How to get off the Green Rectangle -- Digital SLR Beginner's Class
These days it seems like everyone has a digital SLR camera.  Unfortunately though, most people only take photos using the fully automatic settings, otherwise known as the Green Rectangle by Canon users.  If you fall into this category, you almost might as well be using a point-and-shoot instead.  Your DSLR has so much more to offer you if you take the time to learn the basics of how your camera works.  In this two hour class we will cover shutter-speed, aperture (f-stops), depth of field, ISO, RAW vs. JPG, memory cards, white-balance,  aperture priority (dial settings Av and A), shutter speed priority (dial settings Tv and S), autofocus settings, suggested settings for specific situations, basic fill flash, as well as basic rules of composition.  Handouts will be provided covering the basic skills addressed in the class.  

Class requirements: A digital SLR Camera (i.e. Canon Rebel, Nikon D series, Sony Alpha, or Pentax K), and a memory card that is at least 1GB.  Other useful items to bring with you are an extra battery and your camera's instruction manual, but they are not required. 

Private Lesson: $50/hr,  Group Lesson: $15/hr per person and a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 30.

Lights, Camera, Action -- Introduction to Flash Photography Using Speedlites
Sure your camera may have a pop-up flash, but when you use it your shots seem to look just like your friends' with point and shoots and nothing like shots the pros take.    That's because you aren't using your camera's hot shoe with a speedlite.  In this class we will go over the use of flash photography using flash guns commonly referred to as Speedlites.  In this hour and a half class we will cover Manual vs. TTL settings, limitations of flash, fill flash, bouncing the flash, high speed sync, flash brackets, diffusers, and white cards (both home made and commercially available).  Handouts will be provided covering the basic skills addressed in the class. 

Class requirements: While one does not need to have speedlite to attend the class, the class is intended to be a hands on learning experience.  Bringing a speedlight, two full sets of batteries for your flash, as well as your digital SLR Camera and a memory card that is at least 1GB, is preferable.  Other useful items to bring with you are an extra battery and your camera's instruction manual and your speedlite's instruction manual, but they are not required. 

Private Lesson: $50/hr,  Group Lesson: $15/hr per person with a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 30.

Upping Your Game -- Intermediate Photography Skills 
You know the difference 1/1000 shutter speed and 1000 ISO and the affect it will have on your images.  Now that you know how to get a well exposed image you are ready to start honing your craft.   There is so much more to photography than just getting the settings right.  In this hour and a half class we will go over the basics of posing people (individuals as well as groups), traditional rules of composition, bokeh, the effects of different focal length lenses, effects of a crop sensor vs. full frame sensor, and telling a story with your images.  Handouts will be provided covering the basic skills addressed in the class. 

Class requirements: A digital SLR Camera, and a memory card that is at least 1GB. 

Private Lesson: $50/hr,  Group Lesson: $15/hr per person with a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 30.

Processing Your RAW Images -- Using Adobe LightRoom 
Now that photography has gone digital, you don't need a separate room of your house to develop your photographs using hazardous chemicals, instead you use your computer.   In this two-hour class we will go over the basics of importing RAW images and exporting JPG files, image library management, sharpening for different viewing mediums (paper vs. a computer screen), white balance, exposure, vignettes, teeth whitening, red eye removal, spot removal, spot burning and dodging, cropping and rotation, importance of monitor calibration, and lightroom presets.  Handouts will be provided covering the basic skills addressed in the class. 

Class requirements: A laptop running Adobe LR2 or LR3. 

Private Lesson: $50/hr,  Group Lesson: $15/hr per person with a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 30.

Photoshop Magic -- An Introduction to Photoshop 
Just about everyone has heard of photoshop, but not everyone knows how to use it. During this two-hour class learn how to air brush away pimples and remove unwanted objects, use the magnetic lasso and the pen tool to make accurate selections, learn when to feather selections, create dramatic spot color, and create layer transparencies.  Handouts will be provided covering the basic skills addressed in the class. 

Class requirements: A laptop running Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3, CS4 or CS5. 

Private Lesson: $50/hr,  Group Lesson: $15/hr per person with a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 30.

Instructor Background
Vail’s love of photography started early. For her 8th birthday, her mother gave Vail her old SLR from the 1960s. As she got older, this hobby turned into a passion. Vail took photography classes at her high school and was the photo editor of the yearbook for 3 years. The bulk of her job included photographing the athletic teams and teaching other students how to shoot events.  After high school, Vail attended the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Bioengineering, but taking all her electives in photography and the arts. There she had the privilege of taking a photography course from Steven H. Begleiter, who began his career as first photo assistant for Annie Leibovitz. Vail also worked for a year as a photographer for the University’s award winning newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian, and took a course in graphic design.

Vail went on to get her Ph.D. in bioethics, but her love of photography only grew stronger. After attending many a wedding and hearing from her friends and family that the shots she took were better than those by their hired pros, she decided to take the plunge and started Fucci’s Photos so that her passion could become her profession. To gain experience in wedding photography, she was a second shooter and assistant for Daniel McGarrity (Awarded Wedding Wire’s title of Brides’ Choice in 2009 & 2010, and The Knot’s Best of Wedding Photographers – Maryland in 2010). Using the skills Daniel imparted to her, Vail has gone on to shoot weddings both large and small.

Vail has previously taught private introductory photography lessons but is now providing lessons to organizations looking for group lessons as well.