This is photography’s silly season when everyone is out snapping photos wildly in anticipation of the perfect Holiday card shot.  Have you been out shooting some family fall pictures over the weekend?  Does this scenario sound familiar?

You take a million pictures (ok seriously several hundred) only to find 1 or 2 really good ones.

You sit back,  look at your computer and think “Now how did I do that again?”

You have no idea.

You just switched the camera to Auto and hoped for the best.

Sometimes you get lucky!

But the next time you have to repeat that shot, you have to go through the same process of shooting several hundred images to get that one winner.

…Still stuck in Auto Mode….

Wouldn’t it be nice to know what all those camera buttons mean so that you could just take a look at your subject, your lighting and knowing what effect you want to achieve, just make it happen?

Because you know how to use that camera.

You know all the secrets and tips of getting that great shot.

You know how to handle different lighting scenarios, what those buttons do and when things aren’t looking good you know what to do to make it right.

Well I have news for you!

As part of my mission to get everyone out of Auto mode, my “Master your DSLR  – Photography 101″ is now on sale for half price.  Yes–I’ve dropped the price to only $99 for the remainder of 2011 so you can have a chance to get in before the holiday season to really learn how to use your camera like a Pro.

Use the time between now and the end of the year to get a great introduction to photography and using your camera to the max all in the comfort of home, on your schedule and at your own pace.

You can check out the full course content here.

Once you register you have full access to the full 5  week’s material so you can digest it slowly or all in one go!  And you’ll continue to have access for 3 months so even you plan to get a new camera over the holidays take advantage of the discounted price now because enrollment into the course at this price will end on December 31st 2011.

Don’t just use your DSLR camera like a big ol’ Point and Shoot– Get out of Auto Mode and check out “Master your DSLR – Photography 101″ now!

Happy Snapping

P.S. The holidays season will have lots of great photo opportunities.  Don’t waste them! Learn how to use that DSLR now.

Newflash!

I’ve just released details of my newest photography workshop  – “Picture Perfect” which begins on Monday August 8th this summer and runs for 4 weeks.

If you love to take pictures but just need a little guidance on taking your skills to the next level then this course is for you.  You don’t need a fancy schmancy camera – just a point and shoot, compact camera.  You’ll learn about lighting, composition, what all those camera buttons do and lots lots more.  And I’ll be there to help you along the way.

For this class we’ll meet live online each week for class and so you’ll have the opportunity to get all your questions answered.  There’ll also be an assignment to complete each week and I will personally give you feedback and critique your work.

For more information check out “Picture Perfect” here but don’t delay because places are very limited.

See you in class!

Ingrid

As you may or may not know I’ve been teaching Photography Courses in the  offline world for many years.  This year actually I’m celebrating my 10th year as a photography instructor.  Wow!  I hadn’t really thought about that until right now but that’s a LOOONG time!  Here in Atlanta I have the privilege of teaching students on a one-on-one basis and although I love doing this, I also wanted a way to share all the stuff that I teach with everyone, including people like you!  So over the last 6 months I’ve been creating my very own CameraShy University over at www.CameraShyClasses.com.

Access Material Online – Anytime!

So now you don’t have to be located in Atlanta to benefit from my training material.  By visiting www.CameraShyClasses.com you can check out some of the courses I’m currently offering (more being added all the time!)  You can take these courses online at any time that suits YOUR schedule.  If you like to access lots of information quickly, then all the material is available for you right from the point you sign-up.  Conversely, if you would like to absorb the information slowly, and take your time with the Action Points and Assignments, the material can be accessed for up to 6 months.

One of my most popular online photography courses is “Master your DSLR” which teaches you how to get a handle on your Digital SLR camera so that the basics of photography become second nature to you.  This is perfect for any beginners in photography or someone just starting out with a Digital SLR for the first time.

The material is designed to be completed in 5 weeks, each week comprising of a different topic.  Each week is further broken down into smaller sections so that you can learn the information in easy to manage, bite-sized chunks.  I’ve included several Action points throughout, which will help you put the theory into  – you got it – action!

Weekly Assignments

At the end of every week I’ve created an assignment for you to complete so that you can demonstrate what you have learned.  These pictures can be uploaded to the Flickr group so that the can be critiqued by others in the group and by me.  And of course,  I’m here via email to answer any questions that you might have throughout your course.

So if you’ve got a Digital SLR (DSLR) camera, and you know your only using about 20% of it’s functionality, if you want to move out of Auto mode and start shooting in Manual or if you want to begin to take your photography to the next level check out www.CamerashyClasses.com and sign up for a course today!

Happy Snapping

P.S. If you have questions about any of the courses, feel free to shoot me an email to ingrid [at] CameraShy [dot] info

Anyone interested in finding out more about my “Getting to Grips with your DSLR” one of my online digital photography classes, can check out this interview that I recently did.

Digital Photography Classes Interview

Enjoy!

Ingrid

Sometimes it’s hard to get creatively charged to get out and take some pictures.  I know I’ve felt it  – how many more photos can I take around the same environment!  I’ve completely exhausted all the possibilities  – right?  Creative photography ideas just are not jumping out at you right now?  It’s a bit like writer’s block, except its photographer’s block I guess!  Well, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way – I’ve found a few ways to over come it!

First of all,  I’ve been participating in (and helping to present) an awesome telecourse with Sheila Finklestein.  You can check out her course info at Through and From the Lens.  Sheila teaches how to see your world through fresh eyes and hence rejuvinating your photography skills.  I’ve certainly found that I’m starting to look at things a little differently.  Check out the faces I found in the trees in our yard.  I’ve been inspired to create a whole series of them.  (these guys have been around forever!)

Man Blowing Smoke

I’ve been reminded to look at everything from different angles, close-up and at a distance.  Looking at color, texture and thinking more about light.  In these pictures I was looking for faces in nature.

Fishy Face

Then this morning I discovered this new site thanks to the ever cool Photojojo -  Noticin.gs (see what they’ve done there?)  It’s a game really, played on Flickr.com.  “Noticings are interesting things that you stumble upon when your out and about”  You post your pics on Flickr and tag them with “noticings” and Geotag them with where they were taken.

You get points for noticing things like noticing the first thing in a neighborhood or noticing the same thing for a week.  Seems like a great way to get into the habit of taking pictures on a regular basis – one of the key ways of improving your photography.

So I’m headed out to get creative and find some noticings before the snow hits Atlanta

Happy snapping!

PS If your not on Flickr you really should be!  Connect with me there by adding me as a contact.  My Flickr Stream.

There’s something about all that new stationery in every shop you go into that makes even the most reluctant student want to return to school. This Fall, why not consider beefing up your photography skills with some help from the professionals and investing in a photography class or two?

Beginners photography classes are being held all over the country.  Check out your local Community centers and Artist centers for reasonably price introduction to photography classes.  I hear the Nikon school of Photography is also touring it’s way around the country – a great resource for Nikon users.

If you fancy some one to one tuition I’m here as always serving the Atlanta Metro area and my September/ October calender is almost full. Check out CameraShy for more information or email me.

No time to fit in a class?  Download this free report which will get you started taking great pictures in no time!