Dates:Feb.23-26, 2012, March 1-4, 2012 only
Workshop Fee: $ 160 for four hours. Time: 8 am- noon, 1-5pm
Meeting Place: Union Square Park, meet at Powell & Geary
What to bring: Any brand DLSR or Point-n-Shoot, Note pad and pen

Powell St.Cable Car - Pentax K20D, 18-55m lens, Handheld

Learn how to use the features of your brand new digital camera ( Point n shoot or DSLR ). Whether you are aspiring shutterbug or beginner, this fun photo tour will give you the oppurtunity to apply your technical and creative skills with your new camera.You will learn
the basics of digital photography – lighting, composition, and exposure.Learn how to avoid blurry pictures and minimize overexposed and underexposed photos.Learn why flash improves your photo quality. By the end of the day, you will be able to create postcard quality photos of San Francisco famous landmarks. Topics we will cover : travel photography, photojournalism, portraits on location, architecture, landscapes and cityscapes,nature, etc.You will also learn about color theory and perspective as applied to composition. Also the importance of mastering photoshop and handling RAW files and RGB JPEGs format.

Register for this class.

Above is a sample of gift certificate graphics created in photoshop CS2

This beginners workshop is perfect for people new to digital photography and digital imaging.
This workshop is essential especially for digital SLR photographers who want to get the best quality from their images.Introduction to Photoshop CS4- Learn the basics of image manipulation. Learn to work with color, retouch images with various filters, learn to use layers to create a collage, a movie poster, a gift card etc.
You will learn how to use the Type Command to create cool graphics.Learn how to color correct and resize your JPEG files for print and internet. Learn how to work with RAW files and convert them to high quality prints.
Learn to fix common problems in digital images -dust removal, overexposed highlights/very dark shadows,
unsharp images, color correct white balance issues, convert color images to black and white three different ways and much, much more..

Photoshop Elements 6, Photoshop CS4/CS5 is useful for the following applications:
1) Running a small business, you can create your own logos, business cards, and brochures.You can use Photoshop to design the home page of your own website.
2) Musicians can learn how to do graphics for their own music CDs/DVDs
3) Independent filmmakers can learn how to create graphics and manipulate images to make their own movie posters to promote their film.
4) Photoshop creates amazing graphics for your WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla site.


Locations: to be discussed

San Diego Photo Safari founder and travel photographer will lead you
on a twilight & night photo tour of downtown San Diego and a view
the San Diego skyline from Shelter Island or Coronado Island. Learn how to create those cool
photo calendars amd postcards depicting San Diego nightlife. All levels are accepted from amateur to
advanced & everyone is required to bring a digital camera (prosumer or
professional – Canon Rebel, Nikon D7000 etc.). Here on our fun and educational
photo safari, you will learn to master the basics of photography: lighting,exposure, and
composition. I will also teach you about color theory art principles
that will improved your picture taking skills. I give a hands-on
teaching approach to all my students and make it possible to teach
technical subjects in a non-complicated way to beginners… At the end
of the night photo workshop, you will learn new ideas, techniques, &
photographic tips that will enhance your vision as a photographic artist . A sturdy.
tripod will be required. Lots of photo techniques for capturing night
scenes will be discuss.

Loctions: Golden Gate Park, Union Square, Chinatown, Pier 39, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge
Dates:  Feb. 23-27,2012

Schedule: 9 am to 5 pm ( Daylight photo safari ) 1pm-9pm ( Day/night photo tour

My most popular all day digital photography & photoshop intensive workshop taught in the most scenic places in the City by the Bay – San Francisco. Come attend our 1 day walking/driving photo safari in SFO for only $ 300 per person & learn the basics of photography such as exposure, lighting, composition. Learn from an established professional travel photographer on how to take photos. We accept all levels of skills and will answer any questions related to photography technique and art. We will be shooting in three different locations in San Francisco: Your choice of Union Square, Chinatown, Pier 39, Golden GAte Bridge,Golden Gate Park etc., Pier 39, Golden Gate Park,Coit Tower, Ghirardelli Square, etc.

This whole day driving/walking photo safari in San Francisco is great for beginners & new digital photographers.This is the workshop in digital photography you have been waiting for. Taught by a working professional, you will learn the basics of photography: light, exposure, and composition. You will learn how to navigate around the complicated controls of your new Canon or Nikon DSLR & just learn to use three commands: Manual, Shutter Priority, & Aperture Priority. Learn the difference between shooting RGB Jpegs versus RAW files and harnessing the power of Photoshop CS5 and CS3. Learn to shoot Black and White in many different modes ( AWB- Auto White Balance ) and cut down on post-production work in Photoshop. Also art principles are taught which is why I include a trio to the local art
museum. Photography is 70-80 percent art technique and the rest is technical knowledge. Developing an artistic eye is the key to being a successful photographer/artist. Art principles include perspective as related to composition, how to see shapes in your photo composition, the effects of warm and cool colors ( color theory ), properties of lighting ( both natural and artificial ) as related to the histogram & photoshop.

