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30% OFF Promotion! ($249 per series after 30% off promotion)

The next Series’ Class Dates:
Digital Photography Fundamentals I:
Mondays: 7-15-13, 7-22-13, 7-29-13, 8-5-13. 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Digital Photography Fundamentals II:
Mondays: 8-12-13, 8-19-13, 8-26-13, (Due to Labor Day) Wednesday 9-4-2013. 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Digital Photography Fundamentals:

• 3 semesters worth of college-level photography classes condensed into 16 hours of instructions, particularly geared towards getting practical to-the-point information. This is for adults who don’t have a year of a half to spend in classes multiple times a week, turning-in homework assignments, fighting for parking, and paying outrageous tuition costs.
• Do you have a digital camera and want to learn how to take better pictures in a relaxed and fun atmosphere?
• Are you only using Auto mode and wonder why your pictures look boring, blurry, too dark, too bright, etc?
• Do you want to learn about shutter speed, aperture and ISO?
• Are you looking to purchase photography equipment and don’t know what all the confusing terms mean?
• Do you want to learn how to use camera flash without overwhelming bright values and shadows?
• Want to get an introduction and learn best practices on Photoshop, Bridge, and Lightroom?
• Want to learn about lighting methods and working with studio lights?
• Throughout each workshop participants will have opportunities to experiment shooting with their new skills and ask questions.
• Join the “Digital Photography Fundamentals” classes to get all of your questions answered!!!

Digital Photography Fundamentals Series I & II:

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series I – Session I:

In this session we will:

• Get you familiar with Digital SLR cameras, lenses, memory cards, external flash units, tripods, and other photography essentials. 
• Explain how terms like Mega Pixel, Full Frame, APS-C, Macro, Prime, Telephoto, ND, Polarizer, MB/s, etc are important for you to understand, and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage in choosing the best equipment and getting the best results out of them.
• Reveal the different functions and abilities of your equipment, such as TV (or S) and AV (or A) modes on your camera
• Introduce “exposure”

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series I – Session 2:

In this session we will:

• Revisit and discuss “exposure”
• Introduce Aperture (f-stop), Shutter Speed, and ISO
• Use our cameras to get familiar with how to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings.
• Show how you can use ISO to get the right exposure
• Describe exposure compensation
• Explore camera behavior in all different modes of your camera, such as P, CA, A, AV, S, TV, M, B, etc.

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series I – Session 3:

In this session we will:

• Revisit Aperture (f-stop), Shutter Speed, and ISO
• Go in depth in discussing how you can get creative effects by using different apertures, and shutter speeds
• We will take a hands on approach in covering how to blur the background, different methods in taking images of moving objects.
• Show how you can use ISO to get the right exposure and creative effect at the desired apertures and shutter speeds.
• Learn to distinguish different kinds of blur in images, and how to avoid unwanted blur.

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series I – Session 4:

In this session we will discuss:

• Different metering techniques
• Different focusing options both in manual and auto focusing modes
• Basic rules of Composition

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series II – Session 1:

In this session we will discuss:

• Shooting in RAW Vs JPEG format.
• How to use the Histogram to your advantage
• The meaning and differences between Clarity, Sharpness, Brightness, Contrast, Exposure, Saturation, Vibrance, etc.
• White balance and color temperature
• Noise and it’s relation to camera equipment and ISO.
• Chromatic Aberration.
• Aspect Ratio
• Color Space
• Picture Style

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series II – Session 2 – Flash:

In this session we will:

• Revisit Aperture (f-stop), Shutter Speed, and ISO
• Go over different kinds of flash such as on-board camera flash, external flash accessories, and studio strobes.
• Cover how to use your flash accessory in manual mode to manipulate the output, etc.
• Cover how to freeze moving subjects in the most optimal way.
• Explore different interesting modes on your accessory flash to create artistic effects.
• Cover why it’s essential to use camera flash in outdoor settings for best results.

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series II – Session 3 – Photo Retouch / Post Processing:

In this session we will:

• Have a complete hands on experience from taking RAW or JPEG images to having fully edited images.
• Use Adobe Bridge for downloading, organization and labeling images.
• Use Adobe Raw Engine to manipulate the image before photoshop.
• Use Photoshop for common photo editing techniques.
• Cover layers, levels, curves, adjustment layers, and color corrections, as well as some advanced techniques depending on the student needs.
• Use Adobe Lightroom for downloading, organization and labeling images.
• Discuss the importance of efficient workflow and good practices.

