Nature Photography Classes
Capture nature through your lens
See a brief overview of the course, dates, time, and cost. If you would like additional information or to register, click on the course number and title.
Equipment and Film
All Nature Photography participants should have, at a minimum, a basic 35mm single-lens reflex (DSLR or SLR) camera with adjustable aperture and shutter speeds. Digital cameras and tripods (for most classes) are strongly recommended. Elective courses may recommend or require other specialized equipment.
Questions about Nature Photography classes? Check out our FAQ..
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THE NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY CERTIFICATE
Discover beautiful and exciting plants, animals, landscapes, and gardens and then learn how to capture and communicate those discoveries through photography. The Nature Photography Program will focus on photographic strategies and skills while expanding your awareness and appreciation for the natural world.
Three core Photography and three Natural History courses are required with an additional 45 contact hours of Photography electives required to complete the Certificate. To view the complete certificate outline, please visit nature photography. Most Certificate students take two or more years to complete the Certificate requirements. We encourage you to proceed at your own pace.
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P009 - ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS ™ II
Fred Drury, Nature Photographer
This class is a continuation of the previous PS Elements class. Learn advanced elements techniques to use the tools in Elements for post-processing of your photos.
5 Tuesdays, May 28 – June 25; 6:30– 9:30 p.m., Thornhill Education Center.
Member $198 (nonmember $229)
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P501 - THE ARTIST WITHIN
Hank Erdmann
Explore nature photography as an art form. Discover and practice techniques to create an image that represents what you are feeling as much as what you are seeing.
3 Wednesdays, May 29– June 12; 6:30– 9:30 p.m. & 2 Saturdays, June 1 & June 8; 7:00– 10:00 a.m., Thornhill Education Center.
Member $178 (nonmember $209)
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Core Certificate Classes
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P001-INTRODUCTION TO NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Hank Erdmann, Nature Photographer
Nature photography allows you to document and express your delight in a season, flower, landscape, or insect. Gain an appreciation for the camera's technology and learn the basics of field notes, exposure, composition, and characteristics of light through classroom instruction, hands-on demonstrations, practice in the field, and constructive critiques.
Certificate Information: Photography Certificate Requirement (17 hours)
Wednesday, August 14 & Thursday, August 15; 7:00 – 9:30 pm, 2 Wednesdays, August 21 & 28; 6:30 – 9:30 pm & 2 Saturdays, August 17 & 24; 7:30 – 10:30 am. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $178 ($209 nonmember)
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Certificate Electives
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P500-INTIMATE LANDSCAPES: THE BIGGER PICTURE
Hank Erdmann, Nature Photographer
How do you make landscape photos that inspire? Learn the difference between a landscape and an intimate landscape, when to ignore your histogram and what light is best for certain subjects or locations. We'll look at the aesthetic and the mechanical aspects of landscape, at composition issues that pertain to landscape versus other images, and at how to make landscapes "timeless". We'll also discuss adding the apparent third dimension, depth, back into your images.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Nature Photography (P001)
Certificate Information: Nature Photography Certificate Elective (17.5 hours)
2 Wednesdays, June 19 & 26; 6:30 – 9:30 pm, & Saturday, June 22; 7:30 – 10:30 am. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $178 (nonmember $209 )
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P238-SHOOT AND CRITIQUE
Chris Aquino, Nature Photographer
Willard Clay, Nature Photographer
Will Clay and Chris Aquino team up to bring you an insightful field experience with a follow-up critique session. On Saturday, participants will meet on-location and receive a short introduction highlighting the two instructors' individual approaches to photography. Students will then spend the rest of the field session making images with both instructors available for questions and guidance. For the Thursday follow-up session, participants should bring images they made for a classroom critique in order to receive feedback about style and technique. Participants will receive an email listing the location and other considerations before the Saturday field session.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Nature Photography (P001)
Certificate Information: Nature Photography Certificate Elective (6 hours)
Thornhill Education Center.
Member $85 (nonmember $100 )
Section a: Saturday, June 15; 7:00 – 10:00 am & Thursday, June 20; 6:30 – 9:30 pm.
Section b: Saturday, August 3; 7:00 – 10:00 am & Thursday, August 8; 6:30 – 9:30 pm.
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P407-PHOTOGRAPHING DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES
Ken Thompson, Nature Photographer
The Arboretum is home to a large number of dragonflies and butterflies throughout the summer. Learn to identify these "flying flowers" and then photograph them with Ken's assistance in July. Photographing these insects is both a joy and a challenge, yielding views of their behavior and their beauty.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Nature Photography (P001)
Equipment: A single lens reflex (SLR) camera with a telephoto lens and flash is recommended for this class.
Certificate Information: Nature Photography Certificate Elective (15 hours)
3 Wednesdays, July 10 – July 24; 6:30 – 9:30 pm & 2 Saturdays, July 13 & 20; 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $178 (nonmember $209 )
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Walt Anderson, Owner, Visual Echoes Photography
Learn to find and photograph the miniature wildlife in your backyard, garden or nearby prairie. We will work on the tools and techniques needed to get closer to small creatures from ants to butterflies. We will also cover when to use natural light and when and how to use flash for better exposures. Suggested equipment is a zoom lens that goes to 200 or 300mm and extension tubes or a macro lens 100mm or longer. A flash unit for your camera and an off camera TTL flash cord will be helpful.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Nature Photography (P001)
Certificate Information: Nature Photography Certificate Elective (15 hours)
3 Thursdays, August 1 – 15; 6:30 – 9:30 pm & 2 Saturdays, August 3 & 10; 7:00 – 10:00 am. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $178 (nonmember $209)
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