Scribblings of the Metropolitician

Chuseok Photography Intensive Session!

What are YOU doing for Chuseok?

Designed so ANYONE can come out of the session with specific knowledge -- tips and tricks -- to improve their photography. Also, it's designed to expose you, through the tricks and tips themselves, to new and necessary knowledge in photo -- a little of the Photoshop you need, a little of the studio you always wondered about, and how to USE an external flash with bounce, shooting in night clubs, And it's divided into two sections so as to maximize your dollas (won)!

Friday, Session I: Intensive Photo Theory (3 hours, starting at noon)
Get the basics of shutter, aperture, and depth-of-field down -- which define a basic understanding of photography. This is designed for those who do not have a DEEP understanding of photography. Yes, it's a good brushup for those who took a photo class and understood it all -- 5 years ago.

SESSION II: Saturday and Sunday (3 hours each, starting at noon111111)
You need to use your flash, from your point-and-shoot with a napkin over the flash, to your DLSR with external flash and bounce capability for long dinner tables, to large studio flashes that are actually a cinch to use and can make you look like Nicole Kidman. Or not.

In the final session, post-production and other tips for processing photos in Photoshop -- as well as an introduction to what Photoshop actually IS, and why it's infinitely useful. How to organize and store photos, and more issues that will have come up by this time, such as fixing photo problems (and which you can't), and processing studio shots with basic special effects.

You take this course, your shit will be majorly upgraded, no matter who you are. And even if half of it doesn't stick, you'll at least know what you CAN do, and about the things you SHOULD aim to know and get to know later. You'll see the boundaries of what you should know about photography, from no matter where you sit.

You can attend a la carte, which helps divide beginners from those who already know photo basics:

SESSION I price: 75,000 won
SESSION II price: 125,000.
PACKAGE: 150,000 (save 50,000 and encourage you to do the review for those of you on the fence!)

This stuff's a bargain. Learn from one of Seoul's most recognized foreign photographers, who has shot in and out of Korea since 1994, and been published in major Korean and expat newspapers and magazines, and has studied photo with masters such as Ken Light and Susan Meiselas.

Find out more information by going to the Facebook event listing, and/or contacting Michael directly at the email address to the top right of this page.

Fall Photo Classes from This Saturday!

From our recent studio session.

The semester's started, your schedule's set. Fall's coming -- so what's stopping you from finally taking the photo classes that will allow you to really use that DSLR of yours. So, if you're game, Saturday photo classes are to begin in earnest from THIS Saturday at 11AM.

The only question to ask is whether you should take the course. Lemme ask you a few questions.

Do you REALLY know how to use that DSLR of yours? Want to buy one but fear not knowing how to use it? Then you've found the right place -- the only regular source of photo classes in Korea, taught by one of the most experienced working photographers in Korea, the Metropolitician -- owner of this site.

Most popular is the Basic Photo I class, where you learn how to operate your camera and the basics of proper exposure over a 4-week period, 3 hours per session. Basically, if you are interested, each class costs 175,000 won, with the Basic Photo I class being offered 10-1 on Saturdays OR a weekday to be determined, if demand allows. The Photoshop class will likely be on a Sunday early afternoon from 2PM.

To guarantee a spot in either a weekday or Saturday Basic Photo I class, get in touch directly to get instructions as to paying and reserving your spot. If you can make Photoshop classes on Sunday, please also drop a line for more info on paying and getting your spot.

There's a nice little review of our class in the Korea Herald, as well as information on the instructor -- me, Michael Hurt. To prepare for the class, please refer to a few links to get you oriented you can prepare for the classes and get some good photo info from my "Photography in Korea" series:

"Photography in Korea, Part 1: Buying a Digital Camera"

"Photography in Korea, Part 2: Basic Photo Knowledge"

"Photography in Korea, Part 3: The Photo Essay"

"Photography in Korea, Part 4: Film or Digital?"

For more information and registration, drop an email through the link at the upper right corner of this page, get ready to transfer 175,000 for the one-month session, and bring your camera on Saturday! Remember, the Basic Photo I class is Saturdays from 11-2.

Session 1 -- Photo theory. What do all the buttons on my camera mean? What is aperture/shutter? All the basics things you need to know to understand your camera.

Session 2 -- Outdoor shoot to Hongdae, really getting an understanding of exposure, fill flash, other basics of photography as applied to real life. What you didn't "get" last week, you'll certainly be be understanding more today!

Session 3 -- Studio shooting w/ a model! Really locks in understanding of aperture/shutter/exposure. One of the most fun and informative chunks of learning you'll ever digest.

Session 4 -- Final wrapup, advanced questions, a little Photoshop, picture management.

Drop a line and found out more if you have any questions!

"May the Force be with you."

Sweet Ass!

Umm, just watch it.

I'll keep an eye out for the Star Trek discs in Korea. And quite possibly having a movie party. Ya game?