The Inaugural NYC Fall Colors and Shades workshop was an absolute triumph! Our class of five intrepid photographers crossed islands and boroughs, immersed in the brash display of predominantly yellow and deep red foliage that defined the season. This workshop was designed to challenge you to see the city in a new, integrated light, focusing on city parks (both large like Central Park & Governors Island, and micro-sized). We spent our days mastering two distinct and powerful aesthetics: the timeless drama of black & white and the stunning visual feast of fall color, capturing the narrative of the city through graphic lines, stark contrast, and the warm, rich hues of autumn.
Brandon Remler showed up and did our class picture in infra red
What an amazing three days! We concluded our journey through NYC’s most beautiful and compelling locations with a gallery-ready collection of stunning images. Our core focus on blending landscape and street photography allowed us to capture the quiet, timeless grandeur of Central Park’s massive oak trees, only to pivot and frame the fleeting, human moments of urban life. The assignments were met with incredible dedication, showing students expertly incorporating experimental techniques like ICM (intentional camera movement), Pans and specific concepts like thinking in triptych.
Day One: Park Elegance and Museum Inspiration
Using the Nikon Z9 14-24 f2.8 & 24-120 f4 made it easy to nail the “postcard” shot
Our first day was a study in classic New York elegance, beginning in Greenly Square and quickly immersing us in the golden light of Central Park. We circumnavigated the lakes, explored the iconic Bethesda Terrace, and captured the classic New York vistas. After a restful lunch, the Man Ray show at the Met provided profound inspiration, shifting our focus to stark contrast and surreal narrative. The evening culminated in capturing the warm, directional light of sunset at Cleopatra’s Needle, ending the day with dramatic, silhouette-ready images.
Day Two: Water, History, and Greenwich Village Grit
Govenors Island is a photo composition paradise
We kicked off Day Two with a nautical adventure, sailing out from the Battery Maritime Building to Governors Island. This provided essential, clear-air perspective on the Lower Manhattan skyline and Lady Liberty—a powerful exercise in urban landscape photography. Massive oaks with turning leaves in a maritime enclave was explored with an eye for ruinism. After returning, the focus shifted to “urban park” street photography in the Village. From the vibrant life inside Washington Square Park and across the village to Tompkins Square park’s skater haven, we explored the rich character to these parks, pushing our cameras to capture the fleeting moments that define New York’s personality on a perfect fall day. After dinner at Momofuko, we all began the task of editing for the next day’s critique session.
Fishermen in silhouette with Lady Liberty in the background. How much more NYC can you get?
Day Three: Chelsea and the Hudson River Canvas
Little Island is a city treasure- in all seasons but Fall is very special
Our final morning began with bagels, coffee and an inspiring critique session, where the group submitted 12 final images, demonstrating huge leaps in editing confidence. Afterwards, energized, we took to the streets of Chelsea, documenting the architecture, townhouses, and creeping foliage. The afternoon was devoted to the waterfront, starting at the modern, organic architecture of Little Island and concluding with a walk on the High Line. This blend of nature and modern design provided the perfect final challenge, allowing everyone to synthesize the week’s lessons and complete the workshop with a fresh, comprehensive portfolio.
One of the assigments was to present a triptych of the days locations.
WORKSHOP GALLERY
I was pleasantly surprised at the adoption of color to my vision. I’ve been living in a black and white photography universe exclusively for the past decade when I swore off color. I really enjoyed seeking out the color of the landscape, as opposed to the contrast. I think this workshop has opened me up to a softer stance on making color work.
Washington Square Park Legend, Joey Chess
If you were concerned about my satisfaction with working in color, I did make a series of images in black and white during the three-day workshop. Yes, black and white does have its place in the fall colors. Long live the B&W image!
Having the Man Ray exhibit anchor day one was key, because one of the assignments for day two was to make an image in homage to Man Ray. It proved to be very difficult, but the class pulled through and leveled up.
We are repeating this workshop in 2026. I’m sure it will sell out, so if the above tickels your aperture, then hop on over the NYC Fall Colors & Shades 3 Day Workshop Home and seize your spot. Limited to 6 and will sell out as it’s priced with a good value.
I recently taught the “Finding & Developing Photographic Style” workshop for the second time, and it was a very positive experience. With only three students, the personalized instruction and individual feedback were exceptional, making it feel more like mentorship than a regular class. I am amazed by the students’ work over the five days.
