HikeArizona.COM

Hey folks,

I was wondering if anyone has any information about any beginner to intermediate digital photo workshops that may be coming up in the Valley, or any information on where I can look. I've tried the internet, however, we all know how vast and outdated it can be. I'm mainly looking for workshops dealing with exposure, lighting, and composition more than technical stuff about photoshop, etc.

Oh, and they must be reasonably priced, cuz ya know, its after Christmas and I am broke! :-({|=

Thanks in advance!
Mike

In response to AZHikr4444's reply:

I'm interested in learning more about digital photography. Let me know what you find out.

Here is what I've found and will pursue.

1) Arizona Highways. This should be the URL for their 2006 calendar.
http://www.friendsofazhighways.com/calendar.htm
Small fee but should not be outrageous

2) Phoenix Parks & Recreation
http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/shsched.html
They will most likely offer this class again this spring.
Photography
F527-5
An In-Depth Look at Digital Cameras Workshop
This full-day lecture seminar opens the door to all aspects of digital photography, including: digital camera features, proper set-up, pixel resolution for different end uses, file formats, the advantages of RAW files, digital media, storage devices and setting up your images for printing on the web, slide shows and e-mail. Bring your camera and a sack lunch. Laptops welcome.
Instructor: Arnold Williams
Fridays
10 am-4 pm
Sept 23 & 30
$90
beg/int
2 weeks

Thank you for selecting Shemer Art Center and Museum as your choice for quality arts experiences.

Sincerely,
Brian Flanigan
Acting Director
View the class schedule in html or pdf (484 kb) format. Or call 602-262-4727 to have a schedule mailed to you.


3) This is a private company that has offered classes in Phoenix in the past:
http://www.outthereimages.com/digital_workshop.html
Digital Photography Workshop
$95 per person
(limited to 10 students per session)

Dates/Locations
Phoenix, Arizona
3/2/05 - 3/9/05
12/5/05 - 12/12/05

Sign Up Now
call: 360-750-1103
fax: 215-902-5265
email: info@outthereimages.com

Group Discounts
Sign up with two or more people and receive 10% off tuition.

You Will Learn:
- How to take great pictures of kids
- How to get great prints
- File size settings
- Flash settings
- JPEG settings
- Saving images
- Digital workflow
- Desktop computer use
- Camera program modes
- Travel photography tips
- Exposure settings
- How to use auto focus
- Aperture and shutter speed controls
- Outdoor photography tips
- Formatting digital memory
- Navigating option menus
- Recovering deleted Files
- Fill flash techniques
- Definition of digital terms

What to bring
Required
- Your digital camera
- Fully charged battery
- Digital media (memory card)
- Card reader and camera USB cable
- Sack lunch
- Enthusiasm and a burning desire to learn!

Optional (but recommended)
- More memory
- Your own laptop (we provide PCs during class session)
- Camera Manual

What is Provided
- Starbuck’s® Coffee & snacks
- Computers for image viewing
- Free Instructional Materials
- Free CD-ROM
- A great learning environment!

Questions?
Don’t hesitate to ask. Give us a call or send us an email and we’ll get back to you right away.

It boggles my mind that there can possibly be that much to learn about digital photography...not to mention the fact that someone might pay $90 to learn it. It's digital for crying out loud; how could you mess up? Plus with programs like Photoshop, anyone could make a crappy photo look decent with a little tweaking.
I've been a stalwart towards digital photography from the beginning. Film is and will always be what the true masters of photography use.

Not sure on the classes. Seems if you can read and are willing to figure it out there should be good info available on the internet. It's not something I'd like to spend $90 bucks on but to some it might be a good investment. Many probably spend more on a college class, spend more time in traveling for short sessions and in the end learn squat.

I think digital is the future. There's stuff out there most don't even realize. It's so dang expensive it's probably years away from being within reason. At any rate, I think it's way cheaper in the longrun to experiment with digital then all those high dollar processing fees or chemicals.

In response to Matt Hoffman's reply:

I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. There is a vast spectrum from "point & shoot" to professional.

Digital cameras are classified as consumer, prosumer and Digital SLR. As you progress from point & shoot consumer models to prosumer models you start adding filters (polarizing, UV haze, etc. ). Yes you can change this in Photoshop but without a polarizing filter you can never really tackle the transparency of a stream the way that you can when you capture it properly in the first place. Then as you move to Digital SLR you enter the world of semi-professional with f-stops and all that stuff.

Also, even at the point & shoot level, you can improve composition etc. both at the viewfinder and then again in Photoshop.

Many people are happy with simple pleasures. Others want different challenges.

I like digital. At first I thought the photos were crappy compared to my film camera. But the processors got better. Now it is up to the photographer what you get. I am a point and shooter; if I learned how to use my camera ( digital Rebel with Canon lenses----saving up for the "L " series, and Olympus C5060, and Panasonic Lumex 5.1 MP with 10X zoom) I might capture some really good stuff.
But, I am on the move for most of my shots, don't have time for tripod, et al, and of course it shows.
It is as said above, it depends on what you are after. For me, not having to carry 20 cannisters of film, and being able to commemorate my trips with pretty much instant satisfaction is what it is about.
I leave the pro level to the pros---my heros-- David Muench and Jack Dykinga.

