Photo 101- Intro to photography class

Learn to take better portraits and family photos

Want to get your camera off of automatic? Hybrid Photo 101 is a comprehensive four week course designed to help you understand aperture and shutter speeds,camera settings, photo composition, and lighting.The buttons and dials look intimidating on many cameras. This class is designed to break them down in a logical sequence to help you get your brain around how they all work. You might even be able to better understand your camera manual when you are done! Whether you are trying to take better family photos or want to take your photography to the next level,  you've got to be able to control your camera. This is the class for you! You will even be able to understand the "Professional" mode on you phone camera to get better phone photos! 

This is a 4 week course taught by a working professional photojournalist with years of experience. Demonstrations in class and weekly photography assignments will help participants gain a better working knowledge of how to make better pictures. Each class is devoted perfecting your camera operation and improving the way you take photo and allows for time to answer individual questions. (see topics below). 

Classes meets online one night per week with one face to face (socially distant) class to help with learning

Here's what you will learn;

Week 1. The first class is an introduction to the buttons and dials on your camera and how they work, some "should haves" for your camera bag, and your first photo assignment. 

Week 2. This is THE most important class. Learning and understanding exposure is the key to better and creative photography. Take your camera off “auto” by learning shutter speeds, apertures (f-stops), and ISO.  Also learn the meaning and use of depth of field.

Week 3. We will discuss white balance, composition and what makes a good photograph. This class includes ideas for composing better portraits, artistic shots, nature and landscape photos. You will also learn about different lenses, what they do, and what you need for great shots.

Week 4. The last class is an introduction to the digital darkroom (Photoshop). Learn cropping, red eye removal, and some artistic applications of several types of editing software. You will also learn how to do much of it for free!

2022 Class Dates

Tuesdays, January 5- January 25, 2022

In-person day Saturday January 15, 2022 from 9:00 -11:00 a.m.

Cost for 4 week class is $149.00

To register for the Photo 101 class click here 

While many people have enjoyed this class with a point and shoot camera, an SLR or mirrorless camera will better complement the lessons. 

CLASSES ARE TAUGHT ON GOOGLE MEET. PARTICIPANTS NEED TO HAVE A STRONG INTERNET CONNECTION, A WEBCAM, AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO USE THEM.

For information on other Tampa photography classes, digital photography classes, and Tampa photography workshops feel free to call me or look under the Tampa Photography Classes section. I also give private individual lessons on camera operation and making better photographs and would love to work with you one on one to make you a better photographer. Questions?  813-786-7780. See you in class!

Chip Weiner is an award winning photojournalist and food photographer in Tampa. He has been a photography instructor for 10 years.

5 tips for finding a photography class

Instructors experience. Does the instructor have the experience it takes to answer your questions? Do they know your brand of camera? How long have they been shooting and teaching and most importantly do you like their work? Chip Weiner has been a photographer for 30 years has been teaching photography for 10 years and gets to know old and new models of cameras. He is also a working photo journalist. His tales of recent photographic assignments and challenges help galvanize your knowledge (and are usually pretty funny). Whether you are taking pictures of your kids or thinking of going into wedding or other commercial work, having an experienced working instructor who is up to date in important.

Instructors style.  Some photography instructors talk over the heads of people trying to learn more. Most beginner and intermediate students aren't looking to be a fine art photographer or the next great celebrity portrait maker (yet). They are trying to figure out the best way to operate their camera and get the photos they want to make. They need someone who can explain things at ground level to get them going. Then they can move to what's next. Take a look at these comments from past participants and see what they say.

Cost. Are you getting enough bang for your buck? What does it cost you per hour to learn? Is the class long enough to give you a comprehensive understanding to get you going, or is it too short to convey learning? How much does the class cover? You need more than a few hours or a couple of days when you are starting out. Be careful with classes that promise to deliver a lot of information in 3 or four classes/hours. Can you wrap your brain around that much info in a short amount of time? On the other hand, most people looking for photography classes in Tampa aren't looking for long college courses that cost big money or require you to be part of a program. Registration is difficult and some of the instructors are students themselves. Most people want a class that's just right. It is long enough to cover the needed information but doesn't take months to complete.

Location. Most of us are pretty busy trying to stretch every hour we have to get what we need. Having a central location for classes with good and secure parking, or getting some instruction from the comfort of your living room via the internet makes learning easier and convenient.

