Coming Events

Photography Classes for 2010

I have again been asked to teach some photography classes this fall for the Cass Career Center (Harrisonville, MO). Here is the schedule of classes and pertinent information.  Registration is now open and you can register by contacting the Cass Career Center (816-380-3253):


“Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras” class: This class is a 3-session class for point-and-shoot digital camera users, scheduled for October 05, October 12, and October 19. We will cover basic camera controls and settings, how to get better exposures, some basic photo composition tips, and traveling with photographic equipment. Each session is 2 hours per night, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. This class is an entry level class with the only requirement being that the student knows the very basics of operating his/her camera (i.e., turning it on/off, etc.). Each student should bring his/her camera and camera manual to each class. There are limited openings for this class. To Enroll, or for more information, contact the Cass Career Center at (816) 380-3253, ext 7223 .  Class cost: $TBD 

“Digital SLR Photography” class: This class is a 3-session class for digital SLR (cameras with interchangeable lenses) users. Sessions are scheduled for October 07, October 14, and October 21. This class will cover camera controls and settings, lenses, how to get correct exposures (we will go into detail on this important aspect), some photo composition tips, traveling with photographic equipment, and whatever else we can squeeze in. Each session is 2 hours per night, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The class is an entry level class with the only requirement being that the student knows the very basic operation of his/her camera. We will build upon this basic knowledge. Each student should bring his/her camera and camera manual to each class. There are limited openings for this class. To Enroll, or for more information, contact the Cass Career Center at (816) 380-3253, ext 7223 .  Class cost: $TBD 

“Macro Photography” class: This 1-session class will cover equipment and techniques useful in shooting close-up images of small things (flowers, insects, etc.). Class will be held October 20, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm (I will be available to stay later, if more time is needed or you have questions you wish to talk to me about). Since we will be discussing a lot of intermediate to advanced techniques, the student should be well-versed with his/her camera and basic principles behind achieving correct exposures (aperture, shutter speeds, ISO). Each student should bring his/her camera and camera manual to class. There are limited openings for this class. To Enroll, or for more information, contact the Cass Career Center at (816) 380-3253, ext 7223 .  Class cost: $TBD 

“Landscapes & Moonscapes” class: This class is a 1-session class that will cover equipment and techniques for capturing images of landscapes and evening astrophotography (moon, stars, meteors, etc.). Class will be held on October 06, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm (I will be available to stay later, if more time is needed or you have questions you wish to talk to me about). I will cover camera controls and settings, lenses, and how to get correct exposures. Since we will be discussing a lot of intermediate to advanced techniques, the student should be well-versed with his/her camera and basic principles behind achieving correct exposures (aperture, shutter speeds, ISO). Each student should bring his/her camera and camera manual to class. There are limited openings for this class. To Enroll, or for more information, contact the Cass Career Center at (816) 380-3253, ext 7223 . Class cost: $TBD

“Digital Workflow/Image Editing ” class: This 1-session class is an overview of handling images beyond the camera. Where/how should you store images? What about backups? Can/should you edit your images? What editing software is available? What is the normal workflow for editing images? We will discuss these issues and I will show you, start-to-finish, how I edit and store my images. This class is an entry level class that shows you what/how you can improve your photos after they have been downloaded to your computer. Class will be held October 13, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm (I will be available to stay later, if more time is needed or you have questions you wish to talk to me about). Since this is an overview class, there are no prerequisites for signing up. There are limited openings for this class. To Enroll, or for more information, contact the Cass Career Center at (816) 380-3253, ext 7223 . Class cost: $TBD

“Hands-On Photo Workshops” (Spring/Summer 2010 only) : Overwhelmingly, students from my past 2 years’ classes have been requesting a “hands-on” workshop where they can practice making images, with instant feedback from me. After much planning, we are now offering workshops for the first time. Each workshop is a 1-session class, scheduled for 4 hours. There will be a limit of 6 students per workshop, so that I can provide adequate one-on-one assistance to all students. In order to assure that all attending students have a good, basic knowledge of their camera and photo techniques, a prerequisite for this class is that the student must have already taken the 3-week “Point-And-Shoot” or 3-week “Digital SLR” class, or get pre-approval from the instructor (Note: See above schedule as both of these prerequisite classes are being offered prior to these workshops).  The cost for the 4-hour workshop is $40.00 ; some of these workshops may involve visiting places with admission charges, so a supplemental fee for admission ($5 – $10) may be charged for these workshops and is due at the time of the workshop. A listing of each workshop, including location and expected photo subjects, will be available no later than March 15 (contact the Cass Career Center or visit their website at www.casscareercenter.com, or keep watching this webpage for more workshop information and a list of workshop locations). To Enroll, or for more information, contact the Cass Career Center at (816) 380-3253, ext 7223 . The scheduled dates for these workshops are:

