His acclaimed book, “The Art of Photography,” has been translated into nine languages, including German, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and French, and has now sold over 200,000 copies.

The most important part of photography is seeing light as the camera sees it, seeing relationships of forms within the image and carrying that seeing through to a final image that conveys your thoughts to others. This workshop will substantially enhance your seeing and your ability to carry it through to the final print. You'll learn about light, about effective composition, and about creating a mood and interpreting a scene to turn it into your own vision. You'll learn how to express yourself better about the world that is photographically important to you, and how to create whole new worlds. 

The workshop will deal with both traditional and digital aspects of photography, both color and black-and-white. There are no set requirements for experience or expertise to attend the workshop, as Bruce has found he can successfully mix students at all levels of both. On the other hand, Bruce cannot mix students at different levels of enthusiasm. As long as your enthusiasm level for photography and learning is high, you’ll fit right in!

Participants will gain insight into traditional darkroom printing techniques as Bruce demonstrates printing of black-and-white negatives in a conventional darkroom. You will see how Bruce simplifies the entire process, making it easily accessible and enjoyable for all. We will also have the opportunity to see many of Bruce’s images, always open to questions and full discussion. We do the same for all students, asking all participants to bring a minimum of 10 photographs for review. Mounted prints are best, unmounted are also good. Digital files on a flash drive are also welcome. Whether you work with film, digital or both, this workshop offers valuable tools for improving your imagery, creating prints with greater depth and personal feeling.

Join us for a unique four days of fun-filled learning and enjoyment. Learning takes place only in a relaxed atmosphere, not in a pressure-cooker. You’ll see how well that works when everyone pitches in for everyone’s benefit. We’re all in it together, and we’ll all come out of it the better for contributing to that end.

For additional information, contact the Jansen Art Center at jansenartcenter.org or contact Bruce directly at barnbaum@aol.com.