Category Archives: DPA

DPA Lightroom Fundamentals

Saturday April 14th 11am-3:30pm – $125

At Adobe Systems as a contractor in 2007, I had the privilege of working on Lightroom’s launch. Many of us felt that this is what Photoshop should have developed into. Both programs are great but if your focus is photos, you need Lightroom. The cost factor aside: the code is lighter and the algorithms are much more effective in many of the functions. In addition, Lightroom has great tools for metadata, keywording and databasing. From photo pro to interested hobbyist, this is the one program you’ll need.

Before                                                                                                    After

This course is for all levels. There will be plenty of time to work on your images, ask questions and have nagging issues resolved. You must bring a laptop with Lightroom 3 already loaded (a free trial is available at Adobe). PCs or Macs are fine.

©Eric Sahlin

In the LIBRARY module we’ll cover

-Import Dialog
-Renaming, changing order, rating, keywording, organizing, synching metadata and comparison functions
-Quick Develop
-View Options
– Collections and Exporting

In the DEVELOP module we’ll cover

-White Balance, Tone, Presence, Tone Curve, HSL/Color/B&W, Detail, Lens Corrections and Camera Calibration.
-Localized corrections
-Synching corrections
-Panel control
-Output to file, Facebook, Flickr and SmartMug

In the SLIDESHOW module we’ll cover

-Options, Layout, Overlays, Backdrop, Titles and Playback
-Adding Text, Music and Templates

In the PRINT module we’ll cover

-Layout Style, Image settings, Guides, Page and Print Job
-Templates and customization

In the WEB module we’ll cover

-Layout Styles, Site info, Appearance, Image Info, Output Settings and Upload Settings
-Flash, html and user templates as well as custom plug-ins

There is no doubt that Lightroom will change your workflow and will truly “Simplify photography from shoot to finish.”

We will break a half hour for lunch and my studio is close to a number of restaurants.

Eric’s studio is located at:309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA

For more information or to register contact our student Liaison at 877.372.2231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 877.372.2231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

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DPA Workshop: Advanced Photoshop – Photoshop for Photographers

Saturday Nov. 19th, 9am-5pm ~ DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin $150 per person

At Adobe Systems as a contractor in 2007 – 2008, I  had the privilege of working on Photoshop and Bridge. Photoshop is the most ubiquitous and powerful imaging software in the world and a must for every photographer. Eric will cover advanced techniques to improve your workflow. The course will cover:

  • Photoshop Bridge Management
  • The new features of Adobe Camera Raw
  • Work space customization
  • Color fundamentals, neutralization and local adaptation
  • Blending, image distortion and luminance controls
  • Cloning and healing techniques, Noise reduction and output sharpening for print and web

Photo ©Eric Sahlin Photography

I will do a deep dive into these features and how they will improve you output. Please bring your own images to work on for the second half of the class.

This course is meant for intermediate and above users of the program. Please bring your Mac or PC Laptop, loaded with Photoshop CS4 or CS5 to the studio (a free trial is available at Adobe).

Photo ©Eric Sahlin Photography

The studio is located at 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231  877.372.2231 

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DPA Photoshop/NIK Workshop

Saturday October 8th 9am-5pm – $150

In my opinion the NIK suite of plug-ins represent the greatest additions to Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture that are available at this time. Their algorithms are so well thought out that it makes a lot of corrections effortlessly and perfectly. They also extend the creative possibilities into the realm of infinity –no small feat for a photoshop plug-in. From absolutely remarkable, 16 bit, HDR to truly stunning digital noise abatement, these tools are essential to the best digital processing workflow.

I will present the introduction and deep dive into all the suite products:

  • Dfine® 2.0 – Best-in-class noise reduction
  • VIVEZA® 2 – The most powerful tool available to selectively control light and color in photographs.
  • HDR EFEX PRO™ – The new professional standard for powerful realistic and artistic HDR imaging.
  • SILVER EFEX PRO™ 2 – The world’s leading black and white imaging software.
  • Color Efex Pro™ 3.0 – 52 photographic filters with over 250 effects for professional quality images.
  • Sharpener Pro™ 3.0 – The most advanced, powerful, and complete sharpening solution for photographers.

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Please bring your laptops (Mac or PC) and some images you’d like to work on. This class is for all who wish to learn the products but some knowledge of Photoshop is desirable.

You can download the trial versions of the software at http://www.niksoftware.com/downloads/usa/entry.php?view=software

Nik has generously donated an electronic version of any one  product to one lucky attendee to be determined by draw at the end of the workshop ($99.95 value)

Every attendee gets a free BlackRapid RS-4 strap –a $54 value and very cool!

