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Various days and starting times, a three hour class
Maximum number of students is 15, minimum number to make a workshop is 8

Question: “What camera should I buy?”.
Answer: “Whichever one you’ll have with you the most!”.

Compact digital cameras have gotten better, smarter and cheaper. They are often the camera at hand, even if you have a bigger camera back at the house somewhere. In this class, you’ll get to know your camera’s functions and settings and discover techniques to help you make better pictures.

• “My pictures are blurry”: learn the difference between motion blur and focus softness and what you can do about them
• Shooting posture: stability
• Getting the shot: learn why your camera sometimes takes forever to click the shutter and how to keep from missing those shots
• Don’t just stand there: trying out some interesting angles to create more fun, dynamic photos
• Composition: some simple concepts to add impact and grace to your pictures
• Flash: when to turn it off, how to control it, red eye
• Lighting: some simple ways to use available light to your advantage
• Flower power: using the amazing macro capabilities of your little camera
• Megapixels: how much is enough?
• Sharing your photos: posting on a website and emailing
• Cropping and editing: using software to enhance your photos
• Printing: sizes, services and home printing

A series of four classes, each two and a half hours long, meeting over a period of a week or two.
Maximum number of students is 12, minimum number to make a class is 6.

The material covered will be similar to the Beginner Full Day Workshop, but students will be given assignments after the first two classes and there will be more time for review, comments and discussion of the work. During the 3rd class we will meet at a location, weather permitting, to shoot photos or shoot in the studio.

9am to 5pm with a one hour lunch break on your own.
(There are lots of places to eat within a few minutes of the studio. A map will be provided)
Maximum number of students is 12, minimum number to make a workshop is 6

This is for those novices who have a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera and want to learn how to shoot with more confidence and creative control. This is a hands-on workshop with a small group, live shooting demonstrations and time for your questions. In this beginning workshop you will learn:

• Camera concepts: creative control of aperture and shutter speed
• f stops and controlling depth of field: the best reason to own a DSLR
• Exposure modes: PASM, when to get off P
• Metering modes: how does your camera decide on an exposure? When should you take over?
• Focusing modes: how to keep your camera locked onto your subject
• Camera menus: ISO, white balance and some other settings. . .
• Files: resolution, quality, JPG, RAW, TIFF
• Support/stability: tripods, stance, leaning & breathing
• Shooting people: working with your subject and the importance of background
• Assignment: we will divide into small groups and shoot a casual portrait assignment
• Assignment review: surprises and near-misses

A fully equipped commercial kitchen for food styling. See Rate Sheet for details.

Required with rental of commercial kitchen. Deposit will be refunded in full when kitchen is left in the same condition as it was found. See rental agreement for details.

DSLR 1
The Basics: Getting started

This class is for beginners. Highly recommended for those new to digital photography or if you just stepped up to a DSLR from a compact camera. You will learn the basics, get comfortable with your camera and understand how to improve your photos so you and others can enjoy them.

Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 8.

• Your new collection of stuff: batteries, chargers, cables, memory cards, readers, lenses, caps and hoods.
• Camera menus & setting the basics: file size, quality, JPG, RAW, TIFF, white balance and ISO
• Camera concepts: shutter speeds and f-stops, plus a little depth of field.
• Metering modes: does your camera know what exposure you want?
• Focusing modes: if it’s called auto focus, why do some photos still turn out blurry?
• Built in flash: when to just say no!
• Composition & perspective: a few basic tips to add interest and energy to your photos

DSLR 2

Taking Control: A deeper understanding of exposure, focus, and how to use them creatively.

Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 8.

• Review: exactly what is an f-stop anyway?
• Depth of field: controlling it is one of the best reasons to own a DSLR!
• Motion blur: using slow shutter speeds as a creative tool
• Your camera: going deeper into menus and options, customizing buttons and dials to suite your style
• Metering & exposure control: bracketing, exposure compensation, reading a histogram
• Using your spotmeter: getting good exposures in tricky situations by changing metering patterns
• Focusing modes: choosing the mode that works with you instead of getting in your way
• Dust & cleaning: when to worry about sensor dust, how to find it, and how to get rid of it.
• Composition: rules and breaking them, finding out what works and what you like

DSLR 3
Beyond the Basics: Technology, creativity and flash.
Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 8.