Highlights of the Content and Structure:
The structure of the five-day workshop was superb, perfectly balancing inspiration, practical application, and in-depth review. The daily profiles of master photographers, such as Andre Kertesz, Helen Levitt, and Sally Mann, provided essential historical context and tangible examples of established photographic styles. This foundation made the field assignments feel more purposeful.
The itinerary was meticulously planned to maximize both learning and shooting opportunities. From the practical “Rock Leaf Tree” assignment on day one, designed to immediately engage with editing and style deconstruction, to the stunning outdoor locations like Elmer’s Barn, Beauchamp Point, the Rusty Truck Quarry, we were constantly applying new concepts in varied settings.
Every Student got a turn at the control sticks of a DJI Mavic to explore Drone Photography. Sending out the Drone past Beuchamp Point unlocked hitherto unavailable vistas to photograph like a Seagull at flight.
The full-day devoted to The Narrative Morning & Model Session at Vesper Hill was particularly invaluable for learning how to direct a subject while maintaining a personal vision. Some would say, the work with famed Maine Media Character Model, Peter Patton was out of this world (yes I brought up a space NASA space suit that I’ll be recycling on Halloween).
A Culture of Constructive Growth:
The most significant takeaway was the focus on real-time feedback. The regular editing and review sessions and the rigorous final edit leading up to the mini gallery showing on the final evening, instilled a strong sense of accountability and professionalism. This process helped the students hone the top images and articulate the style we were developing. I was very proud of the work in our class that the students made.
Elise KlysaEmma LucarelliDon Logie
We took a deep dive into Brommer’s Six Points of Photographic Style; Attitude & Emotions, Genre, Technique, Treatment and Presentation.
For anyone serious about moving beyond technical competence to creating work with a distinctive voice, this small-group workshop is an outstanding investment. The high level of personalized attention, refined curriculum, killer locations all make for a great time while achieving photographic style.
2026 Date is Live! This time we’re heating things up with the class from July 13-17. Unlike the quiet fall workshop at the Maine Media Campus, the summer vibe is lively with many students and renowned instructors. Join us; this workshop will fill up quickly—Mid Coast in July is beautiful.
NYC does things big, and this march was no exception. The call was out on social media and being discussed, I actually heard about it while I was parking my Vespa on 35th street.
The “No Kings” march was a series of nationwide protests held on June 14, 2025, coinciding with a large military parade in Washington, D.C.
These protests aimed to voice opposition to the Trump administration’s policies and what they perceived as authoritarian tendencies.
Organizers said the protests were a response to what they saw as an attempt by the Trump administration to project dominance and militarize the country.
The protests drew large crowds in cities across the U.S. and even internationally, with organizers claiming millions participated in hundreds of events. Demonstrations took place in major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, as well as smaller communities.
The protests were generally peaceful, with a focus on expressing dissent and concerns about the direction of the country.
While the protests were not explicitly anti-monarchy, the “No Kings” name was chosen to convey the message of rejecting authoritarianism and what organizers saw as an overreach of executive power under the Trump administration.
The timing of the protests, alongside the military parade, was meant to create a contrast between the perceived militarization of the government and the public’s desire for a more democratic and inclusive society.
Above is a one minute 38 second video of stills mixed in with audio I recorded on my iPhone. The video was edited in iMovie.
My feelings photographing this protest were one of duty and respect. As Americans, there is something sublime to exercising your first amendment rights. The key is peaceful, and this protest march was certainly peaceful. I witnessed no aggressive or destructive behavior from my walk of 42nd street to 23rd street. There were families and many other older New Yorkers on the periphery and no counter protesting. The rain was relentless and it did not dull the numbers. I estimate 50K showed up. It was a solid mass of marchers from 42nd to 23rd for well over an hour.
Photo by Brandon Remler
I used a Nikon Z9 with 14-24 2.8 and 24-120 4.0. I had originally planned on two bodies, but the rain was really coming down and I didn’t want the extra weight. At one point I was changing lenses under a scaffolding and was quite cautious in the operation! That’s the merit of two bodies- no lens switching. Noted for next time.
