Category: photos
07/22/10 10:39 - ID#52257
photo classes: Ideas needed!!
So I work for Delaware Camera. Everybody knows that.
The regional manager just went to a trade show, and came home full of awesome ideas. About 5 years ago we used to offer classes and seminars and stuff, how to use your camera and how to take pictures of this or that etc. But the manager was the only one teaching them and he got really burnt out on them. (He actually has social anxieties, kinda, and it really took a lot out of him to do.) So we stopped doing them. But the show was all indie camera stores, and the successful ones all had a healthy class schedule; it's what sets us apart from the "I Dunno It Says Camera On The Box" big-box stores, where you buy a camera and can't figure out how to use it and bring it in and they stare at you like you're nuts for expecting them to have the slightest clue.
So we want to start having classes again. (I might teach some!! Squee!)
I'm wondering-- what classes would y'all attend? Are you interested in learning about photography and cameras? Have you ever wished you knew how to take that perfect picture of something? (If so, what?)
I was thinking a seminar on "How To Get Not-Totally-Shitty Pictures From Your Camera Phone" would be kinda neat, but the problem is, well, most camera phones suck, so the class would mostly consist of "Ok, so stand really really still, and preferably the thing you're photographing is really well-lit and not moving. Oh, it's dark and moving? Well, you're fucked." But still, it's an idea.
I hope you have better ones...
The regional manager just went to a trade show, and came home full of awesome ideas. About 5 years ago we used to offer classes and seminars and stuff, how to use your camera and how to take pictures of this or that etc. But the manager was the only one teaching them and he got really burnt out on them. (He actually has social anxieties, kinda, and it really took a lot out of him to do.) So we stopped doing them. But the show was all indie camera stores, and the successful ones all had a healthy class schedule; it's what sets us apart from the "I Dunno It Says Camera On The Box" big-box stores, where you buy a camera and can't figure out how to use it and bring it in and they stare at you like you're nuts for expecting them to have the slightest clue.
So we want to start having classes again. (I might teach some!! Squee!)
I'm wondering-- what classes would y'all attend? Are you interested in learning about photography and cameras? Have you ever wished you knew how to take that perfect picture of something? (If so, what?)
I was thinking a seminar on "How To Get Not-Totally-Shitty Pictures From Your Camera Phone" would be kinda neat, but the problem is, well, most camera phones suck, so the class would mostly consist of "Ok, so stand really really still, and preferably the thing you're photographing is really well-lit and not moving. Oh, it's dark and moving? Well, you're fucked." But still, it's an idea.
I hope you have better ones...
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I think one of the problems is that you have two types of people who take photos
1. The Pro style cameras where you have light metters and exsposure time and all that good stuff. If you don't know that stuff but have that kind of camera could you teach that stuff to someone with out being like a photogrophy school?
2. The type of person I am is a Point and shoot. You know where the camera does everything.
A. Yes there are a lot of people who have no idea what is going on and classes would be a great help and even tips, and the basics would be a big help
b. I think where the problem comes in is often (or maybe just me) these camera all very so much. They have all different kinds of settings. I think when using these cameras what you do to get good pictures is learn the settings and learn what works. (yes knowing the background stuff might help this) .
--- A good example of this was I went to a Fashion Show (going to see stuff on stage tonight also) at club Diablo. There where models on stage. These pictures where tough because the lighting wasn't the same on the entire stag. With a flash stage was bright but a bottom corner of the picture had dark shadows. One part of the stage was fine without a flash so it was very tough, those models don't just stand there......
I don't really have any advice other then to say I wish you luck. I wish I had the skills to buy one of those SLR cameras. Not sure how I would feel about lugging one around though. Maybe the classes at the least could be aimed at people who want to move onto the nicer "Pro style" cameras I'm not really sure?
I just view good photos as the outcome of an expensive camera and a sense of art really - so apologies for not offering any direct non-slightly-underhand suggestions. :-)