Education

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The Club Education Program will assist you in your photography whether you are a new or experienced photographer.

Classes and workshops are held either digitally via Zoom, or at the Clubhouse 4 Photography Classroom. Announcements of upcoming classes are emailed to all members.

Dates and times for educational events are listed as soon as schedules are confirmed.

Scroll down for details about Workshops, Classes, and other educational resources available through our Club.

View the Club Calendar Online.

Workshops / Classes 2025

  • If you are interested in teaching a class or workshop, contact Mary Madden, Eduation Committee Chair, and let her know your area of expertise.
  • June

  • Cellphone Photography
    Adriana Greisman
    FRIDAY JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27. JULY 11, 18 (6 weeks), 10am – 12pm
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom
    $60 fee

    This 6 session class will be a combination of lectures & demonstrations – with a lot of time spent working with students with their phones & questions or problems they may have encountered in completing assignments. The class will cover cellphone accessories, camera settings, how to take the shots in the various modes, shooting apps, postprocessing apps, photo sharing apps, photo printing apps, & learning resources.

    The class will utilize settings on an iphone, mostly applicable to iphone 12 thru 16. Students using androids will need to determine settings on their devices. The accessories and apps are applicable to both systems.

  • April

  • Color Theory
    Penni Rubin
    THURSDAY APR 6, 2025 10am – 12pm
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom
  • March

  • Lightroom A-Z
    Adriana Greisman
    FRIDAY MAR. 21st, 28th, APR 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th (6 weeks), 10am – 12pm
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom
    $60 fee

    This 6 session class will cover importing photos directly to LR & via Photo Mechanic, catalogs, keywording, basic editing sliders, histogram, masking, tone curve, color adjustments (white balance, mixer, grading, calibration), sharpen/denoise, effects, lens blur, transform, lens corrections, integration with photoshop-topaz/HDR/focus stacking, presets, plugins, & workflow recommendations.

    This class will be a combination of lectures & demonstrations – with a lot of time spent working with students on their computers, assisting them in importing, keywording, editing photos, and addressing questions or problems they may have encountered in completing assignments. Students must have Adobe Lightroom installed on their computers, preferably LR Classic.

    Register for this class

  • Major Photography Competitions: Do’s & Don’ts
    Adriana Greisman
    TUESDAY MAR. 11th, 10am – 12pm
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom

    This class will cover several of the major competitions and what each is looking for today. Topics such as how to select your photos, postprocessing for competition, how to enter, & benefits other than prizes that you gain from entering competitions.

    Register for this class

  • “Get the Picture” – Design Elements
    Penni Rubin
    THURSDAY MAR 6, 2025 10am – 12pm
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom

    There are 10 design elements that will enhance your photography and inspire you to get better results.
    Learn how to spot these elements and shoot fabulous photos using tricks of good design.

    Register for this class

  • iPhone PhotographyNEXT
    Gene Holloway
    MONDAY MAR. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th (4 weeks), 1-2:30PM
    Mac Club Learning Center
    3rd Floor, Laguna Woods Village Community Center, 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods. 

    This four week class starts at the beginning level, and builds upon each week’s material. Handouts will be available for future reference.

    Donations to the Mac Club of $2.00 is due per class, per person, day of the class.

    You may attend each class individually. Limited to 25 participants.

    Register for this class

  • February

  • “Bakers Half Dozen” – Beginning PhotographyCOMPLETED
    David Dearing, & Friends
    MONDAY FEB. 10th & TUESDAY FEB. 11th (2 days), 1:30-3:00PM
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom A two session workshop. 

    For Beginner to Intermediate photographers, we will cover a broad range of topics: composition, lighting, post processing and sharing among others. Taught by some of the Club’s most recognizable long-time members.

  • January

  • Using and Creating Light for Enhancing Your PhotographyCOMPLETED
    David Wells
    THURSDAY JAN. 30th 10:00AM-12:00PM
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom 

    Member David Wells will show how adding additional lighting to your photos can be easy, whether it is indoors or outdoors you can improve your photos by controlling the light. We’ll cover camera settings, light modifiers, lighting equipment, using flash and continuous lighting and how to capture great portraits.

