Fairchild is pleased to welcome back Mr. Pedro Lastra for his 5th year instructing the Digital Photography classes taught at Fairchild. 

HOW TO SELECT AND PURCHASE A DIGITAL CAMERA 
Need some help in buying that new digital camera for a holiday gift? Who doesn’t get confused when you see all the ads for digital cameras? Are you overwhelmed by the terminology: mega pixels, resolution, sensor size, custom functions? In these informative sessions students will explore the exciting world of digital photography and the cameras available today. The class will define the digital terminology used by the different manufacturers. This course will cover digital camera features, model recommendations, capabilities, prices and how to match these to your personal needs. Finally, we will cover shopping strategies and how to get the best deal available.

 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Friday, December 4 and Thursday, December 11 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, December 1
Fee: Members, $45; Non-members, $65

 

HOW TO USE AND MASTER YOUR POINT-AND-SHOOT DIGITAL CAMERA
Now that you are the owner of a digital camera, let us teach you how to obtain the best results from it. After a brief history of cameras and photography, students will focus on the point-and-shoot models of Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Panasonic and Leica. Mr. Lastra will cover in detail the basic camera functions and the different features of your particular camera.  (Please bring your camera and manual to class.) You will learn how to set resolution, use exposure modes and auto focus in the most effective manner. Custom functions will also be covered as well as using your LCD monitor to compose your image effectively.

Section A: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Mondays, January 11 – 18 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Thursday, January 7
Section B: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturdays, February 6 – 13 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Thursday, January 28
Section C: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, April 6 – 13 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Thursday, April 1
Fee per section: Members, $65; Non-member, $85

 

HOW TO USE AND MASTER YOUR DIGITAL INTERCHANGEABLE LENS SLR (SINGLE LENS REFLEX) CAMERA
You purchased a full-featured advanced SLR camera. How do you take advantage of its many features? The class will cover which lenses are best suited to your particular needs and how to use your camera settings to take full advantage of the lenses. Basic flash and lighting techniques, different focal length lenses, basic camera functions and the unique features of your particular camera will be explained. (Please bring your camera and manual.) Resolution, exposure modes and auto focus will be covered, as well as custom functions and when to use them. The class will discuss cameras made by Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Leica.

6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, January 13 – 20 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, January 5
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, March 2 – 9 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, February 23
Fee per section: Members, $65; Non-member, $85

 

THE MAGIC OF BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE EVERGLADES
Discover the exotic beauty of the Everglade’s fauna along the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm. The Anhinga Trail is one of North America’s premier birding sites during the winter. Hundreds of migrating and resident birds will be available for you to photograph as you exercise your photography skills in the field. Discover herons, egrets, ibis, purple gallinules, storks, bitterns, anhingas, cormorants, raptors and reptiles as they fly, fish, hunt and nest. This workshop will cover instruction in how to use your cameras effectively to capture the beauty and drama that will unfold during the winter visit of migrating birds to the Everglades. Single Lens Reflex Cameras and Advanced Point and Shoot cameras are highly recommended. A zoom or telephoto lens of at least 300mm (6x) is needed for frame filling bird photographs. This class is not for beginners. Please bring a water bottle, a camera and tripod that you are familiar with and wear appropriate, comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Directions and an Everglades National Park entrance waiver will be provided upon registration.

 Section A: Saturdays, January 16 – 23 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Friday, January 8
6:45 to 11:00 a.m.
Section B: Saturdays, February 20 – 27 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Friday, February 12
Fee per section: Members, $100; Non-members, $1507:00 to 11:00 a.m.

 

MOON OVER FAIRCHILD – PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE MOONLIGHT
Here is your chance to photograph this year‘s outstanding art exhibits at Fairchild in an evening that coincides with the full moon. Previous workshops by Pedro Lastra have shown you how to use the beautiful morning light and dramatic sunsets; however this will be your only opportunity to take advantage of his expert instruction in photographing the Garden by moonlight. Tripods and cameras with interchangeable lenses or point and shoot cameras with close-up settings and user–adjustable settings are strongly recommended. You may bring either film or digital cameras. This class is limited to 12 participants, age 18 years of age and older. This class is not for beginners, therefore there will be no basic camera instruction given. It will involve a great deal of walking, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. You should bring along insect repellant, a flashlight and water. Class takes place even if it rains.

