begins May 13, 2024
Tarah Sweeney
The Illuminated View
4 WEEK Small Group Workshop
WORKSHOP LESSONS WEEK BY WEEK
Week One
Lightbulb Staples
We'll start with the 7 "lightbulb staples," understanding the tonality of light, and interesting light indoors.
Week Two
Working the Angles & Breaking the Rules
This is the week you learn to shoot & edit backlight! We'll cover how to use angles and the environment, creative ways to break the rules and evolve as a photographer, and editing backlit photos.
Week Three
No Fear
You have the power to do so many things with light, so this week we're digging in to creating beautiful, emotive photos by shooting & editing direct light, harsh light, and - yes - "bad light."
Week Four
Unique and Evocative Light
This week is about playing with unique light - including dappled light, silhouettes, overcast light, and the blue hour - and using your knowledge to create images that speak to you.
meet your instructor
Tarah Sweeney
Tarah Sweeney is a self-taught professional and successful portrait and wedding photographer in San Diego, CA. She is first and foremost a wife and mother to three little ones and she spends her days photographing their daily adventures.
Hi there! Wondering if there will be a date after June in 2023? Thank you!
Hi Kim! No date has been set, but Tarah does have an upcoming course (In the Zone) running this August.
I’ve heard so many great things about this course and cannot wait to take it! Do you know when the next session will start?
Heey, are there any dates for this class in 2022? I would love to parcitipate.
The next run of The Illuminated View will begin on 03/21/22, That run is currently open for registration. Please reach out to support@clickandcompany.com so we can help you register for that!
Yes!! Registration opens soon!!
Hi,
This course sounds amazing. I am just starting to learn photography and editing would this class be a great way to start or do you recommend a different class or more experience?
If you’re confident shooting in manual take a class on light next!!
Hi Tarah! This looks like everything I’ve been looking for and I can’t wait to get started.
Do you have an approximate date for when the course will be open again?
hi!!! opening soon!!! feb!
What day in February?!?
Hi Love! Is the follow along closed with the active participation? I am sure it is but the sold out sign is only one 1
So I was hoping I could still get the materials. Also if we do just study and learn on our own do we have access to the materials FOREVER ? Lol can we download and learn on our own time? I will be gone for 3 weeks in June and I don’t want to commit if I can’t keep the material/information/study gold. (Again assuming that the study along
I’m debating whether to do the Study along, or the $300 full course. Would someone who has done either of them explain a little more about what the main difference is? Is the $300 course more of a one on one? Do you still get access to presets?
-Confused
Hello! There are no presets included in either. the difference is that for $300 you have an active seat where you ask questions and submit assignments for critique with me each week. The $150 gives you all the same materials but you have a silent seat and can only view class not actively participate.
Hello when will this class be available?
Hi hailey! You can hop on now!
Hi Tarah, when will registration re-open for this class?
Hi there, I’m also curious to learn more about plans to offer another session of this course and would love to participate!
This was my second class with Tarah and I can’t speak more highly of this or her teaching. I did her family class ‘In the Zone’ as a study along so I decided to do this FP as I thought the feedback she gave was so in depth and helpful. I’m so glad I did! Being able to have that interaction with her and ask questions was invaluable. She was an open book and answered every question I had. She was also so thorough in her reviews, she just knows immediately what is right, what is wrong and guides you as to how you can improve things next time. The class content is INSANE. I mean so much stuff! Not just on using light but editing in different types of light and so much bonus material – it’s just a crazy amount of learning and so worth the money. I feel a lot more confident about my understanding of light and how to use it effectively since taking this class, the concepts will definitely take some practise but I’m so glad to have the materials to refer back to whenever I need. Tarah even has an alumni Facebook group too for once the class ends and she regularly answers questions in there from past participants. I love everything about Tarah, not just her incredible talent but her whole approach to photography, she is also so kind and encouraging with her students and just the nicest person. If you want to up your light game, take this class – Tarah is truly the light master!
Hi Tarah,
Are your presets still available? I can’t seem to find them.
