Discover the Best Photography Classes in Seattle
Seattle has some fantastic spots to take photos. There are many quintessential locations for photography, from the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and even Olympic Sculpture Park. While there are many levels of photography, from still life and nature to taking shots of some of the places named, you can choose the direction to take your photography skills that best suits your needs.
Why You Should Learn Photography in Seattle
To determine if it's best to start learning photography, you might want to consider the benefits, and there are a few. In a city like Seattle, learning photography can open up an opportunity for part-time jobs. According to Indeed, the average base salary of a photographer in Seattle is 27% above the national average at $22.88 per hour. With less than a year of experience, you could be looking at about $19.72 an hour. If you are looking at switching careers or taking on work in addition to your current job, the pay is something to consider.
Taking photos can also be a fun hobby if you are looking to monetize the skill. Imagine walking around some of Seattle's most scenic places and taking artistic shots. This hobby can help you relieve stress and help you be productive during your free time.
Finally, learning photography in Seattle can give you access to a larger community of other photographers. The Seattle Photographic Society, for example, was founded in 1933 and is a group of supportive amateur and professional photographers. There are also Seattle Photography Clubs on Meetup and Facebook which offer you an opportunity to connect with others too.
In-Person Photography Classes in Seattle
Digital Photo Academy is one of the go-to studios in Seattle. Digital Photo Academy, or DPA, started with the idea of a nationwide workshop series dedicated to promoting the culture of digital photography. Richard Rabinowitz and his company R2Rainmaker started by finding talented professional photographers to teach in cities all over. Recruitment of photographers began as a long rigorous selection process of 48 accomplished photographers from 26 cities around the country; Richard and the team created a curriculum for each skill level, developed detailed ideas for outdoor shoots involving students in the advanced workshops, and decided on the equipment required to enhance their skills at post-capture image manipulation. In 2007, they changed up their recruitment process. Instructors traveled from around the country to the DPA headquarters to participate in a photo shoot designed to express their collective joy in digital photography. Afterward, all instructors returned to their cities and began running classes throughout the country.
DPA offers well-known live-in-the-field courses. Each class begins with a talk with one of the DPA's experienced instructors. Students then take a stroll through a variety of photogenic locations in the city. The session is three hours, and students learn to shoot strategically and walk away with a foundation to improve their photographs in the future. DPA offers a Digital Photography Live In-the-Field @ Lakeview Cemetery that follows this order. The Lake View cemetery is a beautiful, tranquil, pristine land that honors Seattle's citizens and history. In this class, with the cemetery as your muse, students will learn how to adjust their camera or choose the proper lens to shoot landscapes, wide-angles, close-ups, or zoom. Students could also select the Digital Photography Live In-the-Field @ Gas Works Park class. The area of Gas Works Parks, dating back to 1906, was used to proliferate gas from coal.
There are some potentially breathtaking photo opportunities with the ancient machines that have been painted vibrant colors. There are a plethora of colors and textures. By the end of the class, students will be familiar with all of the class's principles of composition and fundamentals, such as the Rule of Thirds and Leading Lines. You could also attend the Digital Live In-the-Field @ Pike Place Mkt course at one of Seattle's most photographed locations. Pike Place Market is the setting for capturing vendors, coastal scenes, vibrant florals, fish and produce displays, and street-side people-watching, allowing you to capture some fantastic photos. Students will learn a variety of compositions and camera control strategies to turn casual snapshots into dynamic photographs. Each live in-the-field course is three hours long. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring their cameras.
Luminous Works is another photo school located in Seattle. Luminous Works is an internationally recognized training facility. They specialize in desktop publishing to all media. In the course offered at Luminous, you won't just learn how to take photos; some classes will also teach software such as Adobe Photoshop. They offer a Lightroom Photo Workflow class that shows students how to understand workflows. Students will learn to use Adobe Photoshop Lightroom using images supplied by various images to work on. Luminous Works also offers a Photography: Basics Camera Skills three-hour session. This hands-on workshop helps students unveil the mysteries of their cameras and gives them the confidence to progress to creative photography. There will be weekly assignments and individual reviews of work that help reinforce class content and speed up students' progress.
Virtual Photography Classes
When choosing the virtual classroom over the in-person one, weighing the benefits and disadvantages is essential. Regarding benefits, virtual classes offer the convenience of taking a lesson from anywhere, accessibility to more class options from the comfort of your home, and no driving to class. In some cases, virtual courses require purchasing your own materials, which can be a disadvantage for some. Overall, virtual photography has some great benefits, especially if you already own a camera or need a refresh on some basic skills. While purchasing a camera before taking a photography class can prove to be expensive, it could be precisely what you need to take the next step and start learning how to use your new camera.
There are some exceptional online class options once you decide to enter a virtual classroom. Isla Studio Photography offers a Virtual Beginners Photography Class for students looking to become better photographers in just one class. The course is a 2.5-hour crash course in digital photography. Students will leave class with an understanding of exposure, aperture, depth of field, ISO, and shutter speed on a DSLR. They go over iPhone tips and tricks too! No prior experience is necessary to attend, just a desire to learn.
iPhone Photography is offered virtually through the Chicago Botanic Garden as a chance for students to explore some of the better-known apps and get instructions on using them properly for nature photos. The instructor will also go over iPhone photography basics and fieldwork.
Finally, consider registering for the Travel Photography: Your Story of Place virtual course offered by the Los Angeles Center of Photography as a great way to improve your travel photos. This webinar presents strategies and tools for converting the essence of your travels and the story of a place in your photos. When it comes to taking a virtual photography class, you have options for courses that will improve your skills and deepen your appreciation for the craft/
Private Group Photography Classes in Seattle
CourseHorse is the event planner for all your team-building events. They offer live online group classes based on your needs. They have you covered if you are looking for a private photography group class in Seattle. If a photography class or whatever you might be looking for is unavailable, CourseHorse can still offer support. Head to CourseHorse's website and complete the contact form with your event date, group size, and class description. CourseHorse handles everything else for you.
You will hear from your virtual party planner within two business hours of submitting the form, and the planning begins. Your event coordinator will book the event, and you will receive confirmation within 24 hours. CourseHorse has no booking fees and supports multiple platforms for your virtual class. On the day of the event, you and your team can use the link you will be emailed and enjoy your professional and exciting event.