It all sounds technical but its not.Whether you are an absolute beginner or advance amateur, you will learn a lot from this photo safari workshop. I teach a very hands-on method with all my students & my sessions are informal and a lot of fun. You will learn faster by my unique method which I learned from my art teachers and other mentors

What’s included: Hands-on photo instruction with a small group, photo tips book ( PDF files )
Elle’s special composition tool, photo critique
What to bring : Digital camera or point and shoot , A liter of water and snacks, Sunhat and sunglasses,
comfortable hiking shoes, note pad and pen, backpack.

What’s not included: transportation, optional dinner after the hike.

What is cool about this class:
Learn the basics of photography: lighting, exposure, and composition from a pro photographer.Elle will help you demystify the complicated controls of your digital camera while getting your butt in shape. Hiking is great exercise. Learn how to create beautiful landscape photos in both color & black & white Shoot macro closeups of the local vegetation Enjoy hiking and outdoor photography with a fun group of shutterbugs.
Practice your creative and composition skills with Elle’s unique composition tool.Go home with awesome hiking photos and new photo skills that will amaze your friends and family.

This is a two hour hour hike just west of El Cajon and 14.9 miles from San Diego. According to the popular hiking guide “Afoot and Afield” this extremely popular hike most well travelled in the county and it is more popular than Mt. Fuji. Low lying plants and the lack of trees add to the trails’ well-groomed look and from the summit you can see Lake Murray.

Photo by Elle - Nikon 5700 Point n Shoot

Learn digital photography and photoshop basics in one day Includes free webpage with your photos,online critique, and follow-up photo assignment Gift certificates for my digital photography workshops are available for one and two day sessions. They are valid for 60 day. Makes a nice birthday present, wedding anniversary or gift for a really good friend or hardworking employee any of these aspiring shutterbugs and want to learned how to operate your digital cameras, then come

Are you new to digital photography ? Do you want to learn how to simplify using your camera? Did someone gave you a new point-n-shoot digital camera and now you want to learned how to use it ? Did you recently purchased a high-end Nikon D700 Digital Camera or Canon 7D? Planning an expensive cruise to the Caribbean or to Europe and want to preserve those moments. If you are If you are any of these aspiring shutterbugs and want to learned how to operate your digital cameras, then come attend this full day photoworkshop that includes a 2 hour crash course in photoshop basics .

Topics Cover : Basic photography skills- lighting, exposure, composition, How to use those fancy doodads on your camera, How to prevent blurry shots. How to compose those colorful travel postcards ? Why flash improves your photo quality? How to photograph your friends and family in front of famous attractions ? Our photo tours are a lot of fun and informative. Your photo instructor is a full-time working photographer who has been teaching the Photo Safari workshops for the last few years in San Diego, San Francisco, & New York . Elle G. also works as a fashion & movie photographer in both LA and New York. When he is not working with clients, Elle is teaching private photo workshops with his students in Southern California.

We conduct digital photography workshops, photoshop classes, and web design classes all over the state of California. Our workshops are geared for both the beginner and advance digital photographers.

All our teachers are working professionals so you get the best education in terms of practical experience and the most current trends in digital technology. Our students come from all walks of life, age ranges,and occupations.They come to us because they want to learn more  about digital photography,  photoshop, and web design. We make it easy for them to understand how to use the fancy features of their new digital camera. Or to show them how to  manipulate their photos and make beautiful prints, calendars, gift cards, and even websites. Technology doesn’t have to be complicated.
Everything can be learn by doing and that is what we do best. We teach you one-on-one or with a group on how to use your new digital SLR.

Our digital photography photoshop workshops are fun and informative and conducted in the outdoors in various photogenic locations across the beautiful state of CaliforniaYou will have a wonderful time on our digital photo safari tours. We also teach photoshop basics and advanced photoshop skills. With the new cameras,acquiring Photoshop skills is a must.We look forward to teaching you a valuable
and rewarding skill.

Elle Gamboa Jr.
Head digital photography guru
My cell is 619 694-7522
My email: mydigitalpicasso@yahoo.com

Dates available: Feb. 22-March 4, 2012
From 5 pm to 10 pm…These times are also flexible if you are a total night owl.

Costs . ..$ 200 per person (1) night …2 Nights workshops are $ 400 per person. Best to take the 2 night workshops.You can take the night photo class on separate days ( weekday or weekend )

Greetings San Francisco friends.

I am coming to the Bay Area again to teach a series of twilight/night photography workshops. Come join me in my all nighter intensive digital media workshop where you will learn all the fundamentals of photography both technical and creative.We will be shooting the Golden Gate Bridge,Union Square, Coit Tower,Ferry Building,Market street…

On this fun and educational night photography workshop , you will learn all the basic of lighting,exposure, and composition.  I will also teach you about color theory art principles that will improved your picture taking skills. I give a hands-on teaching approach to all my students and make it possible to teach technical subjects in a non-complicated way to beginners… At the end of the photo workshop, you will learn new ideas, techniques, & photographic tips that will enhance your vision as a photographic art.  A tripod will be required. Lots of photo techniques for capturing night scenes will be discuss. Learn to shoot at ISO film speeds as low as 100. Learn the different AWB Auto white balance techniques. I also teach a crash course in photoshop basics for beginners.And for the more daring photographer youwill learn HDR photography. Check this link …http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

1) Shooting high ISO ( 1600 film speed & higher ) handheld camera operation. Turn on your IS ( Image Stabilization for Canon ) & VR ( Vibration Reduction for Nikon ). Turn on NR ( Noise Reduction ). You can always cut noise using the Photoshop filters or Noise Ninja. Higher film speeds means more noise and lower image quality. With a Nikon D40 or Canon 40D your night images would be okay unless you can use
a fast high quality 2.8 lens.

