Taking a Class

[jpt123]

I'm a newbie who has been reading the forums. Great information. I'm about to order a Digital Rebel XTi. A local photographer is offering four 3-hour Intro to DSLR photography class for $130. Is it worth it to take a class? I've never had an SLR camera before and I'm clueless.

Here's the link:

http://bsph.com/digitalp.htm

[anomie]

Seems like a lot of money for a 3 hour class but it's up to you. You might want to do a search for local schools in your area that offer classes. My local area offers an 8 week photo class (meets every Saturday for 2 hours) at a local regional-technical school for $100. I opted to instead take a drawing class because I already have some photo knowledge.

[Mark_Cohran]

I'm a newbie who has been reading the forums. Great information. I'm about to order a Digital Rebel XTi. A local photographer is offering four 3-hour Intro to DSLR photography class for $130. Is it worth it to take a class? I've never had an SLR camera before and I'm clueless.

Here's the link:

http://bsph.com/digitalp.htm

I think it's worth it if you don't have any prior photographic experience and want to get up and running with you camera quickly. It does seem a bit pricey, but I've seen some 4 hour seminars priced a $250. Price, of course, is determined by supply and demand. If the trainer has a high demand for the class and he's the only one providing the supply, this may be what the market will bear in your area.

The suggestion to look for classes in your local community colleges and technical schools is definitely worth following. You might find a better price for a more comprehensive class that way. On the other hand, make sure the class covers what you need and doesn't concentrate on just film (as many college photography classes still do).

Mark

[Mark_Cohran]

And, BTW, welcome to the forums.

Mark

[overclock]

Important info missing from the OP, it is a 3 hour class with 4 sessions. So the total is 12 hours for $130, not too bad.

There are a lot of resources on the internet for free. And there are bunches of books available that would probably teach you more. Understanding Exposure is widely promoted as a great beginning book. As for Photoshop, I just got the Photoshop CS2 Bible. Looks good.

I asked a local photog if he would tutor me and he said no. He likes his knowledge in his head and refuses to share. What a jerk. Family friend too. But that's just him. I offered to pay him for his time even.

Another great resource is the camera manual (d/l from www.canon.com).

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/fototech/apershutter/
http://www.zenadsl5251.zen.co.uk/photos/tutorials.html
http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/lessons/lessons_1-5.html
http://images.photoworkshop.com/rebelxtlessons/interface.html
http://super.nova.org/DPR/

And just for fun:
http://www.pbase.com/gmr2048/20d-dissection&page=all

[cdjr4@cox.net]

check out betterphoto.com for online classes

[m3incorp]

Here is another place to check out. $69 for a one day course, and $99 for a two day course.

http://www.opseminar.com/

[Mark_Cohran]

I asked a local photog if he would tutor me and he said no. He likes his knowledge in his head and refuses to share. What a jerk. Family friend too. But that's just him. I offered to pay him for his time even.

That's a shame. Knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. I enjoy teaching young people and used to volunteer my time at a local school teaching photography.

Mark

[jpt123]

Important info missing from the OP

The OP should learn to proofread. Yes, it is four 3-hour classes. It's taught by Bahman Farzad. He wrote a book about photography that's for sale on amazon.

[Mark_Cohran]

The OP should learn to proofread. Yes, it is four 3-hour classes. It's taught by Bahman Farzad. He wrote a book about photography that's for sale on amazon.


Then I say it's well worth it.

Mark

[overclock]

Good point about the books. The books get good reviews too.

OP, do a bunch of reading before taking the class. Why? To familarize yourself with the terminology and vernacular of photography. Don't go into the class expecting to learn everything without doing a great deal of preparation.

And I agree with you Mark, knowlegde is meant to be shared. I think the problem was that I didn't buy the camera from him. I worked a heck of a deal and got a Digital Rebel 300D for about $600 back when it was selling for $1000 w/$100 rebate. He runs the local camera shop which sells stuff at full MSRP. The only thing I've bought from him was a lenspen and lens filter. On the other hand though he said the local college asked him several times to teach an intro to photography course and he declined. Oh, and he charged my inlaws over $400 for about a dozen prints of a family shoot.

[Tee Why]

I like Rick Sammon's Complete guide to digital photography. Helped me get started.
I'd recommend that first.

[Doug Pardee]

That's a shame. Knowledge should be shared, not hoarded.

Not everyone is cut out to be a teacher, though. Folks like you who are knowledgeable, able to communicate what you know without excessive jargon, and patient are unfortunately the exception.