Hi tarah,
When will you be having sets opening back up??
Will there be a fall course offered?
its open right now for registration!
When is this going to be offered next?
its open right now for registration!
If I register now, do I have to wait until October to get access to course materials?
How do you decide between this class and the Understanding Light class? Do they offer similar things, is one better to take first, or is it just a preference of instructor as they both seem to cover similar topics. Thanks!
Hi RuthieBelle! If you email support@clickandcompany.com they can walk you through the difference and help you choose.
I love how Tarah explains light and makes it easy to understand how to effectively use it! The shooting videos are incredibly helpful and the PDF is full of information. Tarah provides really helpful feedback on assignments, too – she is a great instructor. I learned so much about light in this workshop.
This workshop is amazing! Tarah is such a great teacher, it’s my favourite workshop so far. I still struggle with light but now I am aware of it, I try to use it so that it brings value to my composition and I give myself time to grow. As Tarah mentions in TIV, it takes a lot of practice, even if you know the theory. For the first time I had a family session of which I was so proud while shooting, usually I have to see the photos on my computer. I took the class as SA student and although feedback is so valuable, I think you’ll learn so much from it as study along also. Besides light, Tarah also shares some editing tips, so you’ll have even more reasons to take part in this workshop I can’t wait for In the Zone! Thank you, Tarah!
I had the privilege of learning from Tarah at the ClickAway conference, so it was a no-brainer for me to take her Clickmoms course. She is the most amazing teacher! She puts her heart and soul into every aspect: information, PDFs, videos, feedback, etc. I learn so much about who I am as an artist and what I want to create. She teaches light in a way I haven’t seen anywhere else and now that I’ve found my own groove, I understand just how vital understanding light is. I highly recommend this or anything Tarah teaches. She’s a gem!
I highly recommend taking this course! I have taken many CM workshops and this one is at the top of my list. Tarah has organized the material beautifully. It is easy to follow along and not overwhelming. I promise you won’t regret taking this class!
Can I ask, is this the last run of this class? September 2019?
Hi Sorrel,
It will run again in the future. Keep an eye on the workshop page for a future date.
Hi guys
I just missed this course, when will it be available again? And if I’m in NZ, am I able to do the online sessions or will they be at funny times of the night for me?
Thanks!
I missed the May intake, when is the next one? Dying to take this course!
I would love to know as well!
I missed the Jan 14, 2019 full participation sign up. Is there another workshop date planned later in 2019? I would love to take this class! Thanks!
When you like to master different situations of natural light, topped with the perfect usage light as a mood source for your images check out this class. The structure of this workshop, the exchange in the group, the explanations (PDFs, videos and speedrecord forum feedback) from Tarah as well as her and the co-mentors critique will let you grow so much. It helps to have understanding of photography basics as well as to shoot in manual.
As a form of online learning this class is totally worth it’s price.
This class was wonderful! Talk about seeing light differently now…wow! I am looking at the way I shoot and what type of light I’m shooting in with way more knowledge now and understanding of how I can make it better. Tarah was there to answer every question we had. She gave amazing feedback on all our images. Her pdf’s and video tutorials were great as well.
I loved this class so, so much. Tarah helped me see light in completely different ways, and she makes herself fully available to you during the four weeks. I also love how much work she puts into the critiques of your work, and they are SO helpful. Thank you, Tarah! Can’t wait to take your other class!
The illuminated view was an amazing class. I have learned so much during the 4 week course and I now see my photography in a whole different way. Tarah is the best instructor. She explains in great detail every type of light. You can tell how passionate she is about this course. She takes the time to answer every single question and takes the time to critique every photo. She is so positive and uplifting. I didn’t want it to end.
