In the introductory course, we will cover the features of your camera, and you’ll learn how to
Leave Auto mode behind and use Program, Aperture, Shutter and Manual mode (it’s fun, really!)
Understand the importance of ISO, Aperture size and Shutter speed
How to properly compose an image (position the subject in the frame).
Use a strobe (flash)
and best of all, we’ll be hands on with cameras!
If you’re taking dark pictures, or they’re too bright or too blurry, I can help you! (see bottom of page for available locales)
What you’ll need
Any Nikon DSLR (no film)
Lens – Usually the one that comes with your camera. ie: 18-55mm Bring any lenses you have that you’d like to learn with. The one that comes with your camera should do fine, but if you have a faster lens (f/2.8 or better) you should bring that too. We’ll discuss why the premium lenses cost, well, a premium, and the better image results from having such a lens, plus how you can get great pictures even with your kit lens!
Fully Charged Battery
Memory Card (4GB or better)
Nikon SpeedLight, SB-700 or better (this is optional but highly recommended when we cover flash and lighting)
Tripod (optional)
Don’t have a camera?
That’s okay! We can discuss your interests, what you want to shoot and other requirements so we can choose the best camera for your needs – one that will give you room to grow as you learn.
Why only Nikon DSLR’s?
Well, because I personally shoot with Nikons. :D No really – you can bring any brand of digital SLR camera that you like, we’ll still cover all the material. The only thing I can’t get too detailed in is the menu systems and more in-depth features of other brands simply because I’m not that familiar with them. But that’s okay because that’s only really a small part of the beginner class anyway and is reserved for the more advanced sessions.
Booking Your Session
Reservations are $50 per person with the balance due on class day, payable by credit card. Booking your reservation is required at a minimum of 48 hours in advance.
Time is alloted in two hours blocks, 10am – 12pm and 1pm to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Availability is limited. Class may be postponed to the next possible date if the weather is poor.
Class size is limited to a maximum of 4 participants (sometimes 6) per two hour block due to the time limit and Q&A. Additional students may be permitted to join at the instructors discretion, ask for details.
Fee
1 to 2 students
$90.00 per person
Group of 3
$250.00
($83 per person)
Class time is two hours. Additional time
is $100/hr, schedule permitting.
Group of 4
$300.00
($75 per person)
Cancellations
You can cancel anytime prior to 48 hours of your scheduled class for a full refund, within 48 hours of class the reservation fee is refundable minus a $25 cancellation fee per person.
What’s Covered
For the introductory class, we will cover “the triangle” (ISO, Aperture and Shutter), Camera Operation, Lens Specifics, Depth of Field and Flash Photography. I will have you take pictures at varying settings to show you how they affect the outcome of your image.
The second hour (or sooner if we finish the aforementioned topics early) will be shoot and query. We will photograph our surroundings, see how you do and discuss why your image(s) came out too dark/light/blurry/etc, as well as experiment with the topics you learned in the first hour, and we’ll have Q&A.
An intermediate class will soon be available and it will cover post-processing (how to edit your photo), Adobe Lightroom, and Adobe Photoshop.
Locations
I’m available to come to you in the cities of Vallejo, Benicia and Napa County, including other areas in Solano, Sonoma and Marin Counties.
Why do you prefer Nikon over Canon?
There is no “better than” brand when it comes to Nikon and Canon, but the full answer to this question deserves a post entirely of it’s own, which is in the works.
Need more info?
Contact me!
Example of an underexposed, and properly exposed photo.
Here is an example of an improperly exposed photo, and a properly lit photo. A lot of folks don’t know that with the SLR they already own, can take well-lit photos with just the right kind of lighting and know-how.
Taken with DSLR and appropriate lighting
Taken with Point&Shoot Camera, Minimal Flash Capabilities
I. Introduction to Photography
Want to take better images?
In the introductory course, we will cover the features of your camera, and you’ll learn how to
and best of all, we’ll be hands on with cameras!
If you’re taking dark pictures, or they’re too bright or too blurry, I can help you! (see bottom of page for available locales)
What you’ll need
Bring any lenses you have that you’d like to learn with. The one that comes with your camera should do fine, but if you have a faster lens (f/2.8 or better) you should bring that too. We’ll discuss why the premium lenses cost, well, a premium, and the better image results from having such a lens, plus how you can get great pictures even with your kit lens!
(4GB or better)
(this is optional but highly recommended when we cover flash and lighting)
Don’t have a camera?
That’s okay! We can discuss your interests, what you want to shoot and other requirements so we can choose the best camera for your needs – one that will give you room to grow as you learn.
Why only Nikon DSLR’s?
Well, because I personally shoot with Nikons. :D No really – you can bring any brand of digital SLR camera that you like, we’ll still cover all the material. The only thing I can’t get too detailed in is the menu systems and more in-depth features of other brands simply because I’m not that familiar with them. But that’s okay because that’s only really a small part of the beginner class anyway and is reserved for the more advanced sessions.
Booking Your Session
Time is alloted in two hours blocks, 10am – 12pm and 1pm to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Availability is limited. Class may be postponed to the next possible date if the weather is poor.
Class size is limited to a maximum of 4 participants (sometimes 6) per two hour block due to the time limit and Q&A. Additional students may be permitted to join at the instructors discretion, ask for details.
($83 per person)
is $100/hr, schedule permitting.
($75 per person)
Cancellations
You can cancel anytime prior to 48 hours of your scheduled class for a full refund, within 48 hours of class the reservation fee is refundable minus a $25 cancellation fee per person.
What’s Covered
For the introductory class, we will cover “the triangle” (ISO, Aperture and Shutter), Camera Operation, Lens Specifics, Depth of Field and Flash Photography. I will have you take pictures at varying settings to show you how they affect the outcome of your image.
The second hour (or sooner if we finish the aforementioned topics early) will be shoot and query. We will photograph our surroundings, see how you do and discuss why your image(s) came out too dark/light/blurry/etc, as well as experiment with the topics you learned in the first hour, and we’ll have Q&A.
An intermediate class will soon be available and it will cover post-processing (how to edit your photo), Adobe Lightroom, and Adobe Photoshop.
Locations
I’m available to come to you in the cities of Vallejo, Benicia and Napa County, including other areas in Solano, Sonoma and Marin Counties.
Why do you prefer Nikon over Canon?
There is no “better than” brand when it comes to Nikon and Canon, but the full answer to this question deserves a post entirely of it’s own, which is in the works.
Need more info?
Contact me!
Example of an underexposed, and properly exposed photo.
Here is an example of an improperly exposed photo, and a properly lit photo. A lot of folks don’t know that with the SLR they already own, can take well-lit photos with just the right kind of lighting and know-how.