I just finished taking Joe's class and it was nothing short of extraordinary. Because of Joe and the ideas and concepts he teaches, I see everything differently now. Whether I'm driving along a country road or watching TV, I now see negative space, vanishing points, color, light, texture, pattern, line, angle of reflection, tension, perspective - everywhere. Knowing these critical elements of design have truly not only changed how and what I photograph, but have changed the way I look at the world in a very real way. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to Joe for his caring and expertise and if you are considering taking a class or workshop with Joe think no more as I cannot recommend him highly enough. Just DO IT!!!

What an amazing course offering from PPSOP!! I loved it. The main part of Joe's course not in the formal lessons each week, but the constant feedback and lessons he imparted through the week. He often sent an e-mail with a separate "offering" of tools to use or for guidance. The 'notes from the instructor' section was full of advice he sent us all week for the entire length of the course. He encouraged us to try again with a different approach after offering suggestions, drawing diagrams, and giving valuable tips. He pushed us to improve, and opened our eyes to a new way of seeing. I'm so happy PPSOP offered his course.

Joe, I don't think I'm alone in this class when I say that this was without a doubt the best class I've taken here at PPSOP, as well as the ones I've taken at that other online school, if you know what I mean. Your candor and insight, when it comes to critiquing our images, is absolutely right on, and I believe it's making me more aware of what's in the frame, and what should be left out! I would be honored to take another workshop with you in the future. Also, your "extra" tidbits that you gave us were valuable, and completely unexpected. It was like ordering a meatloaf dinner, and then getting handed a rib eye stake on the side!!!

Joe, you are awesome. This is my third class here (you are the best) but I get a sense that some come to these classes to hear how good they are (or how smart they think they are) and may feel hurt when you hit us direct - but I love it! I know you won't but in case you ever wonder - don't change that style! If you want to hear how nice your photos look, save your money and ask your family and friends. If you really want to learn how to make great photos take Joe's class. Joe's no nonsense approach really helps you learn what you are doing wrong and how to do it right. His techniques are awesome!

I would like to thank you for all your help and encouragement over the last four weeks. As an instructor, you are incredibly inspiring and extremely generous with your ideas and information to help improve our image making. The ongoing critiques have been outstanding. I don't know how you find the time to give so much individual feedback, and I can't tell you how much that has been appreciated.

Joe, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you for having been such an outstanding teacher and mentor these past several weeks. Being a novice "enthusiast" I never appreciated how much "artistry" went into taking a photograph. There is no way I could have gotten the understanding of how the artist palette (the various elements of a compelling photograph) need to be thoughtfully analyzed (visualized) and then brought together on the camera's sensor without taking your class. Joe, you seem to possess the uncanny ability to get to know each of your students through their photographs in a very personal way and I found your critiques to always be constructive and very much on point.. I very much like your "no nonsense" approach because the tone was always encouraging, conveying that you were quite confident that there was in fact a talented photographer lurking just beneath the surface, Most of all this course made me aware of just how exciting and challenging photography can be (by the way your photographs are truly stunning AND thought provoking) and though I know have a lot of work ahead of me I leave your course truly inspired!!
PPSP is fortunate to have such a thoughtful, committed and talented photographer and teacher/mentor on their staff and I would enthusiastically recommend SYFOM (parts one and two) to whomever (regardless of their present level) is interested in learning how they can develop their photographer's skills and most importantly use them creatively to take compelling photographs and not just pictures. Please keep me posted about workshops and further courses that you will be offering. Once again thanks for all you efforts!

This 4-week class "Stretching Your Frame of Mind" taught by the Joe was AMAZING! His video critique's of everyone's work is such a great learning experience for all. Joe has a way of making you want to do better, to see thing's differently, to change your thinking to think just a little bit further outside the box. If your just starting out this is a great class, if you've been shooting for a while and want to improve your eye and get re-motivated then this is the class for you! I look forward to taking Joe's part II course in the near future.

Joe,
I can't begin to thank you enough for all of the effort you are putting into our class. This is truly a different PPSOP experience than I had before and it renews my faith in teachers teaching because they love helping students learn and not seemingly as an additional source of revenue. I am so grateful that I'm studying with someone that can point out the positives and the negatives and does not mince around with what is not working. I've been thinking all week that you're a lost breed. Your class reminded me of my favorite class in college where the professor had high expectations of all of us, threw the works at us and took a personal interest in our success. Until now, I can say he's the best teacher I've ever had. You just blew past him as the best I've ever studied with.

Joe,
You've been the best teacher I've ever had anywhere, anytime on any subject. The photos I submitted may not have reflected how much I've learned, because I'm pretty stubborn in trying to capture candid, often uncontrollable, people shots. (But at least I know now when they're good and when they suck). You've made my eye so much better. I have learned so much from this class that I can't wait for Joe part II. And thanks, especially, for your big heart.