It’s been one year since I reignited the fire that is Suspect Photography and struck out on my own by leaving my position at B&H Photo after 26 years. The year, with its unexpected highs, reinforced my decision that the time was right for change and investing my efforts into what had begun all those years ago in 1993. Suspecting so much was possible when you take smart chances. Here is the year in review for Suspect Photography.
I resigned from B&H on Halloween Day 2023, like I had started on Halloween Day in 1997 working the camera counter (where I always felt comfortable). That night I celebrated with Barbara and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult at the Bowery Ballroom.
I started to have lunches with other teaching photographers in my network and was offered partnerships. Maine Media Workshops, which had been such an influence in my early marketing days, offered me the opportunity to lead a workshop in the fall of 2024. I began to map out a plan. I literally ‘broke the ice’ on a cold Winter weekend with my first workshop I co-taught with Steve Simon (the Passionate Photographer). An ambitious Milan workshop followed in April.
On a solo Washington Square Park Walkabout, I also met a photographer who would become a star student of mine, to prove that acorns do indeed become oaks (thank you Kim C.).
My plan entailed activating my old network and buidling & promoting some intricate educational programs such as the Spring NYC UN Workshop and a Fall Photo Retreat. Digital infrastructure and offerings were promoted and executed with live zooms and edited videos.
An online audience was growing, and websites were built while workshops went off flawlessly. Suspect Photography along with partner the Passionate Photographer sponsored a table at the International Photographers Council UN Awards Luncheon.
To see that logo alongside the best the photo industry offers, and a full table of students to share the experience with, was a momentous occasion. And all this only six months into the rebirth of Suspect Photography! (We have already filled the NYC Spring UN 2025 Workshop, but you can join the waitlist here.)
What has been truly thrilling this year has been getting to be a photographer and making work daily. It’s true that if you practice it, you will get better. It’s hard to juggle a full-time intense job and practice photography. This year was the year of photographing in the streets for me, and thus I discovered what was missing in my definition of the genre, humans in the photo.
I learned so much, and made a number of images I’m quite proud of, including one, “Personal Jesus”, that won a street photography online contest. I owe this mostly to Steve Simon, who opened my eyes and challenged me to be the photographer I wanted to be and supported my educational aspirations. I took my Street Photography practice in a formal manner not only in NYC, but to Paris, Mont Saint Michel and Milan.
The Milan 2025 workshop is live and taking deposits, so be sure to secure your spot.
I spent a hot summer in Italy continuing to plan future workshops. My north star was building a workshop and retreat that I would want to attend myself, and so Suspect Tulum, a Photo Workshop in Paradise was born!
I first went to Tulum in 1982 with my family and have returned many times since. It’s one of my favorite places on earth and I can’t wait to share it with photography lovers.
I also dig the woods. Like a real lot, and have always been hiking and exploring them from the Appalachian Trail to Denali. I’m a big fan of Tree Beard the ‘Ent from the Lord of the Rings and have dreamed of creating a photo school in the serenity of the woods, so I created Suspect Photography Retreat In the Woods! I recruited the best of the best instructors and Barbara found the ultimate place to conduct the retreat, AutoCamp in the Catskills, featuring deluxe Airstreams sprinkled about pristine Mountain woods.
Expert instruction: Check! Killer Location: Check! Styled Models: Check! Workflow and a Printed Portfolio of the work- CHECK. Located in the Catskills, B&H Photo is providing shuttle service from the Super Store to Retreat and back. All the boxes are checked! Tulum has a limit of 6 students and the Retreat 25. They are filling up. Dream big, the only limit is one you set yourself.
At the start of October I brought Finding and Developing Photographic Style to the Maine Media Workshops. That “acorn” I met at Washington Square Park back in January, along with a student from B&H’s Portfolio Development Program and a few new students, criss crossed across the Maine mid coast diving deep into my theories of photo style. It went so well I have been invited back. Stay tuned to the Suspect Photography Newsletter when registration goes live.
I’m spending the fall of 2024 doing photowalks and building the 2025 program. It’s very exciting. I hope you can be part of it- join a workshop or come to the Retreat. You’ll invest in yourself and have a great time.
Our complicated world can be understood with the power of images, so it truly pays to practice Photography. I can’t wait to see how the next year plays out, and I hope you can join me along the way. Did anyone say Street Photography in Paris?
