Digital Photography Basics

 Last year 1500 students attended our classes.

Are you serious about learning photography basics and beyond? Is photography something you’re passionate about?  Then these classes are for you!

Digital Photography for Beginners: Hands-On Field Trip Class

For all cameras with the following settings: Manual, ISO, White Balance, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority (if you don’t know for sure, the camera manual will have the information). If your knowledge is beyond this, this Beginner Class might be too basic for you. Our classes are generally NOT for point-and-shoot cameras

Join us for a full day of photography instruction! We rent private event space to provide a quiet and peaceful setting for you to learn in. We’ll have theatre style seating and provide you with a workbook so you won’t even need to take that many notes! 

This class is geared for those with DSLRs or cameras with advanced features beyond the scope of the traditional point-and-shoots. This class is not recommended for point-and-shoot cameras.

Our presentation includes tons of photographs and how they were made… and how you too can do it!

We cover the classroom material in a relaxing, fun presentation.  The class is even geared to allow students to help each other as we divide the seating into Canon, Nikon, and others. The hands-on classes are small, usually around 45 or fewer students.

We want you to jump-start your photography! After the class and during breaks the instructors stay to answer questions and help you with your camera.

Here’s a sampling of the topics we’ll cover: 

• The Basics
• The Meter
• ISO
• Exposure
• White Balance
• Auto Modes
• Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual
• Exposure Compensation
• What are all those settings and buttons?
• What your camera can and can’t do
• Introduction to composition
• Batteries
• Eliminating blur… whether motion or focus -related
• And for those who have interchangeable lenses, which lens to use
• Shooting great portraits
• Why you never get the moon right in photos
• Shooting concerts, recitals, and ball games
• Follow-up phone and email help!

The Hands-On/Field Trip class includes work within the classroom and later outdoors (weather permitting) which allows one-on-one work with the instructor and a chance to shoot and learn.

Dates Offered:

(Dates and venues may be subject to change) Any existing coupons from last year for these cities may be extended if you call first.

Please be aware, any class with less than 12 participants may be moved to another date due to venue rental fees.

REMEMBER: All classes have ABOUT four hours of classroom presentation FOLLOWED by HANDS-ON. Plan accordingly. We never leave early. It is up to you to learn as much as you would like to.

GREENVILLE SC ~ January 8, 2012 ~ Sunday 12:30-6pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Hands-on class. Limit 40

GREENVILLE SC ~ January 21, 2012 ~ Saturday 12:30-6pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Hands-on class. Limit 40

NASHVILLE ~ January 28, 2012 ~ Saturday 1pm-6pm Hilton Garden Inn Vanderbilt. This an a/v presentation, lecture-only class. Limit 275

GREENVILLE SC ~ February 4, 2012 ~ Saturday 12:30-6pm Greenville SC Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Hands-on class. Limit 40

GREENVILLE SC  ~ February 5, 2012 ~ Sunday 12:30-6pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Hands-on class. Limit 40

GREENVILLE SC ~ February 12, 2012 ~ Sunday 12:30-6pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Hands-on class. Limit 40

COLUMBIA SC ~ February 19, 2012 ~ Sunday 1pm-6pm Saluda Shoals Park. Hands-on class. Limit 30

GREENVILLE SC ~ March 3, 2012 ~ Sat. 12:30-6pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Hands-on class. Limit 40. Waiting list is available, contact us.

CHARLOTTE ~ March 4, 2012 ~ Sunday 1-6 US Whitewater Center. Hands-on class. Limit 45

CHARLOTTE ~ March 10, 2012 ~ Saturday 12noon-5pm Homewood Suites/Airport. Hands-on class. Limit 35. Lot’s of spaces left for this one!

ATLANTA ~ March 11, 2012 ~ Sun. 1-6pm Atlanta Botanical Garden. Garden House Workshop. Limit 45.

CHARLOTTE ~ March 17, 2012 ~ Saturday 12noon-5pm Homewood Suites/Airport. Hands-on class. Limit 45 (note: All classes need at least 15 participants or it may be combined with another date).

CHARLOTTE ~ March 24, 2012 ~ Saturday 12noon-5pm UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens. Hands-on class. Limit 35. Now full… email us to be on the waiting list.

ATLANTA ~ March 25, 2012 ~ Sun. 1-6pm Atlanta Botanical Garden. Georgia Pacific Classroom (email if you’d like to be on the waiting list)

COLUMBIA SC ~ March 31, 2012 ~ Saturday 1pm-6pm Saluda Shoals Park. Hands-on class. Limit 30

CHARLOTTE ~ April 1, 2012 ~ Sunday 1-6 US Whitewater Center. Hands-on class. Limit 45

ASHEVILLE ~ April 7, 2012 ~ Sat. 1pm-6pm UNC Asheville Botanical Garden (meet first at the Girl Scout Bldg.) Limit 30 Waiting list only now

GREENVILLE SC ~ April 21, 2012 ~ Sat. 12:30-6pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Hands-on class. Limit 45.

