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Grand photos

 The Photo Club of Sun City Grand in Surprise, AZ


 

Classes

The following educational programs are offered for members to develop their skills in photography and image processing.  Most courses are taught by volunteer club members who give their time and talents freely.  They prepare for their instruction periods so that you may benefit from them.  Some classes are presented in a sequence of parts. To gain the maximum benefit from the instruction, class participants should make an effort to follow through and attend each class session as it is scheduled.

This season we ask that you register for classes you plan to attend. This will allow instructors to adequately prepare class materials and available class space.  PLEASE NOTE: Classes will be available for registration on the first day of the month preceding the scheduled event date.  Prior to the registration opening date, a note in the left hand margin will have the message "Registration is Closed".  It does not mean that the event is "Full". 

Occasionally, when some classes are posted on the website but are not yet open for registration you may notice that there are already people registered. Why is that? It is because these are registrants who were on the waiting list for an earlier session of that class. Because they were on the waiting list they are pre-registered for the added class prior to the class opening for registration to the general membership.

The waiting lists provide a means to determine demand for a particular topic and serve as a queue to fairly accommodate in the next class those who 'waited in line' for the first class.

To register you will need to be logged into the Grand Photos membership site and then scroll to the class and click on the register button below the class title.  Most classes are free; when there is a fee as part of the registration process, you may pay online using a credit card, or you may print out the invoice and take a copy of the invoice along with your payment to the studio and leave it with the monitor.

Upcoming Classes

  • Paper and Light

    • March 14, 2023
    • March 28, 2023
    • 2 sessions
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 0
    Registration is closed

    Paper and Light - Cokie Lepinski

    In this two-session class, we will explore how to create stunning images using simple tools of paper and light. Whether you are a smartphone user or prefer a camera body, you'll find this technique quite fun and easy to learn. We'll have a couple of stations to rotate through in small groups to try out different ideas. What do you need to bring? An inquisitive mind and your smartphone and/or camera-body of your choosing (flash or filters are not needed). For those with a camera body, a macro lens can produce some stunning images.

    You will need to know the basics of your camera body or smartphone app you use to shoot photos but beyond that no real experience is needed. There will be tripods and table-top tripods available that use Arca Swiss plates but if you want to bring your own tripod, please do. Smartphone users are generally fine without a tripod but we will have phone mounts available for the trips as well. The reflective materials and lights will be provided. 

    The first session on March 14th will be "the lab" and the second session on March 28th will be "show and tell" where we will all be amazed at what you were able to create.

    Instructor: Cokie Lepinski

    Experience level - all levels

    Equipment required: smartphone or camera body (and if you have a macro lens all the better but you can do fine without)

    Registration - REQUIRED

    This class will be available for registration on February 1, 2023


    Show details

  • Creativity

    • March 20, 2023
    • March 27, 2023
    • 2 sessions
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 1
    Registration is closed

    Creativity - Margaret Anne Coles

    What is creativity?  Where is mine?  How do I find it?

    Creativity is a key ingredient in artistic expression. As an art form, photography is all about the creative process and exploring ideas through images.  It requires the use of the imagination or original ideas to produce an artistic work.

    Come and explore a hands-on experience that will help you connect with your creativity.

    Instructor: Margaret Anne Coles

    Experience level: all

    Equipment required: whatever you like to shoot with - camera or smartphone

    Registration - REQUIRED

    This class will be available for registration February 1, 2023

    Show details

  • Notecard Printing

    • March 28, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Notecard Printing - Barbie Hallstrom & Ralph Walker

    Isn't it about time you shared some of your art with the world? Did you know you can print those wonderful photos of yours onto notecards right here at our Club? In this class we will show you just how to do that. 

    Instructors - Barbie Hallstrom & Ralph Walker

    Experience level - all

    Equipment required - A photo of your choice resized to fit a 5x7 print. 

    We will upload it from your device, flash drive or SD Card.

    Registration - REQUIRED

    This class will be available for registration February 1, 2023


    Show details

  • Introduction to Slideshow Pro Canceled

    • March 29, 2023
    • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Grand Photos - Village Plaza
    • 9

    Introduction to Slideshow Pro - Don Boucher

    Have you ever wanted to create your own slide show using your on iPad?

    With Slideshow Pro for iPads, you can do just that and achieve professional results and quality.

    Instructor: Don Boucher

    Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate

    Equipment Required: iPad with Slide Show Pro Downloaded.

    Registration -REQUIERD

    The class will be available for registration February 1, 2023

    Show details

  • Tips for Better Smartphone Pics (iPhone)

    • March 30, 2023
    • April 06, 2023
    • 2 sessions
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 5
    Register

    Tips for Better Smartphone Pics (iPhone) - Margaret Anne Coles

    Your best camera is the one that is always with you.  For most of us that means our smartphone. So, what's the secret to taking great pictures with your smartphone? As it turns out, there are a few of them. Come and learn about some of these tips to improve your smartphone pics.