Eric’s Studio is at:

309 4th Street #108 – Oakland, CA 94607
510.332.4511

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Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231.

This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life. Gift certificates are available from DPA.

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DPA Special Class: Landscapes at Point Lobos

Saturday and Sunday, September 24th & 25th  – $150

Point Lobos State Reserve is just south of Carmel, California. It is what famed landscape artist Francis McComas’s called “The greatest meeting of land and water in the world.” When going there you are travelling on the same paths that enticed Ansel Adams and Andrew and Brett Weston. It has the best vistas per foot walked than any other park in California –and it’s small enough to make a complete subject within a day.

I will lead a small group of digital landscape photographers through the park over a 2 day period.  Everyone will assemble at the Sea Lion Point Parking area in Point Lobos at 1pm on Saturday for a brief overview and shoot until sunset –and perhaps a little after that. Warning – the park does have a car limit and if you don’t get there early you may be waiting until someone exits or walk in from the road.

The next day we will meet at Katy’s Place (Mission Street between 5th and 6th) for Breakfast in Carmel at 7am or at Sea Lion Point Parking at 8:30am and shoot until noon. This will give you the full range of light in the park.

Subjects covered include:

Research and pre-planning
Mapping shots and going over the kit
Interpretation and composition
Composition techniques

This is open to all levels but a working knowledge of your camera is required. Please bring your standard kit including some long lenses like 200mm or longer. But please only bring the kit you are prepared to carry. Although this is a small park, there will be a fair amount of walking. Please bring comfortable shoes, water, hiking snacks and a light Jacket.

Accommodation can be readily found in Monterey and Carmel –here is a list of recommended places:

Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Lodge
Carmel Wayfarer Inn
Bay Park Hotel
Hotel Abrego
Hotel Pacific

The accommodation, travel, meals and park entrance fees are not included in the pricing and are up to you to make the arrangements.

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231.
This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life. Gift certificates are available from DPA.

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DPA Composition in the Field – Assignment: North Beach

July 16th – 10am-2pm – by DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin$99

Imagine that you’ve been hired to shoot photos of this colorful, little Italian neighborhood in San Francisco for an article in a national magazine. I will lead a small group of photographers on a rewarding quest to fulfill an assignment for a fictitious magazine.

Saints Peter and Paul Church from Coit Tower

Mona Lisa Restaurant Signage

Mona Lisa Restaurant Signage

TransAmerica Tower and Columbus Tower

Subjects covered include:
Reading and interpreting the assignment letter

Mapping shoots and preparation

Interpretation and composition

Negative space for copy

Releases and how to determine if one is needed

Composition techniques

Review of the shots and how to finish the assignment

Vesuvio Mural

We will start at the La Boulange in North Beach, have a short meeting there and go out for the morning shots, then lunch at TBD, then out for the afternoon shots – finally reviewing the days shots at the Caffe Trieste.

Cafe Trieste sign

There will be quite a bit of walking so wear comfortable shoes. Please bring only the kit that you can carry and it is expected that all the attendees know how to operate your own cameras.

Mural

Bill Weber’s Jazz Mural

Strip Clubs on Broadway

The Old Strip Clubs along Broadway

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231.
This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life. Gift certificates are available from DPA.

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DPA Workshop: Photoshop – The New Features in CS5

Wednesday May 18th, 6pm-10pm ~ DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin  $50 per person

At Adobe Systems as a contractor in 2007 – 2008, I had the privilege of working on Photoshop and Bridge.
I will cover the ever evolving changes to the program including:

  • Complex selecting
  • Content-Aware Fill tool
  • Pro HDR Imaging
  • New painting effects
  • Upgrade of raw processing
  • Mini Bridge
  • Auto Lens correction
  • Puppet Warp

I will do a deep dive into these features and how they will improve you output. This course is meant for intermediate and above users of the program. Please bring your Mac or PC Laptop, loaded with Photoshop CS5 to the studio (a free trial is available at Adobe).

The studio is located at 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 877.372.2231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life. Gift certificates are available from DPA.

DPA Workshop: DSLR 101 for those who want to know their camera

May 11th 6pm – 10pm ~ DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin  $50 per person

The DSLR can be a little overwhelming when you are not used to it. I will take you through the simple concepts and commands that will put you back in control of your images.

Whether you have a Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, or whatever -the fundamentals are the same and easily explained.

Please bring you camera with the batteries charged and your owner’s manual.

The studio is located at 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231 .