Photo by Elle G.- Canon 30d , 28-135mm, ISO 100, F16

2) Shooting low ISO ( 100 film speed period ) on a sturdy tripod. Be sure to turn off the vibration feature
of your camera body ( Pentax, Sony ) or the the VR or IS button on your lens. And use a remote to
activate the shutter mechanism or use the delayed timer. Even better use the mirror lockup feature in
your camera. The last thing you need is vibration on your longggggggggggggg expsosure.

3) Subject matter and composition style would make a difference in how you can get a great night photo.
Shoot both horizontal, vertical, and even diagonal compositions. Shoot wide angle, normal, and telephoto
perspective. Shoot from a low angle, eye level, and high camera angle. It would even be better if you can
shoot from the top of a building with a view of the streets at night.

Photo by Elle - Nikon D70s & 70-200mm Nikkor

3) Color balance techniques – You can pick between AWB, tungsten, fluorescent , or the K ( Kelvin method ) and it depends on the light source. Most light sources for interiors are either incandescent ( tungsten ) or flourescent. For your picture style, use neutral or standard or for cool black & whites use monochrome. Don’t use the AWB settings of shady,cloudy, landscape, and portraits. These are totally useless settings and I don’t know why Nikon, Canon, etc. even include them in your camera settings. It just makes it more confusing for the first time digital camera owner.

4) How to shoot sharp & well- focused pictures at night ? Learn how to hold your camera properly. Elbow close to the body, hold the lens with your left hand and the body with the right hand ( for rightr-handed people ). Don’t hold the camera like a teacup. Hold it tight and steady. Practice yoga breathing technique. Compose your shot, hold the camera steady, hold your breathe while you press the shutter slowly ( squeeze it like a gun trigger ) and then exhale. So compose, aim, hold breath, squeeze shutter, exhale and continue.

High Image Quality Settings – RAW plus FINE ( JPEG ) Raw has the highest quality & contains all color information.
ISO Film Speed – 100 ASA ( shooting low ISO guarantees highest quality & no noise or grain )
AWB Settings – Use both A & Incandescent Settings
Picture Control – Use both Standard & Neutral Settings
Focal Lengths – Shoot wide angle ( 24mm ), Normal ( 50mm ), and Telephoto ( 70-85mm )
Exposure setting – M setting, Manual Exposure
Exposure Compensation Dial – this must be set to ZERO, it has the plus & minus sign
LCD Brightness Settings – Set this between 0 to plus 1 during outdoor night exposure. But it
depends on how much light is out there. Brightly lighted buildings downtown require 0. Watch the
LCD brightness as this is critical for calculating exposures. You can be off by as much as 1-2 stops.

PS. Don’t trust the LCD for exposure.  Compare your images to the LCD and your laptops screen and compare the images. A lot of time images on the LCD don’t accurate show what is on your laptop. There can be color and exposure differences by as much as 2 stops. Use the LCD for reference and trust your eye.

WHEN TO USE THESE APERTURES ( F-STOPS)
Definition – Aperture is expressed in F stops . The amount of light coming to the lens is determined by the size of the aperture of the lens iris. The bigger the aperture

F stop ( lens opening ), the more light comes in. the smaller the aperture, the less light is admitted . F1.8 is a very big lens opening versus F11.0 which is a smaller

opening. Each lens has a maximum & minimum aperture. The best lenses ( and more expensive quality ) have large apertures ( F stops ) like the 50mm 1.4 portrait

lens, the 85mm 1.8, 200mm 2.8 lens.

F1.8- F2.8 – Great for shooting portraits, fashion, sports, and macro shots with shallow depth of field. Shallow depth of field mean background behind the subject

matter is out of focus or blurry. Fast lenses with F1.8 and F2.8 are great for getting rid of clutter in the background & creating good bokeh. These apertures are great

for shooting in low lighting conditions.

F4.0- F5.6 – Good for medium portrait shots or telephoto taken with a prime or telephoto zoom lens ( like Canon’s 70-200mm F4). At these apertures, with a good

telephoto, you can still shoot with a good background blur, Longer telephoto lenses at 5.6 still produces a good background blur depending on lens quality.

F8.0 – This is the sharpest F-stop in any optical camera lens for shooting film or digital. This aperture produces the a very good depth of field esp. in wide angle

lenses ( 11-24mm )and normal lenses ( 50mm ) for full sensor digital cameras. Practical aperture to use in flash photography at events and weddings.

F11- F22 – These F stops produces very high depth of fields in wide angle, normal, and short telephoto lenses. To get the best resolution in digital., shoot at F11.0

or F16. Best resolution for shooting landscapes
and cityscapes.