Weather: Our workshops are rain or shine. While great weather is pleasurable, sometimes the true challenge is to create work in adverse conditions. We will also adapt to the weather by changing the schedule as needed during the workshop.
Should I bring a laptop? Yes! During the photo walks you can leave that at your hotel-home base-classroom. You’ll need it for downloading images and editing. It’s also handy to have a USB thumb drive as well.
Tripods: For Street Photography workshops you won’t need a tripod unless you expect use it for special applications. In Street Photography we favor mobility in general. For landscape and fine art workshops a tripod is recommended.
Why take a Suspect Photography Workshop? Quality, Attentiveness, and Value are the benchmarks of Suspect Photography. David Brommer brings over 30 years of event production and photo education to the table. Customer service is tantamount, YOUR experience is of uptmost importance to David. You can expect zero drama, unique aspects (such as student work being projected on the side of NYC high rise buidling at a wrap party), and also David’s wife, Barbara Brommer doing admin in the background to ensure a smooth workshop. David and Barbara are are problem solvers too, they love to take a difficult situration and make it easy.
Why are some workshops expensive? You can expect first class amenities and treatment on a Suspect Photography workshop. These come at a cost. We don’t book our students into cheap hotels, our restaurant choices are foodie level and we don’t spare expense to make sure you have a lovely place to relax after field work.
Suspect Tulum Workshop Section:
WHERE EXACTLY IS IT?
Tulum is located on the southeastern tip of Mexico, also known as Yucatan Peninsula, with the Caribbean sea to its right. Tulum is accessible via Cancun airport (CUN) 90 minutes by car) or via the new Tulum airport (TQO) 30 minutes by car.
IS IT SAFE?
Tulum is generally safe for travelers. Keep it simple and don’t travel with flashy jewelry or watches. Crime is associated with drugs, so it’s best not to try to buy any.
WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN FEBRUARY?
During February you can expect warm sunny skies with temperatures ranging from 72°F to 86°F, (22°C to 30°C) with an average high of about 81°F. Rooms have AC, but you wont need it as the breeze coming off the ocean is divine.
I DON”T LIKE CRITTERS, WHAT’S THE WILDLIFE LIKE?
Despite being near the jungle, there are no mosquitoes or insects. The biggest wildlife surprise are the lizards that hang out in the archeological sites, they are innocuous and will gladly pose for photos.
I’M PICKY WITH FOOD, WILL I BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE LOCAL CUISINE? CAN I DRINK THE WATER?
The restaurant scene is comparable to the one in NYC for quality and variety. The restaurants all use fresh local produce and protein, making it flavorful and authentic with a sophistication that makes it unique. Vegetarians will rejoice at the many options, and omnivores will fall in love with the open fire kitchens. There’s truly something for everybody’s palate.
You can brush your teeth with the bathroom water, there is a jug of filtered water changed daily in each room and bottled water is available just across the street in the many convenience stores.
I’M BRINGING PHOTO GEAR, HOW’S THE HOTEL SECURITY? AND WHAT ABOUT OUTSIDE?
The hotel has a security team at the entrance and in all the public areas (restaurant, bars, beach) to ensure only guests are allowed on premises. The hotel beach is roped off and security is always present so there is no access for non guests.
Each room has a lock & key safe, it is not big but it fits comfortably 2 camera bodies, three lenses and a laptop.
I’M NOT AN ATHLETIC TYPE, WILL I BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE EXCURSIONS?
Expect long walks, on the beach or on the streets. If you are not a swimmer, you will still be able to enjoy the Cenotes experience since they are all located in the jungle, with plenty of photo opportunities. There is no climbing, even the ruins are all on flat terrain. You should pack very comfortable shoes, or sandals (that you can walk with) for the beach.
WILL THERE BE CHANCES TO VISIT LOCAL STORES?
There are two main areas where to find local stores: the main road in the Hotel zone, which is lined with trendy, fashionable boutiques with everything from jewelry to clothing to accessories, and the downtown area, populated with typical Mexican artifacts and souvenir merchants. During our photowalks we will have ample time to visit the local stores and meet some of the artisans.
IS IT TRUE THAT THERE’S A WILD PARTY SCENE GOING ON?
