Photo Class Value

I'm not an extreme beginner of photography, but am a beginner with DSLR photography. Though, I understand the basic functions of the camera and how to apply them in various scenarios, I think there may still be things to learn. Therefore, I am considering paying for a Six-Hour DSLR Photography Basics Class with a local photographer. Though, a specific agenda is not listed, the ad states "

The Details

Sure, you've got the new DSLR camera, but your photography career is never going to blow up until you know your f-stop from your eyepiece. Let Robert DiTommaso Photography expose you to the proper techniques during a group photography lesson. Past classes have covered digital photography basics like camera skills and equipment settings as well as specific topics like night photography."

I'm wondering what value would you more skilled photographers apply to a class such as this?

Thanks

Well, I guess it depends on your level of understanding and skills/experience. You might look a liitle more into him and his work, if things "pop out" at you, well, sure plenty of people have benefitted from "classes"...

Classes provide a structured environment for you to learn. Everything you need to learn is freely available on websites, message boards, and a few library books. But some people need that structure to really get moving. They need the "assignments" to learn from while others have the ability to give themselves assignments.

Only you know which kind of person you are.

I'd ask him what subjects he's going to cover & then you can decide if it's too basic for you.

There is always something to learn. If you have the time and money for the class, go for it.

CactusJuice wrote in post #15713011
There is always something to learn. If you have the time and money for the class, go for it.

Heh! It reminds me when I was taking classes compared to enter into the field of high technology and computer science. One time I took a "required" CS course. The funny thing was that I was already quite familiar with the subject matter.

So, the class was being taught by an affable Software Engineer. Occasionally I'd get into an "informed interaction" with him. In fact, once he wrote some stuff on the blackboard and I had to politely raise my hand and say "Umm, Ken, shouldn't what you wrote there say..." (don't remember the specifics). He gave a sheepish grin and made the change...I would say life just went on, but later my company announced that they would have to downsize and invited us to see if we could find jobs without being laid off. I had a "Senior" position and wasn't in danger of being let go, but I went to Ken and told him what was going on, and he pretty much begged me to give him my resume and he would hand deliver it and get me hired at his place (Hewlett-Packard during the "dawn" of the inkjet printer revolution) and, well, that set up the next 15 years of my history!

Meanie wrote in post #15711773
I'm wondering what value would you more skilled photographers apply to a class such as this?

Thanks

Could be worth asking exactly what is covered as I have a few friends who went on basic SLR courses and were really dissapointed that it just taught you theory on shutter speed, aperture and iso which can be found easily on the internet. They were expecting a lot more insight from a professional photographer. When I got my SLR a few months ago I think I learned more than them by reading the book 'Understanding Exposure' and annoying my wife by taking loads of photos of anything and everything to get completely comfortable with that sort of thing. My wife would probably argue the course would have been better though

I got one of those offers as well...came from local Amazon Prime. Haven't checked out my local provider's output as of yet.

Email the photographer offering the class. Show them a few images you think are your best and tell them this is where you are and see what they say. I have had one person tell me that they aim to "get people out of auto" and that I am probably not their intended client for their current classes. I had another tell me that they could make the time worth my while. Email is free, I am not sure I want to give anyone my money if they can't answer a few questions.

Lemme guess -- this is a groupon/livingsocial deal? Don't do it, LOL. I see this stuff come up all the time in my area and I am NEVER impressed.

Anyway...I wouldn't do this. I don't place that much value on these types of photo classes because frankly, this stuff can be learned for free on the internet -- on these forums, other forums, and youtube. This forum in particular (ESPECIALLY the critique forum) helped me more than any other class could've (you can just read the critiques...you dont need to post work to learn)

That's how *I* learn. But it depends on how you learn. If you learn better in a classroom setting, then you might want to do it. Frankly, I think these things are a huge waste of money, but then again, I learn just fine on my own.

My local photography group puts on all kinds of these seminars and classes and they're expensive as all get out ($60-100 for a 2-hour class. Absolutely silly). Not to mention, I'm not particularly impressed with any of the instructors' work, but that's a story for another day.

Anyway, you're ALREADY here. You found this forum. You have a HUGE resource at your fingertips FOR FREE. Just by virtue of being here, I don't even think you're the target audience for this class.

chauncey wrote in post #15713841
I got one of those offers as well...came from local Amazon Prime. Haven't checked out my local provider's output as of yet.

Exactly. I'm always to the belief when offers such as this come along, I think the "regular" value is increased, then they offer a decreased value, which is within the regular value, but made to appear a great deal. Thus, the reason why I ask in here.

SwissMissy wrote in post #15714900
Lemme guess -- this is a groupon/livingsocial deal? Don't do it, LOL. I see this stuff come up all the time in my area and I am NEVER impressed.

Anyway...I wouldn't do this. I don't place that much value on these types of photo classes because frankly, this stuff can be learned for free on the internet -- on these forums, other forums, and youtube. This forum in particular (ESPECIALLY the critique forum) helped me more than any other class could've (you can just read the critiques...you dont need to post work to learn)

That's how *I* learn. But it depends on how you learn. If you learn better in a classroom setting, then you might want to do it. Frankly, I think these things are a huge waste of money, but then again, I learn just fine on my own.

My local photography group puts on all kinds of these seminars and classes and they're expensive as all get out ($60-100 for a 2-hour class. Absolutely silly). Not to mention, I'm not particularly impressed with any of the instructors' work, but that's a story for another day.

Anyway, you're ALREADY here. You found this forum. You have a HUGE resource at your fingertips FOR FREE. Just by virtue of being here, I don't even think you're the target audience for this class.

I agree but sometimes, as kfreels indicated above, I need that assignment push to get me going. I think it falls back to the 35mm SLR era when I was hesitant to waste shots due to film and development expenses. Now, I should just jump in and shoot since my waste can be erased at no cost.

One other problem I come across is not having the confident to see that shot. Many photographers (probably yourself) can view an object or area and instantly see a photo. The bottom line is, I should probably just get my butt out there and shoot as the rest will follow.