Foundations of Photography Tips: Night and Low Lighting with Cleeo Wright 

Taking shots of the night sky after sunset or during early sunrise can pose a challenge to any photographer but there are techniques that can make a difference. Cleo Wright, our guest instructor, will provide an overview of tools, creative options, and special considerations involved in shooting with a DSLR camera at night or in low-light conditions. We will cover exposure decisions such as choice of aperture/shutter speed and understand how they impact depth of field as well as the camera’s ability to freeze motion.

Topics include:

Understanding how low light affects exposure, shutter speed, color temperature
Preparing for a low-light shoot
Shooting in dimly lit rooms
Shooting in the shade
Focusing in low light
Light painting
Manipulating long shutter speeds
Correcting white balance
Brightening shadows
Sharpening and noise reduction

Bring your camera and flash for an opportunity to apply the techniques after class if time permits walking through downtown Bentonville.

Mobile Phone Photography Techniques Using the iPhone or Android Cellphone with Melissa Jones at Hobbs State Park

Thanks to the prevalence of smartphones, mobile photography has exploded in the last five years. But there’s far more to mobile photography than just selfies. With cameras in cellphones continually improving, “iPhonography” has become its own art form.

This class will explore the art of smartphone photography, focusing on iPhones and Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy series. We will explore tips and tricks to get the best photo, and we’ll discuss some apps to edit photos, add special effects and post to social media.

There will be a walking tour after the seminar to put the techniques you have just acquired to practice.

Class Structure

9:00 – 11:00               Technique Discussion

11:00 – 1:00                Outside Excursion

Melissa Jones Bio

Melissa L. Jones is a nature, landscape and architecture photographer, as well as the technology columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Having spent the last several years reviewing mobile phones, as well as improving her digital photography skills, she offers a unique, double-sided perspective on digital smartphone photography. She specializes in weather photography (she is a certified storm spotter), nature/landscape and historic iron bridges.

Melissa graduated from the University of Arkansas and, after a brief stint in Pine Bluff and Little Rock, returned to Northwest Arkansas, living first in Fayetteville, then in Springdale. In addition to her column, she is also the Special Sections Manager at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She enjoys photography during road trips and in visits to Arkansas State Parks, particularly Devil’s Den, Mount Nebo and Hobbs state parks. 

Introduction to the Exposure Triangle by Daryl Chappell

If you’re tired of shooting in your camera’s basic modes and want to learn how to take more control of your images, then this class is for you.

Introduction to the Exposure Triangle will be the gateway that allows you to go from “taking photos” to “creating images.”

Finding THE Picture with Bob Coleman

Remember the last time you came home from a shoot and couldn’t decide which pictures were your best? How can you possibly decide? There are sooo many you like. This class will look at the editing process through a photo editor’s eyes. Instructor Bob Coleman was chief Photographer/Photo Editor for the Texarkana Gazette and Chief Photographer /Assistant Photo editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Northwest Edition. Bob will share the process he, and most photo editors, use to find the strongest pictures in a shoot. He will start by going through one of his recent shoots. Students, who are open to it, are encouraged to bring one of their recent shoots on a CF card or an SD card and let the class go through their shoot looking for THE image.

Materials:

Bring your own photographs to share on a computer, CF or SD card

Ever wondered how to get those colorful streaks while photographing fireworks? What’s the best method? With July 4th approaching, this is the perfect time to learn how to take the perfect fireworks photo.

Taught by Melissa L. Jones, this class is a precursor to the fireworks photography event taking place at Arvest Ballpark the next night (Friday, July 1) after the Northwest Arkansas Naturals game. However, the class will also cover photographing fireworks in general, so event participation is not required. Learn the settings to get you started, what equipment is needed and the best way to post-process fireworks photos.

The class takes place at 7 p.m. June 30 at the PSNWA Gallery and Studios, 126 W. Emma Ave. in downtown Springdale.