Digital Photography Fundamentals – Series II – Session 4 – Lighting:

In this session we will cover:

• Different types of studio lights
• Soft Vs hard light
• Angle of light sources on the subject(s)
• Different light modifiers and why you would want to use them
• Posing in different light setups
• Skin tones in different lights
• Choosing the right lighting patterns based on background and subject colors
• How to make your own in-expensive versions of some light modifiers
• We will also shoot with a professional model in a studio environment and practically experience photography lighting theories.

By the end of these hands-on intensive workshops, photographers will be well on their way to achieving successful digital capture.

Pricing and Logistics:

Regular Investment for each series: $350.00 (+Optional Book: $60)

Experience: None required.

Equipment: Any camera. (Not required)

Maximum Class Size: 15

Schedule: Mondays 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Recommended: Bring your camera (if you have one), its user manual, pen, paper, and thirst for knowledge!

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Testimonials:

“After completing the first phase of Fundamentals Of Photography and learning a freekin TON about my camera I’m now advancing to my third year of shooting and feel things are finally coming together. I now am learning about lighting, portrait taking, night photography, detailed software techniques and so much more. Every week when I come to class we also critique photos we have taken since our last class and he directs as well as answers all questions on just how to get that perfect photo we are shouting for. Some take his classes for fun and others for a new direction in career choices but ALL of us agree on learning so much at ease that I’m just not wanting to end these weekly learning adventures. I’ve been attending classes for almost 3 months now and I can’t even begin to tell you all I’ve learned. It’s night and day! I feel I have the confidence to take a picture with so much more ease and my career will be bright and I can seriously see my goal of a professional photographer coming into grasp. Thank you so much Sammy for having the patience for an outspoken silly girl with a passion in the art of photography. I will always recommend your classes to EVERYONE I MEET!” -Candace D.
“This is a great place to take photography classes. I had bought my first DSLR camera and had no idea how to use it, so I signed up for Sammy’s Digital Photography Fundamentals 6 Class Series. The classes started with the very basics- what the different modes on the cameras are, what the different buttons do, how the camera works etc. Then the second class went into f-stop, exposure and ISO. After the second class, I was able to go out and start shooting on manual on my own! There are lots of other great topics covered too- flash, composition, creating effects with blur, and post-processing/ photo editing. It’s a lot of information, but Sammy is great about making sure that everyone understands it. I would definitely recommend iWINK for photography classes.”
-Sara S.

“I have just started taking digital photography classes here and so far so great, check this place out!! Sammy is so nice plus so patient, especially for those who like to ask A LOT of questions when you are just starting out with a fancy schmancy camera type.”
-Eryn B.

“Just started taking a 6 week photography class at iWink studios. So far I’ve attended 2 classes and I am amazed at how much I have learned in four hours (2 hour class sessions). My first DSLR camera doesn’t seem so Big and Bad anymore. The owner Sammy is an awesome instructor. He is very patient with the students and eager to share his knowledge. I am so happy I found this studio. I can’t wait to see what I learn over the next 4 weeks and in future workshops. An added bonus is that the classes are very affordable[,] which helps when you are starting out in photography and need to buy camera equipment. Also, the studio rental rates are super affordable if you’re looking to rent a studio.”
-Melissa M.

“Sammy has a very relaxed and easy-going teaching approach, and so far has covered the basics quite well. He makes an effort to keep participants involved in the sessions by interacting with them, as opposed to strictly lecturing to them. The classes have been small, which makes it easier for Sammy to individually connect with everyone, and make each class comfortable. For a 2 hour class, it goes by almost imperceptibly. I would definitely recommend this Fundamental series to those looking to get their feet wet in understanding more about their equipment and taking better quality pictures.”
-Larry S.

“Photography is a hobby of mine and Sammy is a great great person to learn from. His company is clean, organized, friendly, professional, and an overall great experience to take in. I’ve taken a few of his classes to learn the basics of photography and let me tell you….I am that much better at this wonderful hobby of mine that I’ve started researching additional classes his company has to offer. Sammy is such a great teacher and person that when my daughter recently grew ill, Sammy called to see how she was doing. It’s this personal touch that will keep me coming to his classes.”
-Nola F.


We encourage Orange County residents with any photography interest to let us know if they are interested in studio photography. Beginners to advanced photographer levels welcome. Newport Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Costa Mesa, and Huntington Beach residents, will have an incredibly easy commute with absolutely no traffic at any time of the week. We are located in the heart of Orange County right off the 405, 73, and 55 freeways. From San Clemente, to Long Beach, to Yorba Linda, you’re looking at a 20 minute commute.

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