Photography is an art form with the photographer as the art director.  I have spent years learning the art of photography. From the film days in my teens to my digital camera efforts beginning in 2001 to currently doing high end portrait sessions, I love capturing that special moment. My goal is for you to see my photography and say, "Wow, that is a great photograph!"

Its fun to have aspirations and goals.  Being a great photographer is one of them. I try to learn something new every time I touch my camera equipment.  It helps me become one with the camera and be a better photographer.  That said, I want to be able to make others good too, if I can.  Here are some questions you might ponder...

  • Do you want to buy a camera, but just dont know where to start?

  • Did you just buy a camera and have no idea what all those buttons do?

  • Do you have a camera, but never take it off automatic?

  • Can you spell DSLR but have no clue what it means?

If you answered any of those questions with a "Yes" then you would benefit with some one-on-one instruction from Rob Smith Photography.  Let my years of experience be a great investment choice for your desire to get great photographs.  Below are some listed course levels that you might consider based on your level of understanding or need.

Learn How Cameras Work (Basic)

This is the best option to choose if you have not purchased your camera yet.  Since there are so many cameras available, ensuring you get the right one, based on how all the specifications and options translate into your everyday use. Learn How Cameras Work will teach you the basics from a point and shoot to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera.  I will show you how a camera works and what possibilities there are that you may not know about.

  • 1 hour minimum at $95. Additional contiguous hours at $65 per hour.

  • Mutual meeting place or on the phone.

  • You have a budget in mind.

  • Have an understanding on what type of photography you would like to do (i.e. events, portraits, sports, etc).

  • Goal is to get you to understand what your current options are and how it translates to your future photographs.

From Auto to Assisted (Intermediate)

I will provide instructions on the basic settings and functions of your camera. You need to know what these buttons, switches and settings do before you take a picture.  I will cover topics like menu options on your camera, as well as settings for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO and how they affect each other.  This covers the basics of automatic and assisted settings.

  • 1 hour minimum at $95. Additional contiguous hours at $65 per hour.

  • Mutual meeting place, but normally in the northland or near River Market.

  • You will need to bring your own point and shoot digital camera or DSLR and lens.

  • Goal is to get you to feel comfortable with your camera and take great snapshots in daylight conditions.

From Assisted to Manual (Advanced)

I expand past the basic settings and functions of your camera. You have learned what all those buttons, switches, and settings do.  Now its time to put them to use and expand your knowledge. I still hit on some basics refreshers, but we take the camera in to manual mode and learn more about how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings affect the photograph and how to feel confident using manual mode.

  • Priced same as Intermediate class, but more in depth coverage of functions and features.

  • Will touch more on composition, framing, rule of thirds, and other important points.

  • Goal is to get you to take great photographs in most lighting conditions.

Complex Lighting / On and/or Off Camera Flash

  • 1 hour minimum at $95. Additional contiguous hours at $65 per hour.

  • Mutual meeting place, but normally in my studio, in the northland, or near River Market.

  • You will need to bring your own DSLR Canon and lens.

  • I will provide the flash triggers. If you prefer Nikon, be open to using my camera for this lesson.

  • Goal is to get you to take great photographs in any lighting condition.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Basics

Do you have Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, but have not opened it since you got it?  I can help.  This offering will provide you some basic coverage of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, like how to import, keyword, and categorize a set of photos.  I will also show some basic editing, like white balance adjustment, levels, and some basic filters that you can get for free.  I can also show you how to do some export functions.

  • 1 hour minimum at $95. Additional contiguous hours at $65 per hour.

  • Mutual meeting place in the northland, my studio, or your home.

  • You will either need to bring a CF or SD card to load on my computer or bring your set up with you.

  • Goal is to have a better understanding of the power of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as a digital asset management tool, as well as begin a better understanding workflow on editing photos.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Advanced

I expand past the basics of of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, and get you in to more complex editing, like how to do spot removal, skin smoothing, and clone stamping. I will also show you a way to mass edit like photos and ensure you are watching for the right things.

  • Priced same as Basic class, but more in depth coverage.

  • Mutual meeting place in the northland, my studio, or your home.

  • You will either need to bring a CF or SD card to load on my computer or bring your set up with you.

  • Goal is to have a good/great understanding of the power of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as a digital asset management tool and to be proficient using the software for editing, posting to the web or Facebook, printing, and exporting with logos or watermarks.

 

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