Nikon School

[TypeRPersonality]

For Atlanta, Nikon is holding two one day seminars on the 17th and 18th of January. The 17th is Introduction to DSLR Photography and the 18th is an advanced course. Admission is $119 and $159 respectively.

I'm posting this to see if anyone has ever attended the seminar. They are full day courses spanning from 9:30AM to 4:30PM.

I would like to go but I am unsure that it would be worth my time and money. I'd be attending the intro course. Any input on this would be great.

More info here: http://www.nikonschool.com/

[james]

just buy a book.

[TypeRPersonality]

just buy a book.

Lol, I hate reading, even if it is a picture book. Got some photography magazines piling up already.

[james]

Lol, I hate reading, even if it is a picture book. Got some photography magazines piling up already.

so instead of reading a book, youd rather blow all that money? just get a nice book suited to your camera, and practice.

[TypeRPersonality]

so instead of reading a book, youd rather blow all that money? just get a nice book suited to your camera, and practice.

It wouldn't be blowing money away if the seminar is worth it. Which is the topic of the thread. Since when was DSLR photography a cheap hobby?

[james]

Since when was DSLR photography a cheap hobby?

you are the one thats making the hobby more expensive.

honestly if you don't know the basics of your camera, you will go in there and probably feel like an idiot. get the book, if you don't learn anything, then go out with some photographers from here...if all else fails, use the nikon school to teach you the very basics. just cause its all day doesn't really mean shit. I wouldn't go to it, but thats just me.

[boostedb16]

i am kinda with the OP. i could learn more from someone showing than reading about it. but there are way to many member's on here that would let you tag along with them to show some of there do's/dont's. kinda like me leaning to paint car's. no class's or anything, just going in a paint booth with a friend that has done it for year's and watching him. i would say save your money and ask someone to let you go with them.

[jennnay]

I attended the Intro to DSLRs last year for my job. I can say it was very informative, they provided notes for the whole seminar and lunch too (which wasn't too bad)..I honestly don't remember much because I don't shoot on a regular basis so most of the stuff I learned was never put to use. There were many older people (age 40-60) that were switching from film to digital or people who JUST purchased a digital SLR camera. It's true that a lot of the stuff you can learn from reading a book, but it's different seeing how it was done and in what circumstances. The speakers really just go though some of their personal shots, tell you how they shot them, and take questions and give advice.

To sum it all up: It IS a very intro class, and if you do go, i would recommend taking your own notes and making the experience worthwhile. It's really only worth the money if you are serious about getting into photography because they get into a lot of details.

I only took the intro class. Hope that helps some.

[TypeRPersonality]

I attended the Intro to DSLRs last year for my job. I can say it was very informative, they provided notes for the whole seminar and lunch too (which wasn't too bad)..I honestly don't remember much because I don't shoot on a regular basis so most of the stuff I learned was never put to use. There were many older people (age 40-60) that were switching from film to digital or people who JUST purchased a digital SLR camera. It's true that a lot of the stuff you can learn from reading a book, but it's different seeing how it was done and in what circumstances. The speakers really just go though some of their personal shots, tell you how they shot them, and take questions and give advice.

To sum it all up: It IS a very intro class, and if you do go, i would recommend taking your own notes and making the experience worthwhile. It's really only worth the money if you are serious about getting into photography because they get into a lot of details.

I only took the intro class. Hope that helps some.

Thanks for the great insight. The brochure has been sitting on my desk for some time now. I guess I will be looking to see if I can go.

[CHADbee]

i was thinking about going but after talking to many people about it i found it out it was not for me. if you are kinda n00bish it might be worth your money. i mean im still pretty n00bish myself but i know how to compose a photo and how to shoot in manual.

id love to take some lighting courses though.

[TypeRPersonality]

i was thinking about going but after talking to many people about it i found it out it was not for me. if you are kinda n00bish it might be worth your money. i mean im still pretty n00bish myself but i know how to compose a photo and how to shoot in manual.

id love to take some lighting courses though.

It's not that I feel noobish. I read through the manual and the few photography magazines I have. And I feel I'm more advanced than the next person in Adobe. But in terms of any profession for lack of a better term, there's good and qualified. I'm content with the photos I take, but I'd like to step closer to qualified.

[DinanM3atl]

Anyone been to the advanced class? Might be more informative and fun.

Wonder if they allow those with better cameras than Nikon come and learn

hehehe

[Alan®]

If I had a slr I might go but

[jimmycricket]

I learned most of what I know through my dad's photography and reading guidebooks specific to my camera. Then there are books focused on certain photography inputs such as different lenses for different circumstances, lighting, etc.. However, I think the advance class might actually be worth while if it is a spokesman from Nikon actually giving tips and tricks in person.

hmmm.. decisions decisions.

wow, just clicked on the link and read the Instructor Bios.

They all look like they could be a huge helping hand. Just depends on how big the class is if I get any of my personal questions answered.

hmmm. back to decisions, decisions..

[larossa9]

do it, i know you could get the same information form your book or magazine, but you cant ask them a question, sure you can meet a good photographer on here and ask him in person and go out with him on a photo shoot and see what he does and get some pointers, but if your not a book guy then go for it, look into the class more, go ahead and read up a little bit and get and idea before going in to the class, you'll get more from it, and also good luck, slr's are fun

[speedminded]

Download an EXIF viewer and study every single shot that interests you, eventually you'll catch on to what settings needs to be adjusted for certain situations. Remember you can shoot the exact same shot multiple ways and it still come out great.

You can't really teach composition, just look up and remember the rule of 1/3's and be aware of your surroundings, background, foreground, etc.

Lighting is the most important thing, working with reflections and shadows to your advantage is what makes a great shot.

[james]

Download an EXIF viewer and study every single shot that interests you, eventually you'll catch on to what settings needs to be adjusted for certain situations. Remember you can shoot the exact same shot multiple ways and it still come out great.

You can't really teach composition, just look up and remember the rule of 1/3's and be aware of your surroundings, background, foreground, etc.

Lighting is the most important thing, working with reflections and shadows to your advantage is what makes a great shot.

im with this...
i still think its borderline waste..... but thats just me. do what you want to do.

[jimmycricket]

Download an EXIF viewer and study every single shot that interests you, eventually you'll catch on to what settings needs to be adjusted for certain situations. Remember you can shoot the exact same shot multiple ways and it still come out great.

You can't really teach composition, just look up and remember the rule of 1/3's and be aware of your surroundings, background, foreground, etc.

Lighting is the most important thing, working with reflections and shadows to your advantage is what makes a great shot.

When you put it that way, I do tend to agree with you.

I guess what I was saying is if I didn't have to pay for it with my own money, I'd gladly go.
Glad you mentioned rule of 3rd's, I get tired of seeing the same centered shots over and over and over and over and over..

but ya, I agree with you. I would try to follow national geographic's photographers but I can't exactly afford to take landscape photos like they do lol

[james]

oh showcase also has a thing here in atlanta, its a weekly thing i think....you go every week, learn stuff, then have a critique and assignment....everytime i go in there to buy film i see something about it on the easel....
http://www.showcaseinc.com/store/scr...?idProduct=681