I am a digi fan too- mostly because as a novice my credo is to shoot shoot shoot- and thats how I learn. It can get pretty expensive developing all that film in this learning stage. My dad has very expensive Canon SLR with 10 different lenses and all the attachable gadgets, but I don't see myself carrying something like that down West Clear Creek. I'd probably drop it right in the drink!

Thanks for the advice Joe- my favorites folder is full of useful photography sites, and I have learned quite a bit. What I am looking for is in depth one on one kinda stuff- about exposure, shutter speeds, aperture settings, etc. And most importantly, I am looking to develop that "photographers eye"- seeing the composition before the shot, learning how to see light and its direction, etc. I know I cannot learn that from one or even a few sessions, no matter what the cost. But hey, its a place to start.


I appreciate all of your input! Thanks!
Mike

In response to AZHikr4444's reply:

Check out
ARIZONA HIGHWAYS
WEEKEND WORKSHOP - Photography Made Simple - Field Session
with J. Peter Mortimer

PHOENIX :
February 10-11, 2006
April 7-8, 2006
Cost: $135

DAY 1 (Fri.)
6 - 8pm
Arizona Highways office

DAY 2 (Sat.)
9am - approx. 3:30pm
Wildlife World Zoo and classroom nearby

Take creative control of your photographs by learning how to make your camera do what you want it to do. This great new workshop combines the best of both worlds: an informative class in the fundamentals of photography, with the ability to go into the field to use your newly-learned skills.

Join long-time Arizona Highways contributor and former picture editor, J. Peter Mortimer, Friday evening from 6-8pm for an instructional session where you'll learn about exposure, lens openings, shutter speed and how basic camera functions work. Then put those lessons to the test on Saturday, where you'll have the chance to photograph at the Wildlife World Zoo under his watchful eye. Ask questions. Experiment. You'll then head into a classroom session where Peter will critique the morning efforts of those using digital cameras. He'll discuss what's successful in the photographs and what elements need improvement, giving you even more tools to work with the next time you go out photographing.

After this one session, you'll see improvement in your pictures and your camera manual will start to make sense!
A participant at one of Peter's sessions wrote, "Thank you for not only the specific suggestions ... but also for the extraordinarily thoughtful tone of encouragement."

Register Now
Policy & Guidelines

TIP: For some reason we always want to take pictures horizontally from eye level. Sometimes this works well. But more often than not, a low angle or a high angle shot both as a vertical and horizontal makes for a much more interesting picture. - J. Peter Mortimer

While I still stand by my previous post, I have to admit that the reasons you guys listed as to why you enjoy digital photography are good ones. I know I for one am shooting on the go, and I always seem to settle for less than stellar shots. If the point of my outdoor adventures was "photography" and not "the hike" then I would have better shots and not waste money developing crap.
Recently, I started going bouldering (a form of rock climbing - for those not in the know) more often. It has been easy to incorporate photography on my bouldering trips, and I've been able to take the time to set up some sweet shots. I'm going to Joshua Tree NP this weekend and I hope to come back with some climbing shots to send to some mags.
RedRoxx44, your photography over the last few months has been great! I've enjoyed a lot of your autumn foliage shots.

Sorry if I pushed anyone's buttons.

I have a friend who averages 10 backpacking trips into the Grand Canyon each year, primarily to take photos. He started out at Glendale Community College. Maybe a community college would work?! I've discovered that a digital camera for me, is not a good investment! I have to admit, I do miss having it on most trips!
Mary

I stopped by RITZ camera tonight. They offer "Ritz University" on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays. Looks like they offer 12 different classes of 1 1/2 hours each. Some classes are free if you buy a camera from them. Otherwise you can buy what looks like a 4 class package for $40 and pick the courses you want. Looks like all the classes are available at all 5 Ritz Camera stores in the Valley. I'm going to look into this more over the next week.

RedRoxx44 wrote:II leave the pro level to the pros---my heros-- David Muench and Jack Dykinga.

David is leading Arizona Highway classes titled "Fall Colors of the Grand Tetons" in September and October. The classes are sold out but stand by list is still available. These would be awesome experiences to learn from a master.

LeRoy DeJolie is leading Arizona Highway classes on Navajo Lands & People. The insights and perspectives will be truly exceptional.

I'm sure all of the other instructors are masters, I just don't recognize some of the other names.

Matt- No need for apologies- I always value your opinions and appreciate any responses. I am the same way- although I am very interested in learning more about photography, still- the hike is the most important thing, and I always shoot on the move. I bought one of those ultrapod ultralight tripods (they are tiny) a few months ago, but I think I have only used it once. Too much trouble! I think it would be great for flower macros, and hopefully I will be trying that out more this spring. But , usually I am stopping only for a few minutes before moving on. Looking forward to seeing those Joshua Tree shots!