I have taken several amazing CM workshops to date and I have to say Tarah’s course The Illuminated view has been my absolute favorite! I learned so much about shooting in all kinds of light and I now constantly find myself seeking and assessing light, not only when I am shooting but even when I am watching a movie, or driving, or viewing other people’s photographs. The course was absolutely jam-packed with information — loads of shooting videos, editing videos, pdfs that are easy to follow and contain beautiful examples of the concepts. Tarah is such a knowledgeable yet sweet and approachable instructor, so present throughout the workshop and generous with insight and critiques. It’s evident that she pours her whole heart into this course and truly wants it to have an impact on her students’ work. I highly recommend this course!
This class taught me so much about so many different types of light! I see light differently now- yesterday when I put my son in the car, I wondered why he looked a little green, then I noticed the big green tree behind me! The class is well organized and informative but Tarah’s quick responsiveness as well as positivity made it so enjoyable. On top of learning so much, I was just happier last month while spending time learning from her. I highly recommend this!
This was my second Click workshop and it did not disappoint! Tarah was sweet and engaging and she is SOOOOO talented! This was a wonderful learning resource for both shooting and editing. One of the best workshops I’ve taken this year. <3
This class completely changed my photography for the better. I used to be so afraid of any light other than golden hour light. In fact I was pretty convinced you could only get good photos in golden hour light. Tarah opened up a whole new world to me with The Illuminated View. I am so proud of my progress and so much more confident as a photographer and it shows 100% in my photos. The videos included in this class are gold; it was so helpful to see how Tarah shoots with clients and also to see and learn new editing skills. Take this class! You seriously will not regret it! Thank you Tarah!!
This course has given me fresh eyes and a new passion for photography. I was a little nervous I’d jump into the course and leave still feeling like I had questions or didn’t really get to dig into lighting. Quite the opposite! I don’t think I’ve ever taken a course with so much helpful information. I find myself now looking at light all the time – all around me, in my photos,and in other people’s photos – thinking through how to manipulate it. I never knew why I shot the way I did and things like harsh midday sunlight scared me! Not anymore! Tarah not only helped explain how to shoot and think through every lighting situation but she also gave me the confidence to tackle each situation and not be scared if lighting isn’t ideal. She explains so much about light that I’ve never even thought about and she covers every type of light you can think of shooting! Not only is Tarah so knowledgeable, she’s encouraging and gives you the permission and freedom to develop your own style of shooting. She’s a wonderful teacher and answers everyone’s questions thoroughly. This course has been such a breathe of fresh air for me and I know I will constantly be referring back to the materials for years to come. So much useful information! Thank you, Tarah!
This course was so helpful and informative. Tarah takes you on like you are a close friend, and dives right into your work, and speaks to you on your level to help you out… if that makes any sense?!? I loved the video feedback that she gave for assignments. This course is on light and also about how to connect with your clients. Her insight on that, you can tell, comes from within… something I don’t believe you can just get from any instructor. She truly is an amazing photographer and teacher. Would recommend this course to anyone!!
This class is an absolute game changer. Not only is Tarah’s work inspiring and beautiful, but you get to see so closely how she creates such beautiful images. My favorite parts were the videos of the actual sessions. You see the locations, the lighting, and how she interacts with her subjects. I loved that she addresses all different types of lighting and that she provides feedback throughout the entire session. I took this as full participation which is ALWAYS worth it, but especially here becauseTarah not only gave feedback on your weekly submissions but she also gave feedback throughout the week as well. She was SUPER involved on the discussion forums. I cannot say enough about this awesome workshop. This is one I hope to take again as an alumni- it is that incredible! Take it Take it Take it. You won’t regret it!
The Illuminated View is an essential workshop for anyone wanting to feel more confident in reading, controlling and shooting in a multitude of natural light conditions. The materials challenge you to come up with new ideas each week and the videos Tarah provides give a wonderful insight into just how she creates those masterful light filled images of hers. I came away with a new appreciation for light conditions that I had previously stayed away from (like dappled light and full mid day sun). I now feel more confident to approach those situations because I have techniques for getting a great image in those less “typical” scenarios. Tarah’s feedback (and that of the wonderful TAs this run) was honest, detailed and open. She did not sugar coat her critique and was able to identify even the most minor changes that would make a huge impact on the quality of your photograph. I can absolutely say that this workshop should be on the “must do” list!
