Anyone done a Nikon School class?

[NancyMoranG]

they are teaching a 1 day class in Orlando in February.
It is Elements of Photography and goes from basic to HDR, and exposure etc.
Cost is $159.
Any insights?
Nancy

 

[pixmedic]

Sounds like a lot of money for something you can get off YouTube for free.

 

[TalkGlock]

Agree - "Youtube U" has tons of information available

 

[sm4him]

Who is "they?"
Is this a class that is actually taught by someone with Nikon?
Or just a Nikon-related class at a local university or community college or maybe some type of extension program?

I'd say…it depends.
As Pix and TalkGlock have already said, it's pretty likely that all of the information you might learn--especially in a one-day workshop--is already available at the low cost of nothing, thanks to the interwebs.
However, different people learn differently. I often find that being able to learn in a more "formal" environment with a real-life instructor often helps me understand and retain information better than I do when I go to the internet tuts. I tend to get information overload for one thing, and when I go to the internet for my tutorials, my ADHD can really kick in and I end up flitting from one topic to another. I have a hard time really tending to an online video if it's more than 10 minutes long.
So, for me, a workshop with an instructor may well be worth the money--but ONLY if the instructor is really someone reputable. And, I'd probably only do a one-day workshop if I can check out the agenda beforehand and be sure the specific information was going to really be helpful to me. In one day, covering a wide range of topics, you are likely to only get a pretty basic overview of each thing, NOT a real "how to do this and do it well" sort of instruction.

 

[pixmedic]

Hell, if you want to learn about portrait (or sewing machine) photography, just swing by our place. We're not too far outside Orlando. Plus, we'll only charge half that much! It's a bargain!

 

[NancyMoranG]

Thanks for that great deal Pixmedic
It is a NIKON teacher and class. I would like hands on if I can get it, I need help geez...
Haven't signed up, just curious..
I do want to get more serious this year.
Nancy

 

[pixmedic]

Thanks for that great deal Pixmedic
It is a NIKON teacher and class. I would like hands on if I can get it, I need help geez...
Haven't signed up, just curious..
I do want to get more serious this year.
Nancy

Yup. all we shoot is nikon

 

[fotomonkey]

Thanks for that great deal Pixmedic
It is a NIKON teacher and class. I would like hands on if I can get it, I need help geez...
Haven't signed up, just curious..
I do want to get more serious this year.
Nancy

Yup. all we shoot is nikon

All good photographers do.

 

[pixmedic]

Just razzin ya.

Seriously, anyone in the Orlando area that wants to learn/practice portraits with plenty of OCF is more than welcome to come over and sit in on some portrait sessions and get a little practice in. Can also go over our post processing.

It's nothing terribly "artsy" or "fancy", just good old fashioned formal portraiture. Check my flickr page for examples.
No charge.

 

[Forkie]

Workshops run by camera manufacturers are just day-long marketing campaigns for their equipment. The internet is the best place to pick up most of what you need to know about the technicalities of photography. Composition and artistic vision must come from you. If you really want to go to a class, go to a local, unbiased photography club or evening class.

 

[tirediron]

... In one day, covering a wide range of topics, you are likely to only get a pretty basic overview of each thing, NOT a real "how to do this and do it well" sort of instruction.

This is the key here. I attend quite a few workshops, and this price certainly isn't out of line for a full-day session with a top-line pro, IF it is a top line pro. That said, Sharon's point is one to note: Is all of the information going to be useful and how much are you going to get? If there's two hours of "This is how shutter-speed affects the image" and you're comfortable with that, then.. the other issue is how many students will there be? I find that ten is my limit; if there are more than nine others, I know that the number of stupid questions is going to reduce the level of useful information I'm going to get to just about zero. Ideally, 4-6 students per instuctor is a good ratio. If it's just a lecture, that's a whole different matter, but an actual hands-on workshop? Keep it small!

 

[NancyMoranG]

Thank you all. Very good advice.
Everything I have come up with in my area is over the Internet, even the local college.
I will keep looking.
Nancy

 

[MartinCrabtree108 2]

Shoot many frames while paying attention to what you're doing and what you're trying to do. When they meet remember how you did it.

 

[robbins.photo]

Just razzin ya.

Ahh crap, really? I got all excited about learning how to photograph sewing machines. Dang. Ok, well, guess I'll cancel the airline reservations.

Tease.


Lol

 

[VigilanteFoto]

they are teaching a 1 day class in Orlando in February.
It is Elements of Photography and goes from basic to HDR, and exposure etc.
Cost is $159.
Any insights?
Nancy

Hi Nancy - I took a similar Nikon class a few years ago that was given to my by the company I bought my camera. Truthfully, if you have worked with your camera, you will find that you wont learn much, but could have fun with the others that attend. I don't think I learned anything from the class, but I enjoy it as they show tons of photos (its kind of a photo show). If I had had to pay separately for it, I doubt I would have had as much fun.

I concur with the other commenters. There are many videos on YouTube or Lynda.com where you can learn free or much lower cost. You might also see if there is a Creative Live session that interests you, as I have learned a lot from their free webinars. Another way that I have learned the most is to participate in a Photography Meetup (see Meetup.com for your area to see what groups exist). We have a very active photography group here and most are happy to share what they know.