Classes
We offer a wide range of classes, for beginner, intermediate and advanced shooters. See which ones look the most fun and useful to you, and give us a call if you want to sign up, or if you have any questions!
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Demystifying Your Digital Point & Shoot
Ever looked through your point and shoot camera manual and been totally mystified about how much explaining a tiny little camera needs? Browsed through the camera menus and found enough features to confuse anyone? This is the class for you!
Whether you just purchased your camera and need a beginner’s crash course or you’ve had it for a while and need help delving into some of the more advanced features, our instructor has you covered.
In this class, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your digital point and shoot. Get tips for specific shooting situations and learn how to adjust for different lighting, control file sizes, deal with shutter lag, and how to manage and print your pictures.
Instructor Tom Borello hails from the Bay Area photographic community. He has years of involvement in the photographic industry, including teaching experience and previous camera store ownership, and the patience to see you though all your Point and Shoot questions.
Be sure to bring your camera to class!
Instructor: Tom Borello
Price: $69
Date: Tuesday, June 12th 6pm-7:30pm
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Getting the Most from Your DSLR 101
If you want to reveal the power of your DSLR, this is the class for you.
In this informal setting, you’ll learn how to unlock the creative potential and features hidden in your camera. Mike, Looking Glass’ buyer and manager, makes it fun and easy.
Topics include: advanced exposure and focus modes, on-camera flash, using the right lens to get final results, controlling white balance, saturation, sharpness, and noise reduction, shooting JPEG vs RAW, and how to back up and store your files.
With a class of 8 students or less, you have plenty of opportunity to address your own curiosities or concerns…bring your questions! (And bring your camera.)
This class is great for beginners with their own cropped or full frame DSLR. Advanced customers, stay tuned for our upcoming DSLR 201 class!
Instructor: Mike Reed
Price: $100
Date: Wednesday, May 16th, 5:30 - 7:30pm
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Intro to B&W Film Developing
Film is alive and well at Looking Glass! If you’ve never developed your own film or want to get back into it after an absence, this is your class.
LG staffer Brian Marçais will teach you the basics of the black & white film chemical process and developing techniques. With a lifetime of personal darkroom experience, he’ll be able to field any questions you might have and fill your head with interesting facts in the process!
You will learn how to properly mix and handle chemistry, how to load your film onto developing reels, proper agitation, rinsing, and drying techniques.
You will also create an 8x10 contact sheet of your negatives to take home with you. In addition, you will learn how to properly store & archive your negatives.
*Please come to class with at least one roll of exposed, undeveloped black and white film.
*After taking the B&W classes, stop by the Looking Glass darkroom anytime to develop or print on your own! Our darkroom is open every day we are, closing 30 minutes before the store. We provide all the chemistry and most of the equipment. Rates are affordable, the environment is friendly, and you can leave the clean-up to us!
Instructor: Brian Marçais
Price: $75
Dates: Saturday, June 9th.
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Intro to B&W Darkroom Printing
In this class you'll learn the basics of B&W darkroom printing techniques. The instructor will explain how to properly mix chemistry and how to ensure correct exposure, contrast, and tone.
You will select your own negatives for printing, create test strips, and create a final print to be proud of. Looking Glass will provide RC paper in a variety of surface types for you to choose from.
This class is great as a follow-up to the B&W Film Developing class or as a stand-alone.
Our instructor Brian Marçais is an excellent darkroom printer, however this class is geared to beginners. If you want more advanced instruction, sign up for one-on-one sessions with Brian or any of our other darkroom specialists.
*Looking Glass will supply your paper in addition to chemistry. Be sure to bring a roll of DEVELOPED film for printing.
*After taking the B&W classes, stop by the Looking Glass darkroom anytime to develop or print on your own! Our darkroom is open every day we are, closing 30 minutes before the store. We provide all the chemistry and most of the equipment. Rates are affordable, the environment is friendly, and you can leave the clean-up to us!
Instructor: Brian Marçais
Price: $150
Dates: Saturday & Sunday June 9th & 10th (two-day class.)
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Advanced B&W Darkroom Printing
In this class students will explore more advanced printing techniques. The class includes a demonstration followed by hands-on supervised darkroom time.