ATLANTA ~ April 28 2012 ~ Sold Out. Sat. 1-6pm Atlanta Botanical Garden. Georgia Pacific Classroom

ASHEVILLE ~ April 29, 2012 ~ Sun. 1pm-6pm UNC Asheville Botanical Garden (meet first at the Girl Scout Bldg.) Limit 30. Waiting list only.

ATLANTA ~ May 5, 2012 ~ Sat. 1-6pm Atlanta Botanical Garden. Georgia Pacific Classroom

ATLANTA ~ May 6, 2012 ~ Sun. 1-6pm Botanical Garden. Garden House Workshop. Limit 45 WAITING LIST ONLY

COLUMBIA SC ~ May 12, 2012 ~ Saturday 1pm-6pm Saluda Shoals Park. Hands-on class. Limit 30

ATLANTA ~ May 19, 2012 ~ Sat. 1-6pm Atlanta Botanical Garden. Garden House Workshop. This class is full, but you can sign up here to be on the waiting list.

GREENVILLE ~ May 20, 2012 ~ Sun. 12:30-5:30pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park Full

GREENVILLE ~ June 2, 2012 ~ Sat. 12:30-5:30pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park Full

GREENVILLE ~ June 9, 2012 ~ Sat. 12:30-5:30pm Coffee Underground and Falls Park

GREENVILLE ~ To Be Determined ~ 12:30-5:30 Coffee Underground and Falls Park. Sign up here and we may add a class if there is enough interest

ATLANTA ~ To Be Determined ~ 1:00pm until 6:00pm ~ Botanical Garden ~ Sign up here and we will add a class if there is enough interest

CHARLOTTE ~ To Be Determined ~ 1:00pm until 6:00pm ~ UNCC Botanical Garden ~ Sign up here and we will add a class if there is enough interest

ASHEVILLE ~ To Be Determined ~ 1:00pm until 6:00pm ~ UNC Asheville Botanical Garden ~ Sign up here and we will add a class if there is enough interest

PHOTOSHOP ~ Time, date, and location to be determined. Sign up here to be on the list for a class near you.

GREENVILLE ~ To be determined ~ Photography fun with your iPhone or Android ~ sign up here to be the first on the list when we hold the class.

Don’t delay! Register today!

* Classes may be added or combined depending upon interest or enrollment.

The Instructor

This class is taught by Gene Taylor, a Certified Professional Photographer and member of the Professional Photographers of America. His love of photography and many years of experience make this class a fun, unique experience!

With more than 30 years of experience as an award-winning photographer, Gene Taylor brings passion for visual storytelling to every photography class. He has been trained by some of the leading photographers in America. Gene is a former photojournalist who currently teaches photography at a community college. His professional affiliations include the Professional Photographers of America and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

What to Bring

Bring your camera and the manual. It is impossible for the instructor to know the operation of every camera made. If possible, know how to change your camera’s ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. If you can’t figure it out, we’ll help. Come with a charged up battery and an empty memory card. It is not recommended to bring a point and shoot type camera.

Child care is not provided and it is not recommended to bring children.

The Cost

Greenville, Asheville, Columbia price is $199 for the lecture-only course or for the lecture/hands-on class. Atlanta and Charlotte classes are $229. Fee includes handout material.

Admission to Botanical Garden or US Whitewater Center is included with those locations.

Parking, if applicable, not included.

How Do I Sign Up?

Ready to get started? Let us know by filling out our class registration form.  to let us know you are coming. Or if you have additional questions or you’d like to talk to the instructor directly you can contact him at 864.386.8284.

What other students are saying…

“Gene is witty and portrays the information in a detailed, fun manner. I really enjoyed the class.”
~Mandy B.

“I’ve had my camera for over two years and I finally learned how to use it today.”
~Debbie F.

“Loved the class! Very informative and enjoyed the instructor…very down to earth and relaxed session.”
~Kim I.

“Excellent coverage of the technical aspects of taking photos. A must for anyone that wants to understand what all those “buttons” do. Gene does a great job.”
~Phil D.

Great class for beginners. Excellent teachers- Gene and Megan
~Kiran V.

*** We reserve the right to cancel or combine scheduled class dates based on registration numbers. If you have already registered for a class that will be combined or canceled we will contact you immediately to reschedule a new class date for you to attend.