While there are surely many opportunities to party, the scene is not that wild, some restaurants will have dj nights (after 10PM), and dj sessions at brunch, (Fri to Sun). The vibe is very vibrant with music and dance, but it’s far from invasive. Our hotel is on the beach, so you will fall asleep with the sound of waves, not the latest hits.
I DON’T SPEAK SPANISH, HOW WILL I COMMUNICATE WITH THE LOCALS?
Tulum economy is based on hospitality, English is spoken everywhere, from the hotel personnel to the local taxi drivers.
Photography at the Cenote?
The Cenotes are in the middle of the jungle, so you can shoot local flora and fauna freely. When we swim in the actual Cenote, you’ll need a water proof camera. Since the depth will be minimal, you can don’t have to invest in a elaborate housing. There are several options from an Olympus Tough Camera to a inexpensive Kodak Pix Pro. Having one of these on hand for beach and surf use is also great.
We understand sometimes things happen and you have to cancel your event with us. We have two options to help you based upon the notice you give us. Please see below.
Domestic & International Workshops For cancellations received 91 or more days prior to the workshop start date Suspect Photography will refund 50% of the deposit amount.
There are no refunds of deposits or balances within 90 days of the workshop start date.
If you cancel within 90 days of the workshop, you may find someone to take your place, but are still liable for the full event fee. It is your responsibility to collect any reimbursement from your replacement.
International Workshops Tulum Mexico 2025 Policy: 50% Refund up to November 1st, 2024. No Refunds after November 1st. You may find someone to take your place, but are still liable for the full event fee. It is your responsibility to collect any reimbursement from your replacement.
Refund will be given within 10 days of notification of cancellation.
Please email david@davidbrommer.com or use the below form for cancellation.
There is no doubt that vintage film cameras are cool and there is something special about shooting film in the digital age. This workshop is for those who want to connect with a mechanical camera to express photography the way it was in its heyday of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s. David Brommer has never abandoned film photography and has a massive collection of “vintage users” he maintains.
Dates: June 2nd, 2024 9 AM-5 PM
Genre: Analog Street & Urban Photography
Group Size: Max 5 participants
Skill Levels: All
Includes: 3 rolls of film, camera rental, film processing and scanning, breakfast and post workshop group zoom.
Cost: $350.00
In this special one day workshop he will open up his cabinet of cameras and let you choose which one to shoot with during the day. Fancy a Hasselblad medium format? We have a red one with three lenses. A Nikon? Take your pick of SLR or Rangefinder. Want to experiment with a half frame 35mm? The Olympus Pen F is your camera. For those who want precision, grab the Contax with Zeiss lenses, or go instant with Fujifilm Instax. You may also bring a manual camera you inherited or were gifted and want to learn to use. You’ll have three rolls of film to work with during the workshop.
The focus of your day will be street and urban photography. This includes people and architecture with an emphasis on compositional elements. Film photography can be fun and surprising and each film emulsion has a look all their own. This workshop will give you a firm grasp of the basics of mechanical film cameras, exposure and composition.
Nikon FE 50mm Nikkor 1.4 Ais Fujifilm Superia 400 Converted to B&W (note the grain)
The day begins with coffee and bagels while we get a lesson on how to load film into your camera. After a quick rooftop photo op and exposure discussion, we take to the streets and head to little Island on the Hudson. Crossing the West Village we stop at the “secret garden” and continue east to the photo paradise of Washington Square Park and grab lunch. We then visit the Photo Lab 5R for a tour and workflow discussion. From there our walk continues to the Alamo and the East Village ending in Tompkins Square park. Cameras will be collected and film dropped off at our lab. Just like in the hinter years, you will get to look at your work about a week later after they have been developed, scanned and emailed to you. A few weeks later we will meet on zoom for an image review.
Nikon FE 50 mm 1.4 Fujifilm Superia 400Nikon FE 50 mm 1.4 Fujifilm Superia 400Nikon SP 35mm 1.8 Kodak Tri-X with Shitty Iphone Scan
Each student receives 3 rolls of film (B&W & Color Options) that includes processing and negative scanning. (Prints available at additional cost). Breakfast included, lunch on your own. Workshop is rain or shine. 2 weeks after the workshop a group zoom will be conducted with student submitted work to discuss and review. Class is limited to 5 students.
Cost: $350 Includes three rolls of film, camera rental, film processing and scanning, breakfast and post workshop group zoom.
Suspect Photography 