I loved Tarah’s class! I always heard other photographers talk about good light but I struggled to find it. I really didn’t know what to look for. Tarah’s class was amazing! She explained the different types of light, how and when to find it, how to effectively shoot in it, and how to edit it. I can honestly say that I am now able to find good light and it has made a huge difference in my photography. I am no longer afraid to shoot in harsh, direct light and I can get backlit photos that aren’t blown out. I have also been experimenting with using light to create different moods. Tarah makes learning fun and her feedback was super helpful. After each critique (I took the class as full participation), I put her suggestions to use and re-shot the specific scenes that I had difficulty with. What a huge difference her suggestions made. So if you struggle to find good light, I highly recommend this class. Do it, you won’t regret it!
The Illuminated View is one of the best courses I’ve ever taken. I decided to do the Study Along but life (new baby, broken foot, hubby’s new business) got in the way and I couldn’t follow along as planned. Although I missed participating in the class, I’m now able to go through the course material when time allows and it’s so hard to keep up with all the priceless information packed into pages and pages of PDFs, videos and tip sheets. Tarah poured her heart and soul into this and it shows! This class covers all types of light and how to use it as a tool to convey the feeling you want. This is brand new territory to me – I’m a new photographer (I’ve had my business for a year) and have only really shot in shade or predictable light. Whenever I’d attempt backlighting or any other lighting for that matter, the results were always gross and I couldn’t tell what I was doing wrong. I’m only on Week 2 of this course and can say I’m much more confident now with backlighting than I was before. A few days ago, after going over Week 2’s material again, I was motivated and inspired to try backlighting out. I took my older son outside and tried again – this time using what I’ve been learning from Tarah’s course. I can’t tell you how amazed I was at the finished product. I’m so excited at the progress I’m making and can’t wait to take on other kinds of light. From the bottom of my heart, thanks Tarah!!! I’m in love with your work and would love to create genuine, heart-tugged images like yours and thanks to this course, I feel like I’m finally on my way <3
This class was such a game changer for me and my photography. I was blown away at the amount of materials that were included in this class, and the way Tarah presented everything was perfect. It’s a great balance of PDFs, videos, bonus materials, and feedback in the forums. I am a visual learner, so the videos were the best for me. I absolutely credit my last three client sessions after Tarah’s class to her–they are my favorite because I used the tips and tools that she provided and saw an immediate change in my own work. I now am using the techniques I learned and I’ve been able to achieve the look that I have been trying for but haven’t been able to figure out, until now.
I cannot say enough about how great Tarah’s workshop is! She gives so much information, is so thorough and really tailors it for the specific participants adding in bonus material to help get the concepts across. Tarah’s work is so inspiring and it really challenged me to shoot in a different manner than I usually do and to look at light in a different way. The best park was getting to shoot for fun on a daily basis and really get excited about my personal work again. I intend on going through this pdf often to get inspired all over again! Thanks Tarah!
Tarah Sweeney’s The Illuminated View is one of the best classes I have taken through Clickin Moms. Tarah teaches how to use different forms of light as a tool to create more artistic images. She demonstrates beautifully how to use the same light in different ways to create drastically different moods. Before the The Illuminated View I felt anxious dealing with light and now I seek it out. I am now officially a light chaser.
I loved this class so much – I originally took this class as a SA – I will definitely retake it in the future as a full participant. There is so much material to learn from.
This course is priceless. I was a full-participation student, and I loved all the feedback and critique I received from the instructor and TAs. Tarah was such an active member of the forum during the whole class and was always there to answer our questions. She covers every type of light so thoroughly, and the weekly assignments pushed me to find, and experiment with, different lighting each week. Some weeks were so challenging and, therefore, really helped me learn and grow. I definitely recommend this course to all photographers.
I took this as a Study Along student, and even in that role, it was priceless! I hope to act quicker on the next run and get an active seat. This is one of the best classes I’ve ever taken (and I have taken A LOT of online classes and in-person workshops). Really looking forward to reviewing all of the material on my own….and Tarah gives you a TON of material! If you’re on the fence, jump off—–so worth it.