I've been laid up a bit for the last month, so it was necessary to digress (I'm sure Ed would say- degenerate) into a little industrial tourism. I spent Christmas in Canyonlands and the La Sals. Couldn't do much hiking, so I spent a lot of time with the camera. I think I took over 200 pictures, out of which maybe 10 came out satisfactory. That ratio for me is pretty good!

Thanks for all that info, Al! The AZhighway gigs are a bit out of my range- both for time and price. I would be satisfied to make it to the Tetons in the fall period, let alone for a photography seminar by a master! However, the Ritz classes seem promising. Please keep me in the loop! Feel free to pm me direct.

Matt Hoffman wrote:Sorry if I pushed anyone's buttons.

No need to be defensive or to apologize to me. You spoke sincerely and honestly from your perspective. You did not insult or attack anyone. Sometimes it takes a different perspective to challenge beliefs and assumptions. Don’t stop expressing yourself. I appreciated your comments. If honesty hurts, then something is seriously wrong.
From your post, I figured that you were speaking from an unenlightened perspective rather than a hurtful perspective. Forgive me if I was too pedantic.

I am into hiking for hiking - not for photography. This is a hiking forum not a photography forum. #-o The camera I carry on hikes costs less than most of the lenses for a really good camera. The pictures I’ve posted here are mostly to illustrate a trail for someone who hasn’t hiked it before. But sometimes I turn a corner and I just have to admire the beauty. And it helps to explain my hiking passion when I can share those moments with others who don’t understand. Pictures are worth thousands of words.

I love one of George Carlin’s comedy rants insulting tourists who live their vacations through the viewfinder of their video camera.

AZHikr4444 and Al1inaz; you guys are class acts! If this had been any other website's forum, I would have been pounced on by digital fanatics and eaten alive! So...thanks for supporting my right to express my opinions.

Also, I should note that it is true that my perspective on digital photography comes from an unenlightened viewpoint. I have a degree in photography, have worked a few jobs as a professional (photography doesn't pay), and learned my skills on film. I became jaded in design classes I took later on, when I witnessed wannabe designers manipulating crappy photos with Photoshop. I realized that the digital age was taking the art out of photography and making a mockery out of everything that I had learned in the past. I vowed to boycott digital photography for as long as possible.
But...I have seen some prints and art pieces that were created purely with digital media that have blown my mind. So in the hands of truly talented individuals, digital photography and the programs associated with it can be spectacular. I also realize that digital cameras are much more friendly to the average consumer than a film camera. Not everyone is a photographer, but everyone likes to take photos.
As resolutions become higher and printers get better, film still produces a better quality image. Until the day comes that digital surpasses film in quality, I think anyone who is even remotely serious about photography should stick to film.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Al1inaz, I was thinking about the George Carlin bit right after I read your comment that "...sometimes I turn the corner and I just have to admire the beauty." It amazes me when two people who have never met or spoken in person, have a common thought about something, especially when it's as specific as a particular George Carlin bit. Fascinating!

Matt Hoffman wrote: I became jaded in design classes I took later on, when I witnessed wannabe designers manipulating crappy photos with Photoshop. . . .I think anyone who is even remotely serious about photography should stick to film.

You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear. How's that for a homily. There is a difference between a paint by numbers painter and a Van Gogh or Picasso.

Your climber friends will appreciate even your simplest efforts at capturing their difficult traverses. Use your talents. They will treasure a snapshot of their efforts throughout their lives. You do not need to be creative, just focused from their perspective.

Anyone serious will use LF instead of 35mm. f/4 and go my friend. Schleimpflug on dude.

Matt Hoffman wrote:AZHikr4444 and Al1inaz; you guys are class acts!

Should we have told you "grasshopper" that we are Zen Desert Masters? I'm not sure if it was the Arizona desert heat, the Navy, or a sarcastic teenage daughter [-o< , but there is very little that can irritate me anymore.

In response to al1inaz's reply:
"Anyone serious will use LF instead of 35mm."

True, but many "serious" photographers can't afford LF or MF equipment let alone decent 35mm equipment.

In response to Matt Hoffman's reply:


That's why I'm a hiker not a photographer. I can almost afford my feet.

In response to Matt Hoffman's reply:

I am new here and wow, I agree.. ANY other forum people are brutal to each other, nice...

...I made some money doing photography, mostly horses, for awhile. Used digital. Gave my film camera to Goodwill. Unfortunaly had to EBay my camera to make my car payment ':oops:'
... will be getting another. WOuld LOVE to take a class too... always something to learn! I was up in Greer and met the AZ Highways photographers, nice guys! They used to have workshops at the X Diamond ranch and one was working on a book from photos there... I think the ranch changed ownership and they don't do it anymore.. I think...

I too am a photoshop "fan" but is sure helps to "get it right" before you have to adjust it!

...looking forward to exploring the site, maybe Dan (boyfriend) and I will join on one of y'all hikes...