I am so excited to be teaching again at OddBox Studios in Downtown Fredericksburg. I had so much fun the last time we ran the Domo Arigato, I no longer Shoot in Auto class that I knew I wanted to do it again. Over the past few months I've had many people ask me if I was going to teach the class again and I'm happy to finally be able to say yes! After being asked what has been come a pretty common question. "How in the in the world do I get my camera to do that!?!" I have another opportunity to show folks the techniques I use to capture my favorite images. Below is a detailed look at the topics that I'll be covering in class as well as information regarding class schedule and registration. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have prior to registering.
Probably the coolest part of teaching the last session was that we added a "201" 4 week version of the class after the first session came to a close. In that session the entire class had their cameras in hand as we met at various locations around Fredericksburg and put into practice what was learned in class. Because of that, it is unlikely that another "101" session will be taught before next spring/summer so don't miss the opportunity to sign up for this round of Domo Arigato, I no Longer Shoot in Auto!
Rich Creamy Bokeh (pronounced bo ka not bo kay!!!) - This section is designed to show you how to get that "blurry background" (or foreground) look in your photos. It's so much easier than you think! All you need to know is a little detail about the relationship of 3 components of creating bokeh. Make your images stand out from the background and the crowd. This is probably my favorite way to take photographs and one of my favorite things to teach and talk about.
Manual Labor - The purpose of this section will be to emphasize the importance of at least cracking open your instruction manual. I know, I know, those things are incredibly boring and why would you take a class on photography if all you have to do is read a manual? The reason is simple. You just paid a few hundred, if not thousand dollars for your camera and it does a lot of cool stuff! If you were happy with what you're getting out of your iPhone you would have just stuck with that, right? The good news is we will be keeping this conversation mostly to the simple tweaks you need to make to the settings your camera is programmed with from the manufacturer.
Like it? Shoot it! - Composition is key. Everyone has heard the expression location, location, location. If you're going to have a successful storefront, location is everything. Well, if you're going make a powerful, meaningful photograph, composition is everything!!! I'll use some of my favorite images to explain the elements of what make them my favorites. Subject positioning, background focus and other fundamental composition elements will be pointed out to help you understand the purposeful choices made to make a viewers eye never want to leave an image.
Lights...camera...what the!?! - Sometimes you see the picture exactly how you think it should look in your head and then you look at the back of the camera... Where did that gorgeous image go? Light is the most key component of photography and understanding it just a little bit better will go a super long way in getting your mind and viewfinder to match... or maybe resembling one another would suffice sometimes... Regardless of where you are as a photographer the closer you get to connecting the two will go incredibly far to drive you further in confidence and enable to create images you'll be dying to hang on your wall. Combine this lesson with the information you'll get in the "Like it? Shoot it!" section and you'll be well on your way to awesome, artful images in no time.
Put Down the Pitchfork - Probably one of the most intimidating things about beginning to take peoples portraits is posing. Most of the time I try and let people do what they would normally when no one is watching but sometimes it's our job to move a hand, place a foot or twist a hip. The art of posing is a lot more simple than you might think and beautiful, natural looking positioning can be achieved easily when you know where to put stuff like hands, feet and hips. I'll explain some key tips in this section so you can walk away feeling more confident; at least with posing your family the next time you talk them into being in front of your camera ;-)
These are just a few of the fun, practical and easy to understand topics we'll cover in my class, "Domo Arigato, I no longer shoot in Auto." I look forward to meeting you and helping you get out of iPhone mode! Space is limited to 15 people per class, register now!
All classes will be held at OddBox Studios from 7-9 p.m. on the following Wednesday nights
November 3
November 10
November 17
November 24
For a full list of available classes click... here!
Directions to class are available... here!
I'm so psyched for class to begin. Email me if you have any questions. See you soon!