No doubt, your favorite photographers would love to receive a new camera or other piece of equipment as a holiday gift. The gift of photography knowledge, however, may have much more value and be remembered for much longer.
To help you select the right photography education or learning experience for any special photographers on your holiday gift-giving list, PhotographyTalk recommends any of the following educational resources. Some are perfect for beginners; others for enthusiasts and hobbyists with some experience; and others will provide aspiring professionals with an enormous head start on successful careers.
LearnToTakePhotos.com
Digital SLR Photography 101 is an excellent online course for photographers with their first DSLR camera. The instructors at LearnToTakePhotos.com have recently updated and expanded this course into 2 lessons and assignments. All the basics of DSLR photography are covered, including the exposure formula, metering modes, white balance, auto focus, manual mode and many other topics. Students receive each lesson and assignment, and then have two weeks to learn the course materials and upload assignment photos. Instructors then provide thorough reviews of the photos and are available to discuss their comments with students.
For more information, visit www.LearnToTakePhotos.com.
The Picture Perfect School of Photography
The Picture Perfect School of Photography is pleased to offer the course, Understanding Exposure, from Bryan Peterson, one of the world’s great photographers and teachers. This 8-week instructional opportunity is inspired by Mr. Peterson’s bestselling book of the same name and has become the most popular Internet-based course ever. Mr. Peterson and his fellow instructor, Chris Hurtt, make the often-confusing subject of exposure very easy to understand and will have students exposing their photos correctly during the very first week, including the secrets of manual focus.
For more information, visit www.ppsop.com.
My Photo School
Macro photography is a very popular genre among intermediate photographers, and My Photo School offers an in-depth, four-week course, Digital Macro Photography, that will help photographers see and capture the miniature world around them. Instructor Heather Angel shares many of her secrets about proper lighting, both indoors and outdoors, and using a reflector, diffuser, fill-flash and ambient light. Students will learn how to photograph a great variety of tiny objects from both the natural and man-made world. In addition, Ms. Angel will discuss how to create a mini-macro studio and tips for time-lapse sequences.
For more information, visit www.my-photo-school.com.
LoveThatShot.com
The Ultimate Guide to Photoshop for Beginners is an excellent introductory course for photographers’ first experience with the power of Photoshop. Students will start at the very beginning, with easy-to-understand instructions about how to open a photo in Photoshop, and then a complete step-by-step process for using the major editing features and creating beautiful finished photos. Like all LoveThatPhoto.com courses, this one allows the student to learn at his or her own pace, ask instructors for assistance and feedback and discuss ideas with an exclusive community of other students. Plus, LoveThatShot.com offers a 100% money-back guarantee for all its courses.
For more information, visit www.LoveThatShot.com.
Chicago Photography Academy
Chicago Photography Academy (CPU) is one of the country’s most respected campus-based photography schools and a Professional Development, CPDU provider approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. For the photographer in your life that aspires to be a professional, CPU offers a One-Year Certificate Program with a comprehensive curriculum of 11 classes: Digital 101, Lightroom 101, Advanced Lightroom, Digital Intermediate, Wedding Photography, Portraiture 101, Detachable Flash, Advanced Portraiture, Product & Tabletop, Portfolio Critique and Show and Digital Advanced. Students learn both the skills and business of being a professional from a group of instructors with a broad range of professional experience and success.
For more information, visit www.ipaschools.com.
New York Institute of Photography
NYIP is the world’s oldest and largest photography school, having launched the careers of some of the world’s greatest photographers. Its Professional Photography Course is not only its most popular, but also can be completed from home. Students receive a wealth of course materials, including lesson booklets, DVDs, CDs, photo projects and much more. They learn during their spare time, with no deadlines or assignment due dates. Instructors also share tips and techniques to make it easier to start a freelance business or open a studio. Instructors also thoroughly evaluate all student projects and NYIP’s student advisors are available to discuss topics and provide direction. Once the student completes all 6 units of the Professional Photography Course, he or she receives an NYIP Certificate, which will open many doors to future opportunities and success.
For more information, visit www.nyip.com.
Brooks Institute
For the serious student of photography focused on preparing for a lifelong career, Brooks Institute offers a multi-disciplinary curriculum in photography, film, graphic design and visual journalism that leads to one of a number of Bachelor’s Degrees. Students may continue their education with its prestigious Master of Fine Arts in Photography. Brooks Institute operates campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California, providing students with a complete educational and social experience equal to any found on the country’s finest college campuses. Brooks Institute is fully accredited and features one of the finest faculties of experienced, successful photographers who have worked extensively in various sectors of the industry.
For more information, visit www.brooks.edu.
Hallmark Institute of Photography
For more than 30 years, Hallmark Institute has graduated many students from its facilities in Turner Falls, Massachusetts. Upon completion of Hallmark’s 10-month, in-residence program, graduates are better prepared to manage a successful photography business. Students have an intensive, hands-on experience in many photographic disciplines, from commercial to industrial, including 7 courses: Art & Technique, Digital Imaging, Design & Imaging Arts, Marketing, Management, Personnel and Finance. Individual classes then fine-tune students’ understanding of these topics with small class sizes and one-on-one instruction from Hallmark Institute’s highly experienced faculty of working professionals. Graduates leave with important practical skills, such as creating an outstanding portfolio and Web site, how to win assignments with successful interview skills and developing a real-world business plan.
For more information, visit www.hallmark.edu.
Visionary Wild
For the landscape or wildlife photographer, nothing stirs the imagination more than learning these skills in an adventure setting; and few workshop programs offer more adventure than Visionary Wild. Small groups of photographers receive one-on-one instruction from some of the world’s greatest landscape and wildlife photographers during trips through the Grand Canyon on a raft or the wildest destinations in South America and Africa. The deserts of the American Southwest are other popular adventure photography trips as well as the history, culture and architecture of Tuscany and the spectacular coastlines of Northern California and the American Northwest. Visionary Wild take photographers to places few others know exist and show them how to capture the wonder of those places in both location sessions as well as classroom instruction.
For more information, visit www.visionarywild.com.
Photo by PhotographyTalk member Sheila
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