Saturday, April 10 – We will shoot at the Kansas City Zoo, working on making good images of wildlife and plantlife.  We will emphasize composition, correct exposure, and camera controls.  For more information, check with Cass Career Center (see contact info, above). Completed

Saturday, April 24 – We will shoot at a local Conservation area.  Our main emphasis will be on wildflowers and will include macro images, composition, correct exposure, and using camera controls.  For more information, check with the Cass Career Center (see contact info, above). Completed

Saturday, May 08 – Again, we will shoot at the Kansas City Zoo, working on making good images of wildlife and plantlife.  We will emphasize composition, correct exposure, and camera controls.  For more information, check with Cass Career Center (see contact info, above). Completed

Saturday, May 15 – We will shoot at a local Conservation area.  Our main emphasis will be on late-spring wildflowers and will include macro images, composition, correct exposure, and using camera controls.  For more information, check with the Cass Career Center (see contact info, above). Completed

Saturday, June 19 – We will shoot at a local Conservation area, making images of local wetland wildlife and plantlife.  We will photograph frogs, dragonflies, and other assorted critters suitable for macro photography.  There may be some songbirds around, too.  For more information, check with the Cass Career Center (see contact info, above).

Saturday, June 26 – We will once again shoot at a local Conservation area, making images of local wetland wildlife and plantlife.  We will photograph frogs, dragonflies, and other assorted critters suitable for macro photography.  There may be some songbirds around, too.  For more information, check with the Cass Career Center (see contact info, above).

 



Upcoming Craft/Art Shows:

No defined dates yet.  Please check back at a later date!


 


Planned Photographic “shoots” for 2010:

  • Space Shuttle Launch & Florida Wildlife – I’m planning on visiting Florida sometime in 2010. The primary focus of the trip will be to photograph a shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center. The space shuttle program is being terminated in 2010 (being replaced with a rocket/capsule space vehicle) and I’m planning on photographing one of the few remaining shuttle launches. While in Florida, I will also photograph alligators and Florida birdlife (especially the roseatte spoonbill, one of my favorites!).
  • Missouri Prairie Chickens (March-April) – I hope to again be one of the guides for accompanying guests to the viewing blind to see the endangered Greater Prairie Chickens at Dunn Ranch, a 3,700 acre prairie land owned by The Nature Conservancy in rural Harrison County, MO. Prairie Chicken viewing is a program that is a cooperative effort between The Nature Conservancy and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Prairie Chicken viewing was cancelled for 2009, due to unsuccessful hatching during the 2008 nesting and the loss of many of the adult birds to predators. We are all anxiously waiting to see if the 2009 hatching was successful (early signs indicate it was), which will allow resumption of blind viewing in 2010. During my free time, I will be photographing this endangered bird as the males strut about and “boom” on their mating grounds (“leks”), attracting hens, as well as other prairie wildlife/scenery.
  • Wildlife of the Great Plains (late spring/summer) – I’m again planning on visiting the wonderfully scenic Wichita Mountains to photograph wildflowers, scenics and the abundant wildlife of the area, including prairie dogs, elk, bison, burrowing owls, and Eastern collared lizards.
  • Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountain NP (fall) – I am tentatively planning on again traveling this fall to these scenic parks to photograph the wildlife and fall scenery. The 2009 trip was very successful, but I didn’t have quite enough time to visit some of the places on my list. So, hopefully I will be able to return and get them this time!
  • Eagles of the Chilkat (winter) – Having missed the Chilkat trip in 2009 (the first time in 3 years), I am planning on traveling to Haines, Alaska to spend a week photographing the bald eagles that return to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to feed upon a late salmon run. The eagle counts here range from 3,500 to 5,000 along a 3.5 mile stretch of the Chilkat River. Photographing here is a photographer’s dream-come-true!  In fact, I will be co-leading a group of photographers to Haines this year.  You can learn more about this trip by clicking here.    


Projects for 2010:

  • Continue my rotating display of prints in area businesses, to help introduce the public to my photography business. I will also be trying to gain some additional businesses to display my work.
  • Expanding my line of “Reflections of Nature” note card series.
  • Set up an advisory board to assist me in getting my photography business going.
  • Write a photography e-book.
  • Continue conducting photography classes for Cass Career Center.
  • Publish 2011 calendar.
  • Submit images for magazines, travel brochures, calendars, etc.