Course Calendar - Winter/Spring 2023

7 to 10 pm
195 St. David St. S, Fergus

College Level: Digital Skills - Photoshop 1, 8 Weeks - Fergus
Next session dates:  Fall 2022
Location: 195 St. David St. S, Fergus (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)
Ages 19+


This 8-week course is designed for photographers who are serious about learning the features of Photoshop CC to edit and enhance their images.  It covers a broad range of topics, including image sizing for various outputs, workflow, colour corrections, black & white processes, retouching, selections, layers, printing and more.  Each night will allow hands-on practice time in addition to learning new material.

Note: Students are required to provide their own laptop (I have 2 available for loan during class) with a recent version of Adobe Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop CC, or CS6) Mac or PC.  A computer mouse is beneficial.  You must have basic general computer skills for this course i.e., creating folders, opening and closing files, etc.

Includes:

    8 weekly on-line classes of approx. 3 hours each.
    Practice assignments 
    course material in pdf form

Fee: $395.00 + HST

Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.

7:00 to 10:00 pm
Elora Centre for the Arts, 75 Melville St., Elora

College Level: Digital Skills - Photoshop 2, 8 Weeks - Elora
Next session TBA
Location: Elora Centre for the Arts, 75 Melville St., Elora
Ages 19+


This 8-week course is designed for photographers who have completed Digital Skills - Photoshop Level 1, or have a good understanding of basic editing processes.  In Photoshop - Level 2, we will will work with layers, adjustment layers, masking techniques, combining photographs, automated tasks, and more.  We'll also explore creative tools for artistic effects and special projects.  Each class will allow hands-on practice time in addition to learning new material. Students require a recent version of Adobe Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop CC, or CS6) Mac or PC.  A computer mouse is beneficial.  

Includes:

    8 weekly classes of approx. 3 hours each.
    3 assignments for which you will receive written feedback
    course material in pdf form

Fee: $395.00 + HST

Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.

7 to 10 pm
195 St. David St. S., Fergus

  Photography Skills - Level 1, 8 weeks, 7 to 10 pm
  Next session:  Fall 2022
  
 Location:  195 St. David St. S., Fergus  (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)
 Ages 19+
 

Suitable for: dedicated amateur or hobbyist photographers, anyone who requires photographic skills for their profession, or for those looking to begin a career in photography.

Based on my Conestoga College courses, this introductory level 8-week course will give you confidence with your camera to be able to shoot in any situation, and is the first step in gaining photography skills that can take you beyond the hobbyist or amateur level.  We'll cover everything from lenses to exposure settings, as well as lighting, file formats, focus and much more.  Suitable for those with no experience.  You must have either a DSLR or advanced mirrorless camera.  

Registration fee:  $395.00 + HST
Register Online or call 519-787- 7040 to register by phone.

7 to 10 pm
195 St. David St. S, Fergus ON

CL_Photography Skills - Level 2... 8 weeks
Fall 2022 - dates TBA

Location: 195 St. David St. S., Fergus. (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)
Ages 19+

COVID information:  This class is scheduled to run in-person and will follow public health guidelines as required.  Class size is limited to allow physical distancing.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Suitable for:  dedicated amateur or hobbyist photographers, anyone who requires photographic skills for their profession, or for those looking to begin a career in photography, who already have an understanding of camera settings and concepts such as shutter speeds, apertures, depth of field, etc.

This 8-week program takes you beyond the skills learned in Photography Skills - Level 1, and will expand on your knowledge of advanced metering & exposures,  lighting, composition, and more.  We'll work with off-camera flash, and explore the more creative aspects of photography.  One class will be a field trip on night photography.  Suitable for those who have basic camera skills and are ready to explore fully manual settings.  It is highly recommended that you take Photography Skills - Level 1 first.   Class size is limited.

Fee: $395.00 + HST

Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.

10 am to 4 pm
195 St. David. St. S, Fergus ON

NOTE:  this class is FULL.  

