Learning Digital Photography - From the Ground Up

2012-06-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to "Learning Digital Photography
-- From The Ground Up"

Congratulations, you've joined the digital photography world.

Now you're looking for down-to-earth training in the principles of photography to take advantage of the digital photography revolution. At first glance, the challenge of learning the intricacies of DSLR cameras and composition can seem daunting. It is true that you are starting in a craft with its own set of rules as well as its own - not always logical - jargon. It's an unnatural mix of technology and art. But that's what makes this journey so compelling.

Each year, thousands of beginners take those first steps.

Students of the art who succeed, and realize the personal satisfaction that digital photography offers, do so by first learning and committing to the basic building blocks of photography.

How will you really LEARN photography?

How are you going to acquire that fundamental knowledge and understanding?

Some take the trial and error approach.

Put a data card in the camera and start shooting. If you have years to learn and enjoy re-inventing the wheel, then you've found the ideal solution.

Others read books or take expensive Internet courses.

This approach is better, but can be costly and requires considerable time. Most importantly, these options are missing the one component that facilitates true education -- hands-on experience with live instruction and professional feedback in a face-to-face classroom environment.

That personal educational environment is available.
In Oregon and Washington these foundation-building classes are offered by Tom Hubbard. Tom is a noted photographer, educator and author who uses his expertise to construct digital photography classes that are specifically tailored to beginners. Learn alongside others who share your interest, and from a dedicated instructor who finds his greatest satisfaction in seeing his students experience that "Ah-Ha" photographic moment.

Browse through the "Site Contents" to learn more about Hub's classes for beginning DSLR photographers with detailed descriptions of his current class offerings, schedule information and registration instructions.

Sign up today, and change your photographic life.

Hub's Out-of-the-Box DSLR Introduction Class

2009-11-19T22:27:00.000-08:00

Now What?

For the first time DLSR owner, opening the box can be an overwhelming, even intimidating, event. There's paper work galore, software CDs, data card, cables, batteries, neckstrap, lens and even a camera packed away in that "impossible to repack" box. Then you take a close look at the camera. All those dials, menus, knobs, buttons and secret doors.

Where I you begin? Better yet, how do I take my first pictures?

Don't panic. You're not alone. All photographers have been there. We have a solution. Sign up for Hub's Out-of-the-Box Introductory Class for beginning DSLR users. This three hour class will take you from opening the box to taking your first pictures -- including how to attach that darn neckstrap to the camera.

Tom "Hub" Hubbard (shown above with students) is the former Director of the Time-Life Photo and Digital Imaging Department at Time Inc. He has made a career of helping photographers of all skill levels achieve their potential. Tom is now the publisher of The Portland Metro Photographic News and spends much of his time teaching beginners the "ins and outs" of photography in our local photographic community.

This class is specifically designed to get first-time DSLR owners started on the right foot. Here's that "perfect opportunity" to start a new hobby armed with the basic education that will get you over the initial "box shock" and on your way to a taking beautiful pictures. It could be the best $25 dollar investment you ever made.

So, you don't need this, but you know someone who could benefit by this personal, hands-on training.

No problem. Click on our Gift Certificate Button (below), and you can give the gift of education to that special, up and coming photographer in your life. After receiving your gift, your aspiring photographer just comes to this page, selects a date to attend and redeems the gift certificate at the check out counter.

2010 Out-of-the-Box Introductory Class Schedule:

Location:

Clark County Genealogical Society Annex
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
Click HERE for Google Map

Time:

7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Class starts promptly at 7:00 p.m.

Class Outline:

All those parts
All that paper work
All those dials, knobs, display and settings
(Setting up the camera for the first time)
Taking your first pictures
Viewing your pictures
Camera care and cautions

What to bring with you:

Your camera
Your manual
Your notebook
Your "sense of humor"

Registration

Click on the Session you want to attend in the schedule above, you will be taken to the correct Registration Page.
From the pull down menu, confirm the date that you want to attend.
Finish completing the registration information.
You're done.
A confirmation email will be sent to you.

Cost: $25

All major credit cards are accepted as well as PayPal.

Purchasing Gift Certificates

2009-11-19T15:29:00.000-08:00

Give the Gift of Photographic Education

Make this a "Holiday to Remember" with the

Present Every Beginning Photographer Will Appreciate

Gift Certificates are available for all 2010
Tom Hubbard Beginning DSLR Photography Classes

What Hub's students say:

"... excited to put everything I learned today into practice."

"Thanks again, Great Job, again."

"Thank you for your time. I had the greatest "ah-ha" moment in the lens segment."

"The class was great."

