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.

Have you ever thought about how much you could improve your photography if only you really understood all the powerful functions of your digital SLR camera equipment?

Are you looking for specific digital workflow tips and techniques to improve speed, ease, confidence and control over your images?

How about learning to photograph in the studio, using professional lighting equipment?

We'll even teach you powerful Adobe Photoshop, Bridge and Lightroom techniques to advance your skills in the digital darkroom.

This is the only course offered in Vancouver to take students all the way from digital capture to the final image and print. You'll learn about the entire digital workflow, not just parts of it.

Please Note: SLR Camera only

Session 1 :

Lecture: Review of basic digital camera functions, custom white balance, selecting ISO, lens choice, metering techniques, and advanced depth-of-field control.

Session 2 :

Photo Field Trip: Practice and re-affirm camera handling skills, metering techniques, lens choices, perspective and depth-of-field. HDR shooting demonstration (to improve the dynamic range in your photographs) and assignment.

Session 3 :

Review and critique of images created on the field trip. Lecture: using Adobe Bridge to manage, edit and process your images. Topics covered will include: fine-tuning exposure (including using the new HDR feature), raw file and conversion workflow, automating tasks using the image processor, actions, droplets and batching.

Session 4:

Lecture: Using your DSLR in the studio. Introduction to selected studio lighting equipment and techniques for photographing still-life.

Session 5 :

Workshop: Photographing still-life in the studio. Students bring a variety of subjects and use lighting equipment and techniques introduced the week before.

Session 6:

Review and critique of students still-life images. Workshop: Photographing people in the studio. Portraiture lighting setups will be demonstrated. Learn how to work with your DSLR tethered to a computer, using Adobe Bridge and Lightroom.

Session 7 :

Workshop: Students work with models in the studio, using the techniques introduced the week before.

Session 8 :

Photoshop techniques for editing and adjusting your images, including making selections, quick mask, healing and smart sharpening.

Session 9 :

Special Effects & Film-like Imagery: How to achieve the look of various film stocks, Black and white conversion and infrared effects, cross processing, solarization and more...

Session 10:

Open printing session in our digital lab with access to our wide-format Epson 4800 printer. Each student can print images while we discuss output options, fine-art printing, CMYK conversions, web galleries, portfolios and more....

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

Marc Koegel
Read Marc's Biography

Kaj Svensson
Read Kaj'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
TBA TBA, 2009 7pm-10pm Jan 1st, 2009 Ironworks Studios TBA Click Here for Wait List