ONLINE PHOTO CLASSES
CONDUCTED BY CAROL LEIGH

It's all about seeing, learning to develop your creative eye.
With a lot of technique thrown in . . .

• Designed for beginning to advanced photographers.
  A beginning photographer will do just as well as an advanced photographer in these classes since we're concentrating on seeing first and technique second.

• No major equipment purchases.
  The assignments don't require that you own a plethora of lenses, filters, gizmos and gadgets. If you've got 'em, great. If you don't, don't worry about it. The only thing you may wish you have is a macro lens, especially for the macro class, but there are inexpensive close-up devices available for moving in tighter without investing in a macro lens.

• Don't consider yourself a techno-geek?
  Don't worry about it. The technical stuff will sneak into your brain when you're not looking and soon will become second nature to you.

REGISTRATION - $180
The registration window is open now through the first two weeks of each class. $180 per class. Register online at our online store or call Carol Leigh at (800) 49-PHOTO (800-497-4686) to register over the phone.

WANT TO AUDIT THE CLASS? $85
You'll enjoy the benefits of the class, all the instruction, the lessons, the discussions, the tips, the camaraderie, etc. Everything is yours except you won't be posting your photos and you won't be receiving critiques. Just $85 to audit the class.

LIMITED TO 25 PHOTOGRAPHERS

Once you're registered, you'll receive information on how to access the class, what you'll need, how to prepare your photos for viewing, etc.
 

PREREQUISITES

• Access to the Internet.
   
• If you're a film shooter, you'll need some way of converting your slides or prints to JPEGs so that they can be shown online.
   
• If you're a digital shooter, you'll need some way of sizing your photos to show them online as JPEGs.
   
• Any focal length lens will work fine. Really. There may be times, however, when you'll want to move in closer to your subject. A macro lens is great, but you can easily use extension tubes on whatever lens you have or else buy a set of close-up diopters that screw onto the front of your current lens.
   
• A tripod is necessary, especially for the lessons on "Neon," "Kitchen Art" and for the macro class. These lessons will involve long shutter speeds (longer than 1/60 second) and so you'll need some sort of support for sharpness.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How to see creatively.

How to make a dramatic, striking photograph from the simplest of things.

How to evaluate lighting as a pro would do.

What separates a professional-looking photo from a snapshot.

Tips on composition and exposure.

Information about little pieces of equipment that can improve your photography 100%.

Upcoming Classes

6 tutorials in 8 weeks . . .

TESTIMONIALS

Mostly, I photograph outdoors and enjoy doing wildlife and landscape, etc. But sometimes Carol sends me indoors for assignments and I get frustrated with "studio photography" so this class will be a big challenge for me but I know I'll learn good things because Carol is truly the best. — K.C.

I have taken 3 workshops and a number of online classes (can't remember how many) with Carol. I love her classes because a) I learn a lot (duh - why else would I keep taking them), b) her teaching style is honest critique without being intimidating - very "loving", c) classes are FUN, d) she is a very, very, very good photographer and has vision that I could only dream about - she "sees" from her heart and subsequently captures the world with her camera in a very special way, and e) she is brilliant, talented and quite witty. — C.D.

I've absolutely loved the class and will be signing up for future classes. — C.Z.

You are so good at suggesting how to make a not so good photo into something. Thank you again for being nicely critical. — M.L.

I took Carol's class to learn to see, which is a big difference than just looking. Because of Carol's classes, I'm beginning, and I mean just beginning, to see thing's to photo everywhere I go. I've taken all five of her classes, with six lessons per class that is 30 different things to think about photographing. To me the ten days for each assignment is only the beginning to understanding what she teaches in each lesson, for me each assignment should be thought about daily or whenever you photograph, I find the more I think about the assignments the more photo opportunities pop out at me. — D.W.

I love your critiques. They really help me study a photo and ask, "how can I make this better?" — M.S.

I truly do appreciate the enormous amount of time and effort you put into the critiques - and these new format critiques are truly wonderful teaching tools. — C.M.

The new format for critiques is GREAT. You can really see what you are telling us by having the picture right there next to the words and when you circle something or put a line thru something we can see exactly where in the picture you are looking so that is a great value add for us. — K.D.

Carol, your creativity is amazing. I spent an hour at Office Depot yesterday trying to find something to shoot, and decided that thumbtacks just don't have any potential. And here you come with those pictures :) I love you for this! — B.B.

Your critiques are great and again point out what not to include along with your suggestions as to how to improve a photo and, in addition, your illustrations of taking a photo and showing what can be done are EXTREMELY HELPFUL. — B.R.

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, Carol. I have really enjoyed your classes and will miss them. I definitely will be signing up for the remaining 4 classes that I haven't taken. — L.M.

Thanks again. Your comments are always very helpful. It's nice to be able to understand exactly why a photograph works or doesn't work. I think that is one of the things I'm finding most helpful in this class. — R.R.

I appreciate all your comments in the critiques. They have really helped me to start to see things differently. As a beginner I have to admit to being somewhat intimidated by what I've seen posted by the other members of the class. But it really inspires me to try to improve! — J.W.

Thanks so much for the extensive critique of my primary colors! Just as soon as I read something I can see it in the picture and think, once again, how come I didn't see that? But my eyes are getting much better because of your assignments and critiques. — J.S.