  • How to Submit to a CritiqueCOMPLETED
    Rodney Cooper, Jack Salvador & Friends
    FRIDAY JAN. 24th 1:00-3:00PM
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom 

    Rodney and Jack will review the Camera Club Critique rules & guidelines, explain how to prepare your images for submission, show how to submit your images, and explain how the Critiques work. Time will be allowed to answer some questions from attendees.

    This class is both for newbies, and members who want a refresher on Critiques.

  • Mounting & Matting PhotographsCOMPLETED
    Jack Salvador, Stuart Rubin
    THURSDAY JAN 16th, 10AM-12PM
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom 

    Learn the fundamentals on how to mat and mount your photographs, with examples of classic methods of this essential part of displaying your images. Matting materials will be provided for some hands on practice.

    Registration is required, and limited to 20 participants.

  • Intermediate PhotoshopONGOING
    Art Ramirez
    TUESDAYS JAN. 14, 21, 28 FEB 4, 11, 18, 25 (7 weeks), , 10AM-12PM
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom 

    This seven week (7) class will introduce you to more advanced methods of editing your photos. Topics covered include: Adjusting Light & Color, Using Layers & Groups, Working with Masks, Removing Objects, Working with Text, Sharpening Images, and much more…

    ($10/each class)
    Register for this class

  • Beginning PhotoshopONGOING
    Art Ramirez
    FRIDAYS JAN. 10, 17, 24, 31 FEB 7, 14, 21 (7 weeks), 10AM-12PM
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom 

    If you have never worked on a photo program before, Art has 2 words for you…
    DON’T PANIC!

    This class will introduce you to the basics of adjusting your Photographs. Some of the topics covered will be: How to Adjust Light & Color, Cropping, Removing Unwanted Objects, Adding Text, and Working With RAW Images, plus a few more. Be sure you have Photoshop Creative Cloud installed on your computer.

    Art will supply images for the class.

    ($10/each class)
    Register for this class

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  •   2024 CLASSES BELOW ↓
  • Travel Photography & Packing TipsCOMPLETED
    Mary Madden
    THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19th, 10AM-12PM
  • Uncanny Feeling in Contemporary Fine Art PhotographyPOSTPONED
    JP Lee
    DATE/TIME TBD
    Clubhouse #4, Educational Classroom

    In this workshop, Jungpil Lee will discuss the photographers’ intentions to see beyond the photograph, the
    emotional and atmospheric elements in a photographic. That what we see in images are not necessarily based on
    realities, with examples of work by well known fine art photographers of our time such as Rienke Dijkstra, Todd
    Hido, Sugimoto Hirosh, and Felix Gonzales-Torrez.

    JP Lee comes to us with a background in journalism, a graduate of the Grad School of Journalism at Indiana
    University, with a concentration in Fine Art and Fine Art Photography.

    This class will be rescheduled in early 2025.

  • Canon Cameras Tips & TricksCOMPLETED
    Larry Goodman
    TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd, 10AM-12PM
  • Canon Cameras Tips & TricksCOMPLETED
    Larry Goodman
    THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, 10AM-12PM
  • Advanced Video & Slideshow Editing WorkshopCOMPLETED
    John Lafferty
    FRIDAYS NOVEMBER 8th, 15th, & 22nd 10AM-12PM
  • Bird & Wildlife PhotographyCOMPLETED
    Adriana Greisman
    THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7th, 10AM-12PM
  • iPhone Photography, Start to FinishCOMPLETED
    Gene Holloway
    MONDAYS, NOVEMBER 4th, 18th, 25th, DECEMBER 2nd 1-2:30PM
  • AI & Visual CreativityCOMPLETED
    Mark Austin
    THURSDAY OCTOBER 24th, 10AM-12PM
  • Still Life Photography BasicsCOMPLETED
    Esther Spektor
    FRIDAYS OCTOBER 11th and 18th 10AM-12PM
  • Intermediate PhotoshopCOMPLETED
    Art Ramirez
    TUESDAYS OCTOBER 1st – NOVEMBER 12th (7 weeks), 10AM-12PM.
  • Matting & MountingCOMPLETED
    Jack Salvador
    FRIDAY OCTOBER 4th, 1PM-3PM – TIME CHANGE
  • Street & Documentary PhotographyCOMPLETED
    Keith Leonin
    TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 6PM-8PM/li>