"Hub = Genius"

"Hub, as usual, you have the ability to articulate the 'what needs to be said' and to do so in a constructive way."
"Of course, it goes without saying that I always love Hub."
"Thank You!! I have SO MUCH to do this winter now ... LOTS of practice, practice, practice."

You don't need to know the specific class or date now.
Your special photographer can come to this site anytime
to select a class and date. The Gift Certificate will be
redeemed at the time of Check Out.

Each Gift Certificate cost $59, and can be used to enroll
in any of the above classes.

Just click on the button below.
Major credit cards and PayPal are accepted.

DSLR Photography 104

2009-11-18T19:17:00.000-08:00

taught by Tom Hubbard

DSLR Photography 104
Photographic Composition

©2006,tehubbard

Composition is an elusive component of photography. For the beginning DSLR user, learning the generally agreed upon Rules of Photographic Composition is the starting point. This class presents, through images and demonstrations, the Rules of Composition in a manner that affords the beginner with a compositional starting point when approaching the task of orchestrating the elements of a scene in a way that best conveys his/her visual message. This class concludes with an shooting assignment that will be electronically returned to Tom for his review and helpful comments.

Prerequisites:
DSLR Photography 101 and 102 recommended, but not required.

Location:
Clark County Genealogical Society Activity Room
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
Click HERE for Google Map

Class Size:
Limited to 25 students
(A minimum of 5 students must register to conduct the class. If any class falls short of this number, registered students will be contacted and offered the choice of a refund or substituting another class.)

2010 DSLR Photography 104 Class Dates:

Session A, Thursday, February 18 - This Session is now CLOSED
Session B, April 22
Session C, June 24
Session D, September 23
Session E, November 24

Note: All classes are on Thursday evening with the exception of Wednesday, November 24th. That Thursday (the 25th) is Thanksgiving.

Time:
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Class starts exactly at 7 p.m. Please be prompt.

Equipment/Supplies Required:

DSLR camera Tripod
Camera manual
Notebook/pen or pencil

Class Outline:

Visual Elements of Composition
The 8 Rules/Guidelines of Photographic Composition
KISS
The Rule of Thirds
Subject in Focus
Getting Close
Control the Background
Create a 3D World
Use the Power of Lines
Reality Check
On Breaking the Rules

Cost: $59

Registration:
Click on the SESSION NAME in the CLASS DATES section above to register.
Note: If you are paying for this class with a Gift Certificate, the certificate will be redeemed at the time you check out.

DSLR Photography 103

2009-11-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

Taught by Tom Hubbard

DSLR Photography 103 - The Light Way
(All about light and photography)

©2009,tehubbard

If photography is all about light, then a clear understanding of the properties of light as well as how you and your camera control light is essential to successful photography. This class is designed to provide you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to feel confident under the changing light environments a photographer typically encounters. This session ends with a shooting assignment which will be electronically submitted to Tom for review and helpful comments.

Prerequisites:
DSLR Photography 101 and 102 recommended, but not required

Location:
Clark County Genealogical Society Activity Room
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
Click HERE for Google Map

Class Size:
Limited to 25 students
(Note: A minimum of 5 students must register to conduct the class. If any class falls short of this number, registered students will be contacted and offered the choice of a refund or substituting another class.)

2010 DSLR Photography 103 Class Dates:

Session A, Thursday, February 11 - This Session Is Now CLOSED
Session B, April 8
Session C, June 10
Session D, September 9
Session E, November 11

Time:
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Class starts promptly at 7 p.m.

Equipment/Supplies Required:

DSLR camera
camera manual
notebook/pen or pencil

Class Outline:

Understanding Light
Photography's Color Pallet
Controlling Light
All about White Balance
The Personalities of Natural Light
Artificial Light

Cost: $59

Registration:
Click on the SESSION NAME in the CLASS DATES section above that you want to attend.
Note: If you paying with a Gift Certificate, it may be redeemed by entering the Certificate's redemption code at check out time.

Once again, we cover a lot of important information in a short 3 hours. So prepare for the fast pace.

Hub's Gift Certificate Redemption

2009-11-18T18:03:00.000-08:00

What a great present! Congratulations!

Hub as group leader at the 2009 Worldwide Photo Walk

Now that you've received a Gift Certificate to Hub's popular photography classes, you're probably wondering, "What's next?" It's pretty easy.

Look through all the DSLR Photography Classes offered by Tom (note: DSLR Photography 101 is a prerequisite for taking DLSR Photography 102). Find one that matches your need.
DO NOT click on the Registration Button on the class description page.
Instead, click HERE to send Hub an email with your class selection.
Please place the word "REDEMPTION" in the title line of your email for a quicker reply.
In your email: include your name, the class title (i.e., DLSR Photography 101), the Gift Certificate Number AND the date you want to attend.
You will be sent a confirming email
That's it. You're good-to-go.

