Photography School - San Antonio, TX April 20 to April 24, 2009 April 20, 2009

---

Photography School
By Jeff Cowell - usphotographers.com
April 20, toApril 24, 2009
A Five-Day adventure in Learning and Experiencing Photography

In this series of seminars you'll have a real hands-on experience in a variety of settings along with a total of 15 hours of classroom work on the theories and techniques we'll use for 12 hours in the field. These Seminars are geared towards providing you with the basics of photography from the ground up as they relate to Digital and Film cameras. Because we're starting from the ground up doesn't mean this series is limited to beginners in any way. The amount of knowledge available through these Seminars goes well beyond basic photography and into intermediate and advanced topics.
We'll do our classroom lessons for 3 hours each day in the conference room. Depending on the weather we'll go out to practice what we've learned for 3 hours each afternoon for the first four days of this series. The fifth day will be a 3- hour lesson in the classroom only. You have the option of signing up for all five days, or you can chose each day individually. The most cost-effective deal is to register for the whole series.

Register Early - Space is limited.
Bring your camera, tripod, flash, reflectors and all those photographic gadgets you've been collecting.
Please come prepared to take lots of notes in addition to the text book you'll receive. You'll also want to bring rain gear and dress in layers when we head out for our field trips. I recommend sturdy shoes (that will protect your feet and ankles on rough terrain), bug spray and maybe even sunscreen. You will be responsible for transporting yourself to the locations where we shoot daily.

Day 1 - ExposureApril 20, 2009 9 am - 4 pm
The first step in learning photography is to understand exposure. In essence, we need to capture the right amount of light for the right length of time and at the right speed. Simple enough, yet complex enough to be deserving of a full day lesson. What you'll learn in this class:
I'll lead you through basic photography to make sure you understand how to make a correct exposure. How to use your shutter speeds, f/stops (aperture) and ISO in conjunction with the correct white balance to create properly exposed images every time.
Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:
ISO - What it is and how to select the right setting. White Balance, understanding it and using it effectively. Setting the f/stop, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve the correct exposure. Taking great photographs in some of the worst conditions. How to come home from your vacation with photos that you'll want to share with everyone. Getting professional looking results with a basic camera. Buying the camera that best fits your needs and photographic interest.

Day 2 - Composition April 21, 2009 9 am - 4 pm

Once you've learned to make a good exposure you'll want to arrange your subject matter appropriately. That's what we commonly refer to as Composition, and that's what this day is all about.
What you'll learn in this class:
I'll teach you how to compose your images in such a way that your viewers will be captivated and you'll command their interest. We'll discuss ways of improving your images so you can truly take them from being snapshots to being real photographs. Your friends will be waiting for you to come back from trips so they can see your photos, and they'll really enjoy seeing them.
This class is geared towards providing you with the concepts of composition so you'll be able to effectively communicate your subject to your viewers (without you being there to guide them through your albums).
Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:
Depth-of-Field - The first element of composition. Rule of Thirds - A place for everything and everything in it's place. Framing - Bring out the best of your subject while you focus your viewers' interest. Balance - Making sure your viewer feels comfortable looking at your photos. Mergers - Avoiding the ones you should and creating the ones you need. Simplicity - Yeah, you know, that old principle... Keep it simple... Perspective - Bringing your viewer into the scene you want them to experience.

Day 3 - The CameraApril 22, 2009 9 am - 4 pm

Now that you've got an understanding of how you want to compose your images and how to get the proper exposure, you need to get more familiar with the camera and all of it's parts.
What you'll learn in this class:
We'll talk about all those buttons, wheels, switches and dials on your camera and lenses. Our goal here is to make sure you can take all your knowledge about Exposure and Composition and bring it together quickly to create the photos you're after. We will discuss how to handle your camera correctly so you'll be able to capture those shots you want before they get away, and about keeping your camera safe from harm and functioning for a long time to come.
Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:
Body - Where things are located and what they do. Function Dial - What's on it and what it all means. Shutter Speed and F/Stop Controls. ISO Settings. White Balance Settings. Shutter Release, Cable Release and Self-Timer. Hot Shoe and Flash connections. Depth of Field Preview. Auto-Focus Switch and focusing. LCD Display. Viewfinder. Lens / Lenses. Shutter functions. Handling the Camera. Using a Tripod.

Day 4 - Flash & Light & MeteringApril 23, 2009 9 am - 4 pm

Now that you know how to use your camera and compose your images and handle your camera well enough to get it all done, you need to know how to use the light you have or supplement it with flash.
What you'll learn in this class:
Getting the exposure you want with the available light, and how to use flash to illuminate your subject or to supplement to available light. We will also spend a good deal of time dealing with metering your light to be sure you're going to get a proper exposure.
Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:
Measuring Light and Light Meters. Handling low light problems with flash. Reflecting your flash or the available light. Bouncing and diffusing flash. Adding color to your subject. Using filters to enhance your image.

Day 5 - File ManagementApril 24, 2009 9 am -12 pm

Ok, so you've got all these great photos and you're saving them on your computer, now what?
We'll spend all 3 hours in the Classroom.
What you'll learn in this class:
I'll demonstrate some methods of managing your files so you can find them when you want them. We'll also deal with using those images for some of the many applications that you have for your photos.
Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:
Handling images as they come from the camera. Storing images in a managed fashion on your computer. Protecting your images from damage or loss. Resizing your images for various applications. Emailing your images. Preparing your images to print.
If you've got a notebook computer you might want to bring it along so you can practice some of the methods I'll be demonstrating.

Since you MUST be a member in good standing of usphotographers.com to qualify for the Member Rate, Join NOW for $30 and you'll save $50 on this series of classes, plus you'll be eligible for future discounts. You don't have to wait for anything to come through, just fill out the registration form and make your $30 payment and you can go ahead and register for this School at the Member Rate (a net savings of $20).



Organized by Jeff Cowell - Kansas


Jeff Cowellusphotographers.com316-771-7509
Providing photographic education opportunities.

Photography Seminars
Photography Classes
Photography Workshops
Photography Field Trips
Photo Excursions
One-on-One Tutoring

---

Ticket Info:  

• EARLY BIRD - All 5 Days - Limited Quantity Available, $205.00
• Non Member Rate - All 5 Days, $307.50
• Members - usphotographers.com - All 5 Days, $256.25
• Day One - Exposure - Required - April 20, 2009 - 9am-4pm, $205.00
• Day Two - Composition - April 21, 2009 - 9am - 4 pm, $76.88
• Day Three - The Camera - April 22, 2009 - 9am-4pm, $76.88
• Day Four - Flash & Lighting & Metering - April 23, 2009 - 9am-4pm, $76.88
• Day Five - File Management - April 24, 2009 - 9am-12pm, $76.88

Official Website: http://sanantonio2009-upcoming.eventbrite.com