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December 14 WPS INTRODUCTION AND INFORMATIONWindmill Photography School Jim Waldon, Instructor 524 Trout Ln. Denison, TX. 75020 903-465-0317 www.windmillphotographyschool.com email: windmillphoto@aol.com
Windmill Photography School Introduction and Information
I. WINDMILL PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL (WPS) PURPOSE AND GOALS Windmill Photography School is a private avocational/recreational school. Generally speaking the purpose of our school is to train those with very little experience in photography to become excellent photographers. Our new students usually have a good quality adjustable camera. Others want to know what kind of camera and equipment they should purchase for their particular photographic needs. Most do not understand the settings on their cameras. They usually set the camera on "auto" and use it like a "point and shoot" camera. Their photos don't turn out as well as they would like and all the creative tools of their camera are wasted. Our courses will help you gain skill and competence in photography. WPS will help you understand the settings and the creative capabilities of your camera, how to properly pose and light your subject(s) and how to retouch your photos. We will teach you to use your camera to record beautiful memories for which you can be proud. II. INSTRUCTOR’S BACKGROUND In the past, I have had students who wanted to know my background. Therefore, I have compiled the following information. A. About 34 years ago, I began my photographic career working for Olan Mills Studios photographing in stores, motels and in their studio in Houston. B. I have owned six photography studios in different towns. C. My photography experience includes - 1. Photographing children in stores 2. Photographing families, children, and babies in motels and studios 3. Photographing families for church directories 4. Two high school contracts photographing seniors, bands, sports groups, football games and advertisement photos 5. Wedding photography, having done 100's of weddings - some inside, some outside, one on a yacht 6. Glamour 7. Outdoor portraits 8. Commercial photography 9. Pets 10. Managing a Gary's studio in Carrollton D. To view my online portfolio please visit: http://windmillphotography.spaces.live.com III. OUR COURSES AND PRICES A. Amateur Photography Basics - (10 Hours) - $245 Please add $15.00 for course materials. The student will receive an 8 1/2X11 loose-leaf binder that has photo helps and custom photography illustrations that cover the aspects of the course. The Posing and Lighting course, the Intro to Photoshop course and the Advanced Posing and Lighting course will be added to the binder when students register for these courses. The prerequisite for this course is the student should have a general knowledge of the various settings on their camera. They should know how to adjust their camera’s aperture, shutter speed, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual settings (or at least know where they are located on the camera.) The student can learn their particular camera’s functions by studying the handbook that came with their camera. The Amateur Photography Basics course meets for 2 hours, once a week, for 5 weeks and is designed to train amateur photographers to take better photos of vacations, family and friends. This course includes information about cameras (film and digital), lenses, accessories, film, understanding the camera controls and photo tips for making better photos. Students will be given photographic assignments that will be evaluated in class. Students should have an adjustable 35 mm film camera or digital camera. B. The Posing and Lighting Course (10 Hours) - $250 Please add $15 for course materials. This course will meet 2 hours, once a week for 5 consecutive weeks. The Posing and Lighting Course is designed to train amateur photographers to pose and properly light their subject(s) for the most flattering photos of their family and friends. The prerequisite for this course is Amateur Photography Basics. The student will learn how to use their external flash to light the subject by direct flash, fill-in flash and bounce flash. Reflectors and umbrella lighting will be covered. Supplementing reflectors with strobe light or natural light will be introduced to add brightness to the eyes and for other model-type effects. Students will be given training on posing females (including glamour), males, male and female group photos, small group photos, and children. Students must bring models with them to be photographed by the class. Family members or friends are usually willing to serve as models. Glamour models are welcome. See instructor for additional information. C. The Intro to Photoshop Course (10 hours) - $250 Please add $15 for course materials. This course will meet 2 hours, once a week, for 5 consecutive weeks. Intro to Photoshop is designed to give the advanced digital amateur photographer a head start in artistically enhancing photos using Photoshop CS3 and 6.0. Paint shop Pro XI or the latest version of Photoshop Elements can also be used. Some of the assignments cannot be completed with these programs, but it will not count off the student’s grade. Prerequisite for this course is having basic computer skills. Those with limited computer knowledge should take a basic computer course before signing up for Intro to Photoshop. This course includes the following: proper filing and image duplication; retouching images, removing blemishes, softening skin, and reducing wrinkles and lines under the eyes; adjusting levels, contrast, sharpness and color; cropping and sizing the photo; adding script to your photos; adding borders; making a black and white from a color photo and a black and