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Online Photography Course
Street and People Photography

Have a pro at your side - online, all the time

Join 's Course: Street and People PhotographyLearn to use rapid-reaction techniques for capturing what is happening in front of your eyes and your lens. Taught by master photographers Susan and Neil Silverman, Street Photography is for those who see what is happening around them and wish that they could capture that decisive moment. It is about knowing your camera and its versatility, so that you have an almost reflex action style of shooting. After this course, you will be shooting from your heart and not from your camera manual - whether you're shooting in cities or out in the great outdoors.
Key Features

  1. Know Your Camera
  2. The Lens: Love It or Leave It
  3. Perspective Is Powerful
  4. Movement: Punch Vs. Paralysis ... How to capture motion
  5. Filling, Not Flooding, With Your Flash
  6. Color Vs. Black and White, and the Light
  7. Breaking the Ice ... Meeting and photographing that stranger on the street.
  8. Go With the Flow ... Sequencing is the secret to success

  • Intermediate level (well-versed in photographic vocabulary).
  • Learn and develop techniques to grab that "instant in time" and turn it into a lifetime memory.
  • Build a portfolio of captured images that zing.
  • No longer think, "I wish I had caught that with my camera" … now you'll learn how.

What You Get

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  Benefits:
You get direct feedback on your photos from world-acclaimed, professional photographers. You can learn photography in this way from anywhere in the world.  
 
 
  • Learn at your pace, with structure.
  • Be guided by a real pro instructor.
  • Get your photos critiqued every week.
  • Join students from around the world.
  • Go far beyond any book or DVD.
  • Make great pictures, again and again!

Instructor

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Photography Instructor: Susan and Neil  Silverman Susan and Neil Silverman
Susan and Neil Silverman have taught photography extensively for over ten years. Their enthusiasm and hands-on approach make them a popular teaching team with both online courses and on-location workshops. Their knowledge and experience encompass both digital media and film (35mm, medium and large format).

Susan's and Neil's work appears in publications for Sierra Club, Microsoft, Air Canada and numerous magazines and other publications. Their work is represented by Getty Images, Fogstock Images, and the California State Park System. Design firms represent their work nationally and internationally.They're in demand as speakers for professional photographic organizations such as Professional Photographers of America and are professional members of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

Their expertise includes landscape, macro and wildlife photography and their background in commercial work gives them added insight into all forms and aspects of light.

In their BetterPhoto online courses, Susan and Neil will help you put gusto, snap and zing into your images so that your own experience and knowledge base will be enriched. We know you'll find their online photography courses to be fun and exciting.

A Couple of Photos by the Instructor


© Susan and Neil Silverman 

© Susan and Neil Silverman 

A Couple of Student Photos

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View photos by previous students. You can make pictures like this too!

Wanda   Judd
© Wanda Judd
Wanda   Judd
© Wanda Judd

Course Outline

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Lesson 1: Know Your Camera
This is about how to "Go - Shoot" ... not "Stop, Think, Shoot"!!
Learning the functions of your camera so that it is second nature to you. How to shoot without a tripod - tips on hand holding. Predetermining f-stops and shutter speeds while shooting quickly in different situations.
Assignment: Experiment by shooting a stationary subject with hand-holding at different shutter speeds - to see just where your images start to break down (i.e., lose sharpness). Analyze your results.

Lesson 2: The Lens: Love It or Leave It
Which is the best lens for street photography: How to evaluate your “stuff”. What works for nature may not work “on the street”!
Assignment: Choose a subject or scene, and shoot it with a normal, wide angle, and telephoto lens. Send in one image demonstrating selective focus - from your lens of choice. Give us an image with impact, drama, or mood.

Lesson 3: Perspective Is Powerful
What is the best perspective for your lens and the situation?
Change your position or change your lens - what works best?
Assignment: Shoot a street image with an unusual perspective; you may use your lens of choice. Also, "make" an image happen: find a wall, lines, lights, reflections, and previsualize the result -w aiting for the right person or subject to come into your "canvas".