• ISO and noise: when to worry about it, why some noise can be a good thing
• P*: the hidden Program mode that allows quick, creative control.
• Lenses: creativity vs practicality (and cost!). We’ll look at everything from fisheye to long telephoto and how to select lenses as creative tools.
• Lens issues: dealing with lens distortion, flare and other problems.
• Lighting: finding it vs. bringing it with you
• Working with off camera flash: professional quality lighting with a small, lightweight kit
• Support/stability: tripods, monopods, clamps, beanbags, stance, leaning & breathing
• Going wide: shooting and processing panoramas, one of the coolest techniques in digital photography
• Going deep: High Dynamic Range (HDR), what it is and when to use it.

DSLR4
The Basics of Digital Image Workflow

Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 10.

• After the shoot: getting your images into the computer
• Color: what you need to know about colorspace, calibration and ICC profiles
• Storage and archiving: keeping up with your growing photo collection
• On location backup: digital wallet vs. laptop, online options
• Digital workflow: drowning in pixels, data management, RAID, backup, more backup
• Software: Lightroom (or iPhoto, Picasa, ACDSee, etc.) & Photoshop, working through the process
• Working with RAW files: basic RAW workflow, exporting to JPG & TIFF
• Your web presence: getting your images seen vs. giving them away
• Printing basics: megapixels, DPI, PPI & noise, getting a print you’re happy with, home printing vs. sending them out

INCLUDES:

• Dynalite 1000x or 500x pack
• 3 Dynalite heads with fans & modeling lights
• 3 Head extension cables
• Set of grids
• Wireless sync
• 2 umbrellas
• 1 soft box

With optical slave.

Required on all equipment rentals. Will be fully refunded when undamaged equipment is returned.

With fan, modeling light and extension cable.

Introduction to portable flash
4 hour workshop, 1-5pm
$150
Maximum class size, 12

This workshop is about the creative power and flexibility of battery powered, shoe mounted flash units including the Nikon SB or Canon EX series. These little flash units have transformed the concept of what it means to light on location.

By learning how to shape and control the output of your portable flash, you can create pictures with high production value without lugging around cumbersome strobes and hunting for AC outlets on location. We’ll look at some of the auto exposure modes that let you work quickly with often great results. Then we’ll dig into manual control for those times when you want to light more creatively and your camera’s brain just doesn’t understand what your brain is up to.

The instructor, Peter Poulides, will work with a model, shooting with the camera tethered to a computer and projector so the class can follow along with the demos. The photos will be imported into Lightroom for viewing and comparison. Students will be invited to shoot with their own cameras on some of the manual exposure setups.

Some of the gear we’ll cover:

• Choosing a flash: compatibility, quality, power, size and price
• External battery packs
• Wired or wireless
• Radio vs optical triggering
• Umbrellas, boxes and reflectors
• Clamps, adapters and brackets
• Putting together a lightweight, portable kit

Some of the techniques you will learn:

• Manual vs TTL exposure control
• Hard light vs. soft light
• Bounced and diffused
• Mixing flash with ambient light
• Single and multiple units
• Front vs. rear curtain sync
• White balance, gels and color correction
• High speed sync

This is a great way to help a friend or family member learn more about their camera and develop their photographic talent. Select the level you want from the drop down list.

All Gift Certificates expire one year from the date of purchase.

I am available for tutoring for camera instruction, Photoshop, Lightroom, printing, lighting, or any area of photography in which I’m proficient. This is a great way to learn just what you want, whether it’s how to shoot and print panoramas, lighting for portraits, or getting your system color calibrated.