6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Section A: Monday, January 25 (one session)
Registration deadline: Wednesday, January 20
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Section B: Tuesday, April 27 (one session)
Registration deadline: Wednesday, April 21
Fee per section: Members, $50; Non-member, $75

 

INTER MIGRATORY BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY AT FAIRCHILD
Photographers will enjoy the opportunity to see Fairchild like no one else, entering in the very early morning hours and taking advantage of the crisp, lower contrast, early morning light as the garden comes to life with its stunning birds. This class will take place rain or shine, and is limited to eight students, age 18 years and older. Mr. Lastra will instruct you in field camera techniques and composition as you follow the James A. Kushlan Bird Trail through its special birding zones and discover some of the best spots to photograph the garden’s many vistas. Cameras and lenses with close-up focusing capabilities are highly recommended, so please bring a camera that you are familiar with. This class is not for beginners and will involve a great deal of walking. Please wear a ppropriate shoes and clothing; bring sunscreen and water.

7:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 30 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, Monday, January 25
Fee: Members, $40; Non-members, $65

 

THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY DARKROOM –BASIC PHOTOSHOP TECHNIQUES
Learn the basics of the digital darkroom and the skills needed to navigate and use Adobe Photoshop Elements. Students will explore Photoshop Elements layers and the software tools best suited to the photographer. You will learn to import and manage your digital pictures using Photoshop Browser. The course will cover basic image improvements using layers to correct exposure, contrast, eliminate color casts and improve color as well as tools to correct blemishes such as dust, noise and image flaws. You will learn to correct geometric distortion in architectural subjects and use layers, gradients and fill layers to improve overexposed areas of your photograph. You may bring a notebook computer to class to follow along. Class size limited to 12 students, ages 18 years and older.

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Mondays, February 1 – 22 (four sessions)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, January 26
Fee: Members, $165; Non-members, $200

 

CREATIVE TECHNIQUES USING BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Explore Fairchild through the lens of your camera with visions of black and white images dancing in your head. Using a digital camera interesting black and white photographs can be achieved using in-camera settings and Photoshop. The class will also cover exposure methods to develop mood and dramatic effects, contrast, creative composition, lens selection, and the benefits of shooting in JPEG and RAW. Prerequisite: Must have a digital camera with manual  apabilities. This class will have two sessions in the field and one classroom setting.

1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, February 10 – 24 (three sessions)
Registration deadline: Wednesday, February 3
Fee: Members, $75; Non-members, $110

 

ORCHID PHOTOGRAPHY – CAPTURING THE BEAUTIES OF FAIRCHILD’S EIGHTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FESTIVAL
Enjoy this unique opportunity to preview and photograph Fairchild’s International Orchid Festival early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. This class will offer you the opportunity to photograph these exquisite beauties at their best. Participants will receive instructions on how to photograph the orchids using artificial light to produce natural looking photographs. Mr. Lastra will instruct you in choosing good subjects and creating attractive compositions in your camera. This class will use different settings on your camera to bring about the best results, and show how to control and meter light effectively. Advanced point and shoot cameras with pop up flashes and macro capability as well as SLR’s with  acro lenses and external flashes are highly recommended. Small point and shoot cameras are not recommended for this class due to their very limited controls.

8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 13 (one session)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, March 9
Fee: Members $35; Non-members, $65

 

MACRO LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY – UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
See our garden’s beauty up close and personal. We will explore, discover and photograph the ecosystem at Fairchild by focusing on the small beautiful details in our flowers, leaves and insects. Petals, pistils and stamens will be transformed into abstract works of art. Dragonflies, butterflies and caterpillars will become other worldly sci-fi creatures. In this class, instructor Pedro Lastra will teach you how to use your equipment to capture the small wonders of the garden. During the first class we will cover the technical issues that must be learned in order to master macro photography as well as review basic concepts of effective composition. Time in the field will be used to learn how to manage your subject, use the correct approach and effectively compose your image. For this class students should be familiar with their camera’s basic exposure and focus controls. This class will not cover basic camera operations. Tripods and cameras with interchangeable lenses or point–and–shoot cameras with close-up settings and user-adjustable settings are strongly recommended. You may bring either film or digital cameras. A macro lens is highly desirable. If you do not own a macro lens, students will need a good close up lens (one that allows you to fill your frame with subjects four inches in length). This class is appropriate for ages 18 years and older.

Afternoon Session: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Section A: Thursdays, February 18 – 25 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Friday, February 12
Morning Sessions: 6:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Section B: Saturdays, March 20 – 27 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Monday, March 15
Section C: Saturdays, April 10 – 17 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Monday, April 5
Fee per section: Members, $90; Non-member, $130