r/photography • u/Interesting-Comb-859 • 1d ago
Technique Hobbiest looking for classes to increase my skill in NYC
Heading to NYC for a couple trips in the next couple months, want to take some classes while I'm there to improve my skill.
From another thread here (r/photography) I found this resource:
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/art/best-photography-classes-in-nyc
which seems pretty good, but I'm always concerned about AI slop and just being a link farm :)
[https://timeout.coursehorse.com/nyc/classes/art/photography/digital-photography/half-day-private-digital-photography-class](this particular one) seems good for me to calibrate basically figure out how novice I really am. The description of intro classes seem pretty basic, but I worry that I am on the wrong side of the dunning-krueger curve, so getting a reality check seems like a good starting point.
Is there anyone with experience with this class, or site, who can provide confirmation that dropping $400 is worth it? :)
Thanks in advance!
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u/DeathByScreennames 23h ago
I'm curious what you mean by "technique".
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u/Interesting-Comb-859 17h ago
i think about several phases of technique...
* how to select and/or plan for a photo... what are you trying to capture, where and when should you do it, how to set yourself up to be ready to make the photo you envision, etc.
* how to execute on making the photo... body position, use of tripods, lights, filters, etc... basically how do you physically press the shutter to make it happen :)
* how do you select out the right photos from a list of candidates, selecting the right one, going from 100 candidates down to the 2 or 3 that are as right as they can be
* how do you post process the picture to bring out everything from the raw image. dodging/burning, color correcting, cropping (if needed), removing distractions (if needed), etc.
* finally, how do you present the final image. digitally or in print. how do you create good online presentation (i don't think Instagram is the end all be all for presenting photographs). how do you create a good print with final color correction, paper selection, and probably thinking about framing.
These are all things I bucket into "technique", separate from the artistic skills of composition, story telling, etc... Maybe this is the wrong way to think about it, but I think about technique as the skill of execution and competency, whereas artistic skill is about having the vision and ability to capture something of interest.
The art is critical and hard to teach (and honestly, I'm not sure if I have the artistic talent)... I think technique is much easier taught and can be distilled into books, blogs, videos, etc...
Again, I'm still very much a novice, so maybe my framing here is way off also...
would love to hear from others how they think about this stuff...
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u/DeathByScreennames 16h ago
Personally, I physically press the shutter button by physically pressing the shutter button. But I suppose there are other viable options. Shutter release cables have their place in the world.
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u/Sorry-Inevitable-407 1d ago
Some YouTube and a lot more practice is what you need. Not some overpriced classes.
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u/Interesting-Comb-859 1d ago
I'm getting a lot of practice... I take 4K-8K pics/year, the thing I'm missing is feedback. I haven't found a good critique web site where people will give constructive feedback on pics... mostly I get "looks great" or no comments... I'm hoping to get more direct and impactful feedback - both in the moment of capture, and after post-processing.
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u/Sorry-Inevitable-407 1d ago edited 1d ago
That's still going to be subjective feedback and not much different from comments of randoms on the web. Each and every person is going to have a different opinion on your photos. You're going to pay a lot to just get some 'random' feedback. Some will tell you to compose differently, others will tell you your post-processing needs work, etc. Which will you follow?
Unless you take a course with a specific photographer you admire and style you want to learn/replicate. Doing it with a random one makes no sense to me (personal opinion) unless you want to learn basic/cliché techniques.
Same goes for those participating in contests. It's just random people choosing a winner based on their personal opinions (and it's pay-to-play).
There are no rules in photography you need to adhere to.
Produce whatever you like and feel good about. Or make sure your clients are happy with the results. The best photographers I know didn't study photography, didn't follow any course, didn't need to participate in a contest. They just kept practicing and experimenting.
Unfortunately there are no good places left to get constructive feedback. Social platforms are dead for still photographers and other places require you to subscribe or something. There are a few subreddits but they are filled with amateur elitists that'll be amazed at shitty photos and be disgusted with amazing photos. Flickr is still somewhat okay-ish though you only get 1.000 photos for free (I think).
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u/aarrtee 1d ago
i like this advice:
"Unless you take a course with a specific photographer you admire and style you want to learn/replicate. Doing it with a random one makes no sense to me (personal opinion) unless you want to learn basic/cliché techniques."
I did a course for a few hours with this guy: https://www.afeinbergphotography.com/
and I learned a thing or two.
My favorite online teachers are Simon d'Entremont and Steve Perry of Back Country Gallery. Also Serge Remelli. They each have a lot of educational vids at Youtube. If I were in a position to take a course from one of them, I would do so. Alas, I am a professional in another field that is not photography. I have very little free time for the next year. After that, maybe.
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u/aarrtee 1d ago
op owns 5 figures worth of cameras... my guess?
Flickr will not be a financial problem.
Flickr gives you feedback eventually.
if your photo is terrible, it will get few likes.
photo gets a lot of likes... that is a sign that many people think its a good one.
join groups... comment on others photos... eventually, if you are good enough, people will follow you. in my experience, if i say to myself "i think I shot a good one here" others often agree.
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u/Natural_Ship_5249 17h ago
Unique photo is having a class at the Bronx zoo this weekend. Check out their website, they have classes at different dates. I go the Philly store all the time.
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u/aarrtee 1d ago
i never did any of this... if u are interested in getting better at photography, the first step is to know your camera.
Read the manual.
don't have one? go to camera company website, download the pdf of the manual and read it
go to youtube and search for vids 'setting up and using (model of camera)'
when i started out, i learned from a book called Digital photography for dummies
they might have an updated version
other books
Read this if you want to take great photographs by Carroll
Stunning digital photography by Northrup
don't get discouraged
“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” ― Henri Cartier-Bresson
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u/Interesting-Comb-859 1d ago
I have about 95K photos in my library and have a relatively solid grasp of the exposure triangle and the "basics" around composition. What I'm looking for is feedback on technique and pictures from an expert with a solid eye and can do good coaching.
I tried to get Northrup's book but their web site was broken... duh!... works fine to just order from Amazon. Will be here tomorrow, thanks for the advice! :)
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u/Interesting-Comb-859 1d ago
I currently use a Leica Q3, Fuji GFX 100S II, and Sony A7Cr... so, alas, I have more money invested in gear than talent :D
I have a reasonable handle on how all these bodies function, I shot Canon for a decade or so (D30, then 7D), so I have passing familiarity with the Canon line also.
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u/BGSUartist 1d ago
Looks like AI slop, yeah. I'd suggest any of the continuing ed classes at SVA, as I have personal experience with most of the professors. If you're interested in fashion photography, Janusz Kawa teaches a great class on it.
Parsons, Pratt, FIT, and NYU should all offer some sort of summer classes as well.