“The Complete Digital Photography Workshops" by Ed Stone are delivered in six, two-hour sessions and are geared to both the novice and experienced photographer.  For the first session, you do not need to own a digital camera.  However, sessions two through six, you will need to own or borrow a digital camera in order to better understand and appreciate this course.  The workshops will be offered from July 1 through September 15, 2008 at Fairfield Glade, Tennessee and October 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009 in the Fort Myers/Naples, Florida area.  A specific schedule will be set for each participating community.

Today’s photography is digital.  You probably already have some type of digital camera, be it cell phone, pocket camera or single-lens reflex (SLR) model.  Most people shoot hundreds of digital photos and don’t understand how to edit, enhance or share these pictures with family and friends, or just enjoy them for yourself.  These workshops will help you not only take better photos, but also teach you cropping, brightening, contrasting, sharing and storing your images.

Ed Stone is an award winning professional freelance photographer and former public relations executive.  With over 40 years of working experience in this art form, he has worked with some of the best photographers in the business.  He travels the world to shoot photos of people, places and events.  (Click here to view some of his latest photos.)

“The Complete Digital Photography Course" covers all you need to know to understand the features of your digital camera and associated equipment.  Instruction teaches how to capture better photos and turn them into useful and entertaining presentations for your family, friends and profit.  Learn how to edit and enhance, share and store, and…how to file so you can find photos later.

As an added feature, “The Complete Digital Photography Workshop, Understanding and Making Pictures…for Fun & Profit” will be available to those taking all six courses on the Internet for six months after the course has been completed.  This will allow you to review the information covered in each workshop and e-mail Ed Stone for answering additional questions.

Digital Workshop #1
What camera should you buy?  How to use the camera you already own.  Get to know your camera’s abilities. What should be in your bag?  …and, more!
• If you have not purchased a digital camera and are considering what to buy, we will cover the basics and offer suggestions best suited for your needs. 
• We will review the basic operations of your camera, all the buttons and dials available to make your photos better.  We’ll review photography terminology and what such words as resolution, pixels, optimization, file formats, etc. mean.
• The course will review options of accessories you may need, such as filters, memory, tripods, lenses and flashes.
• Learn to interface your camera to your computer.  You will be taught ways of downloading images from the camera to computer with various operating systems, printers, organizing your shots using various software programs, and printing options, etc.

Digital Workshop #2
Understand light and how to maximize its use.  Find your subjects and learn how best to photograph.  Compose for better content before you shoot.  …and, more!
• Learn what does and does not make for a good photo.
• Develop “an eye” for good photos when they are right under your nose.
• Use light as a way to take better photos, even at night.  When to use or not use flash.
• Shoot portraits and candid shots of family, friends and the unusual.

Digital Workshop #3
The art of photography and becoming an artist with your camera.  Now you have shot it, what do you keep?  Editing and enhancing your digital images for dummies and pros.  Take your photography beyond the auto mode.  …and, more!
• Take the auto mode off and become a better creative photographer.
• Understand metering, focusing and manual mode for better shots.
• Edit to keep the best and not everything you shoot.
• Work with PhotoShop and other software that is easy and simple to use…and, it’s free.

Digital Workshop #4
Learn what accessories are needed to become a good photographer.  The essentials used for better pictures.  Restore and preserve old photos in digital format.  …and, more!
• What do filters do for your photography…and how to use them?
• What is the best and most economical software to use…and how to use it?
• Bring life back to old family photos you thought could not be saved?

Digital Workshop #5
Sharing and storage.  How best to protect your photos from the worst of things to happen.  …and, more!
• The many ways to share your digital photos with family and friends…e-mail, albums, books, websites, videos, frames, Ipods, cell phones, etc.
• Don’t just keep your precious photos in discs, use Internet websites for free and share at the same time.
• Suggestions of how to file and be able to locate certain photos when you need them.

Digital Workshop #6
Show and tell how best to present your talent and great photography skills.  Selling your photos through an agent or on your own.  Photo model releases and why you need them.  …and, more!
• Review of all aspects in this digital photography workshop.
• Understand how to sell your skills to photo agencies, services for events, parties, etc.
• Develop your presentations for more fun and better sales and profits.
• What does a model release do for you and why do you need them?

Costs:
The course includes all six (6) workshops and is designed as an introduction and understanding of digital photography and applying the latest technology to your needs and interest.  The cost for all six (6) workshops is $200 and includes a notebook with all the information covered and on where to find specific websites, helpful hints and suggested materials you may want for further reading.  As a participant in all six workshops you will receive valuable discounts from our participating partner, Best Buy at Turkey Creek Mall in Knoxville, Tennessee and Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida.

For those not able to take all six (6) workshops they are priced at $50 per two-hour session, based on space available.

Should you have a scheduling conflict for any of the workshops, you may sign up for a make-up at one of the courses to be offered at either of the Best Buy stores.  These courses will be offered on a frequent basis and you will be given a schedule at the time of your signing up for the full workshop.

To sign up for these workshops, e-mail Ed Stone at ed@edstone.net and provide your name, e-mail and phone number.