This is a 5-week, 3-hour class in beginning photography, which is designed to teach the basics of shooting with a 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) or DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera.  In addition to learning basic camera operation, students will complete technical and creative assignments.

We start by learning proper exposure, bracketing, and exposure compensation.  The first assignment will focus on Composition and Light.   The next assignment continues to emphasize light by focusing on and observing Shadows.  The last two assignments address the technical and artistic aspects of Depth of Field, followed by techniques of portraying Action.

After these assignments, students will be able to utilize the basic controls of their camera, with artistic considerations. Samples of each assignment will be shown and student’s assignments will be critiqued in class. 

This class is limited to 15 students.

Requirements:  A 35mm camera with manual capabilities and focus is required (either digital or film)!  You must be able to remove the lens and attach other lenses and be able to focus manually.  Digital cameras that meet this requirement are okay (they must have both aperture priority and shutter speed priority). Without these features, you won’t be able to control depth of field, create action effects or get the full use of your camera.  Bring camera (and instruction book, if you have it) to first meeting.  It is encouraged that you read your instruction book for your camera, cover to cover, 10 times.

Digital shooters will need a computer to view and edit your files.  You will shoot jpeg file format (no raw files), edit them and burn a CD to bring to class for critique.  Film cameras will shoot 35mm slide film, for projection, or preferably, will have the lab scan them to jpeg format when you process your film.  You then need to edit them and submit on a CD for critique.

E.K. Waller has a passion for photography which spans decades of shooting for advertising and editorial clients. She specializes in the intricacies of food, product and people photography and has infinite patience for arranging the perfect composition, lighting and camera angle. To balance that, she loves to focus on capturing the essence of a person in a portrait, and also loves to scout and wait for the decisive moment in her fine art street photography. For the last three years, she has enjoyed teaching photography and photoshop at Santa Monica College. E.K. has an extensive background shooting with large, medium and small format cameras, including 4 digital cameras from small to medium format.

Registration
Pre-registration is required for this class or workshop. To register, please use the "Add to Cart" link above or call the Samy's Digital Institute at 323-456-4564. Please call or email us at edu@samys.com if you have any questions regarding this class.

Refunds & Cancellations
Enrollment is limited, therefore your commitment is important to us. If you must withdraw from a workshop, we provide this refund policy: A $25 administrative fee will be charged on all cancellations. If you cancel 24-72 hours prior to the start of the workshop, we will retain 50% of the total workshop fee, unless we are able to fill your spot. If you cancel 24 hours or less prior to the start date of the workshop, we will retain 100% of the workshop fee unless we are able to fill your spot. No refunds are given once the workshop begins.

If you miss 1 - 2 classes of a workshop, you may sit in on those missed classes during the next session as long as space permits.

On occasion we may cancel a class because of low enrollment and/or unforeseen professional conflict on the part of the instructor. Should this be the case, al monies will be refunded in full. We do not take responsibility for non-refundable airline tickets, so please buy a refundable ticket if you are coming from outside of Los Angeles.