Thank you, Carol, for both enlightening critiques. It is so helpful to have you pinpoint what's not quite right with an image. Thank you for both your compliments and your suggestions, they are much appreciated. M.A.

My photos for the primary colors assignment are ready for critique. As usual you get us all thinking and looking differently at photo opportunities. I now find myself looking for primary colors and look to see where they can enhance a photo. It's fun seeing things in different ways. — K.D.

I really enjoyed this class, and I have learned so much from the critiques. I also got a lot out of the tips and info shared between classmates. — T.P.

As this class is wrapping up I've been learning a lot and hate for it to end. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and your great sense of humor. — P.H.

I owe it to Carol on what I put on my canvas, these lessons that Carol taught me, have opened my eyes to seeing the world in new ways. Taking four classes from Carol has given me 24 different things to look for when I want to find something to shoot, plus all the wonderful information on how to compose a shot, FYI and such great critiques. Carol, has a wonderful style, one that I've not seen before, taking common ordinary things and making them into works of art. I'm excited in seeing everyone work and seeing through your sees, the seeing what Carol has to say about your work. — D.W.

Thanks again for all your hard work and imparting of knowledge. I've enjoyed all your classes and I think there is still one I haven't taken, so I'm sure you will be hearing from me in the not too distant future. — B.B.

I am currently part of a local photography group that consists of many professional photographers however Carol has shown me many more ways on how you can "See" thru the lens. Carol has a knack of bringing out the creative artistic talents that are within you. I am very much looking forward to this class and many more. — K.D.

I have enjoyed this class very much, I'm most impressed by your eagle eye and also by what a great group of students you have, such a lot of really talented and nice people. Thank you very much for such a fun time, I shall certainly be talking you up in our camera club. — S.F.

I will miss reading your funny comments. I am amazed and appreciative of how much of yourself you put into these classes. You make them very personable. Thank you so very much. — P.H.

Thank you so much, Carol! You've made my day! I thought you would hate these. I'm hard on myself. LOL! I didn't get this before and I was worried you were saving it for last to deliver the bad news. LOL! I have so enjoyed your class and am thrilled I am in the next one!!! I am learning so much from you and the others here. What a bunch of talented photographers you all are. And, Carol thanks for all of generous and well thought out helpful lessons, hints and tips. It's really amazing. — T.E.

I think my photography has gotten better in the last year. I've certainly gained confidence. I've learned to look at things differently. Now I find myself sizing up almost everything for its photographic possibilities. And I owe this to your gentle, persistent hectoring. You were just what I needed to kick-start this avocation.

You've heard from all of us about your amazing ability to gracefully criticize, to instruct, and to join with us all in solving a photographing problem. But what I think of first is how much fun I've had, both with the assignments and — even more — with the online conversations. Thanks again. — R.Z.

It's hard to put into words what your class has done for me. Your critiques are right on, and I learn from reading everyone else's as well as my own. You have reminded me of things I learned "way" in the past and my conscious mind had forgotten. . . A thousand thanks to you -- I have printed everything, and know I will refer to it often. — B.C.

I had trouble when I first started this assignment. As with many of your assignments they start out as being Scavenger Hunts for me, but as time goes by I start to see these things daily with no effort at all. If I start to see alpha-numerics the way that I see "Hearts" now wow. Thank you for all these exercises to teach me to see. — D.W.

Carol, thanks so much for all your work with the critiques in this class. I keep learning good things from you and can see improvement in my shots. Leaving town for several weeks of camping, so I can't do the summer class but perhaps this fall. Thanks again, you are the greatest! — K.C.

Thank you so much Carol. My first experience with your class was beyond my expectations. I will be back again next summer. — V.L.

I enjoyed this class much more this time around. Thanks so much for your tutoring, Carol. I feel I can see a definite improvement in my work and work process with my photos after several classes in a row with you. — L.H.

I learned so much from this class, and I'm starting to think about all the things you tell us in our critiques as I snap away. I'm still a beginner and I'm having even more fun then before! Thanks again--its been great fun. I'll be seeing you in a future class! — J.S.

Just want to say how much I enjoyed my first class with you. I learned so much from you and my classmates. — V.L.

Carol, thank you for your patience and passion for photography. Your recommendations and comments are greatly appreciated. I don't know where you get your energy but thank you. That was a lot of work and you did way more than any of us expected. Thank you for helping us improve! — J.A.

Thank you so much for this wonderful class you have put together, and for going the extra mile. —D.W.

Here are some of the specific benefits I have found: My camera has become my more frequent companion, something I had always promised myself but never followed through with before. I look with different eyes on my everyday surroundings; blue and orange on a stucco wall; reflections in store windows; yes, even garbage cans waiting for collection. Best of all, I get a chance to listen to critiques from different sources, decide whether to make those changes and look at my efforts again. Then see what the group thinks of the new version. I have been amazed at the difference a little cropping and cloning can do to eliminate distractions and present a stronger and a cleaner image.

Carol Leigh is a wonderful teacher whose analytical ability together with her ability to express her suggestions in genuinely supportive ways has made assignments a real learning experience. All this for relatively little cost and no inconvenience. When it’s done well, the format can’t be bettered. — R.P.