Photography Boot Camp - Beaumont, KS 0811

A Six day adventure in Learning and Experiencing Photography

Register Early - Space is very limited and we need to reserve rooms before the hunters take them all.

Bring your camera, tripod, flash, reflectors and all those photographic gadgets you've been collecting.  Because the Hotel is limited to 11 rooms I'll only be accepting 10 students for this class.  The only exception to this is for couples that will be sharing a room, you'll see a ticket price for that, and the spouse rate can be used for anyone who is sharing your room.  Spouses are welcome to join us for the classroom sessions and wherever possible for the field trips too.  All meals are included for all 6 days of this Boot Camp as well as the Hotel room and transportation to and from Beaumont from my studio in Wichita.  Class size is significantly limited to assure personalized attention when we are out shooting.  Because we'll all be staying at the same hotel we'll have many hours together and we can spend time into the evenings going over the things we've learned and working through any question you have.

Please come prepared with a notebook (you know, the paper kind).  Although you will receive a text book you may want to take additional notes.  You'll also want to bring rain gear and dress in layers when we head out for our field trips.  I recommend sturdy shoes that will protect your feet and ankles on rough terrain, bug spray and maybe even sunscreen. 

Day 1 - Exposure

The first step in learning photography is to understand exposure. In essence, we need to capture the right amount of light for the right length of time and at the right speed. Simple enough, yet complex enough to be deserving of a full day lesson.  

What you'll learn in this class: I'll lead you through basic photography to make sure you understand how to make a correct exposure. How to use your shutter speeds, f/stops (aperture) and ISO in conjunction with the correct white balance to create properly exposed images every time.  

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

· ISO - What it is and how to select the right setting.
· White Balance, understanding it and using it effectively.
· Setting the f/stop, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve the correct exposure.
· Taking great photographs in some of the worst conditions.
· How to come home from your vacation with photos that you'll want to share with everyone.
· Getting professional looking results with a basic camera.
· Buying the camera that best fits your needs and photographic interest.

Day 2 - Composition 

Once you've learned to make a good exposure you'll want to arrange your subject matter appropriately. That's what we commonly refer to as Composition, and that's what this day is all about.

What you'll learn in this class: I'll teach you how to compose your images in such a way that your viewers will be captivated and you'll be able to command their interest. We'll discuss ways of improving your images so you can truly take them from being snapshots to being real photographs. Your friends will be waiting for you to come back from trips so they can see your photos, and they'll really enjoy seeing them.

This class is geared towards providing you with the concepts of composition so you'll be able to effectively communicate your subject to your viewers (without you being there to guide them through your albums). 

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

· Depth-of-Field - The first element of composition.
· Rule of Thirds - A place for everything and everything in it's place.
· Framing - Bring out the best of your subject while you focus your viewers' interest.
· Balance - Making sure your viewer feels comfortable looking at your photos.
· Mergers - Avoiding the ones you should and creating the ones you need.
· Simplicity - Yeah, you know, that old principle... Keep it simple...
· Perspective - Bringing your viewer into the scene you want them to experience.

Day 3 - The Camera

Now that you've got an understanding of how you want to compose your images and how to get the proper exposure, you need to get more familiar with the camera and all of it's parts.

What you'll learn in this class: We'll talk about all those buttons, wheels, switches and dials on your camera and lenses. Our goal here is to make sure you can take all your knowledge about Exposure and Composition and bring it together quickly to create the photos you're after. We will discuss how to handle your camera correctly so you'll be able to capture those shots you want before they get away, and about keeping your camera safe from harm and functioning for a long time to come.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

· Body - Where things are located and what they do.
· Function Dial - What's on it and what it all means.
· Shutter Speed and F/Stop Controls.
· ISO Settings.
· White Balance Settings.
· Shutter Release, Cable Release and Self-Timer.
· Hot Shoe and Flash connections.
· Depth of Field Preview.
· Auto-Focus Switch and focusing.
· LCD Display.
· Viewfinder.
· Lens / Lenses.
· Shutter functions.
· Handling the Camera.
· Using a Tripod.

Day 4 - Flash & Light & Metering

Now that you know how to use your camera and compose your images and handle your camera well enough to get it all done, you need to know how to use the light you have or supplement it with flash.

What you'll learn in this class: Getting the exposure you want with the available light, and how to use flash to illuminate your subject or to supplement to available light. We will also spend a good deal of time dealing with metering your light to be sure you're going to get a proper exposure.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

· Measuring Light and Light Meters.
· Handling low light problems with flash.
· Reflecting your flash or the available light.
· Bouncing and diffusing flash.
· Adding color to your subject.
· Using filters to enhance your image. 

Day 5 - File Management

Ok, so you've got all these great photos and you're saving them on your computer, now what?  

We'll spend all 6 hours of this day in the Classroom.

What you'll learn in this class: I'll demonstrate some methods of managing your files so you can find them when you want them. We'll also deal with using those images for some of the many applications that you have for your photos.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

· Handling images as they come from the camera.
· Storing images in a managed fashion on your computer.
· Protecting your images from damage or loss.
· Resizing your images for various applications.
· Emailing your images.
· Preparing your images to print.

If you've got a notebook computer you might want to bring it along so you can practice some of the methods I'll be demonstrating.

Day 6 - Photo Excursion

Now that you've got all this great knowledge we're going to spend an entire day out on the road in the Flint Hills.  We'll be exploring, shooting and continuing to learn in real life situations.  This will give you the opportunity to firm up everything you've been learning over the past 5 days and to take home some great shots from some of the best scenery in Kansas.  

We'll have breakfast at the Hotel and get loaded up for the day's journey.  Our exact route and destinations will depend on the weather, so it's kind of anyone's guess where we'll be.  I've got some places in mind and we'll try to cover some ground so you get to see (and shoot) a lot of different subjects.  I would anticipate arrival back in Wichita somewhere between 6 and 8 P.M..  Your lunch and dinner will be provided for this day also.

• Secret Message •

Ok, if you've read this far you already know you want to attend and learn all of this. So here's the secret to saving $350:

Since you MUST be a member in good standing of usphotographers.com to qualify for the Member Rate, Join NOW for $30 and you'll save $350 on this Boot Camp.  You don't have to wait for anything to come through, just fill out the registration form and make your $30 payment and you can go ahead and register for the Boot Camp at the Member Rate. 
No big secret here.

If you have attended one of my Digital Photography or Basic Photography Seminars or Classes you can recieve a discount by contacting me for a Discount Code.  Use the "Contact The Host" link on the Right side of this page (under my mug shot).

Jeff Cowell 
usphotographers.com 
316-771-7509 

Providing photographic education opportunities. 

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