I was drawn by this course because Tarah is the master of light and her course does not disappoint. She gives of her self completely in this course and helps her students learn how to shoot in all different types of light and how to position subjects to achieve the best light. Her course helped me see so many things differently – from shooting to editing (and skin tones!) – it’s all so much clearer! I am truly grateful I took this course.
This workshop is well worth the investment! Tarah teaches not only how to see light, but how to use it intentionally and creatively. She breaks down every type of natural light and demonstrates how to harness it and use it to your advantage. Tarah teaches just as she shoots, straight from the heart. She’s completely transparent, an open book, it’s clear that she genuinely cares about everyone’s growth in their photography.. If you need to deepen your knowledge and understanding on the subject of light, don’t hesitate to take this workshop. I now have the confidence needed to go out and create freely no matter what kind of light is available!
I really feel like I have grown so much as a photographer because of this class. Tarah’s insight to my work helped me to see simple edits that I could make to bring my images to life and taught me so much about working with ANY type of light that is thrown my way. Tarah is the best and I highly suggest taking this class, you will learn so much!
From week one to week four, it is truly amazing! Tarah is so involved with answering questions, critiquing, and just helping understand anything within the course and beyond it. I see things so differently now after this class with my every day shooting. All the materials were just amazing and so in depth, Tarah even did bonus clips adding to the course. If your not signed up for the full participation, you should be! Worth everything….LOVED every bit!
I’ve always been inspired by Tarah’s work and was so excited when this class became available. I was only able to take it as a study along, and hope to do full participation in the future. The amount of resources she creates…both with pdfs and videos…is unlike any other class I have taken. The way she presents the information in pdfs makes it easy to understand, think about and then apply. The videos are so fun to watch…one because her personality really shines through, and two because she really takes the time to discuss what she is shooting, the lighting, explaining the location, direction of lighting, and even more details that are so important to learn from. I learned a ridiculous amount from her editing videos. I had no idea the possibilities with brushes and have started to play more with my images. But the biggest thing I walked away with was using ANY light. After the class, we went away on vacation. Where I would typically only bring my camera out at sunrise or sunset, I had it with me all day long. I was so excited to shoot, explore different angles/lighting and see the end result. This class is truly a game changer. I cannot wait to take it as a full participant and learn even more!!!
What a great and wonderful workshop this has been!!! I loved every single bit of it and learned so much in the last weeks. I feel like this would have taken me years, if ever, until I would have found out by myself all those invaluable tips Tarah has given in this class. She answered ALL the questions in depth and even beyond the actual topic. She did not mind to produce some bonus videos on some specific topics and questions asked. Thank you so much for all this!!! I could not wait each week to get the new material to dig through and apply immediately. If you want to learn about light (who would not??) you should take this course! It will transform the way you see the world- as you will start seeing the light and with this so much more than you have ever seen before.
This class was AMAZING!! It ended only a few days ago and I miss it already. The material was rich with information and Tarah was incredibly engaged, encouraging and just the best teacher!:) I learned a ton and will reference the material (pdf’s and videos!) for a long time. I promise you won’t regret this class! Take it!!
The Illuminated view was very helpful and incredibly wonderful! I would definitely do the full participation because it pushes you to get out there and practice what she is teaching and her feedback is so great. I would highly recommend this to anyone struggling with light. You definitely won’t regret it. I enjoyed reading her critiques on everyone’s work because it allows me to see what I could personally improve on. Loved the class!
I’m very interested in signing up for the class that begins in September 2019. How many hours would you say I would be investing per day/week? I just want to be sure I can fit this in- Fall is so busy! Thanks in advance!
This course is a game changer ladies. I feel like Ive grown so much in just a month. Yet Tarah provides so much material and new concepts that I will be referring to the course work for awhile to master what she has taught. Mastering light is a must if you want to become a professional photographer. Taking Tarah’s class is a must if you want to master light.
