Shutterbug Camera Shops offer classes in conventional photography and digital photography. Classes are designed to introduce the beginning photographer to the nuances of the ever changing art of still photography.

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Digital for Dummies 3 hours

Instructor: Craig Moore, Photographer-CPC

This class will introduce you to the world of digital photography.

This entry-level class will cover:

• Basic Camera Buttons and Options.
• Camera Menus.
• Using the computer to download, resize, email, and save photos to CD.
• Printing, types and differences.

Min 8, Max 15

$69.00

Better Pictures w/ a Digital SLR

Instructor: John Howry, Photographer-CPC

This two-session course will provide the foundation and knowledge needed for creating great photos with your interchangeable lens digital camera.

Session 1: Understanding Your Camera & Field Trip

Learn about all your camera controls, auto-exposure, focus control, white balance, exposure bracketing, camera handling, ISO control, spot, selective and matrix metering. Learn how to stop action or create motion. Use depth of field and lenses, tripods, and filters. Learn how to take black and white photos and how to control the contrast.

Field trip

With a focus on composition, back lighting and close-up photography;

a Shutterbug instructor will guide you on the field trip and answer questions.

Session 2: Trip Review & Flash

Learn bounce and fill flash techniques. Discuss photos taken on the field trip, review methods learned/ practiced on the field trip, and a question and answer session.

Min 5, Max 15

$119.00

Click here to sign up online

3 Hour Basic Digital SLR Class

Instructor: John Howry, Photographer-CPC

Learn all the features of your Canon, Nikon, or Olympus SLR camera. We will explain creative scene modes, and how they can change your photography. We will also cover aperture and shutter speed control. Learn how to correct for back lighting, or use it to your advantage. We will discuss file sizes, menu functions, lenses and flash. Plus learn about white balance and camera handling. Check class dates for your specific brand of camera.

Min 5, Max 15

$69.00

Click here to sign up online

3-hr Basic for Olympus/Panasonic

Instructor: June Marcott, Photographer-CPC

Learn the features of your Olympus or Panasonic micro four thirds camera.

This class will teach you how to use the creative and art scene modes of your camera, and how they can change your photography. We will also cover aperture, shutter speed control, and how to control backlighting. Additional topics discussed in this introductory class include file sizes, menu functions, lenses, flash, and white balance.

Min 5, Max 15

$69.00

Click here to sign up online

Seeing the Light - Fundamentals of Studio Lighting 

Instructor: John Teague, PPA certified, Master Photographer Craftsman, S-PPC, F-PPC

In photography, light is the most important tool you’ll work with, yet many photographers don’t really understand how lighting principles work, the physical properties of light, or how to manipulate light effectively and use it to their advantage.

Course 101 “The Basics”  $69.00

This full- day workshop will introduce you to the principles of photographic studio lighting. Beginning with the simplest concepts of light theory, we will move through a variety of lighting set-ups. The goal is to recognize and create a variety of lighting styles with different patterns and equipment.

Morning Session 9:30am- noon

12-12:45 Break

Afternoon Session 12:45- 4:00pm 

Course 201 “Building on Basics”$ $99.00

Using an understanding of light theory, move through a variety of intermediate lighting set-ups using up to 5 separate studio lights. Lighting examples will include portrait subjects and table-top products.

Course 301 “Key Concepts Applied” $149.00

This workshop moves into advanced concepts of lighting design. Learn to create a variety of lighting styles while coordinating the background with the subject. Lighting set-ups will include both Low-key and High-key techniques.

Save $50.00 if two "Seeing the Light" courses are purchased

Save $99.00 if all three courses are purchased

Participants must have completed a basic DSLR course or have equivalent knowledge and experience with their DSLR camera to benefit from this workshop. 

Click here to sign up online 

Up to Speed- Lightroom 3

Instructor: Helen Bradley

Get up to speed with Lightroom 3 in this introductory class. From importing and organizing a shoot to developing the images and exporting your best shots, you’ll see just what an impact Lightroom can have on your photo editing workflow. By the end of class you’ll have experienced a typical Lightroom image workflow and you will see how powerful a tool it is for processing your images. This class assumes basic skills in using a Mac or PC but assumes no prior experience with Lightroom.

