Buying a Digital Camera

Not sure where to begin when you are looking to buy your first digital camera?  Are you confused between megapixel and megabytes? Looking to give a Camera as a Gift and don't know where to start? This is the class for you. This class is designed to help you navigate the digital world. Our instructor will cover the different terms and what they mean.  This class will help you make an educated choice when buying your digital camera for yourself or sometone else. Upon completion of this class you will get a $15 dollar giftcard to our store for when you are ready to make that new camera purchase.  You have nothing to lose.

Limit 12 students.  Cost $15.00 (One session, 1 hr)

 Digital Camera Basics

Are you new to the world of digital photography? Did you get your camera as a gift? Are you still having problems understanding it? This class will cover what you need to start using your digital camera. The focus will be on basic camera operation, proper use of flash,composition, and recommended tools to help make your pictures better.

Limit 10 students.  Cost $35.00 (One Session, 2.5 hr)

 Advanced Techniques - Close-up/Scenic

Do you like getting up-close and personal or sitting back and admiring the scenery? You will learn all the tips and techniques to use when shooting close-up nature and product photography, as well as proven tips for scenic and landscape photography. Designed primarily for Point and Shoot cameras that have shutter/aperture controls (PASM modes) or any digital SLR camera.

Limit 10 students.  Cost $35.00 (One Sessions, 2.5 Hr)

 Advanced Techniques - People/Sports Action

Are your kids in sports? Do you want to take your snapshots to the next level? This class will teach you techniques to use when shooting sports, action, people and portraits. Designed primarily for Point and Shoot cameras that have shutter/aperture controls (PASM modes) or any digital SLR camera.

Limit 10 students.  Cost $35.00 (One Sessions, 2.5 Hr)

 Canon Digital SLR Basics

This class will familiarize you with; issues that arise when switching from film to digital, basic

function of your camera, choosing exposure modes, working with different file types, using flash effectively and choosing filters and accessories. This class is tailored to specific brands of cameras. The class is tailored to Canon Digital SLR cameras.

Limited to approximately 12 students. Cost $35.00 (One Session, 2.5 hours)

 Canon Digital SLR Intermediate

Moving beyond the basic, this course is for digital SLR owners looking to fully understand and appreciate their cameras.  Topics include: getting the most out of your camera's metering and exposure functions, understanding histograms and custom white balance, proper lens choice, maximizing quality with RAW files, converting RAW files in your computer, and  more!  Students should have attended the DSLR beginner course or have equivalent knowledge.

This class is specific to Canon Digital SLR cameras.

Limit 10 students.  Cost $80.00 (Two 2.5-hr Sessions)

 Nikon Digital SLR Basics

This class will familiarize you with; issues that arise when switching from film to digital, basic function of your camera, choosing exposure modes, working with different file types, using flash effectively and choosing filters and accessories. This class is tailored to specific brands of cameras. The class is tailored to Nikon Digital SLR cameras.

Limited to approximately 12 students. Cost $35.00 (One Session, 2.5 hours)

 Nikon Digital SLR Intermediate

Moving beyond the basic, this course is for digital SLR owners looking to fully understand and appreciate their cameras.  Topics include: getting the most out of your camera's metering and exposure functions, understanding histograms and custom white balance, proper lens choice, maximizing quality with RAW files, converting RAW files in your computer, and  more!  Students should have attended the DSLR beginner course or have equivalent knowledge.

This class is specific to Nikon Digital SLR cameras.

Limit 10 students.  Cost $80.00 (Two 2.5-hr Sessions)

 Olympus Digital SLR Basics

This class will familiarize you with; issues that arise when switching from film to digital, basic function of your camera, choosing exposure modes, working with different file types, using flash effectively and choosing filters and accessories. This class is tailored to specific brands of cameras. The class is tailored to Olympus Digital SLR cameras.

Limited to approximately 12 students. Cost $35.00 (One Session, 2.5 hours)

 Pentax Digital SLR Basics

This class will familiarize you with; issues that arise when switching from film to digital, basic function of your camera, choosing exposure modes, working with different file types, using flash effectively and choosing filters and accessories. This class is tailored to specific brands of cameras. The class is tailored to Pentax Digital SLR cameras.

Limited to approximately 12 students. Cost $35.00 (One Session, 2.5 hours)

 Studio Lighting for Beginners

Explore the fundamentals of studio lighting and how to decide which lighting solutions are best for you. We'll show you the pros and cons of the different lighting options available. Learn how to effectively use key and fill light. We'll help you gain confidence to make the most of your lighting equipment. Understanding of photography fundamentals required including adjusting shutter speed and aperture on your camera.

