Photography lessons in Phoenix, AZ?

akptc

akptc

Shoot first, think later
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Wondering if any AZ-based RF wizards would ever be inclined to share their expertise with rank amateurs like myself? I am thinking maybe a day on the town (well, maybe early morning, to avoid the heat) or a day trip to a more interesting part of the state, preferably up north where it's cooler, or -whatever works. - Thanks
 
greyhoundman said:
There is actually a lot of things to shoot in the desert. Specially in spring when everything blooms.
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Well, sure, if you look hard enough, are willing to drive for miles and miles, and don't mind shooting flora and coyotes all day long 🙂. I am mostly kidding but really, after years of looking at brown stuff (Phoenix metro), I long for places where grass actually wants to grow, there is pedestrian traffic downtown, and architecture is not measured in squaremiles of 2-year-old suburbs .. 🙂

Anyway, I would love to watch a real photog take pictures of anything, maybe with some commentary.
 
There is a salesman at Photomark (McDowell Rd) who teaches photography (I think at Scottsdale community). They sometimes have classes at the shop and is a RF and Leica Wizard. I would be very interested in being involved. I will be there Monday to talk to him about it (I say Him because I can't remember his name right now).
 
I think you mean Rod Klukas - he teaches LF at Scottsdale. Try out the community college photo courses. I took one at Mesa and it was definitely worthwhile (and cheap).
 
I didn't answer because so little of my work is "rangefinder," but there is plenty to shoot in the Phoenix area. Check out the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust section. All of that is Scottsdale.
http://www.pbase.com/dazedgonebye/arizona

About half of my architecture gallery is the Phoenix area as well.
http://www.pbase.com/dazedgonebye/big_picture


akptc said:
Was that a dumb request? Are there no photographers in AZ? I now there is not much to shoot in the middle of the desert but still... anybody??
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Steve, thank you for the links, I've enjoyed looking at your striking photos, clearly you know how to enjoy Arizona as many folks do. I think maybe I should clarify my point: I believe that my problem is twofold - I am having a hard time finding much of the AZ desert environment of interest any more AND my composition skills are lacking, which results in crappy photos all too often. One of these I can correct (hopefully), hence my request for some friendly instruction. A course at a community college is a good idea but I am guessing that a day in the field with an experienced potographer, perhaps with 2-3 students, would be of more benefit. I've heard of a guy in the NE part of the Valley that teaches like that but can't find his info...
 
I forget the name of the area, but I had a good photographic experience this Spring in the canyon/lake area north of Mesa. The road goes from the west end of Mesa and goes past a lake and ends up on Diagonal Hiway (? maybe I made up this name?) north of Ft McDowell. If you are looking for color, this might not be your place, but it had some very scenic vistas and nice shades of Brown.

I also enjoyed the west end of Main street in Mesa... lots of 1950's an d1960's still there: old court motels and odd eateries (e.g. tortilla Barrel).
 
Got a brochure from Phil Douglis last night, $250 per day for up to 4 days of consecutively more advanced digital photo lessons here in Phx, with the 1st day being all about how to operate your digicam. I will try to see about getting in on days 2-4, unless I can find someone who still works with film.

Brian, perhaps you are thinking about Canyon Lake that you get to via Apache Junction, where Main St turns into Apache Trail? Yep, downtown Mesa is definitely Old America, although being modernized at a fast pace now. Main St is a used car lot heaven outside of downtown.
 
Not that I dont' have a lot to learn, but I can't imagine what can be taught to me that's worth $250 a day.
I also wonder at people who own a camera of any type that need to pay someone to show them how to operate it. How to get great pictures maybe, but how to turn it on and off and change settings? Read the manual for God's sake!
Personally, I would enjoy a long term mentoring relationship. Someone very accomplished that can give me feedback and perhaps assignments to help me along the way.
I hope it works for you. I'd certainly like to hear about the experience.

akptc said:
Got a brochure from Phil Douglis last night, $250 per day for up to 4 days of consecutively more advanced digital photo lessons here in Phx, with the 1st day being all about how to operate your digicam. I will try to see about getting in on days 2-4, unless I can find someone who still works with film.

Brian, perhaps you are thinking about Canyon Lake that you get to via Apache Junction, where Main St turns into Apache Trail? Yep, downtown Mesa is definitely Old America, although being modernized at a fast pace now. Main St is a used car lot heaven outside of downtown.
Click to expand...
 
dazedgonebye said:
.. Personally, I would enjoy a long term mentoring relationship. Someone very accomplished that can give me feedback and perhaps assignments to help me along the way...
Click to expand...
- That would be ideal for me too, I was kind of hoping that some RFF members might be interested in taking on a few amateours like myself...
 
I'm actually surprised one of the gurus hasn't offered this sort of thing as an addition to their workshops. It would be amazingly easy to do via email or discussion thread. They could charge a reasonable rate and handle a good number of students at one time.
The online thing would then feed in to their more expensive, in-person workshops.
 
I've done one of the local AzHighways things...a trip to the zoo. It was interesting. The instructor had been the oficial zoo photographer for 15 years or more. Not really a lot of instruction. Just some interesting stories and some suggestions as to how to approach the challenges in the zoo.
I'd like to do one of their weekend shoots, but I usually can't get away.

The Tempe thing looks promising, but a bit too basic. How's about a 200 level course? 🙂
 
Last edited:
Yeah, 200+ level would be good 🙂

How about an online "RFF School of Photography"? I mean, the "rate my picture" gallery is nice and all, but one cannot depend on getting any feedback.

There MUST be at least a few RFF veterans / experienced photogs who are maybe retired or have time otherwise and would not mind making a buck or two helping folks learn the craft?

Anybody?
 
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