Lesson 4: Movement: Punch Vs. Paralysis
Movement is exciting; how to capture it. “On Purpose Blur” created in your camera, not on your computer - creates interest, spice, and gusto. Slow shutter speed can bring drama into your imagery.
Panning and beyond the pan: panning to perfection, then reverse panning, and now panning and zooming altogether!
Assignment: Submit two good street scenes; one freezing the action and one showing the motion involved. Also submit images showing panning and successful zooming of a scene

Lesson 5: Filling, Not Flooding, With Your Flash
Using your flash for a kiss of light, not a blast.
Practical tips on how much fill is required for what type of situations. Learning to be ready in a scenario so that you do not have to stop and think and futz with your flash.
Assignment:  Try and capture a good street photography image that demonstrates the use of the flash unit.

Lesson 6: Color Vs. Black and White, and the Light
Choices when you are photographing on the Main Street of Ugly Ville. Working with black and white in camera or with an editing program. Deciding if the color is killing the image or not. Don’t be afraid of the rain, fog, or low light ... these can be your friends, not your enemy.
Assignment: Take a good potential "street" image that has some of the problems mentioned in the lesson (harsh unattractive light, too much clutter, etc.) and convert it to black and white to make a dynamite image. Tell us what changes you made and under what circumstances the image was taken.

Lesson 7: Breaking the Ice
Meeting and photographing that stranger on the street; tips on how to "get acquainted" and "make new friends". Model releases: When they matter, and who and what needs a model release.
Assignment: Choose one of the following challenges: a good strong street scene with two or more people interacting with each other; or One, two or more people reacting to their circumstance or environment. 

Lesson 8: Go With the Flow
Sequencing is the secret to success!! Learn how to fire through a series at a rapid pace, capturing that one sterling image that is nestled in a series of images. Studying the difference between a premeditated series and being able to just point and shoot as rapidly and as fast as your camera will let you, and getting a great result.
Assignment: Shoot fast through a sequence. Think about it ahead of time. Choose three images from this sequence to submit, and pick your "best" shot!

Note: All assignments also include a favorite "Grabber Shot" to share!

Review: Voting on Best Work

  

 


© Susan and Neil Silverman 

© Susan and Neil Silverman 

Requirements

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  • Digital or film-based camera (point-and-shoot or SLR).
  • Working knowledge and comfort with your camera's functions.
  • Excitement, energy, and a desire to stretch yourself beyond your own ordinary boundaries.

FAQ

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What skills are required for this class?
Although this course is open to all levels of photographers, it is mainly designed for intermediate or serious hobbyist photographers. All you really need is a knowledge of the basic functions of your camera, as well as a basic understanding of photographic terminology (i.e. aperture, shutter speed, etc.). 

Is my point-and-shoot camera OK for this course, or do I need an expensive high-end camera?
A basic camera will work. Ideally, you would want to be able to control your aperture and shutter speed.  

Do I need anything else?
Excitement and Energy and a desire to "capture life" around you.  

Will we do much Photoshop in this course?
We will discuss some minor aspects of Photoshop, but this is not a Photoshop course. Some minor editing may come into play.  

What if I am shy and somewhat uncomfortable in photographing people ... but, at the same time, love the images that are taken in typical street photography?
This course is designed to help you gain confidence in your photography skills and to help you to get out "in the street". We will talk about techniques for approaching people and increasing your comfort level in photographing strangers.  


© Susan and Neil Silverman 

© Susan and Neil Silverman 

Do I have to be online at any specific time?
No, you do not need to be online at any specific time. The lessons are sent to your email and you are also provided the Campus Square - where you interact with your classmates and instructor. This is also where you upload your photos to be critiqued by your instructor. The instructors are very punctual and respond quickly.

Will I have access to the instructor to ask questions during the photo course?
Absolutely! Students can ask questions in the special Q&A forum set up in the course's Campus Square, or can ask the instructor via email.

Do you offer a money back guarantee?
Yes. We are confident that you will fully enjoy our courses. All the same, for our 8-week classes, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee before the Wednesday that Lesson #3 is sent out. If for any reason, you are not satisfied and let us know that you would like to withdraw before the Wednesday that Lesson #3 is sent, you will be promptly refunded.

