Nikon School

[JohnnyRebel]

My wife and I are planning to go to Atlanta in Feb. for the two-day Nikon School. Is this worthwile? What do we need to take? Is there any particular thing I need to know beforehand?

JR

 

[jhansman]

If you get little or no response here, you might want to head over to the Nikonians forums. I know that several members there have attended the Nikon sessions and should be able to give you a hands-on assessment. Please report back here and let us know how you liked it.

 

[xchangx]

What exactly are they covering at the Nikon School that's different than a CC class?

 

[JohnnyRebel]

What exactly are they covering at the Nikon School that's different than a CC class?

Here is what is covered. Also, the classes are taught by professional photographers.

Day 1

• Understanding ISO, shutter speed and aperture
• Creative use of exposure controls
• Autofocus options
• Basics of flash
• Understanding resolution and how a camera creates a digital file
• Camera buttons, dials and key menus
• Metering and Exposure
• Highlights and Histogram
• Understanding the JPEG/NEF (RAW) choice
• Live browser demo, showing download, sorting, organizing
• Exposure Modes: From Auto to Manual
• White Balance and Lens choices
• Light, Composition, Framing
• Live demo - How to fix or enhance a photo
  with Capture NX 2
• Image resolution and how it affects email and prints
• Sharing - email, print and web

Day 2

• Position and lens choice for powerful images
• Getting the best color through in-camera processing and menu settings
• How to make the most of RAW format images, and maximize a workflow built around RAW
• Understanding the qualities of light (range, direction, size and color) and how to use them
• Learn to control and modify light, both natural and artificial
• Flash - from fill and bounce to a live demo with multiple Speedlights. Includes how to use gels
• Download and back-up
• Color management: from camera to print
• Making the most of a few filters
• Live demo of Nikon View NX 2 and Capture NX 2, focusing on advanced features
• Resizing, sharpening and soft proofing for output
• Storytelling and slideshow creation
• Basics of video with digital HD-SLR cameras
• Plus: Panoramas, GPS, time lapse, in-camera HDR, Infrared and more!

JR

 

[Gintaras]

It's up to you, but I myself would not even consider this.
I think, most of this can be learned for free - online, e-books online.
And practice, practice, practice...

Also, the classes are taught by professional photographers.

I would call these professional fraudsters, not photographers.

Any honest and real photographer would tell you, that in 2 days NO WAY you can learn nothing...nothing at all. You might get some little basic knowledge, but real learning will come with PRACTICE - months, years of practice, not 2 days...
I wonder, how much would cost all this for you and your wife? Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy camera - with kit lenses, start shooting and to post on the net for C&C?
Lot of people start this way, incl. myself. "Fire By Trial" is good way to learn something.
You get leads, advices, then start making better pictures on your own.

You sound like a newbie/novice...just like me - since you want to take these classes.
First thing I would suggest: never buy in beginning a professional camera. Professional camera requires a lot of knowledge, how to handle it, etc.... Newbies buying professional cameras will learn nothing.
Newbies, who like to learn something, should buy Entry-Level cameras, and when you're good at photography and able to "squeeze" everything out of that camera - then you go to next level - get mid-level or professional camera, depending on what you need, what can you handle and how you fare.....

I don't ask you to believe me "word a word" what I say, but, I think, there are more people, who can suggest something good or better...

It's just my opinion about that "school" and photography...

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I would call these professional fraudsters, not photographers.

The question was about Nikon School vs a Community College class.

Actually, a lot can be learned from Seminars. I don't think anyone suggests that one would go from hack to artist in two days.

Here's a review from an attendee:
http://existing-light.blogspot.com/p/nikon-school-review_28.html

JR

 

[drabguy]

Hi, I am actually one of the instructors of the course. The review that you posted was a pretty accurate description of the class. The class is not a hands-on class, expect about 100-150 people. It would be helpful to read your notes before the class, so you can focus on what we teach and not frantically try to take notes on everything. We try to provide valuable content in an entertaining format. We hope that when you leave you will have learned a bunch and had a good time while doing so.

