More Winter Photography Courses - Join Us!

Just a quick shout to thank our recent participants of the DSLR 1-2-3 series courses at ViewFinder. We’ve been having a great time with all of you this winter. We’ve announced our new course dates for the next round of DSLR 1-2-3 courses over on our registration page. Check out the dates and book a space now before courses are all filled up. We’ve got a couple spots left in our upcoming DSLR 3 course on February 11th. Don’t miss it.

New Years Photography Resolutions

Santa Claus probably left a few new cameras under the tree this holiday season, and for those getting started with new DSLRs this year - I think this list of 7 steps for getting the most out of your first DSLR could be a handy read.

Of all the tips-and-tricks articles I’ve seen online recently, these pointers from Stan Horaczek at PopPhoto.com really stand out. In particular, I really agree 100% with Stan’s tips on switching your camera over to it’s manual settings and establish a photo filling system.

ViewFinder is offering classes on these important photography topics this winter, so if your looking for more pointers and help while learning the capabilities of your new DSLR, take a look at our DSLR 1-2-3 courses for beginners and sign up while you can. Soon we will offer evening courses on the topic of photo library management and organization.

Viewfinder's exciting step into 2012

Greetings fellow photographers! I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce myself here on the blog. My name is Matt Anderson and this blog post marks my first website contribution as the new managing director and owner of the Viewfinder Center for Photography. To say that I’m excited about what’s around the corner in 2012 would be a crazy understatement! I’m thrilled at what lies ahead, and if you haven’t already, I hope you’ll join our growing community of photographers and push your own creativity to new heights in 2012. We’ll hit the ground running with a variety of interesting courses right away in January. If Santa left you a new DSLR camera under the tree you’ll be glad to find out that our DSLR 1 course will be offered on January 14th along with DSLR 2 on January 28th. There’s just a few spaces left in these hands-on workshops, so sign up now. Keep up to date on our course offerings as we continue to update our calendar frequently.  If you’d like to receive on our newsletter make sure your on our email list.

Have a terrific, safe (and well-photographed) new years celebration!

Season's Greetings from ViewFinder Center!

We hope this finds you enjoying a happy holiday season as another year quickly comes to a close. 2011 was a great year at the ViewFinder Center and we’re already looking ahead to a New Year that will bring exciting changes for ViewFinder.

At the end of January, we (Bryon and Kellie) will be moving back to the U.S. after living in Switzerland for over 11 years. We are a bit sad about leaving, but we look forward to the next chapter in our lives and being closer to family and renewing old friendships. 

Most importantly, we are very happy to be handing over the ViewFinder Center photography courses and business to Matt Anderson, an experienced photo journalist and well-established wedding photographer in Winterthur.

We’ve known Matt for many years and we are confident that he will do a great job, and bring new ideas and energy to ViewFinder. We hope that you will welcome him and support his efforts as he gets started in the new year. Watch for more news and updates from Matt in the weeks ahead.

As we close this year, and our personal involvement with ViewFinder, we once again express our thanks for your participation and support over the years. It has been our pleasure to meet so many of you, share our passion for photography, and make good friends along the way.

We hope you will continue to pursue your passion for photography with ViewFinder!

With our best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season …

Bryon & Kellie McCartney

P.S. You can keep up with Bryon’s Fine Art photography and his annual Fine Art Nude workshops in Tuscany at www.bryonpaulmccartney.com or email: info [at] bryonpaulmccartney.com.
(Note: contains some nudity/Not Safe for Work)

Trust your intuition = Better photos

What does intuition have to do with photography? The secret of the Art of Intuitive Photography is the focus of a special ViewFinder Center workshop on April 3. We are all intuitive by nature, and when we learn to trust and apply that intuition to our photography, we see and shoot with a difference.

Photo: Mindy Véissid

We’re very happy to welcome New York-based photographer, Mindy Véissid, to the ViewFinder Center to present her Art of Intuitive Photography workshop. In this one-day session, Mindy will help you discover and enhance your intuition and learn to see – and shoot – differently to produce better images.

This is not a technical class: It’s about doing what you feel is right, not what you think is right. This workshop is open to all photography levels and all digital cameras, including point and shoot. It’s a fresh and fun way to develop your photographic eye and skill. Class size is limited!

Use the links below to find more information or register today.

Complete class details

Register for this class

Five Tips to keep your photo resolutions for 2011

No, this isn’t about pixels – image resolution is a topic for another day. We’re talking about those New Year’s resolutions to take better photos or learn how to use that new camera.

Improving your photography skills will make it more fun and rewarding to take pictures. Here are our top five tips to help even the most beginner photographer create better photos in 2011:

1. SHOOT MORE OFTEN - The best way to improve is to take more photos, and then still more. If possible, keep your camera with you – and ready to shoot. Every photo you take, good or bad, gives you a chance to learn and improve.

2. IMPROVE COMPOSITION - Compose your image to emphasize whatever captured your attention in the first place. Understanding and using simple composition techniques will improve your photography immediately.  

3. GET CLOSER - Fill the frame with your subject, either by physically getting closer or using a zoom lens.

4. MOVE - Walk around and take your shot from other points. See what happens if you shoot from a higher angle or get down on the ground and shoot up.

5. SHARE - Invite feedback and comments from other photographers, not just friends and family. Websites like Flickr.com and Deviantart.com are two great ways to get critiques and fresh ideas about your photos.

Want to learn more about creating better photos? Check out these ViewFinder classes:
Creative Composition for Better Photos
- Saturday, 29 January

Natural and Available Lighting Techniques
- Saturday, 19 February

Creative People Photography
- Sunday, 20 February

2011 Photo Class schedule & holiday deal

Learn how to use that new camera you got for Christmas with a photography class at ViewFinder! We’re happy to announce the class schedule for 2011 – starting with our popular DSLR Photography for Beginners on 23 January.

A special holiday deal: Sign up before midnight on 31 December 2010 and receive a CHF 25 discount off the regular fee for any one-day class on the schedule.

Photo inspiration: Personal projects

Starting a personal photo project is a great way to boost your motivation to make time to shoot and work with your images.

The September issue of Camera Obscura, an online photo magazine (in English), offers some great inspiration to get you thinking about your own photo project.

The cover feature, Traditions, includes images of Sicilian Easter celebrations taken by talented photographer - and great friend - Nick Yoon.

Photo Inspiration from a Classic

The photo exhibition, “The Family of Man,” opened in 1955 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. At the time, Edward Steichen (photographer and curator of the exhibit), described the collection of 503 images as “A mirror of the essential oneness of mankind throughout the world.” 

The images by photographers around the world was published in the book, The Family of Man, and has been in print continuously since 1955. Of the thousands of books about photography, this is a classic, timeless essential for any photographer’s book shelf.

The skill and artistry on these pages has inspired many of us to pick up a camera and pursue photography as an art, a passion, a profession.

What inspired you to get started? Where do you find your inspiration today?

One thing for Better Photos: Ready for the Close up

People photography is first and foremost about your subject: Who are they? But how you approach them will also influence the results and quality of the images you get. Taking time to connect with, and understand, your subjects will help you capture more authentic expression and personality.

Try this, as you begin to shoot, physically move a little closer to your subject instead of relying on a zoom lens. Getting closer makes a more personal connection and will encourage interaction and draw out personality.

Want to learn more about taking better people photos? Join us for this ViewFinder class:
Creative People Photography
- Saturday, 11 September

“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” ~ Edward Steichen,
American photographer (1879-1973)