In the demo the instructor will introduce the concepts of: printing on fiber paper for more longevity, split filtration for better contrast control, and techniques for finer burning and dodging.
In the second half of class, the instructor will be on hand to answer questions and provide guidance as you work independently. Each print will be evaluated to create a more refined final image.
This class is great as a stand-alone for new photographers seeking additional darkroom challenges or as a follow up to our Intro to B&W Darkroom Printing class.
*Looking Glass will supply chemistry. Be sure to bring a roll of DEVELOPED film for printing. Bring a contact sheet for that roll. Each student will need a box of 8x10 fiber-based darkroom paper and blotter book. (Both of which are sold by Looking Glass.)
Instructor: Flee Kieselhorst
Price: $150
Date: Sunday, May 27th 11am-4pm
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Close-Up Photography
If you enjoy the smaller things in life, if the truth is in the details, this is the class for you!
Whether you are using a DSLR with a macro lens or a Point and Shoot with a macro mode, this class will help you out. You’ll learn tips and tricks to creating crisp and interesting close-up photos in this two-part seminar.
The first half of the class will give you an overview of close-up photography principles and different methods of obtaining the perfect macro shot. Looking Glass gear will be on hand to illustrate the shooting options out there.
In the last part of class, you’ll venture out and about near Looking Glass to apply what you’ve learned and ask questions as you test your new skills in the field.
This class is great for customers who own or are thinking of purchasing a macro lens or for shooters wanting to better utilize their camera’s close-up capabilities.
*Please bring your camera and macro lens (if you have one) to class.
Instructor: Mike Reed
Price: $75
Date: Saturday, May 26th 10am-12pm
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Matting and Preservation Workshop
This is an introductory workshop covering the basics of window matting and archival preservation/presentation techniques. Learn how to choose matte board and supplies to ensure the highest quality and greatest longevity.
This short class discusses the different materials available and the benefits of each before a matte cutting demo and a demo on pulling all the pieces together to create a finished, ready to hang piece.
Instructor: Flee Kieselhorst
Price: $69
Date: Wednesday, May 30th 6pm-7:30pm
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Holga Workshop
Carol and Flee team up to bring you a class on everything Holga!
The class will be divided into talk and demo and hands on shooting. During the lecture, we’ll give a brief history of toy cameras and the Holga, give a run down on getting a successful exposure, and introduce you to some cool techniques to achieve lomo effects. The second hour of class will be spent out and about getting on-the-spot pointers from Carol and Flee as you put our tips into action.
This class is geared for Holga shooters. If you have another toy camera, let us know in advance. If you don’t own a Holga, borrow one of our basic model Holgas for the class!
Students must bring at least one roll of film to class.
Instructors: Carol Stevens & Flee Kieselhorst
Price: $69
Date: Saturday, July 7th 11am-1pm
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Night Photography
Are you a night-owl? A budding astrologist? Someone just looking for a new application for your photography skills? Take our on-location night photography class at the Lawrence Hall of Science!!!
This on-location class will introduce you to many of the techniques of shooting in low-light conditions. A short lecture/demo will be followed by shooting time overseen by our instructor.
Topics covered include: standard and not-so-standard equipment and techniques, sunset and magic hour shooting, moon/moonlight shooting, web and mobile tools to determine ideals times, rear curtain flash, and local night photography groups.
Students should bring a camera with a bulb setting, their manual, a cable release or remote, and a tripod.
Instructor: Dale Mead
Price: $90
Date: Wednesday, May 23rd 7:30pm-10pm
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Cyanotype Workshop
In this hands-on weekend course, learn how to make beautiful blue, painterly prints simply and inexpensively -- from digital or film photos. The Cyanotype process has been around since the 1840s, is made using the sun and water, and can be printed on almost any surface!
Students will learn to make the chemicals, prepare paper and chemicals, and use or make negatives from film or digital photos. Then students will learn how to expose, develop and tone the prints with tea, coffee and other simple chemicals. This class will show you how to use this historical process in very versatile, creative ways to make unique, hand-made art.
Class occurs on 2 consecutive days.
Instructor: Shane Powers
Price: $200
Date: Saturday, June 2 - 11am-3pm & Sunday, June 3 - 12pm-4pm
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