Nature Up-Close

This curriculum is designed for advanced beginner to intermediate photographers who are interested in developing intermediate skills in close-up and macro photography using the 35mm SLR digital camera.  Participants should have a good working knowledge of their cameras.  


The sessions consist of a mix of classroom instruction and field exercises designed to build knowledge and skills in close-up photography.  Classroom instruction includes lecture on equipment requirements, light and managing backgrounds, and working with flowers and insects.  


Students will need a digital SLR camera with the instruction manual and accessories (lens, batteries, memory cards), and a quality tripod.  A digital point and shoot can be used if it offers manual control but some functions available on a digital SLR may not be available on such a camera. Students should also bring a flash, removable hot shoe flash preferred, and a lens with close focusing capability.  Students who do not have the required equipment are encouraged to wait until after the first session to make a purchase.  Equipment options will be covered in detail in the first class and you will have two weeks to purchase any additional equipment you may need.    


Class schedule for 2014:


April 27 & May 2-4        North Carolina Arboretum       http://www.ncarboretum.org/

You can sign up on-line by going to their website or you can call the North Carolina Arboretum at 828-665-2492.

Introduction to Photography

This curriculum is designed for beginning photographers who are interested in developing basic skills in photography using the 35mm SLR digital camera.  The sessions are a mix of classroom instruction and field exercises.  The subject material includes lectures on aperture, shutter speed, exposure and other camera controls.  


The goal of this class is to give the students a strong working knowledge of basic photography principles and camera controls.  Students will do exercises designed to help them use these new skills to have creative control. 


Students will need a digital SLR camera with the instruction manual and accessories (lens, batteries, memory cards), and tripod.  A digital point and shoot can be used if it offers manual control but some functions available on a digital SLR may not available on such a camera.  

Class schedule:

April 10-13, 2014     North Carolina Arboretum          http://www.ncarboretum.org/ 

For pricing and class availability, contact the North Carolina Arboretum directly at their web site for information.

Photographing the Natural World - Intermediate Photography

This curriculum is designed for advanced beginning to intermediate photographers who are interested in developing intermediate skills in photography using the 35mm SLR digital camera.  Participants should have a good working knowledge of their cameras.  


The sessions consist of a mix of classroom instruction and field exercises.  Classroom instruction includes lectures on exposure, composition and on seeing and effectively using light in photography.  You will develop an understanding of how light changes based on time of day and weather conditions and how to take advantage of this in your photography.  


Students will need a digital SLR camera with the instruction manual and accessories (lens, batteries, memory cards), and tripod.  A digital point and shoot can be used if it offers manual control but some functions available on a digital SLR may not available on such a camera.  The class will include some basic instruction on the use of flash so if you have a shoe mounted flash you should bring it.  A laptop computer with photo processing software is optional but helpful.


The class schedule:

2014 class availability TBD.