white with a little color; layer special effects; correcting perspective; using fast keys; and programming actions in the actions palette. D. Advanced Posing and Lighting Course (10 Hours) - $250 Please add $15 for course materials. This is a continuation of The Posing and Lighting Course. This course will meet 2 hours, once a week, for 5 consecutive weeks. The prerequisites for this course are Amateur Photography Basics, Posing-Lighting and Intro to Photoshop. The instructor will give suggestions on how to use multiple lighting for photography so you can make excellent photos of family and friends. Photographic equipment needed and computer software suggestions are some of the things that will be included. Special Occasion Photography will be covered such as photographing your family reunion; your child’s birthday party; dance recital photos; karate photos; your pets, your children’s school photos – such as football, track and field, baseball, band, cheerleader, drill team, and graduation; making memorable vacation photos; amateur wedding photos for family or friends and other miscellaneous subjects to enhance your ability to become an excellent photographer. A simple family photo album will be required. When the student completes Amateur Photography Basics, Posing and Lighting, Intro to Photoshop and Advanced Posing and Lighting, they will receive a diploma in Advanced Practical Photography. IV. EQUIPMENT NEEDED A. An adjustable 35 mm camera - digital preferred (or film) 1. Digital camera with a 10 to 12 Mega pixel rating is suggested for advanced amateur or avocational photographers. a. Must be able to adjust the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance – aperture priority, shutter speed priority, program and manual settings are just about a necessity. b. Must have a hot shoe (accessory shoe) 2. An 18 to 105 or greater zoom lens is preferred – see instructor for more information. B. Some options Depending upon whether the student's goal is to photograph people, pets, or scenery, some other equipment that the student may want to gradually acquire includes the following. 1. Tripod – sturdy 2. External rotating, swiveling flash 2. Stroboframe Flash bracket with rotating base or equivalent 3. A 22” Photoflex Reflector (white & silver) or equivalent 4. A multiple flash set up for portraits if a home studio is desired C. A computer – for Intro to Photoshop D. Software. Photoshop 6.0 or later versions can be used for Intro to Photoshop. I prefer CS2, CS3 or CS4. One other option (if absolutely necessary) includes the newest edition of Photoshop Elements. V. OUR GUARANTEE Our courses are taught with a lot of review. Students are encouraged to ask questions when they don’t understand something. There are exams that are given periodically and there is some homework involved with each course. As a result of the exams and the homework the student and the instructor can be sure that progress is being made toward the goal of helping the student to become an excellent avocational or recreational photographer. All of our courses are guaranteed. Students withdrawing from a WPS course, students having problems completing any of our courses, and those who need refreshing on a previously passed course can repeat that particular course subject to the following. 1. Students will pay only 50% of the future current course price. 2. This guarantee is good for 6 months from the date of the student’s withdrawal or finishing the course. After 6 months the student will be charged the full course price. 3. This guarantee is valid during the 6 month period as long as WPS is in business, the course is still being offered and there is a space available in the class. VI. OTHER PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAINING None of our courses is considered to be all-encompassing. Our avocational or recreational photography courses are designed to give you an excellent start in becoming an excellent advanced photographer who can take excellent photos of family and friends. To become an excellent photographer, the student must love photography and be willing to consistently read, study and practice excellent photographic techniques. They are encouraged to attend photographic seminars, join photography clubs and subscribe to photography magazines. Photography is an ever-changing field with new cameras, lens, and techniques available to enable the photographer to be even more creative in photography. VII. STUDENT REGISTRATION Registration can be by fax or telephone when a charge card is used. Students can also register in person at the above address by appointment only. It is important to register early to guarantee your seat in the class you select. Payment in advance for your course selection is required at registration.
Windmill Photography School is registered with the state of Texas as a private avocational/recreational photography school owned and operated by Jim Waldon dba Windmill Photography and is by choice, not accredited or regulated by any outside accrediting or regulating agency. Our validation comes from the owner's 35 plus years of experience in photography, 12 years of pastoral experience, and the quality and input of our graduates since it was established in Nov. 2002. Our school emphasizes the practical side of photography. Courses in English, History, Foreign Languages, Biology and Math are not required. While students are encouraged to have a high school education before enrolling, there are no educational or pre-testing requirements. However, the student should have a genuine passion for photography and have access to a suitable camera and flash. Our students have appreciated our practical hands-on training in photography, our small classes, our amazing guarantee, and the reasonable price of our school.
