Intermediate Course Image

In this in-depth and hands-on course you will learn how to take your digital SLR camera skills to the next level!

If you have taken VPW's Introduction to Digital Photography course or comparable Basic Digital Photography Class, this is the next logical step to advance your skills.

Building on your skills, this intermediate course guides students through mastering their camera functions.

Beyond the introduction to exposure, white balance and composition, we take on studio lighting, post-production, lighting styles, direction and quality, and in depth demonstration and exploration of digital workflow from capture to print using Lightroom in a fun and relaxed environment.

Students are invited to do a course project to focus their learning on a subject or technique that most interests them with full critiques offered in class. Professional studio equipment and location make this course a step above!


New Day-Time Course Discount! Up to $90+ off regular tution fees!

Save $50 on tuition fees when you take one of our most popular Intro and Intermediate Courses during the day. Better yet, you can combine this discount with our 10% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT for a total of over $90 in savings off regular tuition fees.

This offer is valid for all courses starting either at 10am, 1pm, or 2pm. Discount is taken off automatically during the online registration process!

Please Note: SLR Camera only

Session 1 :

Review camera operations for exposure, depth of field, motion, and white balance – aperture, shutter speed, ISO and custom white balance. Compositional techniques and using color to evoke mood along with shooting direct to print (jpeg with Picture Style or Optimize Image settings) versus shooting for post-production (RAW) will be discussed and demonstrated through image samples.  Course projects presented (composition and white balance).

Session 2 :

Light characteristics of quality and direction will be discussed and demonstrated through use of studio lights to create the five different portrait lighting styles.  Introduction of incident light meters and how to handle professional studio lighting equipment and review of flash sync speed.

Session 3 :

Workshop using studio lighting equipment to create five portrait lighting styles with professional models.  Participants assist in setting the lighting styles, posing the models, and using incident light meters to measure exposure.

Session 4:

Lightroom & Photoshop demonstration of workflow – including downloading, backing up, using lightroom presets, cropping versus resizing, printing and optimizing for web.

Session 5 :

Field trip concentrating on composition, fill flash, challenging lighting situations, and long exposures.

Session 6:

Review and feedback on images from models, field trip and course projects.

Pre-Requisites

Level:

Intermediate. Introduction to Digital SLR Photography Course or equivalent basic photography knowledge required.

Enrollment:

Maximum 14 participants.

What to Bring

Equipment Needed:

Bring your camera (must have manual controls) and at least 1 lens.
Optional: additional lenses, camera flash, tripod and laptop.

We Provide:

Detailed course notes in binder.
All lighting equipment and professional models when shooting in a professional studio/location setting as part of this course.

Discounts

Early-Bird Discount:

Most of our courses and workshops offer a 10% discount is applied automatically if you register before the Early-Bird Discount deadline date listed in the registration table below.

Some courses and workshops offer a discount if you're among the first 3 people who register. This discount will replace the 'standard' Early Bird Discount mentioned above, and will be applied automatically during the online registration process (as long as it is available). Check the course/workshop listing page for more details.

Group Discount:

A 5% discount will be appplied if 3 or more people register at the same time for the same workshop. (All 3 tuitions must be paid for by one credit card to be considered a group registration.) Please follow the instructions on the online registration page.

Refunds

In order to provide the best learning environment possible VPW keeps class and tour sizes limited to 10-15 people (depending on the workshop). This is but one reason that we count on you to attend your chosen class or tour, once you have registered for it.

If you must withdraw for any reason please be aware of our refund policy as follows:

For our Local Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops valued at or under $100, VPW is unable to provide a cash refund. Transfers are limited to one transfer to either the same event at a later date, or a different event of equal value. VPW requires 48 hours written notice in order to make such a transfer (email notice is acceptable). The event you are transferring to must occur within 6 months of the original event you registered for. A $15 fee will be applied to all transfers.

For our Local Workshops, 1 to 5 days in length and our Local 4 to 10 Week Courses, VPW requires 30 days written notice (before the event start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. (Email notice is acceptable.)

