Image 1 of 14
Image 2 of 14
Image 3 of 14
Image 4 of 14
Image 5 of 14
Image 6 of 14
Image 7 of 14
Image 8 of 14
Image 9 of 14
Image 10 of 14
Image 11 of 14
Image 12 of 14
Image 13 of 14
Image 14 of 14
The Experience
Over the course of six fortnightly sessions, we will move away from rules and boundaries, entering instead into a narrative of visual discovery. This course is designed to be an easeful journey into creativity, the sessions intentionally spaced at fortnightly intervals to provide you with the time to explore the assignments with no rush.
This course is limited to just 20 participants to allow a more personal experience.
Translating the Philosophy through the Lens
Embracing the perfectly imperfect, traditional photography often seeks to create perfection. In Wabi Sabi, we welcome motion blur, lens flare, or "dead" space. A soft-focus bloom or a grainy shadow can often hold more emotion than a sharp, sterile image. We look for the soul of the frame, honouring its natural state.
The Poetry of Weathered Textures Time is a master artist. We will sit with the stories told by peeling paint, rusted iron, and sun-bleached wood. These aren't signs of neglect; they are marks of a life lived. We seek the Sabi the quiet glory of the aged and the worn.
Urban Wabi Sabi: Stillness in the Concrete Wabi Sabi isn't reserved for misty forests; it dwells in the city, too. It is found in the way a single weed grows through a crack in the pavement, or how the sunset rests upon a stained glass window in a forgotten alley. We will practice finding sanctuary moments amidst the urban rush.
Observing the Fleeting (Mono no aware) There is a bittersweet beauty in things that do not last. The way light brushes a wall for exactly three minutes a day, or the delicate curve of a wilted petal. We train our eyes to be present enough to witness these whispers before they vanish.
A Workshop for the Soul
This isn't a course about technical settings or rigid rules. It is a space for those who feel their photography has become a chore of "getting it right."
Together, we will explore:
The Art of Omission: Learning what to leave out of the frame to let the subject breathe.
The Beauty in Decay: Noticing the elegance in shadows, falling leaves, and crumbling brick.
Mindful Composition: Using stillness as a tool to calm the mind and the image.
Additional information
Photography is so much more than an image. To me, photography is an expression of your relationship with the world around you – your complete experience of a moment, in all of its wonderful richness. Many photographers consider photography as the culmination of subject and technical skill – but I passionately believe that photography becomes truly exciting when used to explore and develop your own beautiful art of seeing.
“The course has been absolutely brilliant. The really interesting assignments set by Paul each week have made me ‘see’ more and really think about the meaning of the assignment. I’ve loved it as it has given me real purpose to my photography. The Zoom sessions with Paul were interesting and educational. As well as Paul, I have also enjoyed the interaction with the other members of the group via a private Facebook page. I couldn’t recommend Paul’s online courses more highly”
-
I created this course for any photographer, from beginner to experienced professional, who feels weary of the rush, ego and competition but longs for a deeper more authentic connection to their images and subjects..
If you want to use your camera as a tool for mental wellness, discovery, and connection, you belong here. All you need is a camera or smartphone and a desire to see the world with new eyes.
We will work together over six Live Fortnightly Sessions (via Zoom), where we share our work, our feelings, and our growth in a safe, supportive space. All zoom sessions are recorded and emailed to every member of the community so even if you miss the live session you won’t miss out on the feedback and assignments.
-
The live zoom sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings at 1830 GMT each fortnight throughout the workshop, and last approximately 1 hour - each recorded and emailed to all participants. All assignments and any notes will also be emailed to everyone.
The initial session will give out our assignment and something to inspire you to think deeply about it. The following sessions will be building on the project I will offer a new technique that you can use to explore the concepts further.
-
I want to make this accessible for as many people as possible. The cost of the course is £200
-
For those who have done online workshops with me before this will build on the previous ones, exploring new ideas and concepts to expand your creativity.
-
If you are travelling you can do this project anywhere in the world, you can and possibly will use any sort of camera, smartphone.
About Paul Sanders
These days, I see myself less as purely a photographer but more as someone who mentors and champions creativity in others. It’d be easy for me to teach you to take photographs in the same way that I do; to take you to stunning venues, tell you where to stand, which lens to use to capture the money shot – but it’s far more exciting to discover how you see the world.
With my workshops I want to create a safe place that’s free of judgement for photographers of all abilities – whether they’ve a bag full of kit or a smartphone in their pocket – to really explore their creativity and what creative expression means for them. I encourage people to explore their own space at their own pace, with their own eyes, giving them the absolute freedom to develop their creativity uniquely.
It’s all about finding yourself creatively and finding your style on your own terms – its not about validation, winning photography competitions or gaining approval through social media, but finding the courage to express yourself in your own way. To find your creative voice, and to photograph the world in the way you see it.