So, begin by browsing the all class offerings -- click HERE. You will be taken to our home page. Browse through all of Tom's DSLR Photography Classes - 101, 102, 103, 104. (Note: Digital Darkoom 101 and 102 are not eligible for Gift Certificate redemption.)

Each class page includes a description of the class and any requirements you need to be aware of.

All classes are held at the Clark County Genealogical Society's Annex. The facility is just off of Interstate 5 in Vancouver, WA. There's plenty of parking. Directions are included on every class description page.

Tom looks forward to meeting you, learning more about your photography and helping you get the most out of your passion for photography. See you soon!

Hub's DSLR Class Gift Certificates

2009-11-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

A Gift That Will Never Be Forgotten

Beginning DSLR Photography Classes
taught by Tom Hubbard

It's holiday time, and here's the perfect gift for your special photographic neophyte -- Hub's Beginning DSLR Photography Classes.

There's no better way of learning the "ins" and "outs" of photography than with live, hands-on training. And there's no better person to take your aspiring photographer by the hand and deliver a solid understanding of the fundamentals of digital photography than Tom Hubbard -- the former Director of Time-Life's Photographic and Digital Imaging department at Time Inc.

Classes are attended by all age groups, from high school students to senior citizens. The class environment is visually oriented, engaging, supportive and stimulating. Students learn with others who share their passion for photography and desire to learn.

Your special photographic devotee will be able to choose from any of Hub's beginning DSLR classes:

DSLR Photography Introduction (Understanding the controls and features of your new DSLR)
DSLR Photography 101 (Digital camera basics)
DSLR Photography 102 (Advanced camera basics)
DSLR Photography 103 (Photography: The Light Way - all about light in photography)
DSLR Photography 104 (Photographic Composition -- the Rules and Guidelines)

All classes are held at the Clark County Genealogical Society's Annex in Vancouver, WA. Easy access from I-5 and plenty of parking.

Sample Gift Certificate

Each Gift Certificate (shown above) enables your aspiring photographer to go to our "Learning Photography From the Ground Up" website and select any of the available classes and dates. Complete instructions for redeeming the Certificates are located on this website. The link to our Redemption Center is contained in the main menu of this website.

The cost of the Gift Certificate covers one (1) class ($59 US). Once your payment has been processed, the Gift Certificate will be sent to you via EMAIL directly from PayPal. All that's left to do is:

wrap it up for giving,
and enjoy the smiling face of your up-and-coming photographer.

Major credit cards as well as PayPal are accepted.

Gift Certificate Cost: $59

Student Comments from 2009 DSLR 101 Classes

2009-09-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

"Tom explains technical concepts in a factual, easy-for-beginners-to-understand way. I can walk outside and immediately begin using what I've learned today."

"Thanks! The concepts were so clearly presented."

"I learned a LOT. I'm definitely going to use the histogram now."

"The visuals and presentation were excellent. Great class! I enjoyed the humor as well!"

"Looking forward to the next class!"

"Excellent visuals/PowerPoint to go along with the verbal explanations. Thank you for leading the class and limiting discussion by to attendees to breaks, etc. So many classes I end up taking, time is wasted due to people's individual questions/issues."

"I can't wait to start practicing, and I look forward to the next class!"

"The entire class was excellent! Very well structured. Thank you."

"It was all wonderful."

"Really enjoyed my time."

"Thank you!"

What students say...

2009-06-11T23:01:00.000-07:00

About Hub's Classes _______________

"Hub = genius"

"Congrats Hub! I've been reading the blog as well, and so far it's been very helpful! Thanks a lot for providing so much information for newbies like me!"

"Of course it goes without saying that I always love Hub."

"I've had my DSLR for a while, and I've read many things on the web, and they haven't helped my in any way like just a couple of the lessons on your site."

"Thanks so much Hub. I always love hearing your excellent advice. I'm actually taking notes and stuff now off your website, Hub's Camera. Thank you, thank you."

"Hub, as usual you have the ability to articulate the “what needs to be said” and to do so in a constructive way."

"You are doing a great service to aspiring photographers though you blogs. My sincere thanks for your commendable work. I am very lucky to have spotted your blog on the web, I will share your blogs with my friends in photography. "

Our DSLR Photography and Digital Darkroom Calendar

2009-06-09T11:24:00.001-07:00

Digital Darkroom 102

2009-06-06T01:05:00.001-07:00

Instructor: Mark Fitzgerald

Prerequisites:

Digital Darkroom 101
This class builds on everything learned in Digital Darkroom 101 and depends on the knowledge the student gained in the first class.

