Q: Can composition really be learned?
A: Yes, it can. Not by me talking about it, but by you understanding the principles and then going out with your camera in hand and experimenting, and making these ideas your own. Too much credit is given to talent and too little credit is given to the simple power of learning and doing. Watching the videos will help. Doing the Creative Exercises will be where the real learning happens. But if what you’re really asking is, “Is there hope for me?” the answer is a resounding yes!

Q: Will this be practical and actually improve my photography?
A: I promise. Unless what you mean is, “Can you just give me some tips and tricks so I can go make eye candy?” in which case the answer is, “Nope.” I love this craft too much—and respect my students too much—to ever give you hope in short cuts or gimmicks. In the long term, they just won’t serve you. These are principles of visual design and creativity and they are what make photographs more compelling. If you can’t do it using these ideas, you can’t do it.

Q: What if I’m not really “advanced”? What if I’m not really a “techie”?
A: Perfect! I’m not a techie either. Craft matters, and most of us need to keep getting better with our gear, but that’s a long journey. This is a course about composition—what we do with the elements in a scene, how we recognize them and combine them (like words on a page), not a course on how to use a word processor. Know what I mean? If you can focus your camera and make a decent exposure most of the time, this course will take you miles ahead of where you are now.

Q: How is the course structured?
A: You’ll log in to the site with credentials you create when you enroll. The moment you enroll, all course content will be available to you: videos, creative exercises, and all downloads. Boom! Right there for you. It’s a self-paced course, so you go as fast or as slow as you like. Repeat lessons as often as you like. Once you’re in, you’re in.

Q: Can I take my time? Will it always be mine?
A: I don’t like fine print and I don’t like sneaky tactics. When you enroll, the course is yours and is accessible 24/7. And all the course components are downloadable. Going on a vacation? I’ll be here when you get back. Send me a postcard! Or, download a few lessons and take me with you on the plane (you know, when we can do that kind of thing again).

Q: Are prices in USD? Aren’t you Canadian?

Yes they are, and indeed I am. Sorry. The majority of my audience comes from around the world and USD is more easily understood by more people. Also, when I charge in CAD, people start asking if they can just pay with maple syrup, beaver pelts, or canoes instead and my wife says if I bring one more rack of moose antlers into the igloo there’s going to be trouble, eh?

Q: Is it really worth it?
We all value things differently, so I’ll let one of my students, Ian Enright, speak for me:

“This course (The Compelling Frame) will change how photographers think about their craft and the art of photography; it would be a tremendous value at double the price! You’ve invested in all the gear—take a fraction of that and invest in yourself as a photographer. It will change the way you make photographs and you’ll love the results.”

I agree. We spend a lot of money on some pretty, shiny toys, but so few of them will actually make our photographs more compelling. For less than you’d spend on a(nother) tripod, you can get in on something that will actually help you make more powerful photographs—photographs that connect and give the best expression to the thing you’re trying to show. Photographs that appeal not just to eyeballs but to hearts and minds. What’s that worth? Only you know that. But I stand by my guarantee and if you spend time with this course and decide it’s not helping, let me know within 30 days and I’ll refund your full tuition.

Q: How do I pay? Are there options? Is it secure?
A: I want to make this as easy as possible as I can for you. Payment is by Stripe or PayPal, both secure, trusted payment gateways that give us access to none of your personal information.

Q: Can I use it on my iPhone or iPad?
A: That’s just crazy talk. Of course you can! You’ll need an internet connection for most of it, but there’s no reason you can’t download the videos to watch offline. You’re going to want to set a little time aside as this course assumes you’re going to do the work and engage with the material. It isn’t the kind of thing you learn by just watching a video. The actual learning is up to you. I put my heart into this course; you should, too. This craft deserves our best and has a way of rewarding that kind of effort.