Face time. Online photography classes and tutorials are great. There is an abundance of information on the internet. But many students I have worked with have unique questions about the settings on their camera or a specific problem they ran in to that tutorials just can't answer. There is time in every class (and after) to get your questions answered. I am also available by email (and sometimes telephone) to answer your questions, even after class is over.

Questions? Contact me here

For information on other Tampa photography classes, digital photography classes, and Tampa photography workshops feel free to call me or look under the Tampa Photography Classes section. I also give private individual lessons on camera operation and making better photographs and would love to work with you one on one to make you a better photographer. Photography instruction gift certificates are also available. They make great gifts for the photo enthusiast in your life. Let's talk about what you need! 813-786-7780. See you in class!

Chip Weiner is an award winning photojournalist and food photographer in Tampa. He has been a photography instructor for 10 years.

Tripod Alternatives

There are times when a tripod won’t work.  Or, maybe you have a tight budget and a tripod is not in it.  Here are some great alternatives.

The best priced tripod alternatives are free.  Remember, the idea is to be able to stabilize your camera either when you are shooting with a slower shutter speed or when you want to be in the picture.  If you sew or you know someone who does, find a piece of old fabric and sew it into a 10" - 12" square.  Get some black eyed peas, some of those little beads that go in beanbag chairs, or even rice will work.  Fill your new “pillow” with the substance of choice and you have a beanbag tripod alternative. In a pinch even an old sock might work. It needs to be full enough so that it can support your camera but not jammed so tight that it has no “give”.  Make it  large enough so that it can support your entire rig, but small enough so that it fits in your camera bag.

A small bag or soft sided purse will work.  Go to your local consignment or secondhand store and find a small soft sided case or cosmetics bag.  This would easily tuck in your camera bag.  You can take it on location with you and once you get there you can easily fill it with small pebbles or sand.  Be careful!  If you’re using sand or some other small substance in your stabilizing bag make sure that you clean your hands and the outside of the bag before they get close to your camera.. If you get grit in your camera or lens it is going to be a bad day! 

When using your new contraption be sure that you set your camera down on a stable surface, or at least on one where you are positive that it will not move or fall!  If you can find a flat surface, sometimes all you need to do is put something under the lens to raise it or lower it enough to obtain your composition. A rolled up t-shirt or towel can be substituted.

Clamps are another way to go.  Instead of carrying a full tripod you can buy or make clamps that will screw into the bottom of your camera.  Most camera bodies accept a 1/4" diameter, 20 thread-count screw if you want to make a clamp. The beauty of these gizmos is that you can clamp them on nearly anything.  If you need your camera high or down low simply find a solid and stable anchor and clamp your camera to it.  Be sure that you do not exceed the weight capacity of the clamp.  Once you have it in place check and double check that your camera is secure before letting go.  Concrete is not friendly to cameras! Here is an example of the Manfrotto Super Clamp. They sell for under $40.

Here's a link
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/252211-REG/Manfrotto_635_635_Quick_Action_Super.html

You will also need a pin to go with it to attach your camera

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546377-REG/Manfrotto_036_14_036_14_Standard_Stud_for.html

Lastly, the most common tripod alternative is a monopod.  You see sports shooters use them all the time.  They stabilize the camera allowing for a much slower shutter speed than you might otherwise be able to get hand holding.  The problem (obviously) is that you usually can't take your hands off of a monopod.  These devices are relatively inexpensive and can be found at local department stores including Wal-Mart and Target for under $30.

Having a way to stabilize our camera is important.  However, tripods don’t always work and sometimes aren't in the budget. One of these alternatives ought to work great!

Keep Hitting That Shutter Button!

http://www.chipshotz.com/
chip@chipshotz.com

For information on other Tampa photography classes, digital photography classes, and Tampa photography workshops feel free to call me or look under the Tampa Photography Classes section. I also give private individual lessons on camera operation and making better photographs and would love to work with you one on one to make you a better photographer. Photography instruction gift certificates are also available. They make great gifts for the photo enthusiast in your life. Let's talk about what you need! 813-786-7780. See you in class!

Chip Weiner is an award winning photojournalist and food photographer in Tampa. He has been a photography instructor for 10 years..