Zoom Presentation Offerings to Camera Clubs for the 2025-2026 Season

Over the past several years ,I have been asked to share my presentations with camera clubs and art organizations across the US and overseas through zoom. Here is a list of programs available to camera clubs across the nation and abroad for the upcoming season. Contact me for additional information.

Mark Battista

Program Descriptions:

THE ART OF STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Battista, a nationally recognized Fine Art Photographer and Painter, will discuss the “Art of Still Life Photography” and share his approach for creating images that tell a story, communicate an idea, and express a mood.

Topics covered will include:

·       The History of Still life

·       Composition For Impact

·       Shooting with Intent

·       Lighting

·       Light Options: Speedlight, window light and constant light

·       Creating a Hierarchy of Interest

·       Working Through a Shot

·       Creating a Series/ Finding Inspiration

·       Still life as Metaphor and Symbol

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 COMPOSITION: SHOOTING WITH INTENT

Mark Battista, Artist and Fine Art Photographer, will share his insight on composition to create images that tell a story, effectively communicate an idea and express an emotion. When it comes to visual composition, intent is a crucial element. It means making deliberate choices regarding what you include and exclude in your images and how to arrange them. Come explore ways of taking your photography to a whole new level through the use of compositional strategies to create more visually impactful images. Mark’s years of training and working as a painter has influenced how he arranges elements in his photographic images. Discover ways of composing inspired by master painters of the past and learn how to apply those skills to your photographic imagery.

Topics covered include:

·        THE ELEMENTS OF ART

·        Line

·        Shape

·        Color

·        Value

·        PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

·        Creating a focal point through contrast of tone, color or area of focus

·        Point of view/ framing a subject

·        Balance and visual weight vs. "Rules"

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DEVELOPING CREATIVITY and EXPLORING MOTION AND GESTURE   (This is a 2 part presentation delivered together.)

Join Mark Battista, Painter and Fine Art Photographer, in this two part presentation which explores ways to create concepts and images that stretch the imagination. Learn ways to think and shoot “outside the box”. The first part of this presentation will focus on the topic of creativity.

Topics addressed will include”

·        Develop strategies for thinking creatively

·        Ways to generate unique ideas

·        Discover sources of inspiration

·        Explore approaches to visual problem solving

The second part of the presentation will feature, “Exploring Motion and Gesture in Photography”.   We will look at ways to capture and express the element of motion in our imagery. Typically, photographers use the camera to freeze a specific moment in time. Discover ways of manipulating the settings in your camera to create impressionistic images that convey energy and a sense of motion.

Topics covered will include:

●     To explore movement and gesture as a subject in photography.

●     Discuss various approaches for creating a sense of movement.

●     Suggested camera settings.

●     Embracing the element of chance / setting up for success.

●     Conceptualizing creating the shots as problem solving.

CAPTURING TIMELESS BEAUTY: LEARNING FROM THE OLD MASTERS

Some photographers are said to have an “eye” for creating their images. Is it something that you are born with, or can that skill be developed? I truly believe it is a skill and mindset that can be developed to unleash a world of creativity. I would like to inspire you to create personal images that are expressive, impactful and meaningful.

Capturing Timeless Beauty: Learning from the Old Masters is a presentation that explores composition, lighting and conceptual approaches of the Old Master Painters and Master Photographers.

We will break down famous paintings, art styles and iconic photographic masterpieces and explore ways to take some of their concepts and make them our own.

Join us for an opportunity to learn how to apply some of these approaches into our own work in order to create images of timeless beauty.

Course Description   Finding Inspiration: Helping Photographers Overcome a Creative Rut

Have you ever been stuck in a creative rut where you feel uninspired and lack motivation to shoot? All creative individuals will occasionally experience a period of stagnation from time to time. In this presentation we will look at what causes creative ruts and explore ways to get back behind the lens.

Learn approaches and new ways of seeing the world that will ignite your passion for photography and see a creative rut as a time to regroup and reflect on what you would like to say with your work. In the presentation we will share 30 challenging assignments that will motivate you to create images that have meaning and substance.

Contact Mark for additional information