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Overview
There is nothing like an informative class with a dynamic teacher to get the intellectual juices excited about the world of digital photography. Digital photography is a "hands on" subject and hopefully there are places near where you live where every student who enrolls in a digital class has access to a computer terminal in the classroom. There is no better way to learn something like digital photography, where every student sits in front of a terminal and the teacher has a projection screen, where he can show as well as tell.
Significance
Digital photography is rapidly gaining acceptance as the common denominator of making photographic images, especially pictures in full color. The new medium is commonly used by both commercial and amateurs alike. The quality of the images has met the demanding qualifications of the publishing industry, while the beginner rejoices in images that he can take in his own home and then email to a friend or family member only a few minutes later. As a result of this easy usage, digital photographic imaging has become immensely popular.
Where
Introductory photography courses are offered in a number of varied places that include adult education programs at your local high school, continuing education classes at a local college, non-degree studio labs at an art school or special classes through a camera store or photo lab. In most small cities around the United States and Canada it is not a problem to locate such an introductory program. These are classes outside of any degree program, where the most likely scenario is that you will have several basic classes to choose from. The best part this type of education is that there are no age requirements, only an interest in the fascinating subject of digital photography.
Advanced Studies
After taking a few courses in this area of study, you may find your interest taking you in the direction of a certificate or actual degree in digital photography. Again age should never be a deterrent in such an endeavor, for it is never too late to take up this fun subject. Residents in most parts of the country will find a degree or certificate program within easy reach of where they live. Almost any accredited university, tech school or community college will offer such a program. Check out the appropriate institute of higher learning, where you live for details. Most likely you will have several to choose from.
Requirements
The main requirements for a informative class in digital photography are a qualified teacher, a spacious classroom and access to a computer. Like it or not, digital photography is an offshoot of the computer age and so this last requirement is perhaps the most important. In the ideal situation, each student will sit at a desk with a computer terminal that will allow them to display digital photographs onscreen and also one that has enough memory and RAM so that it is possible to use a photo editing program like Photoshop, Fireworks or InDesign. The hands-on computer training is priceless. Also it helps if the teacher has a set-up, where he can display her monitor screen on an overhead projector, so each student can follow the instructions step by step.
Equipment
The main requirement is a camera. The wide variation in prices and quality of cameras is staggering. Over the past several years the price has come down, as the quality has increased. This is an advantageous development that should encourage every shutterbug to go out and purchase a new camera. The quality that is available on the low end of the price range is very good. For $100 or less, a novice photographer can buy a 5 to 7 megapixel point-and-shoot camera that produces very clear and sharp images. Spend a $1,000 and it is possible to bring home a state-of-the-art SLR (single lens reflex) camera with interchangeable lenses. The choice is yours, but even the purchase of the cheaper model is all that one needs to pursue this topic.