Do you have a big trip coming up and want to get comfortable with your new equipment, or maybe just brush up on your photographic skills? I have done a lot of travel photography over the years, both on assignment for travel magazines and as personal projects or stock shoots. (check the About page) A strong understanding of photographic concepts and techniques can help you move beyond shooting travel snapshots to creating the kinds of photos that you will be proud to print big and hang on your wall. A few great travel shots can solve most gift giving dilemmas! Beyond the camera equipment itself, there are many other details to consider as a travel photographer, like accessories, lenses, cleaning kits, bags, power issues, data backup, and equipment and personal safety.

Please note that the price is the same for one or two people. This way you can learn with a friend and share the expense. Also, if we are working together at the studio we’ll have access to any studio equipment needed for the lesson or project at hand – at no extra charge. If you want to set up a portrait session with my studio strobes or hot lights, you can do it as a tutoring session instead of just renting the studio and lights separately and doing it on your own.

Prices for groups of 3 and up vary depending on the number of students. I am also available to travel to your location to teach classes or do small group tutoring.

Please email me to discuss your needs and to talk about scheduling before purchasing any time. Lesson times are flexible and are available most weekdays and some evenings and weekends, depending on my shooting and teaching schedule.

1-2 students   $110/hour “a la carte”
1-2 students 6 hour package $540 ($90/hr)

Various days and starting times, a three hour class
Maximum number of students is 15, minimum number to make a workshop is 8

This is for those who have taken the Novice class or have equivalent experience. In this class we’ll delve into the creative options in your camera’s menu system and learn why a compact camera can sometimes be a better choice that a full size DSLR.

• Megapixels and sensor size: what they mean, why it matters and when you can ignore the numbers
• ISO & noise: the trade off and why some noise can be a good thing
• Image editing : digging deeper into Picasa for image editing and cataloging
• File management: Don’t bother shooting if you aren’t going to back it up!
• Stills into motion: shooting video, using continuous or interval mode to create timelapse sequences
• Printing: from wallets to gallery prints, understanding aspect ratio and cropping

A series of four classes, each two and a half hours long, meeting over a period of a week or two.
Maximum number of students is 12, minimum number to make a class is 6.

The material covered will be similar to the Intermediate Full Day Workshop, but students will be given assignments between classes and there will be more time for review, comments and discussion of the work. During the 3rd class we will meet at a location, weather permitting, to shoot photos or shoot in the studio.

9am to 5pm with a one hour lunch break on your own.
(There are lots of places to eat within a few minutes of the studio. A map will be provided)
Maximum number of students is 12, minimum number to make a workshop is 6

This workshop is for you if you’ve taken the beginner workshop, the first two evening courses or have the equivalent level of experience. In this workshop we’ll dig deeper into the equipment and get further into the creative choices and challenges of consistently taking, processing and displaying great photos.

• Review: shutter speed, f-stops, DOF
• Metering & exposure control: bracketing, exposure compensation, reading a histogram
• Using your spotmeter: getting good exposures in tricky situations by changing metering patterns
• Your camera: digging deeper into menus and options
• Equipment: sometimes toys encourage creativity, sometimes they don’t!
• Dust & cleaning: when to worry about sensor dust and how to get rid of it
• Lenses: creativity vs practicality (and $ !) we’ll look at the whole range from fisheye to super telephoto. How to get the most out of your glass.
• Lighting: finding it vs. bringing it with you, working with off-camera flash, great lighting from a lightweight kit.
• Shaping the light:  umbrellas, reflectors and softboxes
• Assignment: we will divide into small groups and shoot an assignment
• Assignment review: what worked, what didn’t, why?
• Software: a look at Lightroom and the basics of digital workflow, backing up your image files
• Going further: making great panoramas, getting into HDR
• Prints: some tips on getting good prints, home printing vs. using a lab
• Shooting for money: basics of liability, keeping it legal and basic business practices

Introduction to studio lighting
4 hour workshop, 1-5pm
Maximum class size, 12

Are you interested in shooting in the studio, either your own or someone else’s? Are you curious about working with strobes or ramping up to start a portrait or wedding business? Whether you already own your own gear or are just thinking about buying or renting, attending this hands on workshop will teach you what you need to start making great photos for you to enjoy or sell to clients.

