Learning to draw
Screenshot from Len’s video series of learning to draw
So you are thinking about learning to draw?
What is stopping you?
Len has created a learn to draw series which will inevitably improve your skills in observation, and your photography will also improve.
Len studied art education in the early 1990’s at Sydney University, after completing his degree in Art at the City Art Institute. With a lifetime of education experience these courses are designed to get you started.
The first one is ‘mark making’. Over a course of a month doing a drawing each day, you will slowly develop your confidence with your first steps in drawing. Each lesson is a video, and you can watch the video and draw along side Len. All you need for this course is some paper (preferably a sketch book) and a 2B pencil.
The second drawing course is ‘learning to see’. It runs over nine weeks. You can sit with Len in the comfort of your own home and go through a series of exercises that help you with learning to draw and to help you see.
These two incredible courses are available at Len’s Lounge, our creative online community. You are encouraged to share your work there, in that incredibly supportive environment.
Purchase each separately, or save by purchasing them as a bundle. More info via the link below.
Len’s Journal
Cover of Lens Journal
It’s that time again!! Wow, how quickly this year is flying by!
We are truly excited to announce that the next issue of Lens Journal is coming out soon, featuring the remarkable work of four talented guest photographers, and of course, the incredible Len himself, whose artistry continues to inspire many. Be sure to keep an eye out for this timely release!
We encourage you to peruse each issue slowly, and to return to them
regularly, and notice more each time.
We love feedback
Contemplation
© 2025 Lee Weller. All rights reserved.
We were delighted to hear from Lee Weller this week who shared with us his photo, Contemplation, which reminded him of a photo in his archives which similar in composition to Lens photo that was discussed in the newsletter last week.
Thanks Lee for reaching out and allowing us to share your work.
Please feel free to connect with us anytime: hello@lensschool.com
or why not join us in the Lens Lounge where we connect on a larger scale to share, chat and connect - all mediums, all countries supporting and enjoying what we love together.
It’s free to join!
Beauty in rain
Photographers on tour with Len Metcalf
© 2025 Len Metcalf. All rights reserved.
Composition
I love to geek out about composition. As an interior designer, it is one of my favourite things to create balance in a room with different objects.
The same rules apply with photography and it is a skill that Len achieves in his work rather organically - there is not a need to spend a long time (if any) cropping Len’s photos - he aligns his lens and his eye with composition in mind.
The image above to me is a great example of creating balance in a frame.
If we diagonally fold the image in half with our eye from top left to lower right corners we can see that the image is mostly divided in to two areas, sky and cliff.
The cliff has a lot of texture and is the “heavier’ part of the photo. The sky is lighter, but it takes up more space in the photo than land creating a type of asymetrical balance. The weight of the big sky is similar in weight to our eye than smaller land. The sun lighting up the rock face removes some weight from the cliff helping to balance the proportions further.
The trees in the image also do a little dance with each other. The tall thin lonely tree up top balanced by two fuller trees below, and a little puff of cloud in the sky to draw your eye upwards again.
Take the time to see where your eye travels to in this image. What emotion does it evoke? How does light and shade play a part in the overall balance? How would more sky effect the results, or more cliff? Lighter cliffs or darker?
When hanging on a wall what frame would suit? Heavy and chunky? or thin and fine?
What would we hang next to it ? Or if I placed an indoor plant or chair beside the image, would we place it to the left or right? How will that effect our overall space and our view of the image?
I could go on and on down this rabbit hole… but I’ll leave you with how I chose to style the photo in Lens Lounge…see you there!
Tash xxx
Earth Day
© 2025 Len Metcalf. All rights reserved.
Today, Earth Day serves as a poignant reminder of our relationship with nature and the responsibility we share in preserving it. As photographers, we have the unique privilege to capture the beauty of the world around us, but with that comes a duty to minimise our ecological footprint.