  • Mastering “Light” in LightroomCOMPLETED
    Rick Valasek
    TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17th, 10PM-12PM – TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10th, 10PM-12PM
  • Sony Cameras Tips & TricksCOMPLETED
    Weili Chen
    FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 10AM-12PM
  • Advanced PrintingCOMPLETED
    Jack Salvador
    FRIDAY AUGUST 30, 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • Nikon PhotographyCOMPLETED
    Mark Rabinowitch
    TUESDAY AUGUST 20, 1:00-3:00PM
  • Beginning PhotoshopCOMPLETED
    Art Ramirez
    TUESDAY JULY 9th – AUGUST 20th(7 weeks), 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • Beginning PhotographyCOMPLETED
    Adriana Greisman
    FRIDAY AUGUST 2, 1:00-3:00PM
  • Beginning PrintingCOMPLETED
    Jack Salvador
    FRIDAY JULY 12, 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • Android Photography: Tips & TricksCOMPLETED
    Joel Sigman
    TUESDAY JULY 9, 1:00-3:00PM
  • iPhone Photography – Start to FinishCOMPLETED
    Gene Holloway, Past
    President of the Mac Club
    JULY 8, 15, 22, 29, MONDAYS: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM<< /li>

  • “Story Telling with Photography”COMPLETED
    John Cornell
    FRIDAY JUNE 21, 10:00AM-12:00PM – FRIDAY JUNE 28, 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • “Black & White Conversion and Printing”COMPLETED
    Barry Evans
    TUESDAY JUNE 18, 6:00PM-8:00PM
  • “Organizing Your Images in Lightroom”COMPLETED
    Mary Madden
    FRIDAY MAY 31, 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • “Macro Photography”COMPLETED
    Art Ramirez
    TUESDAY MAY 28th, 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • “Processing Night Sky Photos”COMPLETED
    Ted Koelsch
    FRIDAY MAY 10, 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • “Dry Mounting”COMPLETED
    Stuart Rubin
    TUESDAY APRIL 30th, 1:00-3:00PM
  • “Street & Documentary Photography”COMPLETED
    Keith Leonin
    TUESDAY APRIL 23rd, 6:00-7:30PM
  • “Composition”COMPLETED
    Penni Rubin
    TUESDAY APRIL 16th, 1:00-3:00PM
  • “Color Theory”COMPLETED
    Penni Rubin
    FRIDAY APRIL 5th, 1:30-3:30PM
  • “Begininng Matting” WorkshopCOMPLETED
    Jack Salvador, Stuart Rubin
    FRIDAY APRIL 5th,10:00AM-12:00PM
  • “Intermediate Photoshop”COMPLETED
    Art Ramirez
    TUESDAY MARCH 19th through TUESDAY APRIL 30th, 10:00AM-12:00PM (7 Classes)
  • “Intro to Night Sky Photography”COMPLETED
    Ted Koelsch
    MARCH 22, Friday 1:30-3:30PM
  • “Planning for Successful Photography”COMPLETED
    Tom Elenbaas
    MARCH 19, Tuesday 1:30-3:30PM
  • “Begininng Matting” WorkshopCOMPLETED
    Jack Salvador, Stuart Rubin
    MARCH 1, Friday 10:00-11:30AM
  • “Baker’s Half Dozen: Beginning Photography”COMPLETED
    David Dearing, Joel Goldstein, Mark Rabinowitz, Peter Battin
    FEB. 26 Monday, AND FEB. 27 Tuesdays 1:30-3:30PM
  • “Get the Picture Using Design Elements”COMPLETED
    Penni Rubin
    FEBRUARY 13, Tuesday 1:30-3:30PM
  • “iPhone Photography – Start to Finish”COMPLETED
    Gene Holloway, Past President of the Mac Club
    FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20, 27, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • “Action Photography: Post Processing Using Adobe Camera Raw, Topaz and NIK Software”
    COMPLETED
    Ken Furuta
    JANUARY 26, Friday, Time 10:00-11:30AM
  • “Color Management”COMPLETED
    Faro Mohahedi
    JANUARY 23, Tuesday 10:00AM-12:00PM

 

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The Camera Club relies on our dedicated Member volunteers.