Introductory Photo Skills - One-day Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. 10 am to 4 pm
Location: 195 St. David St. S, (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2) Fergus

Ages 19+

Don't have time for a full photography course but want to get off the automatic settings?  Do you want to take charge of your camera?  if so, this one-day program is perfect for you.  Using your DSLR or mirrorless camera, this one-day workshop will teach you how to use manual settings, and will make you comfortable with the advanced features available.  By the end of the day, you'll be familiar with lenses, ISO,  exposure control & more. Perfect for those who are new to photography, or want a refresher to help them get the most out of their cameras.

Fee: $275.00 + HST

Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.

10:00 to 4:00
195 St. David St. S, Fergus

The Art of Black & White Photography
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Location: 195 St. David St. S, Fergus (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)
Ages 19+

Long considered a true art form, black & white photography presents its own unique challenges. This full day workshop will take you beyond simply flipping your image to greyscale...we'll look at choosing your subject, working with dramatic lighting (natural and artificial), dynamic range, assessing brightness levels, and much more. Part of the day will be spent shooting: practical photography & compositional exercises, as well as various still life subjects, so bring your camera and a laptop if you have one. We will also look at editing your files, and examine the different options for converting files to black & white.

This class is best suited for intermediate to advanced photographers.  There will be a one hour lunch break.  Class size is limited to 8 participants.

Fee: $275.00 + HST

Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.

10:00 to 4:00 pm
195 St. David St. S, Fergus

Documentary Photography - One Day Workshop
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Location: 195 St. David St. S, Fergus (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)
Ages 19+

A photograph is powerful - it captures moments, holds memories, and helps us remember people. Often we form opinions or ideas based on these visual references that stay in our minds for a long time. We can also use photography to tell a story...a photograph truly is worth 1000 words! Yet in order to tell that story in a way that makes sense to the viewer, the images must have a common thread that explains our point of view, or that relates a tale. This workshop will examine photojournalism as a storytelling tool, and teach you ways to create a compelling collection of related images. We'll look at creating a series of images that reflects a single concept; choosing a subject, creating a storyline, point of view, and establishing connections in photographs, as well as the practicalities of documentary photography, such as model releases, ways to share our stories using digital or web-based methods, or printed photo books or art exhibitions. Other topics for discussion will include trends in photojournalism, ethics and more.

 Fee: $275.00 + HST

 Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.

10 am to 5 pm
2nd Floor Artists' Studio, 75 Melville St., Elora

Saturday, May 27, 2023, 10 am to 5 pm (Rain date:  Sun. May 28)

Location: 2nd Floor Artists' Studio, 75 Melville St, Elora N0B 1S0 (Elora Centre for the Arts)

For ages 19+

Have you ever wondered how to make photographs using the sun? Are you working with encaustic or mixed media, and want to add new techniques to your process?  This workshop will introduce you to the art of cyanotype, a historic photographic process that allows you to make images on various substrates such as art paper, fabric, wood panels and more, using natural light rather than a darkroom.  Cyanotype produces a beautiful deep blue colour, and can be combined with other art forms, toned with liquids such as tea or juice, or used in layering with other media such as encaustic, or on top of photographic paper to create cyanolumens.  We'll explore ways to coat paper or other media, how to use found objects, photographic negatives or botanicals to create unique photographs, and how to tone your prints using botanicals to alter the colours.  This workshop allows lots of time to experiment, so be ready to play...

All supplies are included - coating liquids, brushes, various papers, birch panels & fabric. Wear old clothes as cyanotype will stain clothing.  We will break for lunch, you can bring a picnic lunch or there are many good restaurants within a short walk.  

This workshop will be held in the 2nd Floor Artist Studio, 75 Melville St., Elora (Elora Centre for the Arts building),  and since it is weather-dependent, the rain date is the next day, Sun. May 28.  

Fee: $250.00 + HST

Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.