    Instructor: Margaret Anne Coles

    Experience Level: All levels

    Equipment Needed: Fully charged iPhone

    Registration:  REQUIRED

    This class will be available for registration February 1, 2023

    Show details

  • Paper and Light

    • March 31, 2023
    • April 07, 2023
    • 2 sessions
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Paper and Light - Cokie Lepinski

    In this two-session class, we will explore how to create stunning images using simple tools of paper and light. Whether you are a smartphone user or prefer a camera body, you'll find this technique quite fun and easy to learn. We'll have a couple of stations to rotate through in small groups to try out different ideas. What do you need to bring? An inquisitive mind and your smartphone and/or camera-body of your choosing (flash or filters are not needed). For those with a camera body, a macro lens can produce some stunning images.

    You will need to know the basics of your camera body or smartphone app you use to shoot photos but beyond that no real experience is needed. There will be tripods and table-top tripods available that use Arca Swiss plates but if you want to bring your own tripod, please do. Smartphone users are generally fine without a tripod but we will have phone mounts available for the trips as well. The reflective materials and lights will be provided. 

    The first session on April 4th will be "the lab" and the second session on April 7th will be "show and tell" where we will all be amazed at what you were able to create.

    Instructor: Cokie Lepinski

    Experience level - all levels

    Equipment required: smartphone or camera body (and if you have a macro lens all the better but you can do fine without)

    Registration - REQUIRED

    This class will be available for registration on March 1, 2023


    Show details

  • Introduction to Lightroom Classic V12

    • April 04, 2023
    • April 17, 2023
    • 3 sessions
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 6
    Register

    Introduction to Lightroom Classic V12 - Mel Whaley

    Lightroom Classic is an image management and editing program designed especially for photographers.  It guides you through your workflow, including organizing, editing, and sharing your digital images.

    It is designed around a database, rather than a file browser, so it keeps a record of the photos even when the original files are offline.  This makes it quick to search and find photos.  Lightroom will help you manage all your photos, yes even if you have several hundred thousand photos stored on multiple hard drives.

    Lightroom's Develop module is a non-destructive editor. This simply means that your edits are saved as metadata (text instructions), rather than being applied to the pixels themselves, so it doesn't degrade the original image data.  You can experiment without fear.

    The class is divided into three sessions.  In the first session, we will introduce the library module, demonstrate how to add photos, folders, keywords, and tags to photos.  We also will introduce collections and tools used to help find any photo in the library.

    The second session will cover the development module and introduce the new features added during recent updates.  The last session will again cover some of the features for enhancing images and printing.

    After the 1st and 2nd sessions there will be an optional Zoom study hall where class participants will be able to work from their computers to practice techniques demonstrated during the class.

    Instructor - Mel Whaley

    Experience Level: Beginners/intermediate/Advanced

    Equipment:  None

    Registration: Required

    This class will be open for registration - March 1, 2023

    Show details

  • Beginning Snapseed

    • April 05, 2023
    • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 4
    Register

    Beginning Snapseed - Jerry Weinstein

    Many of the professional photo editing apps are complicated and have a steep learning curve. But Snapseed comes as fresh breath of air and combines professional photo editing with ease of work. You will learn how to process your Smartphone or Tablet photos using basic techniques and learn to develop a "workflow" to help in the ease of using Snapseed. 

    Instructor: Jerry Weinstein

    Experience level - beginner 

    Equipment required - smartphone or tablets with the app Snapseed installed

    Registration - REQUIRED

    This class will be available for registration March 1, 2023

    Show details

  • The Art of Blending Photos

    • April 10, 2023
    • April 14, 2023
    • 2 sessions
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    Register

    The Art of Blending Photos - Rich Wear

    Expand your photographic creativity by using blended images with Photoshop. 

    This technique is easily demonstrated in the class and an advanced level of Photoshop is not required. 

    Two sessions:

    #1 will be learning the technique while broadening your imagination and creativity.

    #2 will be a review of the homework assignment and photographs

    Registration - REQUIRED

    Equipment - It's preferable for you to bring your laptop or tablet with Photoshop access.

    The class will be available for registration March 1, 2023

    Show details

  • Notecard Printing - Option 1 for the week

    • April 11, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Notecard Printing - Barbie Hallstrom & Ralph Walker

    Isn't it about time you shared some of your art with the world? Did you know you can print those wonderful photos of yours onto notecards right here at our Club? In this class we will show you just how to do that. 

    Instructors - Barbie Hallstrom & Ralph Walker

    Experience level - all

    Equipment required - A photo of your choice resized to fit a 5x7 print. 

    We will upload it from your device, flash drive or SD Card.

    Registration - REQUIRED

    Supply cost $ 1.00 per notecard kit.

    This class will be available for registration March 1, 2023


    Show details

  • Notecard Printing - Option 2 for the week

    • April 13, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Grand Photos Studio - Village Center
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Notecard Printing - Barbie Hallstrom & Ralph Walker

    Isn't it about time you shared some of your art with the world? Did you know you can print those wonderful photos of yours onto notecards right here at our Club? In this class we will show you just how to do that. 

    Instructors - Barbie Hallstrom & Ralph Walker

    Experience level - all

    Equipment required - A photo of your choice resized to fit a 5x7 print. 

    We will upload it from your device, flash drive or SD Card.

    Registration - REQUIRED

    Supply cost - $1.00 per note card kit

    This class will be available for registration March 1, 2023


    Show details

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