Digital Photography

Beginning Digital Photography - Evening
Knowing how your camera works and what is necessary to create a good exposure will ensure that you get the kind of pictures you want. We’ll start with the most basic things, assuming no one knows anything, and when we’re done, you’ll totally get it. All you’ll need is a camera which allows some kind of manual control over exposure. An SLR is great, but many pocket cameras offer full control as well. Look for controls labeled “manual”, “aperture priority” or “shutter priority”. Taught by Michael Serao. Michael Serao has been employed in art and photography for over 20 years. He has taught many photography classes and also teaches design at WCSU.
5 Sessions $97 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $73)
Tue., 2/7, 14, 28; 3/6 & 13 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Veterans Park
Tue., 5/22, 29; 6/5,12 & 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Veterans Park

More Photography - Evening
Creative lighting techniques will be highlighted as one of the primary tools of a good photographic image. We will investigate various ways of using fill flash, reflectors, gobos and scrims. Indoors we will see the effects of multiple studio lighting, bounce techniques and flash mixed with ambient tungsten light. Self-directed projects with in-depth critiques. Taught by Mike Serao. Michael Serao has been employed in art and photography for over 20 years. He has taught many photography classes and also teaches design at WCSU.
4 Sessions $79 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $59)
Tue., 3/20, 27; 4/3 & 10 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Veterans Park (The classes are on Tuesdays.)

Making Better Photographs - Evening
Explore the art of making pictures with a focus on the creative and conceptual pre visualization that occurs before releasing the shutter and the exploration of that initial concept through alternative approaches. Please bring photos to the first class. Students will take pictures before each class and discuss what in the image works and what doesn’t. Emphasizes the most interesting way to present the subject visually as well as the means we communicate reaction to it. Taught by Mike Serao. Michael Serao has been employed in art and photography for over 20 years. He has taught many photography classes and also teaches design at WCSU.
4 Sessions $79 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $59)
Tue., 4/24; 5/1, 8 & 15 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Veterans Park (The classes are on Tuesdays.)

Photography Projects - Day
Learn how to take better photographs of Sports, Events, Portraits, Landscapes and Still Lifes. We will Discuss equipment, technique and aesthetics as well as students work. Homework assignments will be given. This class is best for people who already know the basics of their SLR’s. Taught by Elyse Shapiro. Elyse Shapiro has been a photojournalist and a photography teacher in Connecticut for more than 25 years. She freelances out of her West Redding studio.
4 Sessions $79 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $59)
Thur., 5/3, 10, 17 & 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Digital Cameras

Digital Cameras & the PC

These courses are taught in the computer lab and focus on the software used to edit and produce digital images and videos.

Your Digital Camera and Your PC: Basics
Prerequisite: PC Basics QuickStart or equivalent experience. For people who are thinking about buying a Digital Camera or who have not used the one they have yet. For people with “consumer type” cameras that have an LCD (liquid crystal display) for viewing. Ready or not, you’ve been blessed with your first digital camera. No film to load, instant previews, point and click. This class will review basics such as equipment care, taking a few pictures, deleting pictures, storing, importing images into a Word document, printing images, and sending images by email. Bring your camera, software cd, and cable. Digital supply sources and sources of detailed information and education will also be covered. Taught by Charles Greenberg. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
1 Session $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32) (+ $ mtls.)
Sat., 2/4 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Venus Bldg.
Sat., 3/17 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

