Our Classes

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Photography's Fun when You Know the Basics

Instructor:
Noella Ballenger

Required Skill Level: Beginner & Refresher

A six-week course
Maximum number of students: 10

Details: This class is designed for people who have just gotten a new camera and for those who never took the time to learn or want a refresher class in the basics.

I use an approach that I have developed during the 18 years I have been teaching to get people up and doing what they want to do best … take wonderful photographs.

We do a fast review and some lessons to demonstrate the basic controls on a camera – ISO, Shutter and Aperture Controls and Depth of Field, etc. (don’t yawn yet … it isn’t that bad). Then we turn our attention to special topics like learning to see photographically, evaluating our own images, learning to exercise our “creative muscles” and developing a plan for problem solving in the field.

It is a fun stepping stone class to the good stuff of creating outstanding images. See class outline

Fee: $180 for each course

Session Dates: May 5 through June 16, 2008

Let’s Kick It Up a Notch: Beyond the Basics

Instructor:
Noella Ballenger

Required Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

A six-week course
Maximum number of students: 10

Details: In addition to continuing to learning more about our cameras and working toward a good foundation, we are going to “kick it up a notch”!

We will not only continue with special topics such as learning to see photographically and evaluating our own images, but now we are going to move into the creativity area. There is much to discover about design and composition, but these won’t be the primary issues covered in this class. We’re going to push to see what our life themes might be and develop a small portfolio based on one of those themes.

It won’t be an “easy” class, but it will be fun and exciting. There is nothing better than a good challenge and I’m up for it if you are. See class outline

Fee: $180 for each course

Session Dates: May 5 through June 16, 2008

Elements of Design

Instructor:
Michael Fulks

Required Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

A six-week course
Maximum number of students: 10

Details: The elements and principles of design are the building blocks used to create a composition, be it a painting or a photograph. Knowing these elements and how to use them will empower the photographer by giving him or her the understanding of why a composition works and the tools to create effective and compelling images. The Elements of Design can be thought of as the things that make up a composition. Good or bad - all images will contain most of, if not all, the seven elements of design.

This class is made up of six "pods" covering the seven Elements. Each pod is 6 weeks long. You may take them one at a time or sign up for all 6. You don't even have to take them in any order, as they will be continually offered. Each pod will have introductory material explaining the respective Element and showing you examples of what it is and how it is used in composition. There will then be 4 shooting assignments with critiques and guidance on how to improve your grasp and use of your pod's Element.
See class outline

Session Dates - "Texture": 4th pod (no need to take in order) May 5 through June 16, 2008

Fee: $180 per six-week pod. $150 for returning Elements of Design students.

Getting Intimate:
The World of Close-Up
Photography

Instructor: Noella Ballenger

Required Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

A six-week course
Maximum number of students: 10

Details: Do you admire those wonderful flower or bug shots? Want to know how to do them?

Close-up photography is one of my favorite areas of study in the photo world. I love the intimate feeling and I try to capture even the smell of beautiful flowers.

This class will cover the kind of special equipment used for macro photography, ways to get around using that equipment (and use some of what you already own), and some of my own special techniques for taking it and faking it.

So let’s get intimate together in this six lesson class. Let’s get close-up and personal with nature. You will have such fun when you share with your family and friends your stunning images.
See class outline

Fee: $180 for each course

Session Dates: May 5 through June 16, 2008

Photoshop for Photography I

Instructor:
James Austin

Required Skill Level: All

A 6 week course
Maximum students: 12

Details: See course outline

Session Dates: November 5th through December 17th

Session Dates: May 5 through June 16, 2008

Fee: $180

Travel Photography

Instructor:
Mike Goldstein

Required Skill Level: All

A 12 week course
Maximum students: 12

Details: In this class students will learn that travel photography includes most of the different aspects of photography - macro (for great flower shots!), portraiture (people shots are always necessary), scenics, time-exposures (to show that night life!), and so forth. In addition, as a travel photographer you must be familiar with the requirements of good exposure, and the techniques behind sharp, well-focused images.

Above all, you must know the various ways of giving a photo impact and drawing the viewer’s eye to what you wish him or her to see. Learn the significance of the quote, “Tourists take pictures, but photographers make images”.

Learn how to pack your equipment, what to take, and how to carry it. Discover that the best way is to travel light. The more equipment you carry, the more time you spend making decisions, not photographs.

Even if you are not currently planning a trip, your instructor will give you assignments that will challenge you, no matter where you live. A "must" class if you are planning a trip, or just wanting to learn how to make people sit up and pay attention, when you show your travel images. See class outline

Session Dates: May 5 through July 28th, 2008 - a 12 week class of 10 lessons.

Fee: $180

Flash Photography

Instructor:
Mike Goldstein

Required Skill Level: All

A 12 week course
Maximum students: 12

Details: Most photographers use their flash units, either external or internal to the camera, for making photographs outdoors in the dark.   Some of the braver ones make flash photographs indoors, in subdued light, as well.

Photographic flash units capable of performing this function well were available at least sixty years ago, if not more. Flash technology has advanced radically since those days ... but relatively few photographers seem to take advantage of these changes.

Modern flash units take information from your lenses, measure flash intensity from the film, produce amazingly accurate fill flash, and let you control the process in a number of different ways.   Modern flash units let you use bounced light and diffused light, and can make for you the most professional, exciting kinds of photos of which you’ve always dreamed. What a shame that most photographers never learn the simple techniques of creating wonderful, flash-enhanced images, without red-eye, shadow outlines, and glare.

We hope to change all that. This flash course will begin with the basics, to ensure we’re all on the same wavelength, then push you into taking that “great leap forward”.

You will discover how to anticipate, measure, and control the amount of flash you require, how to use the amazing automatic features of your modern flash unit, and how those “pros” use bounced and diffused flash lighting, to produce soft and realistic fill lighting. See class outline

Session Dates: May 5 through July 28th, 2008 - a 12 week class of 6 lessons.

Fee: $180

Wildlife Basics and Beyond

Instructor:
Andy Long

Required Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

A six-week course
Maximum number of students: 10

Details: Want your wildlife images to have more impact?
Wildlife Basics and Beyond will take you through a series of lessons that will develop your wildlife photography skills.

Join me in a journey that will guide you beyond taking a simple snapshot of an animal to creating impressive images, whether it’s a portrait of an animal or capturing them in the peak of action.

Use of background, tips on animal behavior & research, composition, lighting, and numerous other topics will be presented in this six-lesson course covering 10 topics. Technically, the topics will include the use of the various camera settings, so you will be prepared for your next wildlife photo adventure. See class outline

Fee: $180 for each course

Session Dates: May 5 through June 16, 2008

Working with Natural Light

Instructor:
Andy Long

Required Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

A six-week course
Maximum number of students: 10

Details: Light: it is the one element that is common to all photography. Without it, a picture can’t be taken.

While it might first appear to be a very basic photographic subject, learning how to use light to its greatest advantage can be one of the most challenging to master.

This course on learning to use natural light will simplify the process as you find out how best to use light based on the time of day (including night photography), the amount of light available at any given moment (including fill flash) and the direction from which it comes. Learn to create dramatic photos - enter into the world of natural light and bring your photos to life.

“Light makes photography embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.” >George Eastman

See class outline

Fee: $180 for each course

Session Dates: May 5 through June 16, 2008

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