‘Picture Perfect’ photography course begins Aug. 12

Wish you knew what your camera could really do, what lighting to use or how to retouch your digital photos? Local Professional photographer Jake Johnson can provide answers as part of his ‘Picture Perfect’ photography course, scheduled to begin Aug. 12.

The five-week course will consist of five classes, two hours each, on Wednesday evenings from 5:45-7:45 p.m. Individual classes are $25 each, and the entire five-week course is $100, a savings of $25 from the individual class fee. Price breaks will also be available for two, three or four classes, with payment due at class sessions.

“Every class is designed to bring you to a new level and ultimately make you a quality photographer,” said Johnson. “There are no books, just straightforward explanations and demonstrations. In a group setting students will not only learn from me, but we will all learn from others as well.”

“You don’t need a fancy camera. It could be a little point and shoot or even an old film camera. You just need a camera and a notepad,” Johnson added.

On Thursday, Aug. 6, Johnson will hold an informal meet and greet at Cobblestone Dental Center, 44600 W. Smith-Enke Rd, Suite 103, from 7-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and he will be available to answer questions about the course as well as to register interested individuals.

For those wishing to register for the course or individual ‘a la carte’ classes, the deadline is Aug. 8. However, late registrations will be accepted if space is available. Contact Johnson via email at [email protected] or call 602-291-1093 to register and for class locations. If the class schedule doesn’t work for an individual, Johnson is open to working out alternate plans.

‘Picture Perfect’ course details are as follows:

Class 1: Adios AUTO! (2 hrs. / $25, Aug. 12 from 5:45-7:45 p.m./ location to be determined)

In this class we learn the basics of capturing the exposure you really want, and not what the camera thinks you want. To do that we discuss aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings, and how to balance them to get the creative images you desire. Expect to leave this class with a firm grip on your camera, knowing more about how it works and what you can do to start taking better pictures. Time to say “goodbye” to your AUTO setting.

Class 2: Photo Critique (2 hrs. / $25. Aug. 19 from 5:45-7:45 p.m./ location to be determined)

What makes a good photo? Are your pictures good? Well, let’s find out. Students will be encouraged to share their own photos / digital files and as a class we will openly study what makes a picture appealing. We will also look at professional images and discuss elements of photography, such as composition, contrast and color. So much can be learned by this critical examination, and you will begin to see photography in a new refined light.

Class 3: Mastering Light (2 hrs. / $25, Aug. 26 from 5:45-7:45 p.m./ location to be determined)

There is only one natural light source: the Sun. This class expands on using the manual camera settings and the available natural light around you to take a picture in any setting. As you understand how to see light and to control it, you begin to be lifted from the ranks of the amateur photographer. (Class 1, understanding of manual camera settings, is recommended, but not required.)

Class 4: Flash (2 hrs. / $25, Sept. 2 from 5:45-7:45 p.m./ location to be determined)

We have all seen a beautiful model or sports star on the cover of a magazine captured in spectacular lighting and thought “How do they do that?” Chances are there is a lot of lighting involved, and probably none of it comes from the sun. You will understand how to use your pop-up flash better, but furthermore, I will introduce you to on-camera flash units and even strobe lighting kits. We will get familiar with a professional lighting kit by performing a lighting demo on a guest model. You will begin to take your photos to the next level when you can understand how to use flash effectively. (Class 1, understanding of manual camera settings, is recommended, but not required.)

Class 5: Retouching (2 hrs. / $25, Sept. 9 from 5:45-7:45 p.m./ location to be determined)

Every Ansel Adam image you have ever seen has to be retouched. The only difference is he did it in the darkroom, and we do it on a computer. And of course we can now do so much more. If you haven’t used digital photo-enhancing applications, such as Photoshop, you haven’t seen how good your pictures really are. Simple tweaks in Photoshop can make a world of difference. We will also venture into using “Layers” and other advanced Photoshop techniques. (If you don’t have Photoshop, but use another photo program, you can still benefit greatly from this class by seeing how universal tools can alter a digital image. Photoshop is expensive, but you can download the trial of the latest Photoshop version from the Adobe.com website.)

“I hope this course will be the successful beginning of a series of courses, in which someone could not only just learn photography basics, but also learn how to be a professional photographer… posing models, lighting sets, and billing clients,” said Johnson.

If you go:

What: Meet Jake Johnson and learn more about the ‘Picture Perfect’ course
When: Thursday, Aug. 6, 7-8 p.m.
Where: Cobblestone Dental, 44600 W. Smith-Enke Rd, Suite 103

Photo courtesy of Jake Johnson