From our feedback form

Masterclass in Photography has...

Improved my photos.

What are the differences before Masterclass in Photography & after?

Here are some of my reflections from taking your Masterclass in Photography course.  

• I am now looking at light - I never saw this and am amazed - I can now see light hitting trees which has been transformational.  I can be driving along, looking off into the distance and seeing how light hits the distant landscapes
• I used to think that "shady dull trees" were best,  but now seeing the impact of light and what it does to my photographs
• While going through the Masterclass in Photography, specifically referencing your comments on backgrounds (watching out for airplane trails), I saw them in your motorcycle industrial shoot - not criticizing your photo but happy that I am looking more at the details
• I learned how to use the depth of field button.  I traditionally shoot with wide apertures, and hit the DOF button and nothing ever happened.  When I close the aperture, I am able to see the impact of DOF button - DUH!
• Through this course I shot manually (except for the TV and AV lessons).  But, I taught myself to flip the dial back to AV.  Too often I picked up the camera and shot, not realizing I was in manual, missing that first shot because I am so aperture focused. - As you can tell I use Canon
• I am still struggling with composing in familiar areas but am working on that.  I find inspiration in non-familiar areas
• I am struggling with finding my way - am I landscape (no), street photo (sort of), travel (yes), artistic (I enjoy), sport (no), Wildlife (maybe), nature/woods (yes), Wedding (no) - I am not doing this for money I am only a hobbyist
• I want to take the ultimate picture for my house that I can split across 3 framed pictures
• I offered my services (gratis) for my sister's wedding in Cancun, Mexico (back in 2008) and was her wedding photographer - I did photograph her wedding and did get some AWESOME pictures (an old Canon Crop sensor - I think it was a Canon Rebel)

Is the course value for money?

Yes - I am not afraid to invest in training.  "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

Would you recommend The Masterclass in Photography?

Yes - It has really taught me to look at light.  I have already started expanding and relearning my color wheel theory.

Tell us about your achievements & how you feel about them:

I am a personal hobbyist and not concerned about accolades...

• When I was shooting the TV waterfall scene, turned the camera vertically, my Lee filter popped off and fell into the creek.  Luckily it did not break and I recovered it without issue
• When shooting the waterfall scene, I tripped over the tripod and nearly lost the camera - it was sitting on a wobbly and narrow place to shoot from

These two near disastrous experiences have significantly raised my awareness and I take extra care and time - I use a wrist strap now too... I don't want to lose this expensive gear.  The clothing I wore was not correct, so chalk one up to your lesson 1.

Anything else you'd like to say?

In 1988 (when I graduated high school in the US), I took a photo class (developer, stop bath, fixer days.)  I had a Canon AV-1 and AE-1 back then. It is something I truly enjoy and have done since then. I feel like I am recapturing my youth.  I am getting much more serious about this hobby - hence the investment in Masterclass in Photography.

Cheers.

Jeff Cooper

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