When venturing out to photograph landscapes, flora, and even wildlife, consider the following mindful practices:
Stay on Designated Paths
Straying from established trails can lead to soil erosion and disrupt local ecosystems. Choose paths that reduce impact and protect sensitive areas.
Avoid Disturbing Wildlife
Respect the habitats of animals. Keep a safe distance and use longer lenses to avoid getting too close. This way, you can capture poignant images without causing stress or disruption to their natural behaviours.
Use Eco-friendly Equipment
Consider the materials and processes involved in your photography gear. Opt for eco-friendly accessories and sustainable practices, like rechargeable batteries and lower-energy equipment, to lessen your environmental impact.
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace principles. Carry out everything you bring in, from packaging to food waste. Use biodegradable products and be conscious of litter.
Mind Your Water Usage
If you're photographing water bodies, be cautious of pollution. Avoid washing equipment in natural water sources and use water responsibly, especially in delicate ecosystems.
Capture, Don’t Alter
Consider photographing nature as it is rather than altering the environment for the perfect shot. Embrace the beauty in authenticity and the natural imperfections of your subject.
By adopting these mindful practices, we help ensure that the breathtaking landscapes we love to photograph can be enjoyed by future generations. Celebrate Earth Day not only by capturing its beauty but by committing to protect it.
Risen
© 2025 Len Metcalf. All rights reserved.
The weather in Sydney over this long weekend was pure delight. Being in nature makes me appreciate the spectacular wonder of our Earth and how it is not only our responsibility, but should also be our pleasure to protect and nurture it for future generations to come….
Photogravure
Intaglio print (etching) by Rembrandt, Landscape with Three Trees, 1643
Len and I have been discussing curating a collection of Lens most important work to release as a collection of Photogravures. You may not be aware but Len majored in photography and printmaking at university and has maintained the skill of hand crafted printing throughout his career. Len is continuously inspired by a diverse array of talented artists, particularly the renowned Rembrandt. The intricate etchings created by Rembrandt are not only exquisite examples of fine art but also remarkable items that have endured through multiple lifetimes, captivating audiences with their timeless beauty and depth.
A Photogravure is a sophisticated printmaking technique that combines photography and intaglio processes to create high-quality images. Etching (Intaglio) print making originated in the 15th century. Photogravure involves transferring a photographic image onto a metal plate, typically made of copper. This process begins by applying a light-sensitive gelatine layer to the plate, which is then exposed to a photographic image. The areas that are exposed to light harden, while the unexposed areas retain the gelatine.
After exposure, the plate is washed with water, allowing the unhardened gelatine to be removed, resulting in a negative relief. The plate is then etched in a solution that eats away the exposed areas, creating a series of varied depths. These different depths hold ink in varying amounts, enabling the production of rich, tonal prints.
The finished plate can be inked and pressed onto paper, creating a reproduction that maintains the fine detail and subtle tonal variations of the original photograph. Photogravure is valued for its ability to produce continuous tones and is often used for fine art prints, book illustrations, and high-quality portfolios.
Len has already produced some photogravures of his work and is looking forward to sharing the process with you when he begins this journey once more.
The Space Between
Image of a Large Format Camera belonging to Tim Parkin (On Landscape Magazine) at The Lakes District, England. Tim flew Len over to the UK to present at his conference, “Meeting of the Minds”. Lens presentation was titled, “The Space Between”.
© Len Metcalf 2016
If you wish to Learn from Len, get EXCITED!!
Tour season is coming and time is running out to secure your place at one of Lens Workshops or Tours available for 2025. If you wish to book one of the remaining opportunities to Learn from Len this year, details can be found via the links below:
MAY
Monochrome Lens - 3 & 4 May (online with Len)
https://lenmetcalf.com/monochrome-lens
JULY
Tasmania Tour 6-17July
https://lenmetcalf.com/store/p/tasmania-photography-tour
Tarkine Tour 21-28 July
https://lenmetcalf.com/photography-workshops-and-tours
OCTOBER
The Abstract Workshop 19-24 October
Portrait of a Tulip
© 2025 Len Metcalf. All rights reserved.
