The Next Level – Beginner Digital Photography 2010

“I highly recommend Alec’s photography workshops. As a photographer from the film era, I was completely rusty and had fallen behind in the world of digital photography. Alec set challenging yet attainable goals and gave each student personal video-based critiques that really helped us advance our knowledge and levels of creativity. He gave direct and actionable feedback and inspired us to take our shots to the next level. Thanks Alec!” M. Uhan

“I took Alec’s class to help further my compositional abilities when shooting photography. Not only did I learn this, but I learned many underlying photography concepts such as lighting, what makes an image dynamic, different techniques to draw out different tones in an image. The online format was great, and Alec gave each participant an individual video-based critique of the images submitted for the week. Even online, I still experienced the same knowledge-sharing from my peers as one would in a live workshop. Alec’s class and assignments caused me to branch out of my comfort zone and shoot different subjects. I highly recommend this class for anyone who wants to be able to shoot better images or for anyone looking to get a little more serious about photography.” J. Sundberg

“I had been looking for a class just like this so I was excited to learn that Alec was going to be offering one. His instruction has enabled me to confidently use the technical features of my camera. I have lots more to learn but I feel like I am going in the right direction. Alec used positive feedback along with some constructive criticism. He truly wants you to succeed and more importantly he wants you to have fun!” D. Jerome

“Fantastic job on the workshop and thank you for taking your time to put it together. I hope that you enjoyed teaching it as much as I did participating. It was a wonderful learning experience.” K.C. Lust

Course Content:

You’ll be given four assignments over four weeks.

1.  The first assignment is Manual Mode.  With this assignment you’ll learn the difference in shooting in Manual Mode versus Aperture Priority (the other most popular mode).  You’ll learn the concept of equivalent exposures, concepts of subject and competing subjects, and to control depth of field to isolate your subject.  You’ll also have an opportunity to shoot long exposures, experiencing the amazing world out there when we capture things at a pace that differs from the human eye and brain. To get comfortable with manual mode and all it can do, you’re required to meet the first session at my studio where will learn Manual and Aperture Priority modes.

2.  The second assignment introduces you to the basics of image composition.  This education alone will dramatically alter the dynamic quality of your images.  You’ll get a video tutorial introducing you to compositional guides with a number of popular subjects, including landscapes, portraits, etc.

3. The third assignment asks you to spend time seeing light, shooting in different light, playing with light.  By now you’ve probably heard someone say, “Photography is about seeing light.”  If you haven’t before, now you have.  Its also the most difficult part of photography to grasp.  You won’t master it here…that takes years, but you’ll start training your eye to see all the wonderful, mystical qualities and personalities of light.

4. Assignment 4 asks you to pull together the lessons learned in the three previous assignments to produce a group of refined images.  We’ll address the details of this at a later date.

5.  What This Class Isn’t: Many of you are new to operating a digital SLR camera and the OPERATION of it can be daunting, but this course isn’t intended to teach you how to OPERATE your camera.  I trust you have an owner’s manual and can figure out how to operate it.  I’ll guide you on what features to use and when, but its your responsibility to know how to locate and implement these features.  I will try to answer questions where I can, but I assure you I’m not an expert on every brand and model of camera.

The Online Process:

The online process allows you to work at your own pace and for the most part on your own schedule.  After each assignment I’ll review your photographs, provide you with a personal video-based photo critique (see example here), and together learn from the critiques within our small group. Nervous about being critiqued? Part of photography is becoming comfortable with yourself and the critiques provided will help you feel more confident as a photographer, but also provide critical feedback to help you become a better technical photographer.  The first session is held live at my studio in Edina, MN and is required.

Who should register: The ideal candidate considers him/herself a novice and a hobbyist.  You want to be inspired and challenged to shoot more and shoot better.  You’re interested in learning some of the basics of photography, exploring new subject matter and want to consistently create better images.  You also are able to attend the first session at my studio in Edina, MN.

Necessary Equipment: A digital SLR, a camera that provides for interchangeable lenses.  You should also own or borrow a basic tripod, have a computer and card reader so you can view your images and email them to me.

Optional Equipment: Variety of lenses, image editing software (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Elements, or Adobe Lightroom).  If you don’t have image editing software, you can use free online image editing tools like Pixlr.com, Aviary.com or Picasa (picasa.google.com) to re-size images to send to me.

What This Class Isn’t: Many of you are new to operating a digital SLR camera and the OPERATION of it can be daunting, but this course isn’t intended to teach you how to OPERATE your camera.  I trust you have an owner’s manual and can figure out how to operate it.  I’ll guide you on what features to use and when, but its your responsibility to know how to locate and implement these features.  I will try to answer questions where I can, but I assure you I’m not an expert on every brand and model of camera.

Communication: Most questions and comments are handled in an online forum specifically for the class.  In the forum you’ll be able to post questions with sample images for each assignment.  I’ll check the forum frequently to provide timely responses.  Using a forum will allow all participants to benefit from each individual’s question.

Schedule:

May 29th: Meet at Studio 10am – 1pm, review process and receive lecture on Manual Mode  and assignment.  Establish communication protocol for duration of course;  Light snacks provided.

Manual Mode Assignment:  Depth of Field and Shutter Speed Exercises, Each person submits two images/one from each area:  Images Submitted: June 5th

June 5th: Composition Assignment.  Each person Submits 1 image.  Images submitted by June 12th.

Following Tuesday: Post Assignment 1 video critique of images.

June 12th: Portrait Lighting Assignment.  One image submission.  Submitted: June 19th

Following Tuesday:  Post Assignment 2 video critiques.

June 19th: Bringing it all together.  3 images.   1 must be landscape/architecture in twilight.  2 shooter’s choice, illustrating depth of field, composition and lighting.  Submit 3 images June 26th.

Following Tuesday: Post assignment 3 video critiques.

Following Thursday: Post assignment 4 video critiques.

Questions?  Email me @   alec@acjohnsonphoto.com

One to 3 days after registration you’ll receive a PDF file with information regarding equipment and other information you should become familiar with prior to the beginning of the course as well as directions to my studio. Please use the Buy Now button to pay with a credit card or PayPal.

Alec Johnson is a commercial architecture, landscape and portrait photographer.  His work has appeared in Twin Cities Groom, Minnesota Meetings and Events and is currently featured on the ExploreMN website. You can view his commercial site here and his gallery site here.  He is widely known for being a dynamic and inspirational teacher, honing his teaching skills as a professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Saint Thomas.  He started offering location landscape photography workshops several years ago and is a regular speaker with Twin Cities camera clubs.  You can read the testimonials of his courses here.  You won’t be disappointed.