We get many folks who come to the class year after year just for the camaraderie and to learn a few new things. Even if you know a lot, hopefully you will come away having learned something new. Education never ends. There will be two teachers plus a representative from Nikon and one from Sandisk. The Nikon rep will have a table full of equipment that you can handle and ask questions about.

If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them. I look forward to meeting you at the class.

Happy holidays,
Michael

 

[Gintaras]

Hi, I am actually one of the instructors of the course.

If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them. I look forward to meeting you at the class.

Happy holidays,
Michael

Since you're an instructor, you MUST be a pretty good photographer.
Would you care to share some of your photos?

 

[drabguy]

You can see my photos at www.michaelschwarz.com

Because I spend about half my time shooting and half my time teaching, training and consulting, I also maintain a separate site for that. It is www.michaeltraining.com

By the way, Nikon School is held at about 25 different cities throughout the year. You can see the schedule and instructor bios here: www.nikonschool.com

The School has a long history, it's been around for about 40 years. The five instructors, all working professional photographers, take it very seriously and work very hard to create value for those that attend. We appreciate the time and money that are attendees invest and we want them to feel like it was worthwhile.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[OutHouse]

Since you're an instructor, you MUST be a pretty good photographer.
Would you care to share some of your photos?

Lol pwoned

 

[Kaieye]

You can see my photos at www.michaelschwarz.com

Because I spend about half my time shooting and half my time teaching, training and consulting, I also maintain a separate site for that. It is www.michaeltraining.com

By the way, Nikon School is held at about 25 different cities throughout the year. You can see the schedule and instructor bios here: www.nikonschool.com

The School has a long history, it's been around for about 40 years. The five instructors, all working professional photographers, take it very seriously and work very hard to create value for those that attend. We appreciate the time and money that are attendees invest and we want them to feel like it was worthwhile.

Cheers,
Michael

I worked in the shipping dept. at Nikon here in SF before they moved to Los Angeles about 30 years ago and I got to go to the school for free(I had a great learning experience). I got my paycheck from EPOI before Nikon took over from them. I could not get a big discount so I bought a few lenses in Hong Kong for like half the price than you can buy here in New York by mailorder. Good times!

 

[JohnnyRebel]

Lol pwoned

Actually....it's pwned

and, Actually...his shots are pretty good. If Gintaras is going to call somebody out, he needs to be ready to show some of his stuff.

JR

 

[Gintaras]

Actually....it's pwned

and, Actually...his shots are pretty good. If Gintaras is going to call somebody out, he needs to be ready to show some of his stuff.

JR

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2164341

I'm a newbie and hobbyist - I've said so before.
I've printed several photos in 11x14, some in 20x24 and a couple photos in poster-size 20x30. I don't know how good or bad I went in enlarging photo on my PC- I did end up having about 25Mb file, 6000x9000 pixels for 20x30 prints, but it came out pretty good.

Here's some examples of prints/framing:

Photo 11x14, mat/frame 16x20:

Mat on 20x30 I did cut out myself, I've bought Logan Mat Cutter:

 

[Gintaras]

Actually....it's pwned

and, Actually...his shots are pretty good.

JR

Not pretty good, but very good. But, when it comes to portraits, I do like more these - made by photo hobbyist:

 

[Bowfinger]

You can see my photos at www.michaelschwarz.com ...

Heads up everyone, my AV got quite grumpy when I clicked that link. Said it was infested with two downloader infections of some sort. I didn't dig further, just closed the link. Always possible it's a false positive, but be alert.

 

[blastingcap]

Heads up everyone, my AV got quite grumpy when I clicked that link. Said it was infested with two downloader infections of some sort. I didn't dig further, just closed the link. Always possible it's a false positive, but be alert.

Weird, also weird is how he just made an account DEC 2011 and has 2 posts both in this thread. Not saying he's not legit, could have lurked until he happened to see this thread, but that, combined with the spyware thing, makes me reluctant to click.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

Heads up everyone, my AV got quite grumpy when I clicked that link. Said it was infested with two downloader infections of some sort. I didn't dig further, just closed the link. Always possible it's a false positive, but be alert.