On Tuesday evening I accompanied Len, who invited to be a guest speaker at Easts Photography Club in Bondi.
The group will be going on an upcoming excursion to the Blue mountains to photograph flowers, so Len shared his passionate wisdom with the group about how to beautifully capture a flower.
Len stated that he considers taking a photo of a flower, is not unlike taking a portrait of a person - both demanding the same consideration and respect. However, unlike humans, flowers that grow in nature, in the ground, are not portable - so working with its environment provides particular constraints to consider. Interestingly, Len’s number one tip was to consider the background of the object and adjust yourself and your camera angle in many ways to find the best solution for the capture of the flower (even if this means laying on the ground in snow, etc.)
The club was treated to a slideshow of Len’s study of flowers and were able to view some of Len’s rarely seen images and publications.
Len loves sharing his knowledge with others and it is apparent after 40 years+ of discussing photography, his passion is not waning any time soon!! We all enjoyed the evening very much.
If you wish to make a booking for Len to speak at your Camera Club, please reach out:
hello@lensschool.com
Port Stephens Art Prize
Congratulations to Greg West, the photographer who won a subscription to Len’s Journal for his work, which was highly commended at the Port Stephens Art Prize.
Roger Skinner was a judge in the competition, and happened to be in the issue of Len's Journal that was presented to Greg.
Roger Skinner is an acclaimed photographer whose award-winning work is held in public and private collections across Australia and internationally. Based in Muswellbrook, Roger oversees the Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize and leads the Contemporary Group of the Australian Photographic Society. His career includes numerous exhibitions and features in various art and news publications, showcasing both commissioned and non-commissioned works.
Roger commented on Greg’s work stating,
'Traditional subject pictorial but a long
exposure add a certain "Je ne sais
quoi" is a French phrase, meaning "I
don't know what” ‘
Roger also commented to me, and in his words at the presentation, that he thought Len’s Journal would help to tip Greg’s work further into … art.
If you would like to learn more about Len’s Journal, please head to the link below:
https://lenmetcalf.com/store/p/lensjournalsubscription
Sun Orchid
Image Copyright. Len Metcalf 2025
A sun orchid, photographed on the grounds of the Norman Lindsay Gallery at Falconbridge. All guests who attended Lunch with Len received a limited edition signed print of this work.
Lovely to meet you
Len is always animated when talking about art.
Copyright. Natasha Cuevas 2025
A big thank you to those who attended our first “Lunch with Len” event. It was so beautiful to meet you all.
Our guests were greeted by Clair and myself upon arrival and handed giftbags to our guests which included a signed, limited edition print created by Len.
Len served the most incredible homemade spicy sweet potato soup, followed by petit fours for desert.
Everyone participated in discussions regarding Lens work, their own work, and inspiration gained from other famous artists. The conversation we had about Caravaggio, made us ponder that he may have used his own art, as a way of processing his personal history - Len shared that he was in fact a murderer, and found refuge in the church so he could still continue to paint. His works are known to be dramatic and theatrical!
We were all fascinated and impressed by Len’s knowledge of art history, and it was a privilege to be sharing conversations about our passions with him.
Lunch ended and it was time to enter Len’s studio. I noted a few gasps when the guests entered as Len had on display some of his prolific earlier pieces and it was clear that everyone felt moved to be viewing his work so intimately. I felt proud of Len and was so pleased he could see the enjoyment and interest in people’s faces upon observing his work. Unbeknown to most, Len is a very humble man and often questions his own abilities and is delighted when people appreciate his work.
He showed us different cameras he uses, and processes and papers he has used on his artistic journey - many of which are now outdated and no longer performed.
A great time was had by all and we all left looking forward to seeing each other again at upcoming tours and workshops.
We will absolutely host this event again! What a success!! Thank you so much, Len!
Masterclass 2026
Blue Mountains © Len Metcalf, 2013
Only one more week to secure the Masterclass 2026 for 2025 prices!
