INTRODUCTORY LEVELS

Intro to Photography (Film & Digital SLR):
(SLR means “Single Lens Reflex” These cameras have manual settings and removable lenses.)
Intro to Photography (Film & Digital SLR):
Session A May Dates: Tuesdays: May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17
Session B May Dates: Wednesdays May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: Emilie Knight
Location: 3rd Floor Studio Classroom
Costs: $250/members, $315/non-members

Exposure, Metering, Electronic Flash, and Filters for color corrections/ creative effects are all covered within this course. Understanding basic compositional principles will push your images to the next level. This class is hands-on and will include shooting assignments in downtown Charlotte and elsewhere. You will supply a 35mm film or digital camera (with manual controls), the instruction booklet for the camera, and a roll of slide film (either 200 or 400 ISO) and we’ll supply the rest! Class size is limited to 12 students.

Intro to Digital Photography (Point & Shoot Camera):
Session B: Wednesdays, May 14, 21, 28
Session C: Mondays, June 16, 23, 30
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: Steve Pepper
Location: Galleries
Costs: $125/members, $160/non-members

Learn to maximize your point and shoot digital cameras with this three session basic digital course. Students will learn the basic functionality and features of their point and shoot digital camera. The instructor will also give students an overview of f-stops and shutter speed, file types and demonstrate how to download images into image manipulation software such as Photoshop. Students will also be given tips on how to improve their images through color balancing for different lighting situations. Students are required to bring their point and shoot digital cameras, manuals and all accessories to each class.

Intro to B&W Photography:
Course Dates: Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: Mike Howard
Location: TLF Darkroom/Classroo
Costs: $150/members, $195/non-members

Uptown Charlotte is the studio for this introductory course where you will learn how to shoot black and white photographs on the streets. In addition to learning the principals of design for shooting, you will also process your own negatives and create photographic prints in the The Light Factory’s darkroom! Bring your camera, 3 rolls of true black and white film (not b & w C-41), and any lenses or flashes that you want to understand. In class we'll tell you what type of black and white printing paper to purchase.

 

INTERMEDIATE LEVELS

(back to top)

Creative Black and White Photography
Pre-requesites: Intro to Black and White Photography or equivalent experience.
Course Dates: Saturdays March 8, 15, 21, 29, April 5
Times: 1-4:00pm
Instructor: Ryan Easter
Location: TLF darkroom/classroom
Costs: $195 members, $225 non-members

This course will explore more creative aspects of traditional photography. You will learn new ways of printing, developing, and thinking about black and white photography. In class we will make our own photo paper, learn how to
develop film in drastically different ways, make photograms and cyanotypes. Among
many other creative photographic approaches, burning and scratching negatives, solarization, painting with developer and high contrast printing will enhance your print’s ability to express an emotion. The class will also introduce you to many different types and formats of cameras beyond 35mm.


Creative Digital Photography and Photoshop
Pre-requisites: Intro to Film/Digital SLR or Intro to Point and Shoot/equivalent exp.
Digital SLR and Point and shoot cameras are acceptable
Course Dates: Thursdays, May 15, 22, 29 and June 5, 12
Times: 6-9 pm
Instructor: Jen Crickenberger
Location: TLF Darkroom/Classroom
Costs: $195/members, $225/non-members

Students will concentrate on adding concept and mood to their images through use of creative shooting techniques and Photoshop manipulations. Viewing master works and completing conceptual, personal assignments will assist in pushing your images to the next level. After you’ve taken pictures, editing techniques will be used to visually communicate the intended mood or concept of the images. Color alterations, Levels, Modes, Curves, Image Filtration, Masks, Selections, and all Photoshop tools will be introduced. You will also learn how to collage and layer multiple images, adjust opacity levels, create an image layout, and add text to your multi-image collages. This class will assist the fine art photographer in the creation of compelling photographs and emotional collages but those interested in the lighter subject matter of portraits of friends and family, greeting cards and/or digital scrapbooks are welcome! The same tools and rules apply! Class size is limited.