Hi Joe, I really enjoyed your class and wanted to thank you. Most of the concepts you presented in weekly lessons were new to me and I liked the structure and process of reading and learning about the concept, putting it to use in my photos and then finishing with input from you on how I did. Each week's lesson built upon the last and at the end of the class I am left with a vastly improved artist's palette. Thanks for the new point of view. The online class format surprisingly turned out to be great, the feedback I got was very instructive and helpful. I am sure Ill take your part II class sometime soon. Thanks again Joe.

What impressed me about this course is that what he teaches is fundamental to taking good photographs. He genuinely wants to help his students improve their skills and each week we were taught a new way of thinking, stretching our minds, and in the process, improving our photographic skills. His critiques on our weekly assignments were honest, but fair, and were an excellent teaching guide as he commented on what was achieved or missed. It was a pleasure to be one of his students, and I can't help but think that anyone who takes a course or workshop with him will greatly benefit.

Joe, thanks for a wonderful class. I learned a great deal from you and I now have so many new tools and things to consider when I'm behind the lens. I carry a small notebook in my camera bag, and I've condensed all the notes and ideas I've received from this class. Along with all your "pearls of wisdom", they all now travel with me to be referenced and refreshed in my head.

Thanks to you, Joe, I will never again "take" a picture. Instead of snapping away and hoping to get one good shot, I am find myself thinking first about light and looking for ways "make" a picture using light and the "artist pallet"—all the tools of composition -- that you gave us. A special thanks for telling me that it is a rule to "break the rules". I appreciate your honest, enthusiastic, and thorough critiques and your availability to the class. You have given me the opportunity to see the world in a new way along with the endless challenge and enjoyment of using what I have learned to make pictures that someone might want to look at more than once.

Joe, thanks for a terrific class. I loved it! Why? Because you put a lot of time and effort into your class. You gave plenty of notes and pictures to back them up. You encouraged us make the time and shoot, and be willing to talk about all of them. You took plenty of time to look at all of our pictures, critique then thoroughly, and advise us to retake them with your new suggestions. I learned a lot and if anyone were going to take a class, I would say "make it Joe's".

I think that this was one of the best classes that I have taken both at PPSOP and other online sites. Joe was innovative with new ideas and ways to take our photos up to another level. He also did excellent critiques of both our work samples and our class assignments. Joe encouraged free flow of questions and ideas in the Q&A. I would absolutely take another class from Joe if offered.

Joe,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for this course. It definitely has taken my photography up a notch or more. From this course I have learned to see things differently and I appreciate very much your efforts to teach individually and with thoughtfulness. You go out of your way to help your students understand the concept and implement it in a practical way. Your follow emails and mid lesson instructions are most helpful and I know you didn't have to do this but this the hallmark of a good and caring teacher. Your course I believe is one of the best I have taken from PPSOP and I have taken quite a few. I am confident that from the tools I have learned from you, I can only improve my photography.

My goal is to be the best photographer I can be and strive for that. I truly enjoyed the process of making an image with you. Your class is wonderful as it gave ne new ideas that I had not focused on before. Thank you very much!

I just wanted to say thanks for a great class. I have a completely new outlook towards photography now. I definitely see and process my surroundings in a whole new way. Thanks for being a great teacher, and an inspiration to us all.

Joe, this is the best class I've ever taken for two reasons: (1) Joe is among the best teachers that I've ever had (in any field of study) and (2) the lessons that I've learned from Joe are so valuable that I now apply them to every single photograph I take. I cannot recommend Joe and his class highly enough.

"Amazing photographer…incredible style of teaching…a great speaker who I learned a lot from. I can't wait to go out shooting on my own.

Joe's class was challenging and opened my eyes to new ways of seeing through my camera. Joe's experience as a commercial photographer and background in fine art has given him a unique combination of sense of color, light, design, and perspective within a framework of the practical aspects of what it takes for an image to sell an idea. Thanks again for a great class. As someone who normally doesn't set up shots and always "takes" pictures, it was challenging for me to start thinking about "making" pictures. It was tough, but I think you have opened my mind to more possibilities.

Your course is wonderful Joe and I thank you very much indeed. Your energy is infectious and your ability to lead us through the learning process is excellent. What an inspirational course Joe. Thank you so much for giving your time so generously and in such an accessible fashion.

Joe, you have inspired me in so many ways with your teaching. I have really enjoyed this class and I still don't want it to end. I hope to learn more from you if I have the chance in the future. Maybe some day I see you in your workshop.

Thank you Joe for a stimulating class. It has changed how I see the world, and I know that my photographs are going to continue to improve, as your 'artist palette' becomes more and more a natural part You are a generous teacher, and I genuinely felt that you really cared about my growth as a photographer.

After I had worked through all the basic photographic subjects, I felt something was missing from my images. Joe Baraban to the rescue! His workshop, '"stretching your frame of mind", was the most dynamic class I've ever taken. Joe is quick to answer questions and not shy about giving helpful criticism or praise. This class has truly taken my pictures to the next level.

