Classes
Please refer to the Calendar for specific date, time and locations for the following courses. Most evening classes are held from 6:30-8:30 week nights at our classroom.
We offer a wid range of courses for any level of student that wants to advance their skills and understaning of this craft. All of our courses are built on two concepts:
- Smaller is Better – We limit the size of the classes to ensure personalized attention.
- People Learn by Doing – All of the classes give you a chance to try out the new things you are learning on your camera with direct feedback from the instructor.
Introduction to Digital Photography
1 -2 hour session
Cost $40
Tired of taking accidentally good photos and want to have more control and understanding. This is the first step in that process. The class is for any digital camera owner, whether it’s a point and shoot or DSLR style camera. This class is for everyone who wants to get started taking better photos.
- The class begins with an introduction to what digital photography is and an explanation of some of the jargon including focal length, aperture, f-stops, megapixels, and other confusing photo-geek speak.
- The remainder of the class covers understanding the Exposure Triad: ISO/Shutter Speed/Aperture
- How does each element of the Triad impact your photo?
- How can you make choices to control the Triad and take better shots?
Point and Shoot Camera
- The basic care and maintenance of a camera to prolong it’s life and functionality
- Understanding the use of zoom controls and when to use and not to use
- Photographing in available light using your ISO controls
- Techniques for controlling motion blur
- Fundamentals of flash photography
DSLR Camera
- The basic care and maintenance of a camera to prolong it’s life and functionality
- Proper shooting technique and other tips for proper handling
- How to safely remove and attach lenses and clean your lens
- Understand what different focal length lenses do and when to use/not use them
- Shooting with available light
- Fundamentals of stopping action and controlling motion blur.
- Lots of time for questions
The Basics Series
3 – 2 hr sessions
Series $100 – Individual Classes $40 each
Properly Expose Challenging Scenes
A series of three classes taken individually or sequentially. This course has been designed for the newcomer to digital photography. Plan to bring your advanced Point & Shoot or DSLR camera and manual to class. We will combine lectures with hands on exercises, walkabouts and demonstrations. You learn by doing. There is lots of time for questions and individual attention.
Class 1 – The Basics/Exposure – Getting the “right” exposure is the hardest and most basic concept in digital photography.
- What basic elements make or break a good digital photo
- What does some of the jargon mean? Translations please.
- The Exposure Triad: ISO/Shutter/Aperture. More indepth discussion on how your choices impact image quality.
Class 2 – Camera Settings – Knobs, buttons and menus! What do they all do and should I care?
- What are the common controls on a camera
- Which ones do you use and why?
- When and how do you use Program, Aperture and Shutter Priority modes?
Class 3 – Composition – There are some basic concepts regarding composition and framing that will make or break a photo that we cover.
- We look at evaluating angles and points of view for best effect.
- Evaluate scenes for classic compositions like “Rule of Thirds”
- Assess symmetry and visual flow and how to enhance it.
Intermediate Series
3 – 2 hr sessions
Series $100 – Individual Classes $40 each
Get Everything in Focus
For the photographer who understands the basics but wants to advance their skills to the next level. This series is focused on more technical aspects of digital photography that get in the way of outstanding photos. Several areas will be explored and there is lots of time for questions and hands-on experimenting.
Class1 – Focus – Why are all the wrong things in focus in some images?
- Learn the fine points of how auto focusing works and its limitations. How do you control what is in auto focus.
- Advanced use of depth of field.
- What is focus lock? How it can help you.
- Using focus points Learn where and how to focus the camera and when to override the auto functions to get the results you want. When Manual focus can help.
Class 2 – Exposure - Auto exposure works most of the time. Find out how to better control more challenging lighting scenarios.
- Master the concepts of exposure bracketing, spot metering, exposure lock and exposure compensation.
- How does a light meter interpret a scene?
- Backlight – using exposure compensation and additive lighting techniques.
- Night / low light levels scenes
- Properly exposing landscapes and sunsets.
Class 3 – Composition – Composition is our third class in this series. It will be hands-on exercises. Weather permitting, we will go to a location and setup scenarios to further refine our newly learned skills. Photos can be posted to Flickr for class and instructor feedback.
- Cropping
- Classic composition – Rule Thirds, Golden Triangle and others
- Composing landscapes
- Basic portraiture/people shots
Better Family Photos
2.5 hour session – Cost: $40
Natural Lighting and Expressions
This is the Mamarazzi class! Learn to capture better photos of your kids and family at important events and occasions. Get the spontaneous and authenticate shots not the “Say CHEEEESE!” ones.
- Dos and don’ts of photographing kids,
- Taking indoor shots including use of flash and ambient light.
- Sports basics – basics of how to shoot in a gym or a field
- Compositional and posing ideas that will improve the look of your photos. You will take family photos you can be proud of and cherish even more.
Flash Photography
2 hours – Cost $40
Know when to use or not use your camera’s flash. This class looks at ways to get the best results.
- Balancing flash with ambient light
- Using fill flash to even out the lighting
- Night Portrait mode on your camera
- Benefits of an accessory flash including bounce lighting
- When not to use flash