I. Intro to HDR - II. The Art of Tone Mapping

May: Wednesday night’s 7:00-9:30pm
Intro to HDR - May 12th, The Art of Tone Mapping-May 26th

June: Tuesday night’s 7:00-9:30pm
Intro to HDR -J une 8th, The Art of Tone Mapping-June 15th

I. Intro to HDR - This two hour course is designed to: educate you on what HDR is, how to use your camera to take HDR images and how to download a free trial version of Photomatix. Your camera is required for this class because John will be teaching us how to determine your cameras specific dynamic range, which will help you maximize image tonal range. $50

II. The Art of Tone Mapping - This two hour course is based on the program Photomatix, where John will be covering all the adjustment tools Photomatix offers. These tools consist of General Adjustments (strength, color saturation, light smoothing and luminosity) Tone Adjustment (white & black point gamma), Color Adjustments (color temp and saturation in both high/low light) and Micro Adjustments (Contrast and smoothening). How all these fine adjustments play together, becomes subjective to the artist. $50
*Photomatix offers a free 30-day trial, which can be purchased at 20% off after attending this class.

The cost for each class is $50 (handout included)

John Griffiths, an artist and our instructor is very passionate about photography. Read John’s Artist Statement below.

“My Primary focus as a photographer is to combine strong compositional elements together with synergy that direct and reflected light creates. This synergy results in an image that conveys the depth, form and feeling that existed in the original scene. I strive to create images that make a strong initial impression and possess lasting appeal through details that become apparent over time.

The Limitation of Photography is its greatest strength, the credibility that comes from reality. The advent of digital manipulation is leading to some “photographs” that are no longer photographs but creations more akin to graphic art that should be called photo-illustrations. My photographs reflect what I saw and felt at the moment of exposure.”

Posing People in Studio: April 27th or June 1st, &:00=9:30 pm cost is $129.99
Location: Bliss Studio- located on 7693 SW Cirrus Blvd #32 Beaverton, OR 97008
To register for this class, call (503.292.6996 x.21) or stop by the store.

The newest studio lighting class Advance Camera offers is called “Posing People in Studio.” This class was designed by Dave Hutt to show portrait photographers how to create a variety of images through various poses and lighting ratios. Dave will demonstrate how to master these techniques by making minor adjustments that create an entirely different image. The class includes a handout that Dave has provided with pictures of different poses and how they are created. After Dave demonstrates each pose, you will have the opportunity to take pictures with your camera to go along with the handout. Because this is a hands on class, make sure to bring your camera!

*Studio Lighting 101 is a prerequisite for this class.

Studio Lighting 101: May 25th $99.99
Location: Bliss Studio- located on 7693 SW Cirrus Blvd #32 Beaverton, OR 97008
To register for this class, call (503.292.6996 x.21) or stop by the store.

Beginners & Pros: This is a three hour course designed to help all types of digital photographers understand light and how to control it. Maybe you’re a working professional whom wants a different perspective on external lighting, or you’re a beginner just getting into photography that is interested in learning about various lighting techniques that may help you take better pictures. In this class Dave shows us various forms of lighting equipment and light modifiers (such as soft boxes, umbrellas, beauty dishes and reflectors) and how they are used.

The class is held in a large studio, where we have a young attractive model pose, while Dave explains various ways to bend and modify light. He starts off by showing us various forms of diffused light, whether it be through a softbox, umbrella, snoot or colored gel. He talks about spacing, how far away and where the lights should be positioned, how to create different affects to enhance ones image when photographing a wide variety of people.

He also talks about camera settings, lighting ratio’s and his thoughts on how lighting should be done. He shows us how to set the lights with a light meter and as the setting changes, or he adds more lights to the mix, he tells us what ratio’s he is changing and why.

The thing I like most about this class is, Dave teaches from a ‘minimalist” standpoint, with one light, then he adds a second, a third and then a forth. Since Dave does all of shooting tethered to a monitor, we were able to see the differences each light makes. And by the time you get to the forth light, I was really able to identify what a “timeless” portrait really is. After he goes through his handout (everyone gets to take one home), he lets us on an individual basis plug into his lights and take pictures. That in itself is an entire experience… what you may ask? When your in charge of directing whom your photographing, it can be intimidating if your unsure of what to do or how the light should look. Believe it or not, the model (Amanda) actually helped me communicate with her so that I could position her body and head the way I wanted. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend this class to anyone, if you have questions, please email me at jordan@advancecamera.com

“The Studio”
Sophisticated portrait techniques are not difficult to master and studio lighting and equipment can be affordable. Due to Dave’s easy going personality and years of experience, he is able to help photographers of all levels understand light and how to direct or diffuse it. He will also discuss equipment that will help you take better pictures. You will learn how to:position lights in the right place,how to pose people correctly, how various forms of lighting equipment are used.

About Our Instructor

Dave Hutt is a professional photographer with nearly 30 years of experience in studio and commercial photography. The past 6 years he has been mainly involved in the sales and training of various digital cameras and lighting systems for law enforcement, commercial photographers, and dental professionals. www.davehuttphotography.com

Topics of Discussion:

Main light
Direct Light “Specular”
Indirect Light “Diffuse”
Reflector light
Fill light.
Background Light
Hair Light
Rembrandt Light
Lighting Ratios
Custom White Balance
How to use a flash meter
Camera settings: i.e. Shutter Speed 1/125 Aperture f/8 ISO 200
Various forms of lighting equipment and when and how they are used

Mark Fitzgerald, a local in the Portland area presented his new book “Photoshop CS3 Restoration & Retouching” to the local members of PMPA (Portland Metropolitan Photographers Association). The presentation consisted of him at a table with his computer explaining to all the ins and outs of what the book consists of. I don’t claim to have read many Photoshop books, but because I’ve been in the photo industry for quite some time, I’ve seen my fair share and this one is the best reference tool I am yet to run across. Hear is my take…

I have been a Photoshop user for a couple of years, but tend to only edit the obvious such as exposure, color balance, maybe the contrast and/or sharpness and then I’m done. It wasn’t until recently that I have been using various layers to enhance my images and im finding that I still lack confidence with the abundance of tools and options CS3 has to offer. I relate these inadequacies to sporadic practice. Like anything, practice makes perfect, and if you don’t use it… you loose it. Since Photoshop isn’t my full time job, I find that I forget minor details more often than not. This is where “The Photoshop Bible,” comes in as an amazing resource. First of all the table of contents is written very well. Being able to look up a specific tool or scenario, fast (portraiture, architecture) is vital to a 500 page book of information. This book is relatively new to me and I have already used it several times as reference and I’m happy I did. Each time I have used the book, I start by scanning the index, after finding the page and reading into it I always find additional information that helps me perform the task more effectively. I also find that his dialogue makes for an easy read that’s comprehendible the first time read.

I would recommend this book to anyone serious about Photoshop, who doesn’t have the time to continually practice and learn the new tricks because Mark makes it easy! It’s easy to find what your looking for and it’s easy to read, understand and perform what the author says! If your interested in checking out this book or buying a copy you can check it out at Advance Camera (the cost is $40).

Mark showing off his Adobe Certified skills…