If you are a Club Member, and you want to join the Education Committee, or have experience presenting workshops, training instruction, and/or classes (2 to 4-hour), please contact us at: education@cameraclublwv.org.

Presenter and Training Assistant volunteers – please include a brief description of your experience and/or educational product.

Photo Lab – Fred Granger Learning Center

Located at Clubhouse 4 in the Photo Lab, The Fred Granger Learning Center provides a classroom like setting for various in-person workshops and classes available through our Educational Program.

The Photo Lab also has a wide range of equipment and supplies for use by Camera Club Members and Laguna Woods Village residents.

Supervisors can provide guidance during open hours on using the Lab computers, software, printers, tools, and equipment.

Lab hours: 10:00AM–2:00PM Tuesday-Friday, and additional hours designated for in-person classes and workshops.

Map of the Clubhouse (JPG, 175 KB)

The Resources/Lab Page – details about the Photo Lab.

Saddleback College Emeritus Institute

The Institute was established as an educational opportunity for the pursuit and enhancement of lifelong learning, primarily for the older adult. The Emeritus Institute offers several photography-related courses – free to Village Residents – that meet in the Clubhouse 4 Photography Classroom.

You can pick up a copy of the class catalog at the Emeritus Institute office in Clubhouse 4.

Emeritus Institute Classes: http://www.saddleback.edu/emeritus/.
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Handouts / Guides

Recommended Smart Phone Apps for PhotographersBy Erin Manning, Travel Photographer

An informative list of smarting phone apps for photography, video, and travelling.

Photographic Apps, by Erin Manning (PDF, 157 MB)
Print MattingHandout from Alan Pollock’s class, May 6, 2013.

Print Matting (PDF, 637 KB)
Ways to Share Your PhotosPresentations from Joel Goldstein’s class, July 18, 2017.

Sharing Photos Workshop Outline (PDF, 116 KB)
Ways to Share Your Photos (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Learning Google Photos (PDF, 2.4 MB)
How to Take Great Pictures of PeopleHandouts from Cliff Getz’s workshop, September 24, 2013.

PowerPoint Presentation (PDF, 4 MB)
Handout (PDF, 188 KB)
Epson 4800 PrinterHandout from Tim Talbert’s workshop on the Epson 4800 Printer, January 15, 2013.

Epson 4800 Printer (PDF, 767 KB)
Printing GuideA 2-page guide on how to print photos.

Printing Guide (PDF, 652 KB)
Wildlife PhotographyHandouts are from the Wildlife Photography workshop held on February 14, 2012

Wildlife Photography Tom Getz (PDF, 53 KB)
Wildlife Photography Mike Bray (PDF, 8 KB)
Uses for Your CameraHandouts from Joel Goldstein’s workshop on Uses for Your Camera

Uses for Your Camera (PDF, 12 KB)
Valuables Inventory (PDF, 119 KB)
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Other Resources

Adobe Learn

Adobe TV has been phased out and replaced with “Adobe Learn”, with hundreds of informative videos. Adobe “Discover” displays free assets and giveaways.

Adobe Learn
Adobe Discover

Photoshop Cafe

Originally “Software Cinema”, Photoshop Cafe offers a large selection of Free and “Premium” (pay) online tutorials.

Phtographer and educator Tim Cooper has several excellent tutorials in this collection.

Photoshop Cafe
Tim Cooper Tutorials

ON1 Free Adobe Presets

Two sets of Free presets from ON1 and ON1 partners.

Free Camera Raw Presets for Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) work in Adobe Photoshop CS6 or Creative Cloud.
Free Adobe Lightroom Presets work with Adobe Lightroom 4, 5, 6, and Classic CC.

Adobe RAW Presets
Lightroom Presets

Stephen Burns Photoshop Tutorials

Photographer, instructor and author Stephen Burns has a series of excellent short tutorials on beginning and advanced subjects. You can even learn to calibrate your printer.

Stephen Burns Tutorials

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning now manages the resources previously found on Lynda.com

These classes are an excellent, extensive resource for learning software and processes for photography, video, email, social media, and website building.

Online training is based on either a monthly or yearly fee.