For our 4-week courses, we offer a 100% money back guarantee before the Wednesday that Lesson #2 is sent out from BetterPhoto. If for any reason you are not satisfied and you let the ordering department know that you would like to withdraw before the Wednesday that Lesson #2 is sent, you will be refunded within 7 days. After the second lesson has been sent out, no refunds will be given.

Still have questions about this course?
Ask instructor Susan and Neil Silverman.


Only $297.00 USD
In a Nutshell
8-Week Photo Course
Skill Level: 3 - Intermediate
Category: People Courses
$297.00 USD

First Assignment Sent:
Mar 10, 2010

Average Customer Rating: 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Read all 48 reviews


Course Reviews:

5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
BetterPhoto Member Kirk Donaldson
Kirk Donaldson
member since: 4/2/2006
I took your Street Photo class a while back and, I gotta say, the things I learned have been very valuable. I just won "best of show" in my first contest entry! And I'm having my first show in Ann Arbor's Center for Performing Arts. Thanks to you both!

- 9/30/2009 8:12:04 AM


5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
BetterPhoto Member Terri Beloit
Terri Beloit
member since: 1/22/2004
Susan and Neil are awesome and inspiring. The lessons were great at walking us through the process for learning to take great street photos! Critiques were quick and detailed...encouraging and positive! I'd highly recommend this course to other students!

- 8/7/2009 7:16:15 PM


5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
BetterPhoto Member Nicole Olds
Nicole Olds
member since: 8/6/2008
I didn't always take advantage of it - but this is a terrific class. Lots of spot on advice, detailed lessons and critiques, no 'stock' replies. The lessons are comprehensive and I'm glad to have them to refer back to when I have specific challenges or need inspiration - or both. I have never tried street photography before but by the end of this class I felt like I have the tools to go out and shoot with purpose and - dare I say - some skill!

Thanks Silvermans - its been a pleasure.

- 6/30/2009 4:20:15 PM


5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 3 out of 5
By
AEK 
member since: 6/3/2006
This is a course which I found disappointing. Answers to vitally important and specific questions were vague, to use the exact word that the instructors used with "apologies for being vague." Please note: I feel that the Silverman's are excellent photographers and very good people. This review is absolutely not about personalities. It's about getting the education you paid for. All instructors have different styles and I want to emphasize that we all have our own expectations based, usually, on previous experiences. For many, this course provides what's expected. Again, this is about learning styles, not personalities.

- 6/5/2009 3:34:52 PM


5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
BetterPhoto Member Thomas L. Ehlers
Thomas L. Ehlers
member since: 8/20/2002
This is the best course I've taken at BP. I love it. Thanks for this course!! :)

- 6/17/2008 3:30:15 PM


Read all 48 course reviews...





Better Than Money Back Guarantee
Better Than Money Back Guarantee
We're confident you'll be delighted.






More Delighted Customers:

"I loved this course, and with Susan and Neil's instruction, I learned so much!!! I have gained confidence in photographing people in public and to look at things in a whole new way. Couldn't have done it without the great lessons and encouragement of Susan and Neil." -Stacey Bates 

"Thanks again for your wonderful teaching, insightful critiques and inspiring comments - without you guys, I would never have tried to take a shot of a moving taxi. I owe it all to you!" -Vicki Mullet 

"For someone who loves photography, but needed to broaded their skills, this has been a really exciting journey. I have learned a lot and loved every minute. My outlook has changed forever!" -Mark Allin  

"I wanted to say how much I liked this class! I have really learned so much. This class gave me great ideas for future photos. Thank you so much for all your help!" -Sibylle Basel 

"This has been a super 8 weeks. I've learned a lot, had my eyes opened, and - best of all - I've become enthusiastic about street photography. Something I was uncomfortable with has become a great daily adventure!" -Sarah Perreten 

"I wanted to personally thank you for such an informative and well-thought-out course. ... The way the two of you handled the class - the timeliness of your critiques, the quality of your critique and the very open and friendly attitude you have - really made this class very gratifying. I learned a lot, and I appreciate that you really take time and interest in each of your students' efforts. ... Thank you again for a great class!" -Patricia Anne Syquia 

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