This is a thorough introduction to studio lighting. You will learn how the size, shape, color, quality, angle and distance of the light affect the subject, background and mood of the photo. These techniques apply to many types of lighting, but this class will use studio strobes.

The instructor, Peter Poulides, will work with a live model, shooting with the camera tethered to a computer and projector so the class can follow along with the demos. The photos will be imported into Lightroom for viewing and comparison. Students will be invited to shoot many of the setups with their own cameras so they can study the photos later on for clues as to what worked and what didn’t.

You should already have a working knowledge of your camera settings including exposure modes, shutter speed and f-stops. To participate in shooting photos with your own camera it must have a hot shoe or PC sync connection. If you have a Sony camera, you will need the hot shoe adapter accessory.

Some of the equipment and techniques you’ll learn about:

• Bare head with reflector
• Umbrella, reflected and shoot through
• Soft boxes
• Beauty dish
• Octabank large source
• Reflecting light off of ceilings, walls and floors to create big, soft sources
• Snoots, grids and foil
• Color gels
• Using reflectors, flags, scrims and cutters
• Stands, bags and booms
• When to use a flash meter

A three hour class.
Maximum number of students is 15, minimum number to make a class is 8.

In this class you will learn some novel and creative ways to shoot in the macro to micro range. This would include shooting flowers, insects, electronic parts, textures – anything that looks interesting or beautiful when viewed extremely close up.

This is an area where the compact pocket digital cameras sometimes outshine their bigger and more expensive DSLR relatives. Most compact digital cameras have a macro mode built in. With a DSLR you’ll need some accessories, but there are inexpensive add ons that work well. Either type of camera will do for this class.

There is a whole world hidden in the macro zone and what makes the biggest difference is the lighting. Most people think this requires specialized strobe lights and accessories. Not so. You’ll learn how to use natural light, flashlights, small mirrors and other inexpensive tools to create unique lighting. We’ll look at existing shots and also set up and shoot some new objects.

If you happen to have access to a microscope, the possibilities for photo exploration expand even further. Crystals under polarized light, insect wings, even tiny bubbles can create beautiful images.

Bring your camera to follow along and try some of the techniques. Include whatever macro accessories you already have (diopters, extension rings, bellows, etc.) and a standard or table top tripod.

A three hour class.
Maximum number of students is 15, minimum number to make a class is 8.

Panoramic images are easy to produce with any digital camera and today’s amazing software tools. Because several images are being seamlessly stitched together, even panoramas made with a compact digital camera can be printed at large and dramatic sizes. It doesn’t require specialized hardware and the results are impressive and satisfying.

• Selecting good subjects for panoramas
• How to shoot the series
• Single or multi row
• Locking exposure, focus and withe balance for best results
• Shooting vertical for a horizontal panorama!
• Combining multiple stacked images for increased depth of field
• Printing your panoramic images

Required with any studio rental. Deposit will be refunded in full when studio is left in the same condition as it was found. See rental agreement for details.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 6-9PM
Maximum number of students is 15 Question: “What camera should I buy?”. Answer: “Whichever one you’ll have with you the most!”. Compact digital cameras have gotten better, smarter and cheaper. They are often the camera at hand, even if you have a bigger camera back at the house somewhere. In this class, you’ll get to know your camera’s functions and settings and discover techniques to help you make better pictures.

