Nature Photography: Beyond the First Step
Sponsored by Arcadia and Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Program Location: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Instructor: Robert Floyd, Photojournalist and Owner of Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Fee: $120.00 m/ $135.00 nm
Number of Classes: 5
Program Date(s) and Time(s):
Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Saturday, January 31 2009 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Saturday, February 7, 2009 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

We know the basics of camera operation and understand photographic techniques. Now what? Our next step involves defining a vision. We are now ready for an extensive discussion of direction and new areas of exploration. We will discuss how to capture an image that shows something more than just a pretty scene. Join us as we explore quality of light, sharper images, adding depth to your images, stronger compositions, focus versus defocus, rule of thumb for exposure, the pros and cons of film versus digital, flash technique, selective focus, choosing and working with the subject, background control, and capturing silhouettes and shadows. Learn to anticipate the moment and visually communicate your ideas. All skill levels are welcome. Please be familiar with your camera and its manual metering/exposure controls. Ten tips to improve your nature photography, and more! Bring five samples of your nature photos to the first session. We learn and discuss each other's work in a fun and respectful way. We challenge each other to contemplate other angles, views, concepts and compositions. We let our imaginations loose! This is my very favorite workshop and it has received rave reviews!

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Creating Better Photographs
Sponsored by Arcadia and Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Program Location: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Instructor: Robert Floyd, Photojournalist and Owner of Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Fee:$120.00 m/ $135.00 nm
Number of Classes: 5
Program Date(s) and Time(s):
Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday, February 5, 2009 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

We use our senses of sound, taste, scent, and touch coupled with our seeing when we create an image in a three dimensional world. Photographs often are poor representations of our senses and our interests at the time we captured our images. These two dimensional objects struggle to communicate what we originally saw and felt. This course will start you on an adventure in seeing your subjects differently. We will learn how composition, our viewpoints, exposure, and lighting directly control the strength of our images. Yes, we all can improve and create exciting colorful images with visual impact. Participants are invited to bring in their images for an informative critique in a friendly and supportive environment. Learn to adjust light to capture moods, control viewpoints, recognize shapes, patterns, lines, and textures in portrait, travel, and nature photography. Although we'll be outside sometimes in Arcadia's natural environment, portrait and travel photography will be explored along with nature photography. Be prepared to create better photographs right away.

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Nature Photography Using a Digital SLR Camera
Sponsored by Arcadia and Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Program Location: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Instructor: Robert Floyd, Photojournalist and Owner of Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Fee: $120.00 m/ $135.00 nm
Number of Classes: 5
Program Date(s) and Time(s):
Friday, March 13, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday, March 27, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday, April 3, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday, April 24, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday, May 1, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Your new SLR Digital Camera is an investment for the future. Use it well and it rewards you with stunning nature images. This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of digital photography with nature as our subject matter. Walking through the woods carrying our digital SLR, learn to see nature from a different perspective through various lens choices. Demonstrations and hands-on-instructions will be given to explore ISO settings, white balance, focus control, digital file formats, and image storage. Learn how exposure controls can create mood and add drama to images. We will compare traditional film versus digital images and equipment. The course also covers loading and working with digital camera software on a computer, importing images, and working on your home printer. Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 will be demonstrated to change color cast, alter saturation, and apply the unsharp mask to digital images. Resize, crop, and batch process tools will be explored also. It is not necessary to own a digital camera to take this course; however, if you have one, please bring it along with your camera's manual. We will take advantage of the late-evening light and spend some time outside. Assignments will be given and informally critiqued each session with warmth and respect. Save your Thursday evenings for this popular workshop!

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Digital Point-and-Shoot Nature Photography
Sponsored by Arcadia and Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Program Location: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Instructor: Robert Floyd, Photojournalist and Owner of Robert Floyd Photo Gallery
Fee: $120.00 m/ $135.00 nm
Number of Classes: 5
Program Date(s) and Time(s):
Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, April 2, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, April 23, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Your new point-and-shoot camera has more controls than you can learn by yourself. This course is designed to help you take better nature photos. Learn the fundamentals of digital photography with nature as your subject matter. We will start with the basics of digital point-and-shoot cameras and then focus on the creative aspects of photography. Your camera's various controls and menu selections will be explored step-by-step. Learn the aspects of digital cameras, including the zoom lens, viewfinder, focus control, ISO, aperture and shutter controls, resolution, and batteries. The course also covers loading and working with digital camera software on a computer, downloading images, printing, and sharing on the Internet. Adobe Photoshop elements will be used to demonstrate methods of color correction and some basic image enhancement. Please bring your camera and its owner's manual to all sessions. You will be invited to practice at home with fun and creative assignments and perhaps a field trip. Participants will bring in new images to class for an informal critique with warmth and respect.

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Photoshop Classes by Stu Wetherbe
All only $150 with early registration. Otherwise, $195 at the door!

Photoshop Elements 7.0
Saturday mornings, JAN 10, 17, 24 10:30am - 12:30pm

Lightroom 2.0
Friday evenings, DEC 5, 12, 19, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

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Testimonials:

“I greatly appreciate all that I learned from you, during the classes both in terms of the science of digital photography but also what makes good composition and various techniques for capturing a good photo. Thank you!"

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to challenge my talent.”

"Robert gives different people different treatments. He's a very flexible photographer. And he has a quick eye - very creative on the spot. He pays attention to the subtler things."

"That workshop of yours was so stimulating and enjoyable that I wish it had gone on longer! It opened my eyes to new ways of seeing things. Your enthusiasm about photography and joy in sharing your knowledge made the workshop!"

"You have a gift to be able to reach the varying levels of photographic skills that were present ...we all came away from the evening with some added knowledge, things to think about as we take pictures, enthusiasm to get out and shot, and to experiment beyond what we usually do: i.e., go out of our comfort zone. "

"I'm looking forward to studying each aspect of what your have suggested, and to applying it to this and other images. Thanks."

"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the class. I really feel I learned so much. I often find that when I am driving around wishing that I had my camera with me. I now find myself critiquing the landscape - is this a good photo opportunity or not. Thanks again the class was a lot of fun." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~