Excellent class with lots and lots of material. This class really showed me the ways to look for light and how to look at the light when composing a photo. I learned so much about a variety of light. I knew light was the essence of a good photo but didnt understand how to see it and what to do with it before I took the class. There is a lot to learn but this class got me started. I will keep on reviewing the pdfs and the great videos to continue on my journey using all kinds of light
This was by the far the best photography class I’ve ever taken!!! I look at photography completely different now!! And now I’m so intrigued by light and how it manipulates an image!! I think everyone should take this class!!! It will give you a whole new passion for photography!!!!
This class was amazing and definitely worth taking! It pushed me to take my knowledge of working with light to the next level and be more creative and intentional with how I use it. A favorite for me was learning that it is ok and possible to shoot anytime! I’m no longer confined to the golden hour! As Tarah taught us, most of life happens outside of the golden hour! I mean, that’s such a short time of our day – why miss moments? Tarah was also a very available instructor. I am so happy I took the class!
Wow! What an amazing course!! I learned how to handle all kinds of light! Tarah was so engaged on the forum everyday. I was challenged, encouraged and inspired every single day! This course ignited my passion for photography!! If you are thinking about this taking this course, do it. It is not just a photography game changer but a life game changer.
This workshop blew my mind! I learned so much about light and manipulating it to get the images that I love! Everything from the videos to the tips and the PDFs were so very helpful and I can honestly say that I learned more in these 4 weeks than I have in the last year about photography!! My favorite workshop by far! I can’t wait to continue to practice and take the tools given in the workshop and make some beautiful images!
What a great way to stretch your skills with light. Tarah was very encouraging, available, honest and wanted you to be you! Week 1 was getting a base to build on each week, after that was getting creative, learning your light, knowing light, what you should do in this light, picking a better location. Just so much information in this 4 week class, it passed by so quickly. If you are in a rut and shooting the same thing over and over, try this class to motivate and inspire you!
This class was such a gamechanger for me, I had no idea different kinds of light could be so interesting! I have learned so much!! I loved the materials and Tarah was so accessible, always answering questions and helping out. Her advice was really good, she really knows light inside and out. She also molded the class after what we wanted, and made extra pdf’s and videos, talk about going the extra mile!! I feel that this is a must-take class, you will not regret signing up.
I just love Tarah Sweeney’s work, and I was so excited when I saw that CM was offering this brand new class! I wrote to Tarah ahead of time, telling her that my main concern is that I don’t have many of those gorgeous fields around me. She reassured me that I could find great light anywhere, and she was SO enthusiastic about her upcoming class, so I decided to take the plunge! And I’m sooo happy that I did! There were so many new things she taught me (like dappled light and pocket light and how to retain details in the sky!!), and got me out of my comfort zone big time! Her PDFs were full of such great inspiration and knowledge. She was so open and available throughout the entire course, answering any and every question that we had for her, really nothing was off limits. She would even create videos to help better answer some of our questions! Really, she’s just an amazing person and teacher, and you will love her too!
I’m a hobbiest, so I shoot a lot of lifestyle/unposed shots of my girls, and Tarah was great with sharing a lot of her own lifestyle work with her kids, so we could see how she uses light when there isn’t a field or beach with posed clients. This was a huge plus for me!
If you are at all interested in improving your use of light in photography, do not hesitate to take this course!
It’s freeing to realize that you can shoot any time of day, in any light, and still produce beautiful images. Tarah demonstrates that, encourages that and gives you honest feedback to help get your images where you want them to be. I loved this class!!
In four weeks you will be taught about all kinds of light (backlight, dappled light, open shade, rim light, harsh daylight, overcast light, etc) and how to embrace these different kinds of light situations to enhance your photography.
There were so many eye openers in this course, it really pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and try new techniques (both in photography and in editing). Each week we were provided with a PDF filled with practical information. Next to that each week she included some video tutorials about light, how to edit different kinds of light, or behind the scenes during a shoot. Especially the videos are super helpful as it’s easier seeing how things are done than only reading about them.