• “My pictures are blurry”: learn the difference between blur and softness and what you can do about them
• Shooting posture: stability
• Getting the shot: learn why your camera sometimes takes forever to click the shutter and how to keep from missing those shots
• Don’t just stand there: trying out some interesting angles to create more fun, dynamic photos
• Composition: some simple concepts to add impact and grace to your pictures
• Flash: when to turn it off, how to control it, red eye
• Lighting: some simple ways to use available light to your advantage
• Flower power: using the amazing macro capabilities of your little camera
• Megapixels: how much is enough?
• Sharing your photos: posting on a website and emailing
• Cropping and editing: using software to enhance your photos
• Printing: sizes, services and home printing

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

9am to 5pm with a one hour lunch break on your own.
(There are lots of places to eat within a few minutes of the studio. A map will be provided)
Maximum number of students is 12

This is for those who have a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera and want to learn how to shoot with more confidence and creative control. In this beginning workshop we will cover:

• Camera concepts: creative control of aperture and shutter speed
• Exposure modes: PASM, when to get off P
• Metering modes: does your camera know exposure what you want?
• Focusing modes: is sharp enough?
• Camera menus: ISO, white balance and all those other settings. . .
• Files: resolution, quality, JPG, RAW
• Lenses: creativity vs practicality (and $ !)
• Equipment: tools and toys
• Support/stability: tripods, stance, leaning & breathing
• Lighting: finding it vs. bringing it with you
• Composition: rules and breaking them, using both eyes
• Shooting people: working with your subject and the importance of background
• Assignment: we will divide into small groups and shoot a portrait assignment
• Assignment review: surprises and near-misses
• Computers & software: you’re the photo lab now, free software vs the expensive stuff
• Color: why you need to know something about colorspace, calibration and profiles
• Printing: quality, texture, size and impact
• Going further: we’ll touch on panoramas, HDR & interval shooting
• Storage and archiving: keeping up with your growing photo collection

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 6-9PM
Maximum number of students is 15. This is for those who have taken the Novice class or have equivalent experience. In this class we’ll delve into the creative options in your camera’s menu system and learn why a compact camera can sometimes be a better choice that a full size DSLR.

• Megapixels and sensor size: what they mean, why it matters and when you can ignore the numbers
• ISO & noise: the trade off and why some noise can be a good thing
• Image editing : digging deeper into Picasa for image editing and cataloging
• File management: Don’t bother shooting if you aren’t going to back it up!
• Stills into motion: shooting video, using continuous or interval mode to create timelapse sequences
• Printing: from wallets to gallery prints, understanding aspect ratio and cropping

SATURDAY, JUNE 27
9am to 5pm with a one hour lunch break on your own.(There are lots of places to eat within a few minutes of the studio. A map will be provided) Maximum number of students is 12.

This is for you if you’ve taken the Novice course or have the equivalent level of experience. In this workshop we’ll dig deeper into the equipment and get further into the creative choices and challenges of consistently taking, processing and displaying great photos.

• Your camera: digging deeper into menus and options
• Lenses: getting the best out of your glass, controlling depth of field, understanding f-stops (square roots in a round hole)
• Equipment: sometimes toys encourage creativity, sometimes they don’t!
• Dust & cleaning: when to worry about sensor dust and how to get rid of it
• Lighting: hot lights, fluorescent, on-camera flash, monoblocs and studio strobe packs
• Grip equipment: stands, bags, clamps, tape & foil
• Shaping the light: reflectors, flags, snoots, grids, umbrellas and softboxes (other options based on student interest)
• Portraits: singles and groups, location and in the studio
• Table top: lighting an item or product to give it volume, shape and texture
• Assignment: we will divide into small groups and shoot an assignment, choice of portrait or table top (strobe & hot lights available)
• Assignment review: what worked, what didn’t, why?
• Software: Lightroom & Photoshop, working through the process
• Colorspace & calibration: understanding the input & controlling the output
• Printing: megapixels, DPI, PPI & noise, getting a print you’re happy with
• You web presence: getting your images seen vs. giving them away
• Going further: making great panoramas, getting into HDR, timelapse and motion
• Digital workflow: drowning in pixels, data management, RAID, backup, backup
• Shooting for money: liability, keeping it legal and basic business practices