PRICES, POLICIES AND COURSES ARE SUBJECT TO BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE.
(Rev. 10/19/09) WPS POLICIESWindmill Photography School Policies As of August, 2009
I. Registration Thank you for your interest in the Windmill Photography School. This section will explain our policy on pre-registration, regular registration and late registration. A. Pre-registration is a new option that we have added. Pre-registration saves a place for the student in their preferred course. This is how it works. 1. The student calls to verify that there is an opening in the course they wish to take. 2. Students pre-register by sending in their registration form with a $100 deposit that goes on the course. The balance of the course is due one week before the course begins. Payment of the balance confirms registration. There is a $25 late-registration fee if the balance is not paid one week before the course begins. 3. Most of our returning students have pre-registered for the entire school. Returning students who have pre-registered and who are taking all the courses when they are offered simply pay for the course one week before their course begins. Payment confirms registration. There is a late-registration fee if the balance is not paid one week before the course begins. 4. Payment can be made by cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. (See III. Course Prices and Student Discounts for pricing information.) 5. Since we are a school no sales tax is charged on our courses. B. Of course we also have regular registration deadlines. As long as there is still an opening in the preferred course, the student can register and pay by that date. C. We, like most schools, have late registration deadlines. If the student misses the regular registration deadline and there is still an opening in the course, the student can register for the course until the final late registration deadline. Our late registration fee is $25. II. Student Classifications A. Credit students take exams and turn in homework. As they pass each course they can receive completion certificates. After finishing the required courses, they can receive a diploma in Advanced Practical Photography. B. Auditors are students who do not take exams or turn in homework. They do not receive completion certificates or a diploma. Credit students who do not pass a course or complete the required assignments are reclassified as auditors for that particular course. The student will have 14 days to complete the course requirements and to re-qualify as a credit student. To bring the course out of “Auditor” status will require a “reinstatement” fee of $25, satisfactorily completing all course work that is being currently required for the course, and paying any additional fees currently being charged for the course. C. Correspondence students take their courses from home. This classification must be specially approved by the instructor. Some of our courses can be taken by correspondence. Correspondence students must finish a course every 3 months or they will be reclassified as "Auditors". III. Course Prices and Student Discounts These discounts are for new students or former students who have not yet registered. A. Course Prices Amateur Photography Basics $245 Posing-Lighting $250 Intro to Photoshop $250 Advanced Posing-Lighting $250 Total Price $995 Please add $15 per course for required materials making the Total Price of the school $1055 These discounts are taken off the regular course prices above. 1. Senior Citizen Discounts – (Age 60 or over) - 5% off any course. IV. Classes A. To get the most out of WPS courses, the student should have a general knowledge of the various settings on their camera. They should know how to adjust their camera’s aperture, shutter speed, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual settings (or at least know where they are located on the camera.) The student can learn their particular camera’s functions by studying the handbook that came with their camera. B. The student should bring his/her camera, camera handbook, camera case, memory cards (or film), external strobe (if the student has one) and their WPS textbook to each class. C. Please be sure that WPS has your current phone numbers and email address in case a class has to be rescheduled because of an emergency or bad weather. Although rescheduling is usually a rare occasion, it is a good idea to check your emails and answering machines before coming just in case. D. Students should be on time for each class and call if running late or if they cannot come. E. There are no class make-ups when student is absent. If student desires a private lesson to catch up, the charge is $25 per hour. F. Students should try to stay on the subject and homework at hand. G. Students do best when they stay current on their homework and turn in assignments when they are due. H. Cell phones should be turned off during class. I. Courses are designed for a certain amount of time for the tuition charge. Students can schedule private lessons at $25 per hour if they need more time in a special area. Time overages beyond the scheduled course times are charged at $25 per hour whether in person or on the telephone. V. Grades WPS uses an actual numerical grading system. A. 90 – 100 Excellent Students making a grade of 90 or above on a course are considered to be on the “Honor Roll”. Students averaging 90 or above on all their required courses will receive a “Diploma of Excellence”. B. 80-89 Good C. 70-79 Average, Passing D. 69 or less, Student is classified as an “Auditor” until the grade is brought up to passing status. Auditors do not receive credit for the course. (See II.B and III.I.) VI. Our Guarantee All of our courses are guaranteed. Students withdrawing from a WPS course, students having problems completing any of our courses, and those who need refreshing on a previously passed course can repeat that particular course subject to the following. 1. Students will pay only 50% of the future current course price. 2. This guarantee is good for 6 months from the date of the student’s withdrawal or finishing the course. After 6 months the student will be charged the full course price. 3. This guarantee is valid during the 6 month period as long as WPS is in business, the course is still being offered and there is a space available in the class.
