The Spring term starts on March 19, 2012. The classes I will be teaching this spring are shown below.

All of my classes include an extensive set of exercise notes. The notes are provided online on a restricted web page accessed from my blog. You will be given the password the first day of class. The handouts are provided in PDF format which is compatible with virtually all computers. I also use this restricted web page to communicate with you between class sessions. I have posted a short video on YouTube showing how to download the course handouts. Click Here to view it.

Registration should begin soon via the South Bay Adult School website. Check with the school for the exact date.

 

The camera classes are for students just starting out and/or using a relative simple digital camera that does not allow for manually selecting the shutter speed and lens aperture. These classes are also for those students using a digital SLR or a more sophisticated compact digital camera, which does allow one to manually set the shutter speed and the lens aperture. However, the student need not be advanced. In-class shooting assignments will vary with the camera type being used as necessary.

 

Remember, these camera classes fill up quickly since they are restricted to 12 students, so register early.

In addition to the Wednesday morning classes, I will be teaching the Photoshop Elements Organizing class Tuesday evenings. We are using PSE 8 in all of our classes. For those of you who are using other versions of Elements, I will point out the differences during class, so you can use what you learn in class at home.

 

Descriptions of other classes I will be teaching in future terms are also shown at the very bottom of the page.

 

Using Your Digital Camera

This class is for students with using a compact digital camera, as well as those with more sophisticated model or digital SLR camera. In-class assignments and instructions will be structured to accommodate both types of cameras.

 

Do you find the manual that came with your new digital camera confusing? Or maybe some of the pictures you have taken using its programmed or automatic mode did not turn out like you had hoped. Are you struggling a bit to understand or set all of those options you are presented with, let alone knowing how and when to use them? If so, then this may just be the class to help you get more from your digital camera. This is a hands-on course – your hands on your camera. Class size is purposely being kept small to maximize the benefit to you.

 

Please note, there is an information sheet that lists what you should bring with you to class, and a couple of things you need to do prior to the first class meeting. You will be provided this information when you register in person. It is also available when you register online. Click here to view it now.

 

Sect. 1 Wednesdays 9:00-11:00 am, beginning March 21, 2012 (5 Meetings)

Sect. 2 Wednesdays 9:00-11:00 am, beginning May 2, 2012 (5 Meetings)

Digital Photo Editing with Photoshop Elements

This course concentrates on the basics for improving and enhancing your photo images once you have transferred them to your computer. Photoshop Elements 8 is used in the course. Photoshop Elements 8 has an Editor and Organizer. Although the Organizer is introduced, the course concentrates on the Editing mode to enhance the pictures from your digital camera or scanner. Two of the several techniques introduced in this course are layers and selections. In addition, using several of the editing tools will be covered.

 

 

Tuesdays 5:00-7:00 pm, beginning March 20, 2012

For online and walk-in registration information for these and other South Bay Adult School classes click here.

 

 

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Future Classes

 

Digital Photo/Video Using Microsoft Live

Mobile phones, cloud computing and similar internet-based technologies are rapidly changing the way we take, enhance, and share our pictures and videos. In this course you will be introduced to Microsoft’s Live Photo Gallery and Live Movie Maker, which are two of their entries into this new world of cloud computing, and available on Vista and Windows 7. You will learn how to use these programs to import, enhance, create, and ultimately share your multi-media presentations. Your presentations will include photos, video clips along with background music. You will learn how to share the presentation on a DVD and upload it to YouTube or other sites.

Creating Multimedia Projects using Vista

In this course you will be introduced to digital Video/Photo multimedia projects using capabilities of Microsoft’s Vista which are basically the same as Windows 7. Vista allows you to edit and share your videos and photos without the need for any additional programs. Microsoft’s simple, yet powerful Movie Maker program will also be used.

In this course, you will be able to work with your own media. As part of the course, you will learn how to rip music from an audio CD for use as background music for your presentation. The course begins with uploading your pictures/video clips, doing basic organizing, applying simple enhancements, and finally sharing your photos with family and friends.

 

Advanced Digital Photo Editing Workshop

This course introduces the student to more advanced techniques and tools not covered in the basic editing class. Also covered will be the installation and use of third-party plug-in programs that give Photoshop Elements capabilities beyond those that came with the original program. The class will be conducted in a workshop environment where the student will apply the techniques presented in class to their own photos.

Some topics that will be addressed include:

· Advanced image editing techniques using layers, masks, selections, and related tools.

· Further explore the filters in Photoshop Elements, e.g. Photo Filter.

· How to install and use third-party plug-in programs to enhance photo images using methods and tools not provided with the program, e.g. curves and layer masks.

Handouts will be provided online and students will apply the techniques and tools covered during class to their own photos in a workshop environment.

Organizing Your Digital Photos

This is a good course to start with if you are just getting started with digital photography, thinking about it, or just want to find out what all of the fuss is about. But, it is also the one course that will help you keep track of all of those digital images that you have been collecting on your computer. It builds an excellent foundation for the other digital photography courses.

We will be using Photoshop Elements 8.0 in this course. You will learn how to use the Organizer of Photoshop Elements beginning with importing images to your PC, managing them, and then protecting them. The class will also introduce you to creative ways to share your photos with others.