Limit 12 students.  Cost $50.00 (One Session, 3 hrs)

 Digital Video Basics

Do you want to explore the world of video? This class is designed to help you understand your video camera. We will cover the basic functions of camcorders and how to improve the quality of your home videos. The class also covers the basics of digital editing and connecting to your TV.

Limit 10 students.  Cost $35.00 (One session, 2 hrs)

 Photo Finale 4.0

How do you fully enjoy all those digital photos? Learn how to: easily get photos into your computer to organize and share them; quickly email photo; add text; perform basic enhancements such as cropping, converting to black and white and red eye removal. See how easy printing and storing photos on CD can be. PC based software. (Note: Students should already have a copy of Photo Finale. Ask our staff how you can get a copy at no charge)

Limited to approximately12 students. Cost $35.00 (One Session, 2.5 hours)

 Photoshop Elements Beginner

Photoshop Elements is a powerful, yet affordable photo-editing program. Students will receive an overview of many of the useful features this program offers. Topics include, cropping images, basic retouching techniques, removing unwanted portions of an image, introduction to layers, and more. Note: Students should already own Photoshop Elements 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 and be familiar with computer basics and digital concepts such as resolution and file formats.

Limit 8 students.  Cost $80.00 (Two 2.5-hr Sessions)

 Photoshop Elements Intermediate

This hands-on course will take Photoshop Elements users beyond the basics. The class will be part lecture and part hands-on. Students will complete several image-editing projects including; retouching imperfections in photos, creating a collage with several images, and creating a photo business card. You will learn many of the available tools to help spark your creativity. Note: Students should already own Photoshop Elements 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 and have attended Photoshop Elements Beginner class or have equivalent knowledge.

Limit 8 students.  Cost $80.00 (Two 2.5-hr Sessions)

 Digital Video Editing

This hands-on course will take you through the steps of getting you movies into you computer to create an edited video on DVD.  Students will get the chance to work on a supplied piece of footage to learn the skills of removing unwanted video, adding sound and music, and inserting special effects and text. This class is designed for digital camcorder users though others may attend. Note: Requires Basic Digital Video class or equivalent knowledge as well as basic computer knowledge.

Limit 8 students.  Cost $80.00 (Two 2.5-hr Sessions)

 One On One Tutoring

Our class not specific enough for you? Still feel you need that little extra help or do you work better when the training is more personal? Then one on one tutor may be just the thing for you. Let one of our instructors take the time to sit down with you are your equipment and help you learn the best ways of using it for your particular needs. Our staff is on hand and ready to help. Let us know what you and looking for and a good time and we will work with you and pair you up with the right teacher for the job. You will get one on one time with one of our instructors.(Reservation of time required generally requires a two week notice to schedule the proper time)  Please contact Jeremy at our store 608-833-1411 or via e-mail at jeremy@cameracompany.com to setup times.

 In the Field Training Courses

Due to popular demand we have now branched out to taking our students out in the field to shoot and learn with their cameras and our Camco U instructors.  Times and places for the events will change as well as the costs for the class.  Current photo places of choice are the Henry Vilas Zoo, Arboretum, and Olbrich Gardens.  We will teach you better shooting techniques as well as the functions of your camera.  So events may even include photo contests with prizes.  Keep looking for updates as these events have limited students allowed.  The links below will give more details on the events themselves.  If you have any questions about a specific event contact Jeremy at Jeremy@cameracompany.com.

 Zoo Days

Canon Zoo Day

June 14^th from 10:00am - 2:00pm

Come and join us at the Henry Vilas Zoo for a day of learning and picture taking fun. We will be meeting at the zoo at 10:00am at the main entrance called the Lion's Gate. We will then take the group throughout the zoo teaching you and guiding you on how to use your new Canon digital SLR camera. We will explore how to control depth of field and the effect on your photo, the use of wide-angle and telephoto lenses, fill flash, close-up photography, composition and much more. The class is limited in size to have more attention given to each student.

Reserve your seat soon as we expect this special class to fill up quickly. We look forward to spending the afternoon with you.

Nikon Zoo Day

June 28^th from 10:00am - 2:00pm

Come and join us at the Henry Vilas Zoo for a day of learning and picture taking fun. We will be meeting at the zoo at 10:00am at the main entrance called the Lion's Gate. We will then take the group throughout the zoo teaching you and guiding you on how to use your new Nikon digital SLR camera. We will explore how to control depth of field and the effect on your photo, the use of wide-angle and telephoto lenses, fill flash, close-up photography, composition and much more. The class is limited in size to have more attention given to each student.

Reserve your seat soon as we expect this special class to fill up quickly. We look forward to spending the afternoon with you.