Firstly, I have to say big thank you to you, Joe - I have learned a lot and it prompted me to think much more about photos I have taken and which I would like to take. I have tons of ideas now - though the putting them into reality ... hurts...For the moment, I cannot produce the result I want. But I will strive to get in better shape soon and for that I am carrying my camera with "15 PIP" and 'artist's palette' around and asking myself about "does it" a lot when making a picture. All the best from Prague

Joe, your class is invaluable, a treasure trove of information to think about, process and put to use. From the 15ppp to proximity to gestalt to all the other little tidbits sent in the instructor's notes, I can truly say that the wealth of knowledge presented in this class is by far the best. Loved your video critiques, so helpful.

Joe, I don't think I've ever learned this much in 4 weeks! Wonderful class, and the video critiques were killer. Part 3 is in my future plans. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!

"Getting the versions of light from sunrise to sunset is an experience I'll always use in my photography. Joe is a generous, humorous, and a very talented photographer.

It is one thing to "take a *photograph" and quite another to "make an image". My journey began with the class "stretching your frame of mind", with Joe Baraban at the helm. Under Joe's guidance, I learned to 'paint with light', the camera as my brush. Also, by using color and the elements of design on my 'artist palette', I learned to incorporate the 'theory of Gestalt into my imagery. Joe's words are in my mind with every click of the shutter. If you want to get your self to the next level, you won't regret having Joe Baraban giving you a nudge.

Joe Baraban's course is first rate, and pitched at a level that in my opinion would provide a strong learning experience for any photographer, no matter their level or their primary area of photographic interest. Joe is attentive to his student's questions and needs. His course materials are well prepared and illustrative of the concepts being put forward. Better yet, each week supplementary tips and advice were passed along to class participants in neat little packages with tittles like "The fifteen point inspection plan". His photo critiques are honest and very helpful. A number of us would definitely take a second course offering taught by Joe.

Joe, thank you very much! This class was a very valuable experience for me. Your candid critiques were very helpful, and the most important thing I learned in this class is that even a good shot can be made better. For me it was hard to get use to new terms you use like negative space, vanishing points, angle of reflection, etc. Maybe because their meaning in the dictionary are different. But when I got use to them, learning from you was a great pleasure. I'm very grateful to you and I'm sorry this course was only four weeks.

Joe, I don't think I'm alone in this class when I say that this was without a doubt the best class I've taken here at PPSOP, as well as the ones I've taken at that other online school, if you know what I mean. Your candor and insight, when it comes to critiquing our images, is absolutely right on...and I believe it's making me more aware of what's in the frame, and what should be left out! Also, your "extra" tidbits that you gave us were valuable, and completely unexpected. It was like ordering a meatloaf dinner, and then getting handed a rib eye stake on the side!!! I would be honored to take a workshop with you in the future.
Joe, it was a pure pleasure taking this class!!!!

About your classes I can only say one thing: WHY ONLY FOUR WEEKS?!?!?! I think you could extend your class to at least eight weeks. I am sure there is much more you could share with students. I am impressed with your photos, knowledge and your attitude as a teacher. I have recommended your class to all my friends.
This has been my favorite class that I have taken at PPSOP. Thanks Joe for all your advice and the awesome critiques! I will never photograph the same again!!! Hopefully I will keep growing as everyone in the class has already.

I, too, have to join the chorus in saying that this class has forever changed the way I shoot. It's given me all I hoped for and much, much more. The syllabus is masterfully structured and jam-packed with the best tips. Most of all, Joe, your generosity with your time and with your superior photographic wisdom greatly contributes to making the experience invaluable. Oh and in case that wasn't clear – BEST, BEST, BEST course I have EVER taken (and I have taken MANY!)

I think this course was super productive. We got a huge load of critics, tips, concepts, and experience in just 4 weeks. Way more than the average PPSOP course.
Well Done Joe, thank you for your effort! I will be back for part II!

Firstly I would like to say a big thank you for all of the effort that you put into your workshop, it was great. I really enjoyed shooting with you and the other students and since then I have been re-looking at many of my shots and considering how I could go about making them better next time.

For me it was an enlightening course not only for the practical information gleaned from you; but it has also made me question other points of view and I am now reading up on the Gestalt theories. There will certainly be more people in my pictures leaving the frame than arriving in them from now on!

Joe,
I would like to thank you for this amazing class. I have learned SO MUCH, not only from the lessons, but even more from your extra information during the week, your "pearls of wisdom", and certainly your honest and helpful critiques, coming as soon as an image has been submitted... and also of course from the very cool video tutorials. I just enjoyed these four weeks, and you will see me in the part II class for sure!

I have been nourishing on your amazing workshop I attended at Julia Dean. It has given me inspiration, new ideas, and the impetus to follow them. The many tools you shared with us, and your 15 check points are definitely making me looking through my viewfinder, and at other photographers' images in a new way. I love it.