Personally, I'd be reluctant to engage in any formal teaching arrangement. If I could be assured of getting only bright, talented, and motivated students, then yeah. But I know my shortcomings. Communicating with non-techies is one big problem area for me. Dealing with people who "just don't get it" is another.

[jpt123]

Communicating with non-techies is one big problem area for me. Dealing with people who "just don't get it" is another.

I worked in IT for over 10 years. I understand. I also worry about the other students. I think I get it. I worry about the other students. There will be alot of eye-rolling on my part. Possibly some paper clip shooting. Definite snarky comments. I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

[jsfpa]

If your interested in an online school.
http://www.ppsop.com/site/index.html

[mwt]

I am taking an intro class at a local camera shop/studio and it is

6 classes 1.5 each and the cost was only 75 dollars.

It has been fantastic and my last class is a field trip this week.

[SkipD]

The way the class advertising is written, it should be good for learning the basics.

They put an emphasis on operating the camera in MANUAL MODE. I think that is very good, because nobody who is learning photography can really understand all the automation (and why to choose one automation tool or setting over another) unless they understand the basics well.

I would suggest that this class is probably worth the cost - as long as the student really puts forth an effort to learn the material and does not try to deviate from the class's points until after the class.

[canoflan]

I'm a newbie who has been reading the forums. Great information. I'm about to order a Digital Rebel XTi. A local photographer is offering four 3-hour Intro to DSLR photography class for $130. Is it worth it to take a class? I've never had an SLR camera before and I'm clueless.

Here's the link:

http://bsph.com/digitalp.htm

If you are one that won't experiment on your own unless you get some prompting from an instructor, and need an instructor to best learn, you are in the right boat.

I am one that can read a book and go out and do it. Instruction helps, but there is so much on this forum and the internet in terms of free tutorials, the only thing I have bought for instruction is on photoshop.;)

[superdiver]

I think a class would be great. I spent alot more then 3 hours on this forum learning what I needed to know to get started. The problem isnt that the infos NOT on here, its finding it and then finding the info for YOUR camera and questions, not someone elses...

Once you have taken a class and have a basic understanding, you wont come on here, like some have, with the question, "how do I get good pictures"....LOL...talk about open endied questions...

[overclock]

I saw this in Shutterbug last night:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=academy

[Village_Idiot]

If I were in your shoes, I would use the camera for a while and read up on the features before I decided on taking a class. It would give you some experience with your camera and would give you some time to come up with any questions that you would not know to ask by showing up to a class with a new dslr still in the box.

[Mike J.]

Great suggestion from Village Idiot.....I took classes, 2 1/2 hours each, one on one, from a greatly accomplished photographer at a cost of $150 for 3 classes... No matter how simple he tried to make it, I definitely was glad I was familiar with all the camera features ahead of time. It makes things come together much better.

[Mark_Cohran]

Great suggestion from Village Idiot.

So, are you saying Village Idiot, isn't?:D

Mark

[Glenn NK]

After having read a post on "dpreview" a while back from a guy that obviously didn't know metering from focusing, I'd say that the classes should not be ruled out for a beginner.

[jpt123]

Thanks for all the input. I'll go ahead and order the camera and read the guide, then maybe take a class in April, per Village Idiot's suggestion.

[Village_Idiot]

After having read a post on "dpreview" a while back from a guy that obviously didn't know metering from focusing, I'd say that the classes should not be ruled out for a beginner.

True, but not knowing how to switch your camera from auto focus to manual focus or continuous shooting to single shot to timer or not having a clue how any shots will turn out in any of the modes from inexperience can also hinder you in a class.

Like I said, going into a class that you voluntarily pay for and not being prepared or not knowing which questions to ask is almost like just paypal'ing me the cash and going to play with the camera on your own. Sure, you'll learn something and be out $130, but later when you have more questions that you would have though of if you would have had a little more experience, you'll be kicking yourself when I ask for another $130 to pay for them.

Plus with forums like these, there's more than enough information to get even the most digital photography ignorant people going....unless they haven't figured out how to connect to the internet yet either...I could see that posing a problem.

[Skypoke]

Overclock,

Thank you, thank you for the link. Some very tasty instruction there.

Chuck

[Citizensmith]

I need to charge more. I only ever charge $50 for 2 6-hour sessions. And the money wasn't going to me it went to the non-profit I was volunteering for. :)

These classes are generally well worth doing. For a beginner it will get you headed in the right direction and remove some frustrations. For the more advanced user it will still often be of use. The debrief sessions I always held at the end of the day when we would see how 15 different people viewed and photographed the same subject were always interesting.