Tarah is an amazing teacher, who is very open and generous with her knowledge. She was super active in the forum and really took the time to answer all questions asked. She went above and beyond to make bonus videos to clarify subjects or answer questions that came up during the course (She made 11 bonus videos and various additional pdf’s during the course!). And then I haven’t even mentioned all the sneak peeks and behind the scenes on Snapchat. Her critiques and motivation were very honest, motivating and helpful.
This class was wonderful in so many ways! I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to learn about different kinds of light and how to use them to improve your photography. Thank you Tarah for 4 amazing weeks! Look forward seeing everyone in the FB alumni group.
This class was excellent. I am such an admirer of Tarah’s work, but this wasn’t a workshop about replicating her photos, it was about using light as tool to make our own creative vision a reality. Her down-to-earth style and in-depth knowledge was the perfect combination to equip and encourage. The reading materials were full of information that you can grab onto and implement right away. And on top of that, she threw tons of videos at us reiterating every point made in the PDFs and more than answering questions that came up daily in the Q&A forums. She didn’t hold anything back and her constant presence in the forums was superwoman-ish. Thank you Tarah for filling me with knowledge and inspiration, your enthusiasm is contagious :)
Seen the light is one of the most important skill for every photographer. Thats why this class is so important in your photography journey! :) I highly recommend this workshop to everyone who want to discover the light, se it everywhere and capture beautiful moments with full control of the light. Tarah is amazing teacher and give everything what she know, what she love, what she passioned about. She 100 % inside the workshop – comments, answers for questions, support, huge amount of bonus materials, editing videos, everything what you can ask for! Thank you so much for this time together and unforgettable experience! It was only first run of this workshop, but its already was great and special! Now practice, practice and practice and capture the light, details and moments!
I took this workshop as a SA and I’m kicking myself for doing so. Having an active 4 year old doesn’t leave much time for full participation, but I really wish I’d just sacrificed for the 4 weeks and took it. Tarah is simply amazing. The amount of detail she puts into her PDF’s is beyond exceptional. In addition she put together numerous videos for further explanation, and several bonus videos throughout for additional examples. Her portfolio speaks for itself, it’s colorful, creative, beautiful, and filled with real life-connections and joy. You will walk away with an amazing knowledge of light and how it works. I’m already seeing significant improvement in my photos and am aiming to achieve some beautiful art pieces based on all the wonderful information Tarah shared with this group. I followed all the full participation students throughout and Tarah never missed a question-she answered everyone! Her critiques were honest and offered solid advice. You will not be disappointed in this class.
I just finished The Illuminated View (SA)!
This was my first workshop but I think it was a really active one! There were a lot of posts–and Tarah logged in the most. No question went unanswered, no practice picture went without a comment. Even if the question wasn’t about light–Tarah answered them all! I can’t imagine a more present instructor. She put her heart and soul into this workshop–all of it. She was quick to upload additional bonus videos to illustrate whatever was needed or wanted or what was being discussed. Of course, you will get out of it what you put in to it, but Tarah leads you there and turns you around until you see where she’s pointing. The class materials start at the beginning and add on so that you not only know how to shoot in different types of light, but so you can see what different light looks like before you shoot. I learned so much about light–I know I will reference this information many many times!!
This class was the BEST! I wish I could take it again and again and again. Tarah is an amazing photographer. But she’s an even better teacher. Her PDFs are chock full of information. Her videos are comprehensive. And she’s extremely engaged in the class. She doesn’t hold any information back; nothing was off limits. It was great. Take the class! You won’t regret it.
I just wrapped up full-participation in the very first run of The Illuminated View and it was an awesomely fun experience. Tarah was beyond generous with her time and the course materials she provided everyone. She was incredibly present in the forum and was alway available to answer questions or provide some needed feedback. She created loads of additional materials and videos for students when we needed a little more assistance on a topic. The materials were beautiful and inspiring to look through. If you are looking to expand your knowledge about using light and lots of different types of light, I would definitely recommend this workshop. I finished the course feeling inspired, pushed out of my comfort zone (yeah…that’s how we grow!!), and with a new confidence ready to tackle types of light I previously would have avoided at ALL costs! I would recommend this workshop whole-heartedly!
