WALDON PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL (WPS) PURPOSE AND GOALS
Waldon Photography School (formerly Windmill Photography School) is a private avocational/recreational school. Generally speaking the purpose of our school is to train those with very little experience in photography to become excellent photographers. Our new students usually have a good quality adjustable camera. Others want to know what kind of camera and equipment they should purchase for their particular photographic needs. Most do not understand the settings on their cameras. They usually set the camera on "auto" and use it like a "point and shoot" camera. Their photos don't turn out as well as they would like and all the creative tools of their camera are wasted. Our courses will help you gain skill and competence in photography. WPS will help you understand the settings and the creative capabilities of your camera, how to properly pose and light your subject(s) and how to retouch your photos. We will teach you to use your camera to record beautiful memories for which you can be proud!
Our goal is to present practical hands-on training as much as possible, rather than collegiate, intellectual exercises. Our class sizes are small and informal–usually 20 students or less. Students receive personal attention and learn more easily in a small group setting.
OUR COURSES
Amateur Photography Basics - (10 Hours) - $295
Please add $15 for course materials.
The student will receive a Waldon Photography School Textbook written by the instructor. All the courses are placed in an 8 1/2X11 loose-leaf binder that has photo helps and custom photography illustrations that cover the aspects of the course.
The prerequisite for this course is the student should have a general knowledge of the various settings on their camera. They should know how to adjust their camera’s aperture, shutter speed, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual settings (or at least know where they are located on the camera.) The student can learn their particular camera’s functions by studying the handbook that came with their camera.
The Amateur Photography Basics course meets for 2 hours, once a week, for 5 weeks and is designed to train amateur photographers to take better photos of vacations, family and friends. This course includes information about cameras (film and digital), lenses, accessories, film, understanding the camera controls and photo tips for making better photos. Students will be given photographic assignments that will be evaluated in class. Students should have an adjustable 35 mm camera or digital camera.
The Posing and Lighting Course (10 Hours) - $295
Please add $15 for course materials.
This course will meet 2 hours, once a week for 5 consecutive weeks. The Posing and Lighting Course is designed to train amateur photographers to pose and properly light their subject(s) for the most flattering photos of their family and friends.
The prerequisite for this course is Amateur Photography Basics.
The student will learn how to use their external flash to light the subject by direct flash, fill-in flash and bounce flash. Reflectors and umbrella lighting will be covered. Supplementing reflectors with strobe light or natural light will be introduced to add brightness to the eyes and for other model-type effects.
Students will be given training on posing females (including glamour), males, male and female group photos, small group photos, and children.
Students must bring models with them to be photographed by the class. Family members or friends are usually willing to serve as models. Glamour models are welcome. See instructor for additional information.
The Intro to Photoshop Course (10 hours) - $295
Please add $15 for course materials.
This course will meet 2 hours, once a week, for 5 consecutive weeks. Intro to Photoshop is designed to give the advanced digital amateur photographer a head start in artistically enhancing photos using Photoshop CS5 and 6.0. Paint shop Pro XI or the latest version of Photoshop Elements can also be used. Some of the assignments cannot be completed with these programs, but it will not count off the student’s grade.
Prerequisite for this course is having basic computer skills. Those with limited computer knowledge should take a basic computer course before signing up for Intro to Photoshop.
This course includes the following: proper filing and image duplication; retouching images, removing blemishes, softening skin, and reducing wrinkles and lines under the eyes; adjusting levels, contrast, sharpness and color; cropping and sizing the photo; adding script to your photos; adding borders; making a black and white from a color photo and a black and white with a little color; layer special effects; correcting perspective; using fast keys; and programming actions in the actions palette.
Advanced Posing and Lighting Course (10 Hours) - $295
Please add $15 for course materials. This is a continuation of The Posing and Lighting Course. This course will meet 2 hours, once a week, for 5 consecutive weeks.
The prerequisites for this course are Amateur Photography Basics, Posing-Lighting and Intro to Photoshop.
The instructor will give suggestions on how to use multiple lighting for photography so you can make excellent photos of family and friends. Photographic equipment needed and computer software suggestions are some of the things that will be included. Special Occasion Photography will be covered such as photographing your family reunion; your child’s birthday party; dance recital photos; karate photos; your pets, your children’s school photos – such as football, track and field, baseball, band, cheerleader, drill team, and graduation; making memorable vacation photos; and other miscellaneous subjects to enhance your ability to become an excellent photographer. A simple family photo album will be required.
When the student completes Amateur Photography Basics, Posing and Lighting, Intro to Photoshop and Advanced Posing and Lighting, they will receive a diploma in Advanced Practical Photography. Practical Multiple Lighting (10 Hours) - $295.00
Please add $15 for course materials.
This course meets 2 hours, once a week for 5 weeks. During Advanced Posing and Lighting you learned how to set up multiple photographic lights. During this course students will practice using a 2 to 4 light setup and reflectors to photograph family members or friends they bring, or class members. This forum will be helpful for students who will be taking inside family photos.
Advanced Photoshop Techniques - (10 Hours) - $295.00
Please add $25 for course materials.
This course meets 2 hours, once a week for 5 weeks. Advanced retouching techniques will be demonstrated in class. Special retouching procedures will be covered such as: skin softening, eye and teeth whitening, eye sharpening, and adding light to hair. Students will learn to use advanced Photoshop tools such as the healing tool, clone tool, paint brush tool, and the burning and dodging tools. Black masks, white masks and special layer effects will be included. Special Jim Waldon actions will be furnished with this course. The student will learn how to make a custom photo-calendar and collages with multiple family photos on one page.
The WPS Intro to Photoshop Course or a knowledge of basic Photoshop will be an excellent foundation for this course. It is suggested that the student have a lap top with Photoshop CS-5, CS-4, or CS-3 loaded. The member can use older versions. However, some of the older versions may not have the tools that will be covered. The student with older versions can use other tools such as the Clone Stamp for some Healing Tool applications. Other modifications may be necessary with some of the actions covered. 
OUR GUARANTEE POLICY
Our courses are taught with a lot of review. Students are encouraged to ask questions when they don’t understand something. There are exams that are given periodically and there is some homework involved with each course. As a result of the exams and the homework the student and the instructor can be sure that progress is being made toward the goal of helping the student to become an excellent amateur or avocational photographer.
All of our courses are guaranteed. Students withdrawing from a WPS Course, students having problems completing any of our courses, and those who need refreshing on a previously passed course can repeat that particular course subject to the following. 1. Students will pay only 50% of the future current course price.
2. This guarantee is good for 6 months from the date of the student’s withdrawal or finishing the course. After 6 months the student will be charged the full course price.
3. This guarantee is valid during the 6 month period as long as WPS is in business, the course is still being offered and there is a space available in the class.
PRICES, POLICIES AND COURSES ARE SUBJECT TO BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE.
(Rev. 8/12/2010)