Have a pro at your side - online, all the time
Learn the techniques that master photographer and celebrated author Jim Zuckerman uses to capture his dramatic pictures of animals and wildlife. In this 4-week course, Jim shares with you his methods for getting within telephoto range of shy animals as well as the best equipment to use, macro techniques that will open a whole new world for you, and the ideal lighting conditions the produce fine art images. There is nothing as exciting as capturing the beauty and intrigue of wildlife or the endearing expression or antics of a pet, and in this course Jim helps you do just that. Jim can also advise you what equipment you should buy for optimum results when shooting animals, given your budget considerations.
Key Features
- Finding Great Wildlife Subjects & Getting Close
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Portraits & Lighting
- Capturing the Action
- Adapted from Jim's 8-week course - Updated Lessons!
- Open to all levels
- OK to submit previous work for assignments
- Techniques that produce fine art wildlife photos
What You Get
Top
 |
| |
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
Top
Jim ZuckermanFew people are able to spend most of their time pursuing their passion in life. I'm one of them, and I feel blessed to have had a love affair with photography since I began taking pictures.
In 1970, I decided to abort my intended career as a doctor in favor of photography and have never regretted it. Photography has enriched my life more than I can tell you. My career has taken me to over 60 countries, and I've seen and photographed wondrous things.
I specialize in wildlife and nature, international travel, and digital effects. In addition, I also shoot nudes, photo- and electron microscopy, children, and other subjects that stimulate my visual or emotional sensibilities.
For 25 years, I shot a medium format camera, specifically the Mamiya RZ 67, for its superior quality. When I would lecture, I’d project the large, glass mounted transparencies, and it was really an incredible experience to see the brilliant color saturation and resolution of these slides. However, I went digital in 2004 because the technology finally equaled or surpassed medium format. I now shoot the Canon 1Ds Mark II digital camera with a variety of lenses.
I am the author of 12 books on photography. My work is sold in 30 countries around the world, and my images have appeared on scores of magazine and book covers, calendars, posters, national ads, trade ads, brochures, and corporate promotions.
For many years I've led photography tours to exotic places. These include Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Burma, Greece, The Czech Republic and Slovakia, Spain, Morocco, and Peru.
A Couple of Photos by the Instructor
© Jim Zuckerman | 
© Jim Zuckerman |
Course Outline
Top
Lesson 1: Finding Great Wildlife Subjects & Getting Close
Assignment: Submit images where you've gotten close to wildlife. If you have enough stock in your inventory, upload three pairs of Before and After images, showing pictures that are tight closeups as well as those that include the environment.
Lesson 2: Macro Photography
Assignment: Upload macro photos with any subject where you fill a significant portion of the frame with the subject. Watch the background (no distracting elements or clutter) and pay attention to your depth of field.
Lesson 3: Wildlife Portraits & Lighting
Assignment: Upload photos of tightly cropped wildlife or pets in sunrise/sunset lighting and/or under an overcast sky soft, diffused light. You can also upload any photos of wildlife or nature where you used a filter. Pay attention to the background, and remember that you must focus on the eyes. If the eyes are soft, the picture in most cases will be worthless.
Lesson 4: Capturing the Action
Assignment: Submit photos that show either a sharp rendition of wildlife in action or a blurred rendition. Use a photo you've taken in the past if you like. If you don't have something like this in your files, you can use a pet.
© Jim Zuckerman | 
© Jim Zuckerman |
Requirements
Top
- Digital or film based camera with ability to control aperture and shutter speed.
- Moderate to long telephoto lens. (at least 200mm; 500 or 600mm even better).
- Tripod strongly recommended.
|
FAQ
Top
Is this course intended only for beginning, intermediate, or advanced photographers?
While this 4-week online course is open to any photographer, it is best suited to those who already have an understanding of exposure, composition and basic photography terms - e.g. front light, back light, slow shutter speed, depth-of-field, etc.
This class is not about how to take a standard photograph. It is not even about how to take an animal ID photo. It's about tips and techniques to push each of us towards producing more dynamic images of wildlife.
What kind of equipment will I need to complete the photo assignments?
While strong wildlife images can be produced with normal and wide-angle lenses, it is extremely important in this course to have at least a moderate telephoto: 200mm (4X digital) is a minimum. A long lens in the 300mm to 500mm (6X to 10X) range is even better. These can be either a fixed focal-length lens or one of the popular zooms like an 80-200mm or a 100-400mm. <p>You will need a camera that allows you to control the aperture and shutter speed. A tripod is also essential.
© Jim Zuckerman | 
© Jim Zuckerman |
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.
If you have further questions about this course, feel free to contact us via the Contact link below.
Only $198.00 USD
What does it mean to "Get Started Today"?