This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life. Gift certificates are available from DPA.


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DPA Composition in the Field Workshop: Wildflower Expedition

Saturday May 7th – 10am-2pm ~ DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin $50 per person

April showers bring May flowers and with the years increasingly turning wet, it is especially true in Northern California.  I will be teaching a composition in the field workshop at Tilden Regional Wilderness.

I will cover:

  • Telephotos, macros and extension tubes
  • Compositional techniques
  • Use of Fill and Ring flash
  • Bounce cards

Please bring your DSLR and all the gear in your kit.

Photo ©Eric Sahlin Photography

The group will assemble at the Quarry Picnic area at 10am. After a few notes Eric will lead the hike up Quarry, across Big Springs Trail and back down Seaview. It’s an easy hike (under 1 mile) and there’ll be plenty of stops along the way. Please wear appropriate shoes and bring water and a lunch for the journey. All Levels welcome.

Photos ©Eric Sahlin Photography

Photo ©Eric Sahlin Photography

 

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 877.372.2231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life.
Gift certificates are available from DPA.

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DPA Composition in the Field: The Golden Gate Bridge

Saturday April 30th  – 2pm – 6pm

How many times have you driven across the Golden Gate Bridge thinking that you have got to get some pictures of this iconic landmark and never manage to quite get to it. An expedition is just the thing! There are thousands of potential compositions there that would offer numerous opportunities for your photographic interpretation.

Bridge at Blue Hour

The class will assemble at the north end of the bridge at the first car park on Conzelman Rd. It is pretty busy there so you should try to be early. From there, we’ll proceed to the bridge on the east side and walk the length of it and back. It can be gusty on the bridge so please bring a windbreaker. It is also very noisy on the span itself, so you also might want to bring earplugs to cut out the ambient road din.

You should end up back at the headlands closer to sunset for those powerful shots of the western side glowing bright red.

Topics covered will be composition, depth of field, image compression, macro photography and polarization. So grab your walking shoes, your kit and your polarizer and join us for this expedition!,

All photos on this page ©Eric Sahlin

Composition in the Field classes are $50.00. For more information or to register by phone, contact our student liaison at our toll free number: 877.372.2231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 877.372.2231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. or click here and scroll down to April 30th. to register on line.

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Special Advanced Workshop: Architectural Photography in the Digital Age with DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin

Saturday April 9th  9:00am – 5:00pm

Eric will assemble the participants at his studio at 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA. He will begin with a brief overview of the equipment and techniques used in the digital architectural photography. Then, the group will walk a couple of blocks to Old Oakland to take some shots of this historic district. The class will return to the studio at approximately 3pm to go over the day’s results and make the digital adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop.

©Eric Sahlin

The Old Oakland district was the “original” downtown Oakland during the 1860s after the Central Pacific Railroad constructed a terminus on 7th Street. By the 1870s, elegant brick Victorian hotels were being built in the blocks surrounding the railroad station to accommodate travelers. The ground floors of the hotels were designed as series of narrow shops so that pedestrians would pass by many of them just walking down the block. The architectural styles of the time featured tall, cast-iron columns and large plate-glass windows.

©Eric Sahlin

The downtown began its decline after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, when the shopping district began moving to the blocks north of 14th. In the 1980s, developers carefully rehabilitated and restored a block along 9th Street between Washington Street and Broadway, known as “Victorian Row”. Notable structures on Victorian Row include the 1878 Nicholl Block building.

©Eric Sahlin

This course will concentrate on exteriors only. It’s quite frequent to be given an assignment to shoot the exterior of buildings in a crowded location without shutting down the block.

It is possible in the digital age to come away with images that fulfill the client’s expectations even when conditions are not optimal – which is, of course, more often than not the norm.

Compare the image above and below…..

©Eric Sahlin

The instruction will cover architectural compositional basics, HDR for controlling the contrast ratios, digital distortion and perspective control, use of Shadow Highlight or Fill controls, White Balance, and digital dodging and burning. It will also cover other types of photography that you can get while you are waiting for that darn rotation of the planet.

©Eric Sahlin

Please bring your cameras with all the lenses you have. Please also feel free to bring your laptop to work on your images.

Eric’s studio is located at: 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA

This 9 hour class costs $150.00. If you would like to learn more or to register for this fun-filled workshop, please call our toll-free line at 1.877.372.2231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1.877.372.2231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or log on to www.DigitalPhotoAcademy.com.

Eric teaches many classes for DPA. Be sure to touch base with him or visit the DPA site to learn more about them.

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