Photography Classes in Chicago, IL

The Fundamentals classes are, by far, the most popular starting point for photography classes in Chicago and are designed to give the complete beginner a solid understanding of their digital camera and the fundamental knowledge needed to embark upon a lifetime's exploration of photography. There are no 'hidden' or extra fees to pay for any classes...

This course focuses on the foundations of photography and the various ways to use a digital camera. Students examine how to choose and shoot subjects that are both personally meaningful in content and contemporary in context. Instruction includes capturing and printing images in both black and white and color, and investigating digital photo editing. ...

Whether you are traveling to an exotic destination or somewhere closer to home, you'll want to return with the best quality images. Professional photographer Paul Berg who has traveled extensively will cover key topics including: capturing the essence of a place, the best equipment to pack and capturing images that reflect your unique vision. ...

Learn more photography skills in this intermediate class that covers studio photography and offers portrait photography tips. Learn professional techniques. This class covers the golden rules of composition plus high key and low key photography. You'll learn how to use flash photography well and how to shoot using natural light; You'll have opportunity...

Explore the creation of photographic images beyond color, looking into the shadows and textures that lay beneath nature’s color spectrum, using plants and objects found at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Tonality and dynamic range, the potential of depth of field, and the zone system of shooting in black and white will be discussed.  Digital SLR...

Digital Photo Academy instructors are available to accommodate personal schedules and provide a half day, 3 hours of instruction to suit the needs of individual parties. Typically the session will last approximately, beginning with a discussion about the student’s specific camera equipment and photographic needs, then leading into an in-the-field...

Winter calls for working inside, and is an opportunity to explore the world of interior architectural black-and-white tonality at a variety of venues.  The emphasis will be on shadows, details, and how ambient light intersects with artificial light to create superlative images.  A list of the off-site locations will be provided at the first...

The purpose of this workshop is to understand more about our personal perspective as photographers and how it fits into the greater world of photography. Students will be asked to do shooting assignments each week, as well as some light reading. In-class assignments will include short field trips to local places. Students will also study the work...

There are hundreds of photography apps available for iPhones, and many have similar features. This class will explore some of the better-known apps along with instruction on use for nature photography. We will go over the basics of iPhone photography along with fieldwork. Examine the photos taken during class and learn how to enhance, manipulate,...

Through the use of long exposures, you will explore techniques to encode the element of time into what would otherwise be static images. This process reveals a world that, while very real, is not experienced in real-time. With the camera, we will translate this hidden world into a visible form for us to contemplate and make memorable images.

Digital Photo Academy instructors are available to accommodate personal schedules and provide a full day, 7 hours of instruction to suit the needs of individual parties. Typically the session will last approximately, beginning with a discussion about the student’s specific camera equipment and photographic needs, then leading into an in-the-field...

Take the next steps in developing your photographic practice! Experiment with tools like Adobe Bridge and Photoshop and begin to understand photography on a conceptual level. Create a more developed portfolio of images and prints and form a better understanding of your own style. Bring a DSLR camera, a hard-drive or large thumb drive for transporting...

Learn how to work within the world of black and white analog photography! In this fast paced digital age, take a step back and slow down by working with analog equipment in our darkroom. This class will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to manually shoot with a 35mm film camera, process your own film, and make black and white prints with...

Experiment with expanding your visual language! Through photography prompts and exercises, students will explore concepts of perspective, composition, and photographic “rules” (and when to break them.) We will then explore Adobe Photoshop to edit and enhance their photographs and print a selection of images with EAC’s inkjet printers. If you...

Break away from relying on your camera’s automatic settings and begin to manually control each variable that makes a photograph “work” including the ISO, the shutter speed, and the aperture. Along with learning how to manually control your camera, you will learn how to organize and edit your photos using Adobe Photoshop, and go through the process...