Deanna's Picks

Best small point and shoot digital camera: 
Canon Digital Elph Line (they are all good) $250-$350 depending on model

Best 
starter digital 
SLR for manual control:
Canon Rebel Kit $500-$1000 depending on model and lens in the kit

Best home printer: 
For cheap, fun, colorful 4x6s, I recommend the Epson PictureMate. Get the optional battery and print on the go!

In this three-hour course, we will practice nature photography using the macro settings of both advanced Digital SLR and Point-and-Shoot cameras.

Learn how to capture extraordinary images of flowers, controlling the focus of your background to make your pictures "pop." We will go over the basics of Depth of Field and how the f-stop controls what is in focus in an image. Manual SLR users will learn about aperture; point and shoot users will work carefully with the various scenic modes of their cameras.

We will shoot for the first two hours of this class, then spend the last hour in air conditioning at a coffee shop looking over the images and learning from what we shot.

I have tentatively scheduled this class for Mayfield Park, although if a wedding is booked last minute, we may move to another Austin park. A wonderful bonus at Mayfield is all the strutting peacocks who live on the grounds.

No tripod is necessary--just your camera, a spare battery, your camera manual, cool clothes, sunscreen, and water.

Saturday, August 2
9 a.m. to noon
Location: tentatively Mayfield Park (barring any last-minute wedding)
$30

Unlock the mysteries of the icons on your digital camera’s program dial! Defeat shutter lag and end blurry shots by mastering the quirks of your individual camera. 

This course is for new digital camera owners who are bewildered by settings and unsure why their shots sometimes fail. We will emphasize hands-on shooting alternated with basic camera information to improve your pictures immediately. 

Students will practice shots, develop them, and present them in the second class. Bring your digital camera and the manual with you to class.

2 meetings
Wednesday  October 1 and 8  6:30-9 pm
GENERAL:   $32    UT:  $28

Register Online at www.informalclasses.org (I apologize I can’t do a direct link but UT has a search function you must use to get to the class.)

Spend two hours in a walking tour along the shores of Lady Bird (Town) Lake capturing scenes of Austin at night. We will walk along Auditorium Shores, then go up onto the walking segment of the First Street bridge to capture the lights of Austin’s cityscape. Tripod or monopod required. Comfortable walking attire recommended. All levels of amateurs are encouraged to come along, although familiarity with basic functions of your camera is essential. The goal is to achieve the best images your camera can produce whether using preset point and shoot controls or full manual f-stops and shutter speeds.

We will meet at the Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue on Town Lake across from the Long Center. The statue is on the south side of Town Lake by Auditorium Shores. The best parking lot is just under the 1st Street Bridge at Riverside. You can also park along Riverside. A map if you need orientation to that part of town: http://maps.citysearch.com/location/11542972

Next date to be determined
7:00-9:00 p.m.
$25

Spend three hours in a walking tour of the Capitol and Congress Avenue capturing sunset over downtown Austin as well as stunning night images. Photographer Deanna Roy will guide you to creating the most amazing photographs of your hometown while we have a wonderful time checking the sites and imagery of the heart of our great city. Tripod or monopod required. Comfortable walking attire recommended. All levels of amateurs are encouraged to come along, although familiarity with basic functions of your camera is essential. The goal is to achieve the best images your camera can produce whether using preset point and shoot controls or full manual f-stops and shutter speeds.

Next Date to be Determined (Email Deanna if you’re anxious. She can put one together!)
7:00-10:00
$30

Email Deanna or call 512-347-0081 to register. Class is capped at 8 members to ensure individual attention. Credit cards will be charged the day of the class or you may mail in a check.

Deanna can give lessons to your mom’s club or playgroup at your meeting. She can do a one-hour talk or a two-hour hands-on workshop. Both focus on getting pictures from each Mom’s individual camera, and we’ll discuss the quirks of various brands and styles as well as the most common mistakes and how to quickly and easily avoid them. Definitely bring your camera with you!

No minimum or maximum class size, just $65 an hour for her to come. Email her for details.

$65 an hour. Three hour-long sessions any distance apart for $150. We can work out a longer term arrangement if you need.  Email Deanna for details. She makes very cute custom gift certificates if the lessons are for someone special!