Afternoon Photography Classes with Elizabeth Lamp

Afternoon Session

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Beginning Photography: Camera Basics

Perfect for complete beginners, ages 13+, this class introduces the history of photography and the basic fundamentals of digital cameras. Through personalized instruction and hands on practice in class, students will learn the core skills needed to leave the comfort of auto behind and start taking photographs with a “real camera” and not just a cell phone. By the end of the course, students will have a new understanding of in-camera operation and the confidence to continue developing their photography

Beginning Photography: Camera Basics students will learn:

-History of photography

-Enjoy a fun hands on show and tell with Elizabeth’s camera and photography collection.

-Camera functions and controls

-Intro to Exposure fundamentals (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO)

-Basic composition techniques

-How to use focus points

-Intro to different shooting modes

-Working with natural and available light

-The Nifty 50 lens will be the only lens used for the class to allow students to focus on learning the camera functions and moving their feet

-Tripod and remote trigger usage

-Tips for creating interesting and creative photographs

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Photography Level 2: Editing Basics

Prerequisite: STEP VA Tech Camp or Instructor Approval Required

Designed for students ages 13+ who have taken a previous tech class with Elizabeth, this course expands on fundamental skills reaffirming the advantages of shooting in RAW and diving deeper into basic digital post processing using Adobe software. A brief review of essential camera settings will be covered before moving into more advanced techniques that provide greater creative control over student images. The Nifty 50 lens will be the only lens used for the class to allow students to focus on learning the camera functions and moving their feet.

Once the students are ready, we will spend one entire class walking through the STEP VA Bowman Center neighborhood taking architectural pictures as we go on a loop where we end up back at the STEP VA Studio. Please provide details in your registration if your student will need assistance during this class field trip. During the remaining class time students will sort, isolate, and edit raw files and save them to JPEGs for use as prints or other items. By the end of the course, students will understand how to capture higher quality RAW images and use basic editing techniques to bring out the full potential of their photographs while developing a more consistent photographic workflow.

Photography Level 2: Editing Basics students will learn:

-Review camera settings

-Refresh of the benefits of shooting in RAW versus JPEG

-Refining composition and creative techniques

-Working with available and challenging lighting conditions

-White balance and color management

-Importing and organizing images

-Basic Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Camera Raw editing techniques

-Adjusting exposure, contrast, color, highlights, shadows, and sharpness

-Cropping, straightening

-Preparing images for print and digital sharing

-Developing an efficient photography and editing workflow

Please note: Daytime/Evening sessions may be combined or a class may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met.

Need financial assistance to participate? Please complete a Scholarship Application: Link to Fall 2026 Scholarship Application