Photography I: Composition and Content
Pre-requisites: Intro to Film/Digital SLR or Intro to Point and Shoot/equivalent exp.
Session A Course Dates: Mondays, May 12, 19 and June 2, 9, 16
Session B Course Dates: July 16, 23, 30 and Aug.6, 13
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: Ryan
Location: TLF Darkroom/Classroom
Costs: $195 members, $225 non-members

This course is based on conceptual assignments that will push you to consider how composition and content function in photography. Exploring your vision and choice of subject matter will assist in developing your personal style. Students will shoot assignments outside of class and bring in prints weekly to be viewed and critiqued. Before each shoot, we will examine master photographic works in slide shows that exemplify different photographic approaches. The class will conclude with a final critique in which students will have a five print series printed and mounted.


B&W Photography & Printing I:
Course Dates: Tuesdays, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: Mike Howard
Location: TLF Darkroom/Classroom
Costs: $180 members/$225 non-members

This class is the next step after the introductory course to Black & White Photography. Your photography and processing skills will increase with classes in "Push Processing Film", Sepia toning black and white photographs, Using larger format cameras on special outdoor field trips (camera will be provided), Composition and Shooting To Sell. Class size is limited.


Digital Photography I (SLR):
Prerequisites: Intro to Photography (Film and Digital SLR)/equivalent exp.
Session A Dates: Tuesdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27 and June 3, 10
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: David Iannarelli & Steve Peppers
Location: TLF Classroom/Darkroom
Costs: $250/members, $315/non-members

Explore the new frontier of Digital Photography beginning with an overview of F-stops and shutter speeds and how to apply them to your digital camera. You will learn how to evaluate an exposure with the histogram feature, modify the camera meter’s exposure and set proper color balance. David will walk you though the features of your digital camera. He will also help you choose the best file formats and resolution settings to use. You will touch on flash uses, file management and best file setup procedures for printing at your favorite photo lab. You only need your digital SLR camera and the desire to improve your photographic skills. This course will include weekly out-of-class shooting assignments.

Portraiture (I & II):
Prerequisites: Intro to Photography (Film & Digital SLR)/Equivalent Experience
March Dates: Thursdays: March 20, 27 and April 3, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15
June Dates: Thursdays: June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17, 24, 31
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: Emilie Knight
Location: 3rd Floor Studio Classroom
Costs:$275/members, $344/non-members

In this extensive 8-week course, you will learn the important elements of creating a successful portrait. This course will include hands-on training in posing your subject, camera angle, composition, and lighting (both natural and studio.) After this course, you will know how to control these various lighting situations for desired effect on portraits. Class size is limited to 10 students.

ADVANCED LEVELS

(back to top)

Portraiture III:
Prerequisites: Intro to Photography (Film & Digital SLR)/Equivalent Experience
TBD
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: Ryan Easter
Location: 3rd Floor Paint Studio
Costs: $195 members/ $250 non-members

This course will explore advanced concepts about portrait photography. Through slide shows, we will examine portraiture from the early days of photography up to the contemporary and recent trends. Conceptual assignments will also be given each week and critiqued in class. The course is designed to make you feel comfortable with the fine art of portraiture and its creative possibilities, enabling you to develop your personal style. The course will culminate in a final critique of a successful body of work.

Digital Photography II (SLR): Shooting RAW
Prerequisites: Digital Photography I (SLR)
Course Dates: Thursdays, June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17
Times: 6 – 9pm
Instructor: David Iannarelli
Location: TLF Classroom and/or Galleries (TBA)
Costs: $250/members, $315/non-members

This course is the next step for the digital photographer that wants to learn how to become proficient with exposure settings, white balance, fill flash and shooting and processing camera RAW files. You will find out how to set up your camera’s custom functions and menu features to help streamline your shooting methods (workflow). You will start off shooting in your camera’s JPEG file format and move into using your camera's RAW file format. David will show you how to process these JPEG and RAW files using the latest computer applications (Photoshop and Photoshop Elements). You will also explore: black & white conversions, file management, renaming files, archiving procedures, color management using ICC profiles, monitor to print matching, printing solutions and paper types. Bring your digital SLR camera and some basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3 or Photoshop Elements 4, 5 or 6 photo editing software and the desire to improve your photographic skills. This course will include weekly out-of-class shooting assignments and a final class assignment.