Book now to receive 30% off!
Len Quotes
©copyright, Len Metcalf, 2014
“Don’t try to photograph what you see - visualise what you see.”
Len Metcalf
Lunch with Len
As one of Len's valued newsletter readers, we are delighted to invite you to our inaugural
“Lunch with Len” event at Len’s studio in Sydney. We will be holding these events on a quarterly basis, (maybe in your city!) so if you can make it, we hope to see you there!
There are only 8 free tickets left so do not delay in booking your space!!!
Lunch with Len is a chance to drop by Len's Willoughby studio, meet the team (that'd be Len, myself, Clair and Momo) and hear about Len's various projects.
There will be a light lunch - Len's soup (I hear it's a drawcard) and a chance to socialise, receive a gift on arrival, followed by a presentation by Len about photographic prints and processes. He will be using his own prints as examples so you'll get a behind the lens look at rarely seen work from his archives, and an opportunity to purchase prior to being listed on Len's website.
As there are only a small number of FREE tickets still available, please book as soon as possible via the link below:
https://lenmetcalf.com/store/p/lunch-with-len
Please let us know if you have any questions or need any assistance booking your spot.
Looking forward to meeting you!!
Roadtrip Lens
Beside the road on the way to Albert River
©Len Metcalf 2025
Len has escaped the city and is journeying down the beautiful South Coast to a little hidden campsite on the Albert River, Victoria for a few days. From the gorgeous photos he keeps sending Clair and I to share with you, I am wondering if he is scoping out new spots for a tour? The scenery looks incredible!
Where is on your bucket list to fulfil your landscape photography dreams?
Big sign, Little Falls
©Len Metcalf 2025
Len’s Lounge
Len Metcalf in his Willoughby studio with Momo, sitting on Len’s Lounge.
© 2025 Photograph by Billie Roseanna.
Having never considered myself to be a “true artist,” I was both excited and admittedly daunted by the prospect of joining Len’s Lounge, which is Len’s online forum inspired by the creative conversations Len has with other people about art and expression, on his own lounge. As my new role with Len Metcalf, requires me to be familiar with every aspect of Len's business, it was inevitable that I was required to join and participate in this group. I must confess that the thought of stepping into an art club and showcasing my personal creativity in a public setting felt very overwhelming!
Although, I am comfortable to claim that I am a creative, I am a designer, or a maker, or a crafter, for some reason the word, “artist”, has always felt intimidating to me - much like a blank canvas or a plain sheet of paper does. The way I perceive art, rightly or wrongly, is that art is the ultimate invitation to express oneself infinitely and vulnerably. Which then, unfortunately, sparks self doubt to manifest, and the unhelpful self talk says, “Am I good enough? Who cares about my stories anyway? Where do I even begin?” Then, the process becomes so overwhelming that I do nothing. Sound familiar??
One of the first things I noted upon joining Lens Lounge is that this online space is for every artist, not just photographers, and it is encouraged that its members work with any medium or mediums to connect, learn and share art. This immediately helped me feel a little more at ease, seeing as I don’t have a photographic background, and I discovered the existing group of 85 members to be supportive and encouraging no matter what skill level or prior experience I have or they have had. Len Metcalf included! I found Len’s Lounge to be an inclusive and supportive space.
Amongst other activities, there is a weekly challenge, and this week the subject is “triangles”.
This came as a relief to me, to be prompted by a starting point - a place to begin. I was also delighted to learn there was a constraint - as a weekly challenge, I don’t have time to procrastinate and overthink.
As from today, I will be embarking and documenting my own artistic journey in Lens Lounge and I do hope you feel inspired to join me too! It’s free to join, so if you haven’t already, please do and we can all help each other achieve our creative goals in this wonderful space.
I have included the link below:
https://lenslounge.online/spaces/16161904/page
With love,
Tash xx
Trees are Poems
© 2025 Len Metcalf.
“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” - Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931)