Hands down one of the best workshops offered. Tarah is an awesome, giving instructor and an inspiration. This class is an absolute “must take”.
Take this class! I would snatch it up as full participation. I took it as a SA and it was great but I do wish I had done FP because it was just one of those classes that I wanted to get the most from and, as with all SA, you’re limited. I learned a ton about light and how to embrace it and a lot about myself as a photographer. Take it! You won’t regret it!!
I signed up for this workshop on the last day because I kept going back and forth about whether I should because of finances. Light is something I’ve been struggling with, so I, obviously, decided to go for it and I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did. This workshop went way beyond just a step-by-step “how to use light” guide. There was so much emotional depth; Tarah poured her heart into this and it shows. Tarah talks a lot about light and photography and moments that reach into her soul and that’s absolutely what this workshop did for me – cheesy as it may sound, I felt her words and her passion about light and photography in my soul and it was like a breath of fresh air in my stale photography journey! People talk about game-changers all the time on this forum and this hands-down was a game-changer for me. I see a definite shift in my work from the time I started the workshop to now. I also feel a definite shift in my whole frame of mind towards photography.
The PDFs were so beautifully done and were full of so much information and amazing examples illustrating the concepts, both SOOCs and final edits. Tarah showed us not only what to do, but what NOT to do, which was really helpful for troubleshooting purposes. All of the videos (shooting videos, editing videos, so many awesome videos) provided were SO helpful and so well done. Tarah was SO open with all her knowledge and went out of her way to quickly create additional videos and PDFs illustrating concepts when students needed them. She is a fantastic, encouraging teacher and she really, truly cared about seeing everyone succeed. I only wish I had been able to take the workshop FP so I could have gotten personal feedback, but I still learned SO MUCH as a SA!
I very highly recommend this workshop! Seriously, don’t hesitate to take it. I got sooooo much out of it and it reignited a flame for me and I’m really sad it’s over! I still have a really long way to go in my journey, but feel like this class has given me the confidence and knowledge to move forward in my search for good light!
I cannot say enough good things about this workshop. I have been missing something in my photos for a really long time. I was so discouraged. When I really thought about what was missing it was my use of light. I was stuck in a rut of boring, safe, not very magical, flat light. Full midday sun was something that terrified me and I avoided it. When I used backlighting in the past I would use it in all of the wrong ways. I completely let it take over my image. Dappled light was a lighting situation I never even looked into because it seemed so complex.
Tarah made everything make sense! Her feedback was quick and extremely informative. She remained so active in the daily share threads from week one through week four. She was so generous with the amount of information, bonus videos, critiques, bonus pdfs… it was so obvious she poured her heart into this workshop. This by far was one of the most helpful workshops I have taken since I learned how to shoot manual. I have made so much progress over the last four weeks and I know that by continuing to re-read the PDFs and re-watch the videos I will continue to grow long after the course has ended. I definitely recommend this course!
This course helped me more than any single course I’ve ever taken. It was incredible!!!! I love Tarah’s style and the way she conveys information in her videos and materials.
The Illuminated View was my first full participation class. I was hesitant to spend the money because who wants to get into their lens fund?? ;) However, totally worth it and I highly recommend. Tarah Sweeney does not hold back at all. Her PDFs are simple to read, packed with information, and with amazing picture examples. The videos give you greats insight into how to shoot into the light that she is shooting, as well as how to edit for that light. I was also extremely impressed with how present Tarah was on the forums. She was so timely, generous with bonus infos, professional, and yet so down to earth! If you’re on the fence, I promise you won’t be disappointed – the class covers so many different types of light that even if you feel you’ve mastered a few, there’s so much more to learn. I feel confident now that I don’t have to wait to shoot for the “perfect light,” but that any light can be perfect, you just have to know how to use it. Tarah will give you those tools!!