A Triangle guide to photography classes
With today’s technology, most of us have a camera within reach at all times. But how many of us truly know how to use it?
Whether you want to get to know the camera on your phone or you seek classes on a more traditional SLR camera, these offerings will help you improve your skills as well as your eye. Additionally, while they don’t have any photography classes until the fall, also check Pullen Arts Center, Sertoma Arts Center, N.C. State University’s Crafts Center, Wake Tech Community College, the Durham Arts Council and the Cary Arts Center for additional courses.
New Image Studio
Info: Raleigh, 919-307-7639, newimagestudio.com
New Image Studio is a commercial photography studio that offers private, one-on-one beginner DSLR lessons. Amy Edwards’ three-session package teaches people how to use their camera in manual mode (ISO, shutter speed and aperture), not automatic, which is where Edwards believes the art of photography really comes into play. These sessions are $650 and include three foci, using manual settings, doing a live photo shoot and editing. She also offers a two-hour camera phone session for $250, where she teaches people how to use the camera on their smartphones and familiarizes them with the settings and how to enhance photos with applications.
Peace Camera Shop
Info: 421 Peace St., Raleigh, 919-836-2222, peacecamera.wordpress.com
Peace Camera Shop has everything for the professional to the amateur from traditional film to digital camera options. The shop offers one-on-one lessons by appointment for all skill levels, which cost $100 for a two-hour class. They also offer lighting consultations for $250. Group classes are offered approximately every six weeks on topics such as Photo 101, where all basics of photography exposure are taught, as well as more advanced techniques. See website for details. Group classes, $65 for two hours, are taught with a maximum of 15 students. The next group class is Photo 101, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 17.
PERC Photography School
Info: 5009 Deer Garden Court, Raleigh, 919-576-5331, perconline.org
PERC Photography School is a full-time school run by photographers for photographers. They offer 10 certification programs, which are both instructor-led and online. Events, workshops and classes are held in the field and in the studio. The school has about 180 courses for different skill levels ranging from $50-$195, including single-day courses, multi-week courses and six-to-nine month certification programs. They also offer private tutoring for $115 an hour for a one-hour session or $85 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Upcoming classes include: “Fun in the Sun” Model Workshop, 9 a.m.-noon July 30, $75; Your Flash Made Easy, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 11, $50; “Shoot the Bride!” 3 in 1 Workshop, 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 13, $175; Creative Black & White: In Camera & Using PS/LR, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 16, $50; and Fun, Fantasy & Fine Art with Light, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 18, $50. Please note: There is an additional 5 percent service fee for all classes.
Red Bridge Studio
Info: Raleigh, 919-889-9091, redbridgephoto.com
Red Bridge Photography is a wedding and portrait photography studio that specializes in weddings and newborns. They offer Mamarazzi classes for parents who want to take better pictures of their children, $210 for a two-hour session. Photo Safari classes are geared toward taking better vacation photos, $210 for a two-hour session. The basic premise for both classes is helping you tell your camera what you want to do instead of using automatic settings. Classes are offered for individuals and for mom groups, which are kept small so that everyone gets their questions answered.
Brian Mullins Photography
Info: Apex, 919-414-0869, brianmullinsphotography.com
Brian Mullins Photography is an award-winning studio that specializes in weddings and commercial work. They offer small classes in the form of a photography bootcamp, where students learn how to use their SLR camera and how to shoot in full-manual mode in order to understand what your camera is trying to tell you. The next bootcamp is noon-5 p.m. July 24, $250, with a maximum of six students. They also offer additional bootcamps for shooting and lighting by request. One-on-one tutoring is also available depending on the student’s individual needs at $125 per hour.
My Friend Teresa Studios
Info: Cary, 919-986-1244, myfriendteresa.com
My Friend Teresa Studios is a boutique high school senior and family portrait studio known for connecting with clients in a lighthearted way to produce authentic photographs. They offer private tutoring by Teresa Porter either in your home or a Cary studio for ages 10 and up. Individual lessons are $100 per one-hour session, three-session packages are $225, and six-session packages are $420. They also have two upcoming bootcamps at Cary Academy for students entering grades six to eight, 1-4:30 p.m. for $195: Photojournalism, July 18-22, and Secret Photo Locations of the Triangle, July 25-29.
The Fotoshoppe
Info: 2072 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, 919-233-2940, thefotoshoppenc.com
The Fotoshoppe is a one-stop photo shop that does everything from printing, processing, archiving and restoring photos. They also develop film and print on metal, canvas and acrylic as well as make collages and puzzles. The shop offers personalized, one-on-one classes that teach you how to better use the equipment you have and answer any questions you may have about it. Classes are $59.99 for 30 minutes, $99.99 for 60 minutes, $149.99 for 120 minutes and $50 for each additional 30 minutes.
The ArtsCenter
Info: 300-G E. Main St., Carrboro, 919-929-2787, artscenterlive.org
The ArtsCenter is a community organization committed to providing continuing arts education and experiences to people of all skill levels. On Aug. 11, the center will offer Photography Workshop: Manual Exposure, 5:30-8 p.m., $27-$30. The center also offers fall classes in photography that will soon be posted on the website.
Durham Tech
Info: 1637 E. Lawson St., Durham, 919-536-7200, durhamtech.edu
Durham Tech offers high-quality, affordable and convenient courses for those seeking all types of opportunities. All photography classes are taught at the Orange County Campus in Hillsborough. Upcoming courses include: Photography: The Basics, 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays (Aug. 16-Oct. 4), $99, and 1-4 p.m. Fridays (Aug. 19-Oct. 7), $99; Digital Photography: Beyond the Basics, 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays (Aug. 17-Oct. 5), $99; Fine Art Photography, 6-9 p.m. Fridays (Aug. 26-Oct. 14), $104; Photo Outings, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays (Aug. 20-Oct. 8), $99; and Photojournalism: The Basics, 6-9 p.m. Mondays (Aug. 8-Oct. 3), $99.
Wading In Photography
Info: Durham, 919-636-4140, wading-in.net
Al Denelsbeck offers individual photography instruction on a one-on-one basis specializing in nature photography. Lessons are $40 for the initial hour and $30 each additional hour; classes are flexible and payable as you go.
Betsy Greer writes about craft and activism at craftivism.com. Reach her at betsy.greer@gmail.com.
More Triangle guides for the crafty
To read the previous installments in our series, go to nando.com/yarnshops, nando.com/sewingshops, nando.com/jewelryclasses, nando.com/potteryclasses, nando.com/metalsmith, nando.com/woodworking and nando.com/paintingclasses.
This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "A Triangle guide to photography classes."