Whether you’re using a mirrorless or DSLR camera, this hands-on class will teach you how to take better, more intentional photos. You’ll learn the fundamentals of photography—like composition, lighting, exposure, and storytelling—and how to apply them in real-world situations. Through guided practice and personalized feedback, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to capture moments with clarity, creativity, and style.

This class is well suited for the beginner or someone who has only recently purchased a DSLR or mirrorless. We’ll move beyond ‘auto’ mode and dive into the creative controls of your camera, exploring the fundamental principles of exposure, composition, and light. Through a mix of hands-on practice, constructive feedback sessions, and daily shooting assignments, you’ll learn to see the world with a photographer’s eye, translating your unique perspective into stunning images. From mastering shutter speed for dynamic motion shots to understanding aperture for beautiful depth of field, you’ll gain technical confidence to unleash your creative potential in any situation.

This workshop is a combination of practical field-based experience and classroom lecture. Bring your camera lenses and tripod if you have one, photos and a laptop with digital editing software on it. Bill and Gary will contact students prior to class.

Bill Brown has owned his own photography business for over 40 years, is a past president of the Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association and teaches Photoshop and Photoshop Elements throughout Chicagoland. Bill is also the founder and a past president of the Elgin Area Camera Club.

In 2014, Gary Taylor decided to get a little more serious about photography and purchased his first DSLR camera. Shortly after that he joined the Des Plaines Camera Club. He has served on the board of the camera club since 2015 initially as Secretary, Vice President and since August of 2018, the club President. Gary started taking classes at the Richard Stromberg School of Photography in 2016. In 2018 he became a lab instructor for the photo students and taught Lightroom. He was the webmaster for the Chicago Chapter PSA and am currently the Vice Chair. He has been a volunteer photographer for various organizations including Des Plaines Park District, Park Ridge Historical Society, Colonial Dames (NSCDA) and Habitat for Humanity Chicago. His photos have been used on various organizations’ websites, marketing materials, magazines, and annual reports.

Level: All Levels