Photography Boot Camp - Beaumont, KS 0911

A three day adventure in Learning and Experiencing Photography

Includes:

• 2 6-hour-days of classroom training with 3-hour workshops each day.
• 1 full-day photo excursion. 
• Transportation to and from my studio in Wichita.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for all 3 days.
• Lodging at the Historic Beaumont Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 1 Workshop - 3 hours 

After we've spent 6 hours in the classroom, we'll have dinner at the Hotel and head out for some workshop time.  Where we go will depend on the weather, sunset, sky, and just in general how we feel, and what we want to do.  Sometimes there is plenty going on right around the Hotel and Water Tower that could be interesting for us to work on shooting, so we may stay right there.

Day 2 Morning - The Camera

Now that you've got an understanding of how you want to compose your images and how to get the proper exposure, you need to get more familiar with the camera and all of it's parts.

What you'll learn in this class: We'll talk about all those buttons, wheels, switches and dials on your camera and lenses. Our goal here is to make sure you can take all your knowledge about Exposure and Composition and bring it together quickly to create the photos you're after. We will discuss how to handle your camera correctly so you'll be able to capture those shots you want before they get away, and about keeping your camera safe from harm and functioning for a long time to come.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

· Body - Where things are located and what they do.
· Function Dial - What's on it and what it all means.
· Shutter Speed and F/Stop Controls.
· ISO Settings.
· White Balance Settings.
· Shutter Release, Cable Release and Self-Timer.
· Hot Shoe and Flash connections.
· Depth of Field Preview.
· Auto-Focus Switch and focusing.
· LCD Display.
· Viewfinder.
· Lens / Lenses.
· Shutter functions.
· Handling the Camera.
· Using a Tripod.

Day 2 Afternoon - Flash & Light & Metering

Now that you know how to use your camera and compose your images and handle your camera well enough to get it all done, you need to know how to use the light you have or supplement it with flash.

What you'll learn in this class: Getting the exposure you want with the available light, and how to use flash to illuminate your subject or to supplement to available light. We will also spend a good deal of time dealing with metering your light to be sure you're going to get a proper exposure.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

· Measuring Light and Light Meters.
· Handling low light problems with flash.
· Reflecting your flash or the available light.
· Bouncing and diffusing flash.
· Adding color to your subject.
· Using filters to enhance your image. 

Day 2 Workshop - 3 hours 

After we've spent 6 hours in the classroom, we'll have dinner at the Hotel and head out for some workshop time.  Where we go will depend on the weather, sunset, sky, and just in general how we feel, and what we want to do.  Sunday is usually quiet out there, so we will very likely travel away from the Hotel to enjoy some of the surrounding scenery while we work on what you've learned.

Day 3 - Photo Excursion

Now that you've got all this great knowledge we're going to spend an entire day out on the road in the Flint Hills.  We'll be exploring, shooting and continuing to learn in real life situations.  This will give you the opportunity to firm up everything you've been learning over the past 2 days and to take home some great shots from some of the best scenery in Kansas.  

We'll have breakfast at the Hotel and get loaded up for the day's journey.  Our exact route and destinations will depend on the weather, so it's kind of anyone's guess where we'll be.  I've got some places in mind and we'll try to cover some ground so you get to see (and shoot) a lot of different subjects.  I would anticipate arrival back in Wichita somewhere between 6 and 8 P.M..  Your lunch and dinner will be provided for this day also.

• Secret Message •

Ok, if you've read this far you already know you want to attend and learn all of this. So here's the secret to saving $90:

Since you MUST be a member in good standing of usphotographers.com to qualify for the Member Rate, Join NOW for $30 and you'll save $90 on this Boot Camp.  You don't have to wait for anything to come through, just fill out the registration form and make your $30 payment and you can go ahead and register for the Boot Camp at the Member Rate. 
No big secret here.

If you have attended one of my Digital Photography or Basic Photography Seminars or Classes you can recieve a discount by contacting me for a Discount Code.  Use the "Contact The Host" link on the Right side of this page (under my mug shot).

Register Early - Space is very limited and we need to reserve rooms before the hunters take them all.

Bring your camera, tripod, flash, reflectors and all those photographic gadgets you've been collecting.  Because the Hotel is limited to 11 rooms I'll only be accepting 10 students for this class.  All meals are included for all 3 days of this Boot Camp as well as the Hotel room and transportation to and from Beaumont from my studio in Wichita.  Class size is significantly limited to assure personalized attention when we are out shooting.

Because we'll all be staying at the same hotel we'll have many hours together and we can spend time into the evenings going over the things we've learned and working through any question you have.  It's also a lot of fun to spend dinners together in the cafe with the hunters who use the Hotel at this time of year.  In 2008 we had one hunter cook pasta and sauce on one eveing and I cooked lasagna on the next. 

Please come prepared to take lots of notes in addition to the text book you'll receive.  You'll also want to bring rain gear and dress in layers when we head out for our field trips.  I recommend sturdy shoes that will protect your feet and ankles on rough terrain, bug spray and maybe even sunscreen. 

Day 1 - Travel and breakfast