More Digital Cameras
Prerequisite: PC Basics QuickStart and Your Digital Camera and Your PC or equivalent experience. Some experience using a Digital Camera. If you’ve mastered basics such as downloading and printing, but want to go further, this class will cover scene settings on cameras, image-sharing web sites like Flickr and Google Picasa, tools for creating image web albums, and other intermediate applications. Images as fund raising and gift ideas, digital supply sources, and sources of detailed information and education will also be covered. Taught by Charles Greenberg. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
1 Session $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32) (+ $ mtls.)
Sat., 2/11 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Venus Bldg.
Sat., 3/31 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Digital Camera Computer Clinic
Prerequisite: Any Ridgefield Continuing Education digital camera class. Want to set up a Picasa web album or Flickr album but can't find the time?  Still not sure how to organize your digital photos when you are alone?  Need to put your digital photos in into a document? Need to create an important PowerPoint presentation with pictures? Every digital camera user has individual usage questions or concerns.  Many questions get answered in "Your Digital Camera and Your PC: Basics" or "More Digital Cameras", but many do not.  The Digital Camera Computer Clinic will allow digital camera owners to have dedicated practice and learning time in a group setting geared to individual questions and answers without guilt (you won't be slowing down a class).  There will be no lecture, so it is up to you to come with specific questions or skill goals.  Bring all camera components and cables, a notebook, as well as the digital camera class handout, if you still have it. Taught by Charles Greenberg. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
Available as a tutorial. Please call (203) 431-9995 for information.

Photoshop Elements

All Adobe courses are taught on IBM Compatible PC’s

Adobe Photoshop Elements on PC: Basics
Prerequisite: Good computer skills. Session 1 introduces methods of getting pictures into the computer from the camera using Adobe Photoshop Elements and then importing the pictures into the Organizer. People recognition will be used to group individuals into easily defined groups, making selections convenient. The basis of keywording and cautions about overuse will be discussed. Then simple edits using the Guided Edit mode to improve picture quality and composition will be covered. Session 2 builds on the editing modes, discussing the Quick Edit mode to gain additional control over the pictures and then the Full Edit mode, where creative options can be employed. Session 3 covers several creative activities available in Photoshop Elements. The class will composite, cleaner shots, produce panoramas, switch faces to improve group shots, and make cards, banners, brochures and more. The Recompose feature will be covered as well. Each class will have assignments for the participants to bring in their own shots of a specific type (faces, groups for panoramas, multiple group shots and creative pictures). Participants will apply the concepts being discussed to their own images. Taught by Tom Peterson. Tom Peterson is a retired trainer and educator with Intel Corporation. He has been a photographer since the early 1970s and a “digital photographer” for the past fifteen years and has been involved with Adobe Photoshop for years and was a Beta tester for CS5 prior to its release.
6 hours $115 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $86) (+ $ mtls.)
Wed., 2/22, 29 & 3/7 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.
Wed., 2/8, 15 & 22 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint 2010 is taught in class. PowerPoint 2007 and 2003 are available as a tutorial.

PowerPoint 2010 - Fast Paced
Prerequisite: Competent word processing skills. A quick and comprehensive course that will enable you to become a PowerPoint pro. Create slide presentations using templates, and “from scratch.” Change text, color schemes, background color, fonts, and slide order. Import images from the Internet. Insert and modify clip art and pictures. Use sounds, spreadsheets, charts, tables, and organization charts in slides. Add animation and transition movement to the presentation. Create subliminal or disappearing messages. Bring a bag lunch. Peggy Bruno, a certified teacher, has trained adults in computer applications for many years. She has developed many computer courses and training workbooks. She previously worked in corporate marketing and information services. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
4 hours $79 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $59) (+ $4-6 mtls.)
Thur.,1/26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Bruno; Venus Bldg.
Sat., 3/3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Greenberg; Venus Bldg.
Mon/Thur.,4/9 & 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Bruno; Venus Bldg.

Publisher

Microsoft Publisher 2010 for Windows
Use Publisher to create newsletters, brochures, flyers, greeting cards, invitations, and posters. You can also create your own personalized logo, print your own business cards, stationery, and promotional materials. Import images from other clip art programs, scanned images, digitized photo disks, or the Internet. This is a great program for those volunteering to help publicize school or community activities. Taught by Lizabeth Doty. Lizabeth Doty, a professional educator for over 35 years, has trained students in business applications including word processing and database/spreadsheet management as well as courses in office procedures. She is a Ridgefield resident and is currently Wilton’s Coordinator for Senior Activities.
5 hours $97 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $73) (+ $5-7 mtls.)
4/3 & 10 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.; Venus Bldg.