Monday, June 1, 2026 @ 7pm
In-person & Zoom Meeting
In this presentation, fine art nature photographer Andrew Hertel explores how black and white photography can move beyond simple beauty and become a powerful tool for emotional expression.
Rather than focusing on camera settings or rigid compositional rules, this talk centers on intent, connection, and the choices that help an image truly say something. Through a series of personal landscape and wildlife photographs, Andrew shares how simplifying a scene, using light with purpose, embracing stillness, and editing with emotional clarity can transform a technically strong image into one that lingers with the viewer.
Topics include the difference between mood and emotion, why black and white can strengthen visual storytelling, how light shapes feeling, when and why to use centered compositions, and how returning to familiar places deepens personal connection.
This presentation is designed for photographers who want their work to feel more intentional, personal, and emotionally resonant — whether they shoot in black and white, color, landscapes, wildlife, or everyday moments.
Attendees will leave with a new way of thinking about photography: not just as a way to record what a scene looked like, but as a way to express what it felt like to be there.
Zoom meeting opens at 6:30 pm for a social time before the presentation. Visitors are always welcome.
Presented by Andrew Hertel
Andrew Hertel is a black and white nature photographer based in San Diego, California. His work is shaped by time spent in wild places, deserts, mountains, and coastlines, often explored on foot, by bicycle, or motorcycle. These experiences aren’t just about getting to a location, they’re about being immersed in the landscape, feeling small, connected, and alive.
Though Andrew grew up in the Midwest, it was the open spaces of the West Coast that pulled him in and changed the course of his life. He is self-taught, and much of his photography is driven by instinct, emotion, and a deep respect for the natural world. Over the years, he’s developed a style rooted in contrast, simplicity, and mood — creating images that feel both intimate and expansive
Alongside his fine art work, he leads immersive photography workshops in extraordinary landscapes, guiding photographers of all levels to slow down, connect with their surroundings, and find their own creative vision.