Helen Bradley is an expatriate Australian writer and photographer with an expertise in digital photo editing. She has written numerous articles and produced a number of how to videos explaining the features of Lightroom 2 and Lightroom 3.

Min 5, Max 15

$69.00

Click here to sign up online

The Photographer’s Eye

Is it an accident, luck, or just a person’s natural ability that make a great photograph? The Photographer’s eye is a two-day workshop designed to look beyond our fast-paced approach to image making. With your camera, there is an untapped world for you to discover. The Photographer’s Eye is the beginning step in using your camera as a creative tool. Learn how to create mood and emotion through the control of composition and design elements within the camera frame.

Lesson 1 (Saturday 2pm-5pm)

Powerpoint presentation covering the basic fundamentals of composition and design.

(held upstairs in the Shutterbug classroom)

Lesson 2 (Sunday 10am-noon)

Local field trip to shoot and get hands-on instruction

Lesson 3 (Sunday 2pm-4pm)

Image sharing, group review and wrap-up

Min 8, Max 15

$69.00

Click here to sign up online

Photoshop for Photographers

Instructor: Helen Bradley

This three-hour Photoshop introductory class will take you through the key tools in Photoshop for working with your photographs. You’ll learn tools for adjusting white balance, tonal range, exposure, brightness and saturation and learn how to apply edits that can be fine tuned using adjustment layers and masks. Learn practical techniques for editing different subjects from portraits to landscapes. By the end of class, you’ll have an understanding of what Photoshop can offer you as a digital photographer, and how to process your images effectively in Photoshop. This class assumes basic skills in using a Mac or PC but assumes no prior experience with Photoshop.

Helen Bradley is an expatriate Australian writer and photographer with an expertise in digital photo editing. She was a beta tester for Lightroom 3 and has written numerous articles and produced a number of how to videos explaining the features of Lightroom 2 and Lightroom 3.  

Min 5, Max 15

$69.00

Click here to sign up online

Photoshop Elements for Photographers

Instructor: Helen Bradley

In this class you learn to organize your images, including downloading and adding keywords. You’ll learn how to open your images and edit them to make them look their best. Learn to apply creative effects such as converting to black and white and applying filters. Key concepts such as exposure, tonal range, saturation, and sharpening will be covered. This class assumes basic skills in using a Mac or PC but assumes no prior experience with Photoshop Elements.

Helen Bradley is an expatriate Australian writer and photographer with an expertise in digital photo editing. She was a beta tester for Lightroom 3 and has written numerous articles and produced a number of how to videos explaining the features of Lightroom 2 and Lightroom 3. 

Min 5, Max 15

$69.00

Click here to sign up online

Video with DSLR Intro

Instructor: Jamie Tuell 

Join Shutterbug and Daydreamer Cinema for this introductory workshop focusing on shooting HD video with a DSLR. 

• Intro to DSLR video
• Camera choices
• Lens choices- zooms vs. primes, depth of field, controlling what your audience sees

• See samples of DSLR video 

Min 8, Max 15

$29.00

Cinematic Video with a DSLR

Instructor: Jamie Tuell 

Join Shutterbug and Daydreamer Cinema for this intensive 2-day workshop focusing on shooting HD video with a DSLR. Whether you’re a photographer moving into the video world or a videographer new to shooting with a DSLR, this workshop has something for you.

