The Advanced Art of Studio workshop is designed for students interested in expanding their knowledge of studio lighting through a series of live demonstrations and supervised photo shoots. The goal of this workshop is to train students to work at a professional level. Assignments will cover a variety of subjects, including shooting from an assigned layout (recreating the shot exactly as it is), creating a composite image with 2 subjects in different locations, and an introduction to shooting for catalog. We will be photographing both still life and people, in an effort to create “lifestyle” images. Class demonstrations will include a balance of advanced lighting setups, Photoshop lessons, and an introduction to advanced plug-ins to create unique visual effects. The class is designed to be an exciting place to shoot commercial photographs at a high level, while working with a fun group in a supportive, structured and creative environment

Prerequisite: Art of studio or equivalent knowledge and Photoshop I or proficiency with Photoshop CS4 or CS5.

Making photographs in the studio, allowing the photographer to be in total control of every aspect of the image, offers unlimited creative possibilities. Art of Studio is a course designed for people who wish to learn to use studio lighting and digital capture skills to create dynamic images. Commercial studio techniques will be the theme of the course which will offer ample opportunity for individual creativity. Students will work in teams to learn to capture digital images while tethered to a computer, exploring a variety of studio lighting techniques and equipment, including studio strobes, hot lights, grid spots, color gels, gobos and soft boxes. Technical areas addressed will include digital camera operation, software settings for capturing tethered, shooting RAW, background gradation and styling. Subjects included are: fashion and portraiture, lighting high tech products like computer screens and photographing and styling still life. All lighting equipment and computers are provided by the school.

Required Equipment: Digital SLR camera and lens with ability to tether to a computer and “PC to Household” cord. If the student plans to use their own computer they will need the proper digital capture software for their camera.

Recommended Equipment: “Safe sync” and a portable hard drive.

Prerequisites: Basic digital camera skills (Beginning Digital Camera). Fundamental knowledge of and access to Adobe CS2 or above. Knowledge of Adobe Lightroom or Apple’s Aperture is recommended but not required.

This workshop introduces students to the highly stylized world of beauty and glamour photography. Regular photo shoots will expose students to the basics of studio and location lighting. Assignments will cover hair, cosmetic and perfume product segments as well as workout, lingerie and swimwear. Lectures will focus on a greater understanding of the genre with an emphasis on the importance of styling. Digital workflow will be discussed as well as Photoshop tips and techniques designed to enhance image quality. Critiques will focus on each student’s vision and technical execution.

Prerequisite: Basic camera knowledge.

Photography literally means “writing with light” and there is no better way to improve the quality of your photographs than to gain an understanding of how light works and the effective ways to use it in your image-making. This ten-week course is an intensive and thorough foundation that will help you produce more effective and consistent results using natural, ambient, and found light sources. It provides a complete review of essential camera functions including meter, exposure, histogram, highlight alert, dynamic range, autofocus, drive/advance, and white balance as well as strategies for addressing a variety of different and challenging lighting and subject situations indoors and out. Quantity, contrast, color, and direction of light are discussed in detail. Additionally, the course will provide instruction for backlit subjects, using window light, and the use of a reflector for fill, accent, and background lighting, helping you to use existing light effectively in your photographs.

Prerequisites: Beginning Digital Camera or equivalent and digital SLR camera.

Adding your own light to a photograph is a distinct, indelible, and personal mark in the image. When we use our own light, our photography can transcend the reality of the scene in front of us; we can change it and make it uniquely ours. Creative Lighting II is a ten-week intensive introduction to electronic flash photography with a concentration on Canon and Nikon digital cameras and the respective TTL flashes. Building on the understanding of light and fundamentals of using existing light taught in Creative Lighting I, this course addresses flash operation and flash functions that will help you integrate flash into your photographs effectively. Through weekly step-by-step instruction, in-class demonstration, in-class student practice, and review of student work, you will gain an understanding of flash exposure, flash exposure compensation, mixing flash with existing light sources, fill flash, high speed synchronization, rear-curtain or second curtain synchronization, stroboscopic function, flash brackets, flash filters, modifying the direction and quality of the light from the flash, and the science of light.

Prerequisites: Creative Lighting I

The world is now your studio! Unlock and explore the potential of the compact TTL flash. Utilizing the Speedlite/Speedlight as a “lighting tool” rather than a “camera accessory,” this course teaches: how to modify the quality and direction of light with bounce techniques, diffusers and softboxes; use the built-in “Wireless TTL” transmitter and receiver system to take the light off the camera; use two lights for Main and Fill for contrast control; use multiple Wireless TTL Speedlites/Speedlights as Main, Fill, Accent and Background lights; complimentary patters and directions of portrait light; still life/product photography application and more. In-class demonstration, in-class hands-on practice with student equipment and review of student work is included.

Prerequisite: Creative Lighting II

This workshop introduces students to the basics of fashion photography. It will give students the opportunity to photograph professional models in the studio while learning the basics of studio lighting. Class time will be spent discussing the fashion idea, the basics of styling and makeup, working with model agencies, photo design and marketing, shooting in the studio and on location, the history of fashion photography and putting together a fashion portfolio. Shooting assignments and critiques are designed to guide students through a series of lighting situations and to develop a personal sense of vision and creativity.

This course will cover the fundamental technical and artistic skills used in today’s contemporary portraiture. Designed for students who already have basic photographic skills, the class will teach specialized skills in the art of photographic portraiture. Students will learn to utilize existing light, TTL (through the lens) flash, & studio strobes to create stunning portraits. The course will also cover current trends in portraiture, composition, posing, lighting, postproduction and business practices. Class will be taking place both in the studio and on location. Students in this class should already be comfortable with digital or film SLR camera operation.

Prerequisites: Students in this class should already be comfortable with digital SLR camera operation.