Photo by: Joe Baker Photography (www.joebakerphotography.com)

A Fresh New Hobby (or so I thought)

When I started this journey of photography I was excited, eager and super pumped to begin. I read through the manual of my new Canon T3i over and over. I put on the new kit lens that came with it, turned the dial to the green A mode and started shooting anything that was in front of me. Of course, I was in my living room and the picture was not very interesting; I did not care, I just needed to keep shooting! Moreover, I needed more subjects! Luckily, I have three kids; so we went to the local park and I fired away. I tried putting the camera in sport mode and just continued shooting. Eventually though, the newness and excitement wore off as my images stayed the same: uninteresting snapshots, and every now and then I would get a Wow image. I realized then, I needed some help. The first place I searched was the local camera store. Nothing against them but I did not purchase the camera from them, so they really did not want to help. I joined a couple of Facebook groups, but every time I asked for help, it seemed that I received just "Google it" help or condescending remarks that really did not help. I vowed soon after that if I ever got to a point where I could help others learn this craft, I would do it wholeheartedly without condescension and make it fun. Well, today is that day! I am offering a one on one mentoring program to help you learn the beautiful craft of photography! I cannot teach you everything, of course, because I am always learning myself. But, I can definitely move you in a positive direction! 

 

Mentoring for Manual Mode:

 

  • Learn the basics of the Exposure Triangle and how each one affects your images
    • Aperture
    • Shutter Speed
    • ISO
  • Use Manual Mode to create properly exposed images
  • Understand your histogram and how to use it
  • What is metering and how does it affect my images?
  • What is white balance and how does it affect my images?
  • Understand composition to make more compelling images
  • How to use a reflector/diffuser to control the light
  • Learn how to control your focus points to get the sharpest image possible
  • 2 hour session of one on one mentoring
  • Weekly assignments designed to force you to use manual mode
  • In depth critiques of your images
  • 1 Hour follow up session - Whenever you are ready
  • Access to Learn with Joe Baker Photography private Facebook Group
  • Equipment required:
    • DSLR of your choice
    • Tripod
    • Reflector (5 in 1, preferable)
  • Cost: $350 + Tax  (Deposit of 50% required to book/final payment due at first session)

 

Mentoring for Basic Off Camera Flash Basics

 

  • What is Off Camera Flash?
  • What is ETTL versus Manual Mode?
    • Let the flash decide
    • Make your own decision
  • What is bounce flash?
  • Understand how to use flash modifiers to control the light.
    • Shoot thru umbrella
    • Soft box
    • Gary Fong Light Sphere
    • Silver Umbrella
    • Snoot
    • Grid
  • Understand how direction/angle and distance affect flash.
    • Inverse Square Law
  • Learn how to control flash with the exposure triangle
  • If possible, Use High Speed Sync to create dramatic images
  • 2 hour session of one on one mentoring
  • Weekly assignments designed to force you to use Off Camera Flash
  • In depth critiques of your images
  • 1 Hour follow up session - Whenever you are ready
  • Access to Learn with Joe Baker Photography private Facebook Group
  • Equipment required:
    • DSLR of your choice
    • Speed light with triggers
    • Light stand and adapter to hold flash
    • Reflector
  • To be eligible for this mentoring you must understand the basics of manual mode. So you must have completed the "Mentoring for Manual Mode" or submit your portfolio for review prior to signing up.
  • Cost: $350 + Tax  (Deposit of 50% required to book/final payment due at first session)

 

Mentoring for Portrait Editing

 

  • Learn how to add your style and flavor to your own images.

  • Understand and learn how to organize your images using Lightroom or just learning how to organize your images on your computer.

  • Learn how to edit with just Lightroom to speed up your work flow.

  • Create your own workflow

  • Use Photoshop for advanced techniques for skin touchups, color grading, dodging and burning as well as sharpening.

  • 2 Hour Session of one on one during your editing process with a 1 hour follow up session to be scheduled at a later date

  • This class can be done remotely or in person at my studio.

  • Access to Learn with Joe Baker Photography private Facebook Group.

  • Equipment required:

    • Laptop or Computer with Adobe Creative Cloud - Lightroom and Photoshop Products

    • Webcam (Remote Learning)

  • Cost:  $350 + Tax (Deposit of 50% required to book/final payment due at first session)