LinkedIn Learning: Lynda

CreativeLive

CreativeLive is a web site offering tutorials on photography, Lightroom, and Photoshop. When a class is being broadcast “live,” you can watch it for free.

You must create an account to participate, but registering does not obligate you financially.

You can also purchase unlimited viewing rights to any of their classes.

Highly recommended are the Photoshop classes taught by Ben Willmore and Leza Snyder.

CreativeLive Photography

Simplephotoshop.com

This site has free tutorials on basic topics. You can also order an online book that has a more in-depth set of tutorials.

View Tutorials
Purchase Photoshop Book

 

PhotoPills

More than 35 eBook photo guides, workshops, a blog, camps, and a Photo App are part of the PhotoPills mission to “help you improve your photography, and have lots of fun doing so”.

Go to PhotoPills

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Location Ideas for Shoots

Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest

Heritage Hill Historical Park, near the Ralphs Shopping Center at Serrano and Lake Forest Drive in Lake Forest has historical buildings and old farm equipment that you can photograph. The park is open on Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is free. During the school year, be aware that groups of school children frequently tour the park in the mornings, so it is best to plan your visit for the afternoon.

Flower Fields

The 50-acre Flower Fields in Carlsbad is a great place to shoot spring blooms. The site is open only rom early March through early May, so be sure to plan a visit. Hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Visit their website for the lastest info for visiting the Carlsbad fields.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park

Laguna Niguel Regional Park at 28241 LaPaz Road offers opportunities for images of Great White egrets, geese, and squirrels before noon. A small stream flows through the park near the entrance. Further into the park there is a lake with fishing from the shore and small boats.

San Juan Capistrano

The City of San Juan Capistrano offers several areas for photography. Get there by taking the 5 Freeway south and exit at Ortega Highway. Turn right to access the mission and the historic district.

Los Rios Historic District, SJC

The Los Rios Historic District (PDF, 6.2 MB), in San Juan Capistrano includes 31 structures which line both sides of Los Rios Street, between Del Obispo and Mission Streets. The District comprises one of the oldest continuing neighborhoods in Orange County, and includes three adobe homes built in 1794 for Mission families. Park at the San Juan Capistrano train station and walk across the tracks to Los Rios Street. You must purchase a photography permit from the city to be able to take photos in this district.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano is an architectural jewel that attracts thousands of visitors and offers myriad possibilities for photographers. After exiting the freeway at Ortega Highway, turn right and proceed approximately three blocks. The Mission is on the right side of the street, with free parking is available in two adjadent lots. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Admission is $9 for adults and $8 for seniors.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa provides good opportunities for architectural images and reflections. Be aware that security guards are very protective and might ask you to leave.

Soka University

Soka University offers excellent opportunities for architectural images. The fountains in front of the complex are active subjects in early morning. Late afternoon offers great opportunities for architectural studies with shadows and reflections.

Union Station, Los Angeles

Take the Metrolink into Union Station for an opportunity to photograph this art deco architectural treasure. Tripods are not allowed, but you can freely roam the site and take unlimited hand-held shots. Be sure to increase your ISO for the dim lighting.

Your Ideas

Share your favorite locations for photography in Southern California. Send an email to cameraclub@cameraclublwv.org about your favorite locales, any links associated with them, and other tips (such as the best time of year or best time of day to photograph that locale).
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If you need any assistance, please email cameraclub@cameraclublwv.org

LW Village Resources

Suggest Training Resources

If you have favorite resources for online Photography and software training, please email us with your suggestion(s):
education@cameraclublwv.org

Click images to view large versions –
David Dearing's class for beginner/intermediate photographers, January 2023
David Dearing’s class for beginner/intermediate photographers, January 2023
Mike Bray Travel Photography, Clubhouse 4 Photo Lab classroom
Mike Bray printed skulls
Mike Bray Travel Photography, May 2023,
Clubhouse 4 Photo Lab classroom
iPhone Photography Class, Kim Paar, June 2023

iPhone Photography Class, Kim Paar, June 2023
Clubhouse 4 Photo Lab classroom

Black and White Conversion for Print, Barry-Evans, 082023

“Black and White Conversion and Printing”
Barry Evans, August 2023
Clubhouse 4 Photo Lab classroom