Location:

Clark County Genealogical Society Activity Room
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
Click HERE for Google Map

Class Size:

Limited to 25 students

2009 Class Dates:

Sunday, January 31, 2009

Time:

1:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (with a 5 minute break every hour)
Mark has lots of information to cover, please be prompt so you don't miss anything.

Equipment/Supplies Required:

Laptop computers are NOT required for this class

Class Outline:

Understanding basic workflow concepts
Perfecting tone and contrast
Understanding and working with color
Cropping and final sizing
Proper sharpening techniques
Basic retouching for everyone
Printing with an inkjet printer or at the lab

Cost:

Registration:

Click HERE to register for Digital Darkroom 102.
Note: If you paying with a Gift Certificate, DO NOT click on this registration button. Go to this sites' Gift Certificate Redemption page and follow the directions.

Digital Darkroom 101

2009-06-06T01:04:00.001-07:00

Instructor: Mark Fitzgerald

Prerequisites:

None
Students of Digital Darkroom 101 are expected to be beginners who are already shooting with a digital camera and have access at home or work to a computer equipped with Photoshop or Photoshop Elements software.

Location:

Clark County Genealogical Society Activity Room
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
Click HERE for Google Map

Class Size:

Limited to 25 students

2009 Class Dates:

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Time:

1:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (with a 5 minute break every hour)
Mark has lots of information to cover, please be prompt so you don't miss anything.

Equipment/Supplies Required:

Laptop computers are NOT required for this class

Class Outline:

Overview of Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements
Comparing and contrasting file types
Understanding why you should shoot Raw
Taking the mystery out of resolution
Uploading and importing files
Staying organized with Keyword Tags
Backing-up and archiving your photos
Emailing photos - the easy way

Cost:

Registration:

About Mark Fitzgerald

2009-06-06T00:59:00.001-07:00

Mark Fitzgerald is well known in photography circles throughout the West. As an author, public speaker and a digital workflow teacher, he has taught countless photographers - from professional studio photographers to beginners - how to get the most from their digital photos after the shutter goes “click”.

Mark uses a logical, systematic approach in language you can understand to help bring clarity to a field filled with countless options and unusual technical jargon. It is common for his students to say that his training changed their lives by showing them a clear, easy to follow path to technical excellence. Click HERE to see testimonials about Mark from photographers just like you.

Mark is an Adobe Certified Photoshop Expert and an Adobe Certified Instructor for Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3 and CS4. He has written books for a major publisher on Photoshop CS3 and CS4, as well as Lightroom. Mark is committed to helping photographers at all skill levels learn to use the amazing tools that are available to them in the modern digital darkroom.

These Digital Darkroom 101 & 102 classes now give you the opportunity to learn from the person northwest pros call when they need help with Photoshop, Lightroom, and digital workflow.

About Tom Hubbard

2009-06-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

As a career photographer and the former Director of the Time-Life Photo and Digital Imaging Lab at Time Inc., Tom had the good fortune of working with some of the world's most prestigious photojournalists and fine art photographers as well as the industry's most gifted traditional and digital technicians.

Most recently, Tom was the Pro Photo Business Development Manager for Hewlett Packard's newest line of professional photographic pigment printers.

Before Tom's years at Time, he was the Manager of Caterpillar's Image Lab where all the photography and graphic arts production was conducted for the company's worldwide sales, marketing and training departments.

Tom leads the 2009 Photo Walk at Moulton Falls in Vancouver, WA

Now living in the Portland, Oregon area, Tom is the publisher of the Portland Metro Photographic News, authors several Hub's photo-educational blogs, teaches, lectures, judges photographic competitions and never stops honing his photographic skills.

Tom's DSLR Photography 101 and 102 classes are all about "picture taking" and are designed around his popular Internet primer for beginning digital, single lens reflex (DSLR) camera owners, Hub's Camera. Tom starts his 101 class with three assumptions:

the student has just purchased his/her first DSLR
is serious about photography
is looking for plain-English instruction that takes the complexity and mystery out of photography

All classes are packed with visuals and demonstrations that facilitate learning and foster confidence building.

Click on DSLR Photography 101 or 102 to see each class outline, student requirements, cost and registration information for each class.

About "Hub's Learning Digital Photography"

2009-06-05T23:05:00.001-07:00

Tom "Hub" Hubbard brings his popular Hub's Camera photographic educational blog to life in this series of live, 4-hour sessions for beginning DSLR photographers.