Orkney, Scotland

Orkney 2023 Art Retreat, from July 26 to August 2, 2023...registration is open! 

I'm really excited to be teaching during this retreat, and am planning to include some of the historic photo processes I've been working on this past year, as well as my landscape photography. If you're interested, send in the registration form.. I'm sure this one will fill up quickly.

The retreat is organized by my good friend and fellow artist, Elske deGroot from Luxeca Studios.  Between us we have many years of experience teaching art for all skill levels, and plan to include photography, encaustic and mixed media into the program.  You're also welcome to work with your own preferred media, and will benefit from the shared arts community created by this retreat.  Details are here: Luxeca Studios

As scheduled
195 St. David St. S, Fergus

Scheduled as required, in-person private lessons 

Location:  195 St. David St. S, Fergus


Don't have time for a scheduled class?  Have you bought a new camera and are looking for some tips to get you started?  Need some help with Photoshop or Lightroom?  Or is there a specific topic you're interested in...studio lighting, flash photography, portraits, or wedding photography?  If you don't see a workshop that suits your schedule or individual needs, consider taking a series of private lessons.  These can be scheduled during weekdays, evenings or weekends as time allows, and can be purchased as single 1 hour lessons, or you can purchase a block or 5 or 10 hours, to be used in sections that suit your schedule. Have a friend or two who might like to join you?  I can schedule semi-private groups for 2 to 3 people, prices are per person, registrants must attend together as scheduled.   

Private - 1 person
       1 hour lesson        $80 +hst
       5 hour package    $375 +hst
       10 hour package  $700 +hst

Semi-private -  2 to 3 people, prices per person
       1 hour lesson        $65 +hst
       5 hour package    $295 +hst
       10 hour package  $550 +hst

For groups of 4 to 5 people, please enquire for rates.

Contact me for details or Register Online

10:00 pm to 4:00 pm
195 St. David St. S. Fergus

Composition & Photographic Style
Winter 2023 - dates TBA
Location: 195 St. David St. S, Fergus (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)
Ages 19+

When we think of composition, we must consider the arrangement of the elements in a photograph, but what is it that makes an image exceptional, rather than ordinary?  How is it that any two people might interpret a scene in a completely different way from the other? How do we evaluate our own photographs to determine if they are successful beyond our own sentimental opinion?

All of this, and more, will be considered in this lecture.  We'll examine the work of renowned photographers and determine the reasons their images stand out.  You'll learn how to evaluate your own work, and how to develop your own photographic style.

 Fee: $275.00 + HST

 Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone or mail.

10:00 to 4:00
Location: 195 St. David St. S, Fergus (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)

The Photographic Art Form
Winter 2023 - dates TBA
Location: 195 St. David St. S, Fergus (Fergus Marketplace Building, Level 2)
Ages 19+


Photography has a long history as an art form, but is often misunderstood when considering it's place in the greater world of art. How does it fit in when compared with painting or sculpture or other media? How do we know when a photograph is simply a snapshot, or something more compelling?

In this one-day course, we will examine these questions by looking at the evolution of photography through different genres, and learn how to evaluate our own images in terms of artistic merit rather than as a purely technical endeavour.

The morning session will include a discussion on photography's place in the art world and how it compares to other art forms. We'll discuss how to develop a body of work, and how to identify trends or styles that influence how we both perceive and create our work. You will have a chance to discuss your own ideas, and should bring 5 or 6 of your photographs to show (optional).

The afternoon session will continue with information on pricing your photographs, archival printing methods, creating limited editions, submitting to galleries, and other ways to show your work such as photo-books or online options.

This course is designed for those who want to take their photography to a higher level by considering dynamic content rather than technical skills.

There will be a one hour lunch break.  Public health COVID protocols will be followed, and class size is limited to 8 participants.

Fee: $275.00 + HST 

 Register Online or call 519-787-7040 to register by phone.