YES! Mountaineer Photo Excursions also offers classes, in addition to our Excursion Workshops! Ron Gaskins and Amanda Haddox offer occasional photography classes, both online and in person, as a series of general and specialized photography classes. We are also available to speak at your local club or a conference, or can arrange to share an online class with your group. See our "Classes at a Glance" schedule with detailed descriptions of each class below.
We have spoken with multiple camera clubs in West Virginia and in neighboring states. We have also shared presentations and judged photography entries with larger organizations, including the Mountain State Photographers' Conference, Mid-Atlantic Photo Visions, the Photographic Society of America and the Carolina Nature Photography Association.
Our refund policy for Online Classes is shared on our "About Us" page. If you have questions, or want to be added to our “Mile Markers” newsletter, please visit our Contact Us page.
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We are now offering online photography classes via Zoom. Registration for all online classes will be on Eventbrite.com. Once you have registered/paid for your class, you will receive the needed info to access the online class prior to the class date. We are also planning for "in person" classes this winter. Remember those!? Amanda Haddox & Ron Gaskins of Mountaineer Photo Excursions have a presentation on "Dos and Don'ts For A Successful Photography Trip." The tips we share are based on our workshop scouting trip to Alaska in 2021. We are leading Alaska workshops in both 2023 & 2024. We would be happy to visit your photo club and share this presentation, or we can also share via Zoom.
Private Individual Classes are available in the Charleston, Ripley and Parkersburg, WV, areas. Ask about special arrangements for other locations. Both two-hour and four-hour classes are available. Contact [email protected] for full details.
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July 11 & 13: Flash Photography and How To Use It. Please NOTE: This is a TWO NIGHT CLASS for one fee of $55. Class begins at 6:00 pm and concludes at 8:30 pm on both nights. Advance registration is required. Go to Eventbrite to register, see below.
MORE TO COME! Flash Photography - Hands On How to Improve Your Travel Photography Jumpstart Your Photo-Editing with Photoshop Elements
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2023
In-Person Classes
Flash Photography and How To Use It - July 11 & 13, 2023
Flash is a valuable tool for your photography toolbox, “IF” you know how to use it. While you may like a more “natural” look, sometimes using flash is necessary. Using flash correctly also gives you more creative options.
This class from Mountaineer Photo Excursions will provide detailed information on how to use flash in various environments and circumstances. Whether you are shooting indoors with low ambient lighting, or outdoors when the sun isn’t being helpful, the correct use of flash will permit you control the lighting and bring back beautiful (and well lit) images.
Instructors Amanda Haddox and Ron Gaskins will also create some “hands on” setups using their equipment or yours. Either way, you will be able to take some photos with flash and see the results.
This class will run across two nights – Tuesday, July 11 and Thursday, July 13; one for classroom instruction, and the second for the practical “hands on” portion. When complete, you will have a greater understanding of what you can do with flash, when to use it, and how it can often improve your photographs. Please NOTE: This is a TWO NIGHT CLASS for one fee of $55. Class begins at 6:00 pm and concludes at 8:30 pm on both nights. Advance registration is required.
WHEN: Class runs for TWO NIGHTS; Tuesday, July 11 and Thursday, July 13, 2023. Class will begin at 6:00 pm and end at 8:30 pm on both nights.
WHERE: Class will be held at West Virginia State University's Economic Development Center at 1506 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston, WV.
EQUIPMENT: Bring your camera and flash both nights.
REGISTRATION: The fee for this Two Night class is $55.00. We are accepting 12 students for this class. Regstration/payment must be in advance and can be done on our Eventbrite page. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/657780026767
CONTACT: For questions about the class, contact us at [email protected] . Details are also available on the Eventbrite page.
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Intro to Film Photography - March 2, 2023
Film used to be King, but now Digital sits on that throne. However, that doesn't mean Film is dead. Kodak, Ilford, and Fuji are working now to increase their production.
Are you tired of the immediate gratification of digital, the computer-like reproduction of digital images? Do you want to try something different, something more manual, more tactile? Join our class to learn more about film photography in the digital age!