Windmill Photography School is registered with the state of Texas as a private avocational/recreational photography school owned and operated by Jim Waldon dba Windmill Photography and is by choice, not accredited or regulated by any outside accrediting or regulating agency. Our validation comes from the owner's 35 plus years of experience in photography, 12 years of pastoral experience, and the quality and input of our graduates since it was established in Nov. 2002. Our school emphasizes the practical side of photography. Courses in English, History, Foreign Languages, Biology and Math are not required. While students are encouraged to have a high school education before enrolling, there are no educational or pre-testing requirements. However, the student should have a genuine passion for photography and have access to a suitable camera and flash. Our students have appreciated our practical hands-on training in photography, our small classes, our amazing guarantee, and the reasonable price of our school.
PRICES, POLICIES AND COURSES ARE SUBJECT TO BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE.
(Rev. 8/19/09) June 19 WPS Course Schedule
Windmill Photography School Schedule for 2010
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS Registration deadline – December 17, 2009 Classes begin – January 7, 2010 Day of the week – Meeting each Thursday Time - 6-8 pm Duration – 5 weeks
POSING-LIGHTING Registration deadline – February 4, 2010 Classes begin – February 11, 2010 Day of the week – Meeting each Thursday Time – 6–8 pm Duration – 5 weeks
INTRO TO PHOTOSHOP Registration deadline – March 11, 2010 Classes begin – March 25, 2010 Day of the week – Meeting each Thursday Time – 6–8 pm Duration – 5 weeks
ADVANCED POSING-LIGHTING Registration deadline – April 22, 2010 Classes begin – April 29, 2010 Day of the week – Meeting each Thursday Time – 6-8 pm Duration – 5 weeks GRADUATION: May 27, 2010
Windmill Photography School reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses that do not have sufficient enrollment.
(Revised 5/13/09)
March 06 PHOTO RELEASEGENERAL CONTRIBUTORY PHOTO RELEASE
This form is to be used by all photo contributors to Jim Waldon dba Windmill Photography, Windmill Photography School, Windmill Photography Club or future Jim Waldon initiated websites, spaces, enterprises, etc.
All photo contributors must retain on file a Model’s Release signed by the subject or the subject’s parents if they are less than 18 years of age. Photo contributors, by signing below, release the Copyright on all submitted images giving Jim Waldon permission to use them on websites, textbooks or other advertisements. It is understood that all submitted photos are considered legally publishable when they meet the criteria of this general contributory photo release.
The contributing photographer also agrees to allow Jim Waldon to use any photos taken by Jim Waldon of the contributing photographer for Windmill Photography School or Club advertising.
When this general contributory photo release is signed by the contributing photographer it releases the contributing photographer from the necessity of supplying individual Model Releases or Copyright Releases to Jim Waldon
I understand and agree to all the terms of this general contributory photo release:
________________________________________ ____________________________ Signed Name Date
Photo acknowledgement placed under the photo. Please print name.
Photo by _______________________________________________________
Your contact information: Address________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip___________________________________________________________________ Telephone Numbers______________________________________________________________ Email address___________________________________________________________________ Please check your WPS/WPC Classification(s): _____ WPS Student _____ Former WPS Student _____ WPS Certified Amateur Photographer (Amateur Photographer Certificate) _____ WPS Certified Advanced Photographer (Advanced Practical Photography Diploma) _____ WPC Certified Portrait Photographer _____ WPC Certified Glamour Photographer _____ WPC Certified Wedding Photographer _____ WPC Certified__________________________________________________Photographer (List all WPC Certifications not listed above) Please submit your personal digital photo so I can give you the recognition you deserve! Thanks, Jim Waldon Windmill Photography/School/Club (Rev. 1/23/09) |
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