Seeing on the Road: Foundations for Powerful Travel Images with Lisa Carney

This class teaches students how to see like a visual storyteller before they ever open an app, using travel scenes as the playground. Students will learn how composition, light, and color choices support the story they want to tell, and how to make intentional capture decisions, whether they are using a smartphone or a traditional camera. The format includes a short lecture, interactive critique of example images, and a guided Q&A focused on the why behind each creative choice.

This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Lisa Carney.

Please note this is Part 1 of Lisa's "Travel Series," though it can be taken individually.

What You'll Learn

• Define the destination of your photography, such as wall prints, travel books, social media, or client work, so every image you make is shot with a clear purpose.
• Use composition tools (framing, leading lines, layers, negative space) to direct the viewer’s eye and support your narrative.
• Rethink your approach to light, including shooting into the light, using backlight, and edge light, so your travel images feel more dynamic and intentional, for mood and clarity.
• Work with color and tonal contrast to create emotion and coherence across a series of images from one trip.
• Build a simple shot list for a day of travel that captures place, people, details, and transitions as a cohesive story.

Who It's For

• Beginner to intermediate photographers.
• Content creators working primarily with smartphones & entry-level cameras.
• Photographers who want stronger, more intentional travel images.

How to Join

• The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate.
• To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited.
• A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time.

About the Instructor

Lisa Carney is a high-end retoucher who has spent over two decades working with the most dynamic players in the print, motion picture, and television industries.

Besides being a regular presenter at the Adobe MAX conference, her teaching roster runs the gamut from beginners to professional retouchers, and includes universities, design studios, movie studios, corporations, and private students.

Lisa has worked with all major movie studios and many television networks, including Disney, Buena Vista, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Newline, Columbia, MGM, ABC Television, ESPN, TNT, CNN, CBS, CW, Warner Brothers, and Sony.

Advertising credits include Burger King, Baskin-Robbins, Lowe's, Jordana Cosmetics, Strategic Perceptions, Mattel, Chrysler, Mercedes, Mazda, and Best Buy.