The Instructors will discuss different types of film, differences & similarities between film & digital cameras, how to load & unload film, and sources of cameras, lenses, film and processing today. We will also have a limited number of film cameras to use in class. If there is interest, we may also schedule a local outing to take photos on film cameras (at a later date).
In addition, discussion will include some basic exposure tips and use of the camera's light meter for successful photos, as well as answering students' questions. If you have a film camera, please bring it.
WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 2023. Class begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.
WHERE: Class will be held at the WVSU-EDC (West Virginia State University - Economic Development Center) at 1506 Kanawha Boulevard West Charleston, WV.
FEE: Class Fee is $29.00. This includes all fees and WV Sales Tax. Ticket sales end on February 28.
REGISTRATION: Please register in advance on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-film-photography-tickets-528748650447
CONTACT: Questions? Email [email protected] or call 304-532-0070.
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Beyond the Rule of Thirds:
Composing Thoughtful and Storytelling Images - March 16, 2023
What makes certain photos grab your attention while others get passed by? Do your images tell a story or are they just a one word sentence?
Whether you have natural “eye” for photography or you need to learn “how to see”, this class will go beyond the “rule of thirds” to other compositional elements that can be incorporated into your images to create impact, visual interest, and lead viewers into your story.
An optional pre-course assignment and handouts will be provided to practice techniques discussed in this class.
What you will learn:
- Quick review of the basic rules of composition
- Elements of advanced composition.
- Techniques to create impact and visual interest in your photographs.
- Pre-visualization – how to learn to see pictures before you ever arrive at a location.
- Creating stories in and with your images.
WHEN: Thursday, March 16, 2023. Class begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.
WHERE: Class will be held at the WVSU-EDC (West Virginia State University - Economic Development Center) at 1506 Kanawha Boulevard West Charleston, WV.
FEE: Class Fee is $29.00. This includes all fees and WV Sales Tax. Ticket sales end on March 14.
REGISTRATION: Please register in advance on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-rule-of-thirds-composing-thoughtful-and-storytelling-images-tickets-556120059067
CONTACT: Questions? Email [email protected] or call 304-532-0070.
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Smart Phone Photography Crash Course - March 30, 2023
The best camera to have is the one you have with you, and if it’s an iPhone or other Smartphone, this crash course will help you learn how to get the most out of your phone’s camera and its features, including what it does well and where it misses, how to compose great photos, quickly and easily edit them on the fly, plus automatic back-up options to save your memories if or when something happens to your device.
What You Will Learn:
- Understanding how your Smartphone camera works
- The advantages and disadvantages of your phone’s camera
- How to make the most of your mobile phone’s built-in camera features and settings.
- Using focus, light, composition, and exposure to bring your photos to life
- Quick and easy apps to edit photos on your device.
- Backing up the photos on your phone.
WHEN: Thursday, March 16, 2023. Class begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.
WHERE: Class will be held at the WVSU-EDC (West Virginia State University - Economic Development Center) at 1506 Kanawha Boulevard West Charleston, WV.
FEE: Class Fee is $29.00. This includes all fees and WV Sales Tax. Ticket sales end on March 14.
REGISTRATION: Please register in advance on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smart-phone-photography-crash-course-tickets-556139346757
CONTACT: Questions? Email [email protected] or call 304-532-0070.
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How To Improve Your Landscape Photography - April 13, 2023
Do you have a passion for photographing the natural beauty before you? Whether it’s the flower filled fields in the countryside, sunrises/sunsets at the beach, or cascading waterfalls in the mountains, this basic class will assist you in choosing the appropriate gear, initial settings for different subjects and scenes, how to find the best light for a location and tips for using natural elements to compose thoughtful photographs while out in the field. Handouts will be provided covering class materials.
What you will learn:
• The basics of landscape photography – lens selection, initial settings and tripods.
• Using a Circular Polarizer, Neutral Density (ND), and a Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filter. How, when and why?
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) in camera and out. When and why to use it.
• Location, light, and composition. Finding the best places to go, when – time of day, and how to compose the scene in front of you.
• Editing essentials in landscape photography.
WHEN: Thursday, March 16, 2023. Class begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.