Day One (9am-5pm)

• Intro to DSLR video
• Camera choices
• Lens choices- zooms vs. primes, depth of field, controlling what your audience sees
• Camera set up and walk through-for the Canon 5D and 7D, overview of how to properly set up your camera in video mode for aperture, shutter speed, exposure, ISO and white balance
• Equipment choices- essentials, additional solutions for stabilization, audio recording, and CF card options
• Hands on shooting lab

Day Two/Post Production (9am-5pm)

• Basic editing workflow in Final Cut Pro
• Compression and transcoding of Canon’s native H.264 files
• Essential third party programs- an overview of several software programs that will cut post production time and enhance final video
• Syncing external audio with video files
• Color grading your footage for effect
• Final delivery of edited project

Students should bring (but not required)

• Laptop with Final Cut Pro
• Camera, Lenses and CF Cards
• It is recommended to install mpeg streamclip (free software can be downloaded at www.squared5.com)

$299.00

Click here to sign up online

Sports Photography

Instructor: Alvin Jornada

Learn how to shoot great sports action photos in various situations. This instructional class delves into the nuts and bolts of sports photography and the best techniques for shooting a game. 

Topics include:

• Proper sport-specific photography techniques
• conquering difficult lighting situations
• how to catch peak action moments
• selecting and managing gear
• getting creative shots during fast-paced action

Min 5, Max 15

$89.00 

Click here to sign up online

Portraits on Location

Instructor: Tom Chown

Professional wedding, portrait, fine art photographer

Explore creating portraits on location. Students will learn techniques for photographing people in outdoor locations. Learn aesthetic and technical elements that make a successful environmental portrait. Discussions and demonstration, as well as hands on shooting will provide students with the confidence and ability to make portraits of impact and beauty. Digital and film shooters welcome.

Session 1 - non-shooting instruction

Session 2 - shooting on location (TBA)

Session 3 - share and critique portraits taken

Min 10, Max 15

$79.00

Click here to sign up online 

Instant Bridal Portfolio

Instructor: Paul Lucia

Professional photographer

This one-day wedding workshop is designed for photographers looking to learn the elements of successful wedding photography and to create a bridal portfolio. The first half of class is dedicated to learning about marketing, contracts, insurance, client expectations, equipment requirements, preparing for the shoot, and post shoot clean up. After the morning session in Shutterbug’s classroom, we’ll go on location where you will have the opportunity to work directly with models in wedding attire and professional hair and make-up to get the shots you need to start creating your portfolio. Sample contracts and model releases will be provided. There will also be a variety of Tamron lenses on hand for your use.

This class is open to students of all levels, and is designed to give you insight into wedding photography. A “Best Image of the Day” photography contest will be held for a $100.00 gift card.

$249.00

Click here to sign up online

Angel Island Day Trip & Travel Photo Class

Instructor: Jillian Bell and Lew Held

Join Jillian Bell and Lew Held of Tamron and Shutterbug Camera Shops for a day of photography on Angel Island.

Meet up at the Ferry in Tiburon for a 20-minute ride to Angel Island State Park where rocky coves, sandy beaches, forested ridges, historical buildings, and fantastic views await you. If you’re up for a hike, the Sunset Trail leads to Mt. Livermore where you’ll find a panoramic view of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Not up for the climb? Try the 5-mile Perimeter Road loop where you can visit Camp Reynolds’ brick hospital built in 1908 and other historical buildings. Continue around to the East Garrison where you may find harbor seals gathered at the point. To the north along Perimeter Road is the Immigration Station, sometimes called “Ellis Island of the West”. Angel Island is also home to scrub jays, hawks, owls, gulls, egrets, grebes, blue herons, and brown pelicans.

Tamron will have lenses on hand for your use throughout the day, as well as an expert to answer your lens/photography questions and to give you some great tips.

Class fee includes ferry ride, picnic lunch, and use of Tamron lenses the day of the trip and a pre-trip class on Travel Photography in the Shutterbug classroom on Saturday June 9th from 10am-noon.

$99.00

Click here to sign up online

All Classes are held in Shutterbug’s Classroom located upstairs at the main store unless otherwise noted in class description.

Refund and Credit Policy

Paid registrations must be canceled at least two weeks before the first session to receive a full refund. If canceled within two weeks of the first session, you will receive full credit towards a future class. Credits are good for one year. If we must cancel an activity, we will reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue a refund.