Mine showed no issues, and the site looks very legit. If he's posing, he's doing a great job. I'll let you know after I meet him in Feb...

JR

 

[Bowfinger]

Mine showed no issues, and the site looks very legit. If he's posing, he's doing a great job. I'll let you know after I meet him in Feb...

JR

Yep, don't know. Could be a false alarm. I agree the site looked legitimate and probably is. Even the most upstanding hosts are sometimes compromised by outside attackers.

Enjoy your class. Be sure to tell us about it when you get back.

 

[twistedlogic]

Not pretty good, but very good. But, when it comes to portraits, I do like more these - made by photo hobbyist:

Those are more studio based portraits where all light is controlled and comes from the strobes. Michael Schwarz's images use ambient light (along with flash???) to create his environmental portraits which tell a much greater story of the subject.

Not that one is better than the other, but mixing flash and ambient and make it look natural really is a talent.

 

[Gintaras]

Those are more studio based portraits where all light is controlled and comes from the strobes. Michael Schwarz's images use ambient light (along with flash???) to create his environmental portraits which tell a much greater story of the subject.

Not that one is better than the other, but mixing flash and ambient and make it look natural really is a talent.

I do somehow agree with you. Also, a good photographer is the one, who does know how to control light, besides composition, etc...
When you take a photo, you do nothing else, but control light incoming to a camera besides getting/maintaining good focus of object.

Art isn't a sport, so, there aren't #1's.
When I for first time entered photo in http://www.dpreview.com/challenges/ , people told me not to take it very seriously. A lot of people look at photos and vote different - some look into artistic side of the photo, some look more into technical side. Some look into both.

But I can tell you one - it's always fun to participate in http://www.dpreview.com/challenges/, just need to read rules and to select photo that applies to this or that challenge...
For me, as a newbie and a photo hobbyist, my entries there pretty good to me - ~ 40% - almost an average.

 

[radhak]

JR,
thanks for posting this - seems like a great idea. I am at a point in my photography where I can handle the camera, but have a lotsa 'how do I get that shot' questions that might get answers here. (I have attended some CC classes, and while useful, I need a more professional and focussed guidance now).


Whoa miracle - there's a class within driving distance of 40 miles in March! My wallet and my life as an errand-boy (ie, husband and father) does not allow more than one day, so I am thinking of taking just the second day (“Color, Light Technology”).

[ Btw, you should get down on your knees and say thanks for a wife who not only understands your passion but also participates in it. I'd give my left arm - and use a tripod all the time - for that blessing! ]

Can you please post your experience when you are done?

Michael Shwartz seems to be a big-shot photog/trainer - I don't think you can go wrong there! Him appearing here (as drabguy above) is fortuitous.

 

[radhak]

JR, I presume you completed your two-day course in Feb? How did it go?

 

[Syborg1211]

I'd like to know how the course went as well. They are coming to my town next weekend, and I might sign up.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

Death in family prevented me from going. Plan to go next year.

JR

 

[drabguy]

Hey, I apologize to those of you who went to my site www.michaelschwarz.com and got a security alert. Apparently the alert only shows up in Windows computers, something I rarely use, so I was not aware of it. I was alerted to it a few days and flushed out my Wordpress install and that should have cleared it up. Not sure what it was, but pretty certain it had something to do with a Wordpress photo gallery plug-in. Certainly nothing malicious on my part and I don't think it was anything serious.

I don't normally look at this site, but it showed up in a Google Alerts I do for Nikon School and I was dismayed that we were being called "fraudsters", so I felt I needed to defend the School, something I have been very proud of since my initial involvement with it more than 10 years ago.

JR-- sorry you were unable to attend the school this year. I look forward to meeting you next year.

Syborg-- if you are able to attend the Baltimore school, please take a moment to say hello.

Cheers,
Michael