Digital Photo Academy (Review)

A few weeks ago, LivingSocial offered a group coupon for 50% off a photography class at Digital Photo Academy (DPA).This was no ordinary course; in the class we would learn about composition using the nation's monuments as our props. I was very excited to get some great outfit photos against such an amazing backdrop and learn how to take more interesting photos.

At the last minute, I decided to also take the Beginners "How to use your point and shoot" course also offered by the company. I took along 2 cameras, the one I use for work and the camera I use to take my tip-to-toe photos (Samsung DualView TL205).

 For the the Beginners class Vincent Knaus taught us what all of those buttons, settings and menus on our cameras are for and when to use them. His instruction was clear, thourough and user-friendly. The class followed a powerpoint set up by DPA, which Knaus later email to us. He also gave us all his card and offered to answer any questions that came up while shooting. In the few hours of the class I really learned alot.

The composition in the field class turned out to be a little less helpful for me because I had my point and shoot camera, the Samsung DualView. Although the class is advertised as being open to all camera types and experience levels the instruction was really geared towards highly active SLR users. It was hard to follow along and time wasn't taken to make sure everyone in the class could find the settings being used on thier individual camera.

What I did take away from the composition in the field course was a different outlook on how to take a good photo. Typically my tip-to-toe photos showcase me wearing a unique outfit posed in the center of the frame; what I learned from this class is to let the surroundings frame the photo. I also got a great recommendation for a flexible tripod that may help me stage more interesting photographs. Look out for these adventurous new photos coming soon on my blog!

Here are my favorite photos from the composition in the field course, held in Washington, DC on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.