For our Master Photographer Series workshops, 1 to 5 days in length, VPW requires 60 days written notice (before the workshop start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. VPW may retain 15% of fees paid or $150 minimum in processing your refund. If the tuition is less than $500 the minimum fee drops to $75.

Within 45 days of the Master Photographer Series workshop date all fees paid are non-refundable.

For our Photo Tours (national and international), the following charges will apply:

  • If you cancel up to 3 months before the tour start date and we can fill your space, your reservation (or deposit) fee will be refunded
  • There is no additional cancellation fee up to 8 weeks before the start of your tour
  • From 8 weeks to 4 weeks before the tour: 25% of your balance
  • From 4 weeks to 1 week before the tour: 50% of your balance
  • From 1 week to 72 hours before the tour: 75% of your balance
  • If you cancel within 72 hours of the start of the trip, no refund can be paid
  • Transaction charges incurred on accepting and refunding payments will be deducted from the refund amount
  • In the (unlikely) event that we cancel the Photo Tour, all monies paid will be refunded in full

We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance to guard yourself against monies lost due to unavoidable cancellation by either party.

Transfers (for all events over $100): If you wish to transfer to a different workshop date, VPW requires a minimum of 30 days written (email) notice. All transfers are based on availaibility, and subject to approval by VPW staff. For courses/workshops with tuition above $101, the transfer fee is $35.

Transfer Fees as based on event pricing:
Tuition of $100 and below, the transfer fee is $15
Tuition of $101 and above, the transfer fee is $35

VPW can give no refunds:

If you registered for any event valued at or under $100
If you do not show up for your registered course.
If you register for a course beyond or below your skill or ability level.

Refunds for all events valued at $101 and above (excluding Master Series Workshops):
If a student wishes to cancel their registration for any of VPW's events, and has provided written notice within the appropriate timeframe, a refund less a $50 administration fee will be provided.

Course Cancellation:

Occasionally, we may have to cancel a course due to low enrollment. In this case, we will issue a full refund of all monies paid to VPW up to that time.

Instructor Replacement:

In the event that a listed instructor is unable to participate because of a change in his or her professional schedule, we will replace the instructor with someone of equal or similar credentials. If we cannot find a replacement in due time before the course is about to start, a particular class may have to be rescheduled.

Liability

In the event that we cancel your course, for any reason, the extent of VPW's liability is limited to the return of all monies paid. We will do everything we can to register you in another equivalent course. VPW will not be responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses of any kind.

Please note: An administration charge of $50 applies to all refunds

Read complete refund and liability policy

"This course has been the best photography class I have ever taken - a perfect combination of lectures, hands-on shooting exercises, critiques and technical advice. And the best value in the City as well. Thanks Marc!"

"Thanks for an excellent workshop. I learned lots, and especially enjoyed the studio shooting session with the models you brought in. I will be back to take more of VPW's courses and workshops!"

Read more testimonials......

The Six Week Intermediate Digital SLR Photography Course is taught by the following instructors:

Aura McKay
Read Aura's Biography

Marc Koegel
Read Marc's Biography

Syx Langemann
Read Syx's Biography

Please choose your instructor and workshop date from the registration table below.

Class Start Date Time Early-Bird Discount Ends Location Instructor Registration
Mon & Wed Night x 3 Weeks Aug 15th, 2011 7pm-10pm July 31st, 2011 VPW Studios

Aura McKay

Click Here to Register
Thu Night x 6 Weeks Sept 8th, 2011 7pm-10pm Aug 31st, 2011 VPW Studios Aura McKay Click Here to Register
Tuesday Morning x 6 Weeks Sept 20, 2011 10am-1pm Aug 31st, 2011 VPW Studios Mary Jensen Click Here to Register
Mon Night x 6 Weeks Oct 17th, 2011 7pm-10pm Aug 31st, 2011 VPW Studios Aura McKay Click Here to Register
TBA TBA, 2011 7pm-10pm TBA, 2011 VPW Studios TBA Click Here for Wait List