WHERE: Class will be held at the WVSU-EDC (West Virginia State University - Economic Development Center) at 1506 Kanawha Boulevard West Charleston, WV.
FEE: Class Fee is $29.00. This includes all fees and WV Sales Tax. Ticket sales end on March 14.
REGISTRATION: Please register in advance on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-improve-your-landscape-photography-tickets-556165063677
CONTACT: Questions? Email [email protected] or call 304-532-0070.
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Learning Close-Up & Macro Photography - April 27, 2023
Do you want to discover and photograph a new visual world? Close-Up and Macro photography will take you there!
Ordinary and common subjects can look extraordinary when viewed closer than normal. Whether we are looking at insects, plants, jewelry, or other items, the details of the small world contain beauty that is often missed.
During this class, we will discuss good photography practices and techniques to achieve quality Close-Up & Macro images. Of course, we will also explain much of the special gear that can be used to get closer to our small subjects. We will also include some opportunities for hands-on learning.
WHEN: Thursday, March 16, 2023. Class begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.
WHERE: Class will be held at the WVSU-EDC (West Virginia State University - Economic Development Center) at 1506 Kanawha Boulevard West Charleston, WV.
FEE: Class Fee is $29.00. This includes all fees and WV Sales Tax. Ticket sales end on March 14.
REGISTRATION: Please register in advance on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-close-up-macro-photography-tickets-556175565087
CONTACT: Questions? Email [email protected] or call 304-532-0070.
"2 Photographers, 4 Cameras, and 60+ Bears"
Amanda Haddox & Ron Gaskins of Mountaineer Photo Excursions would like to share a special presentation for your photography clubs! Gaskins and Haddox are based in Ripley and Charleston, WV, and teach photography workshops and classes. Since 2012, they have led over 40 workshops across the eastern United States including West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Georgia, Maine, and others.
In September of 2021, they traveled to southern Alaska, about 200 miles west of Anchorage. With the goal of returning for an Alaskan photo workshop, Gaskins and Haddox spent a week with a local outfitter. Traveling each day, they photographed beautiful snow-capped mountains, the colorful fall tundra, and of course, grizzly bears; taken from the air in bush planes and on the ground with their experienced guides.
During their presentation, they will share some of their photographs and stories from their trip to “The Last Frontier,” as well as sharing some “dos and don'ts” for an extreme adventure of this type. Haddox and Gaskins will also have information on their upcoming schedule of photo workshops in 2023, including trips to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Alaska!
If logistics permit, we are willing to come to your club meetings. Otherwise, we can also offer this presentation via Zoom. We have previously shared this presentation with the Jackson County Photography Club in Ripley, WV; the Ohio Valley Camera Club in Huntington, WV; the Carolina Nature Photographers Association (via Zoom); the Buckhannon-Upshur Camera Club in Buckhannon, WV; and the Charleston Camera Club in Dunbar, WV.
If your photography club is interested in having Ron & Amanda share this presentation at a meeting or via Zoom, please contact us at [email protected].
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Private Individual Classes - Appointment Only
Our two-hour private class usually includes basic camera handling, including exposure controls, lens characteristics, and other related techniques. We can tailor your private class to include specific topics that you wish to cover, along with targeted coverage of your particular camera model. This class would be a classroom setup, although with the Covid-19 precautions, we would probably hold this at an outdoor location. The two-hour class would not include a field trip. We can also offer optional follow-up two-hour classes, if desired.
We also offer a private four-hour class, which includes the same classroom instruction as the two-hour class, followed by a two-hour field trip with the instructor. The field trip instruction would include additional hands-on camera usage, with emphasis on using the common camera controls and understanding how they contribute to achieving a well-exposed image; in addition, coaching will be provided on subject and lens choice and composition. The four-hour private class requires completion of our standard Liability Waiver for participation.
We do offer the option of having a friend join you for the private classes at a discount. Please contact us at [email protected] to learn more about rates, dates, and locations.
In addition, we can arrange special private workshops at various locations. Please contact us at MountaineerPhotoExcursions@gmail for full details, fees and to check for available dates.
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