Online Program
Adventures Online: People in Portrait, Street & Event Photography
Program No. 25375RJ
Join professional photographer Mason Marsh for this live, online learning adventure to explore people as subjects in portrait, street and event photography.
Enroll with Confidence
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your number of enrollees
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person
Sep 29 - Oct 1, 2025
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
3 days
1
Portrait Focus
From the comfort of your own home.
2
Street & Travel Focus
From the comfort of your own home.
3
Events Focus
From the comfort of your own home.
At a Glance
Are you ready to take your photography skills to the next level? Join professional photographer Mason Marsh for this online learning adventure focused on people as the subject in front of the lens. Get ready for practical applications as you settle in from home to learn more about photographing people in portraits, street and travel photography and event photography. Learn how to form deeper connections with your subjects that can result in more impactful images and get tips and tricks that you can begin using behind your camera right away. Between online lectures, discussions and feedback sessions, you’ll grow in your skills as a photographer while learning alongside other Road Scholar shutterbugs!
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Settle in for lively and practical lessons from expert Mason Marsh that focus on popular genres of people photography.
- Learn how to tell a story visually through photography while also remaining respectful of the subjects themselves.
- Hear about some of the latest photographic technology and gear, as well as tips and tricks that apply to common digital cameras.
General Notes
This live online experience is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer or tablet. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Mason Marsh
Mason Marsh is a photographer, educator and guide in Portland, Oregon. His passion for lifelong learning comes from decades of teaching in museums, on tall ships and in classrooms. He has developed and led numerous highly rated Road Scholar workshops on a variety of topics, including photography programs in the Pacific Northwest. His photographs have been published worldwide but he believes that his work is ever evolving and that he has much to learn. His photographs can be seen at www.masonmarsh.com.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Mason Marsh
View biography
Mason Marsh is a photographer, educator and guide in Portland, Oregon. His passion for lifelong learning comes from decades of teaching in museums, on tall ships and in classrooms. He has developed and led numerous highly rated Road Scholar workshops on a variety of topics, including photography programs in the Pacific Northwest. His photographs have been published worldwide but he believes that his work is ever evolving and that he has much to learn. His photographs can be seen at www.masonmarsh.com.
Suggested Reading List
(2 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Adventures Online: People in Portrait, Street & Event Photography
Program Number: 25375
Light, Gesture & Color
ISBN: 9780134032269
On the Portrait and the Moment
ISBN: 9781597113168
Day
1
Portrait Focus
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Activity Note
Today’s session will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Afternoon:
1:00 p.m.: Orientation and Introduction (30 minutes). 1:30 p.m.: Lesson – What Makes Great Portraits Great? (30 minutes). Using several examples of remarkable portraits, we’ll explore how personality, focus and lighting impact posed people images. 2:00 p.m.: Lesson – Personality (20 minutes). Capturing the essence of a person is an art grounded in rapport. We’ll explore how to connect with your subject and create an environment of comfort and honesty. 2:20 p.m.: Break (15 minutes). 2:35 p.m.: Lesson – Focus (20 minutes). Modern digital cameras have incredible autofocus potential. In this lesson we will discuss using selective focus to direct attention to our subjects. 2:55 p.m.: Lesson – Lighting (30 minutes). We’ll compare natural and artificial light sources, how to modify the light, and groom it to flatter our subjects. 3:25 p.m.: Lesson – Gear Up for People Photography (20 minutes). Practical advice on the best photographic equipment, lighting equipment, and backgrounds for portraiture. 3:45 p.m.: Wrap-up and Homework Assignment (15 minutes).
Day
2
Street & Travel Focus
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Activity Note
Today’s session will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Afternoon:
1:00 p.m.: Homework Review and Questions (30 minutes). 1:30 p.m.: Lesson – Photographing Strangers (30 minutes). Capturing candid moments with strangers requires flexibility, respect, and courage. We’ll learn how to foster all three. 2:00 p.m.: Lesson – Law & Ethics (20 minutes). Street photography involves the invasion of people’s privacy. We’ll discuss the legal and ethical guidelines you can follow to make great images without drama. 2:20 p.m.: Break (15 minutes). 2:35 p.m.: Lesson – Hunting & Fishing (20 minutes). Candid street images can be made following two methods: hunting and fishing. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each. 2:55 p.m.: Lesson – Scouting & Planning (30 minutes). Knowing where to be and when to be there is a key part of successful street photography. We’ll explore online and real-world strategies for planning your street photography adventures. 3:25 p.m.: Lesson – Environmental Portraiture (20 minutes). Posed people images in interesting places can be incredibly satisfying. We’ll learn how to approach and engage people in environmental portraiture. 3:45 p.m.: Wrap-up and Homework Assignment (15 minutes).
Day
3
Events Focus
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Activity Note
Today’s session will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Afternoon:
1:00 p.m.: Homework Review and Questions (30 minutes). 1:30 p.m.: Lesson – Storytelling (30 minutes). Photographing events is visual storytelling. We’ll analyze the process of building a great photographic narrative. 2:00 p.m.: Break (15 minutes). 2:15 p.m.: Lesson – Natural vs. Artificial Light (20 minutes). Managing light is a large challenge in event photography. We’ll discuss techniques for working with low light and difficult lighting situations. 2:35 p.m.: Lesson – Lens Choices & Focusing (20 minutes). Capturing events is a dynamic activity. We’ll explore the role focal length plays in even photography and techniques for nailing focus. 2:55 p.m.: Lesson – Access (20 minutes). The best event photos are often made from areas off-limits to the public. We’ll talk about how to obtain access and achieve better images. 3:15 p.m.: Lesson – Working for Free (or Not) (30 minutes). Photographing events for commercial use opens a lot of doors, but be cautious about giving away your images. We’ll discuss what to do when people want you to work for them. 3:45 p.m.: Wrap-up (15 minutes). This concludes our program.
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