12 Months on Film

Over the years, in my professional as well as my personal and creative life I am resigned to the fact that I need to be pushed, motivated, inspired and competitive to DO THE WORK. And that’s okay. It’s also probably why I don’t live on an isolated sparsely populated island. It’s also probably why I will some day seek out that island. :)

Enter a new photography challenge for me. I have bags and shelves and a closet full of vintage film cameras and I need a reason to go through each one and shoot it and decide if it is worth keeping. I also have a freezer and refrigerator full of film. I am psyched to have the framework of shooting a different analog camera and different film every month. For January I chose one of my Holgas and Ilford HP5 b/w film. I took my camera on a walk in my neighborhood and I am happy to share the results here!

Over the last few months, the google algorithms have been working some magic for me. I’ve suddenly been getting new inquiries for photo sessions, weddings and photography classes as well, right here in Santa Barbara. My weekends have been getting booked with all these opportunities and I am so excited to be back in the game after taking an extended break after moving to California. SO. Take a peek at my Classes tab and or my People Gallery and send me a message! Right now I am teaching in-person hands-on camera and photography classes on the weekends in Santa Barbara and I have loved seeing the ‘a-ha’ moments with the people I am teaching and they are producing some great work too!

KIDS and CAMERAS--Teen Photography Club

I have loved teaching the Teen Photography Club classes and watching novice photographers start to view their world through different perspectives and through their own 'lenses.'  Following is a sample of work from Ainsley in the autumn class.  First up is her HERO Image, in just the first assignment she shows a good understanding of exposure and composition. Next is her Color Collage using different camera perspectives. Third is her portraiture assignment for "15 Minutes of Fame" and I am impressed with how well she handled a very tricky back-lighting situation.  Well done Ainsley!

Teen Photography Class in Grand Rapids Michigan

KIDS & Cameras Series 2017 Dates

The 2017 dates for my Kids and Cameras series are now available for booking.  These are project-based photography classes designed for all ages and levels of abilities. We learn about camera operation and using advanced modes, focusing, composition, perspective, lighting, and expanding our creativity all while doing hands on photography projects. Learn how to take stellar photographs, get them OFF your camera, printed, and IN your hands.  There are three series of classes ready for booking.  

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Kids And Cameras is open for 4th and 5th grade students, and runs for 4 Saturday dates, classes are an hour and a half. Assignments are given each week. $100. Budding photographers will need a digital camera, either a Dslr with lens or a 'point and shoot' model is acceptable for this class.

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Teen Photography Club is for students aged 13-17, and class is held for 5 Saturday dates for an hour and a half each meeting.  $125  There will be homework, but no quizzes, I promise.  Photographers will obviously need to bring a camera to each class.  It is highly recommended to use an SLR for this class (digital) as opposed to a 'point and shoot' model. ** 

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Coffee and Cameras is the often-requested class from parents.  Some of the questions we will master are "what are all these buttons and menus for and which ones really matter?" "how do I take better pictures of my kids?" "why are my photos dark or blurry?" "why can't I get good sports photos?"  "how do I get these photos off my camera and actually use them?"  You get the idea...  There will be 5 classes to begin with and you have the flexibility to sign up for 1 class or all 5 depending on what aspect you need to learn.  There is also an opportunity for individualized continued education to expand on creativity and project completion. Dates and times are flexible.  Let's chat about your needs in person.  Camera required! **

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**We will be learning to shoot on manual mode from the first 5 minutes , all the way to the last 5 minutes.  While digital is a more effective learning tool for immediate feedback, I am a film shooter and will be open to the use of a film SLR too.  Chat with me when you sign up.  I have one Dslr available to loan for the class duration, on a first come first served basis.  I do have resources for renting cameras and lenses, but honestly find it cost prohibitive for a 5 week duration. I also have some reputable resources for purchasing used camera gear.

SO, what now?!

To sign up for a class or get more information, send an email to denarobles@gmail.com with the name of your desired class series in the subject line.  Payment will be accepted at time of registration via paypal or check payable to Dena Robles.  

Christmas holiday gift vouchers are available for the perfect 'give an experience' gift or to go along with that fancy new camera under the tree!

Kids and Cameras -- Teen Photography Club

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who: creative teenagers ages 13-17

what: 5 weekly project-based photography classes

why: because you have a fancy camera and you want to make it sing

when: Saturdays 10 am to 11:30 am, Nov. 5th, 12th, 19th & Dec. 3rd, 10th

where: instruction begins at Dena's house, 1345 Breton SE with local walking field trips

how and how much?: email dena at denarobles@gmail.com to sign up, tuition of $100 due at time of registration

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What to bring to classes ...  This is a digital photography class so a digital camera will be needed! Be sure to also bring a charged camera battery and a memory card each week.  First choice camera is a DSLR with a lens, preferably somewhere in a range of 24-70mm focal length.  If you aren't able to bring a DSLR, then a point and shoot digital camera may be used as long as we are able to adjust the creative controls and modes.  If you have a question about your camera or lens, email me before the first class and we can discuss it.  This is not an iPhone-ography class, even though the latest mobiles have amazing cameras they will be limited for our learning purposes.  As weather permits we will be taking photo walks outside for portions of the class each week, so please dress for the elements.

Questions? Ready to sign up?  email Dena at denarobles@gmail.com

Color Colour Lovers and Yellow

When I teach photography classes I always do a project-based lesson.  It is one thing to sit in a hard chair and have formulas and light ratios and camera manuals and beautiful examples thrown at you just to go home and pick up your camera and say "wha?"  

Each of my classes is based on a start to finish project involving story, composition, perspective, exposure, editing, saving, archiving, artwork creation, printing and displaying.  Along the way, you actually master your camera and the art form and have something to show for it.  Win win. One of my first project-based lesson results in a lovely color collage on a photo field trip, similar to this one.

If you are interested in joining one of my photography classes, please contact me at denarobles@gmail.com  I currently have a middle school group forming, a high school group, and an adult group.