Hub is the Editor of the Portland Metro Photographic News and a respected professional photographer as well as an engaging, experienced instructor. He best known by his students for providing down-to-earth instruction that translates into a solid foundation of the basic skills so essential to success in digital photography.

Tom's beginning DSLR photography classes are held in Vancouver, Washington. Students attending this series of introductory classes usually live within a 70 mile radius of Portland, Oregon. But because the classes are held on weekends, some aspiring photographers travel even greater distances to take part in these unique learning experiences. All are certainly welcome.

Currently, "Hub's Learning Digital Photography -- from the Ground Up" is comprised of 4 classes:

DSLR Photography 101 and 102, provide the building blocks for understanding the mechanics of today's DSLRs, photographic principles, how correct exposures are made and the guidelines for successful composition.

DSLR Photography 103 and 104, take the mechanics of photography learned in 101 and 102 and applies them to photographic composition and style. With hands-on opportunities to practice the lighting and composition techniques, these classes provide the fundamental compositional rules and guidelines that produce rewarding and compelling photographs.

A full explanation of each class is provided by clicking on the class title in the left-hand "Site Contents". The current class schedule is also available. In addition, a PDF file containing an overview of the program is available by clicking HERE.

DSLR Photography 102

2009-06-05T17:28:00.001-07:00

taught by Tom Hubbard

The 2010 class schedule is shown below.

Prerequisites:

DSLR Photography 101
This class builds on DSLR Photography 101 and relies on the knowledge the student gained in the first class.

Location:

Clark County Genealogical Society Activity Room
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
Click HERE for Google Map

Class Size:

Limited to 25 students

2010 DSLR Photography 102 Class Dates:

Session A, Sunday, February 28 - Open
Session B, Sunday, April 25 - Open
Session C, Sunday, June 27 - Open
Session D, September 26 - Open
Session E, Sunday, November 28 - Open

Time:

1:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (a break each hour)
Class starts exactly at 1:15 p.m. Please be prompt.

Equipment/Supplies Required:

DSLR camera
Camera manual
Notebook/pen or pencil

Class Outline:

The camera's shooting modes and their use
Understanding ISO setting
Exposure compensation - how, why, when
All about photographic lenses
Camera color management
Guidelines for successful composition

Cost:

Registration:

Click on any session date above to be taken to the registration page.
Note: If you paying with a Gift Certificate, it may be redeemed by entering the Certificate's redemption code at check out time.

Once again, we cover a lot of important information together in a short 3 1/2 hours. So prepare for the fast pace.

DSLR Photography 101

2009-06-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

taught by Tom Hubbard

UPDATE: See what Tom's students had to say about their experience at the DSLR 101 Classes in 2009. Click HERE.

Prerequisites:

None
Students of DSLR Photography 101 are assumed to be beginners in digital imaging photography, but committed to learning the mechanics and craft of photography.

Location:

Clark County Genealogical Society Activity Room
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
Click HERE for Google Map

Class Size:

Limited to 25 students

All 2009 Classes Have Concluded

2010 DSLR Photography 101 Class Dates:

Click on any of the Sesson names below to register
Session A, Sunday, February 14
Session B, Sunday, April 11
Session C, Sunday, June 13
Session D, Sunday, September 12
Session E, Sunday, November 14

Time:

1:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (a break each hour)
Class starts exactly at 1:15 p.m. Please be prompt.

Equipment/Supplies Required:

DSLR camera (see note at bottom of this page)
Camera manual
Notebook/pen or pencil

Class Outline:

DSLR camera anatomy & how it works
Those f/stops and shutter speeds plus a little math
"Exposure is Everything" - how the camera meters and exposes an image
The Histogram -- Your exposure life line.
Depth of field vs. stopping the action

Cost:

Registration:

Click on the SESSION NAME you want to attend in the CLASS DATES section above.
Note: If you paying with a Gift Certificate, it may be redeemed by entering the Certificate's redemption code at check out time.

We cover a lot of important material together in 3 1/2 short hours. So prepare for the fast pace. Get plenty of rest the night before and eat a good breakfast.

Note: I have been asked by several owners of "point and shoot" digital cameras if they can attend DSLR Photography 101 and 102 classes. This is a decision you must make. The class is designed for students with DSLR cameras. However, the principles of photography are the same for any digital camera. You will certainly learn many photographic basics that will benefit your photography. Point and shoot cameras do not have many of the features that are standard on a DSLR. Consequently, some of the instruction cannot be applied to these cameras.

If you are in the process of deciding on the purchase of a DSLR then, by all means, these classes are important to you. They will help you make the decision and a "wise shopper" in the process.