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Beginning Photography and Photoshop Classes

Melissa — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:22:57 +0000

The beginning photography and Photoshop classes have been a HUGE success. I’m so excited for the opportunity to show people how to take better “everyday” photos of their families. Here’s what one (very!) enthusiastic attendee said about the classes she attended:

“Melissa is an amazing instructor! Extremely patient, kind, optimistic and not to mention someone I admire both as a photographer and mom! She has inspired me with the classes and I never knew I could enjoy something so much.”

Another attendee (who drove all the way from Wichita for the classes) remarked:

“There are so many photography and Photoshop classes out there from which to choose, so I was excited to see that Melissa offers the classes. I trust her knowledge and her talent is obvious in her work. It was well worth my drive from Wichita to attend and now as a graduate of the beginning classes, I’m looking foward to the hands-on photography class that she offers. I’m ready to take the next step!”

I think the attendees have enjoyed the classes so much because I’ve boiled all the information you need to properly use your DSLR camera and Photoshop into easy to understand pieces. In the beginning DSLR photography class, you’ll learn:

How to set your camera to get proper exposure (not too dark or too bright)
How to stop shooting blurry, out of focus images
How to get bokeh (a fancy word for that dreamy, blurry background)
How to use gorgeous natural light rather than the harsh flash
How to stop shooting in full auto mode (otherwise its just like your old point and shoot)

In the beginning Photoshop class, you’ll learn:

How to navigate the Photoshop workspace
How to retouch your photos (remove scrapes, milk mustaches, and so forth)
How to crop and resize your images
How to convert images to true black and white (not greyscale)
How to adjust the exposure (brightness / darkness) of your image
Basic digital scrapbooking techniques (adding multiple photos, fonts, elements and etc.)

At the class you’ll learn the basics in a fun and relaxed environment. I show lots of sample images in the photography class and explain why the images did (or did not) turn out. In the Photoshop class I demonstrate the techniques and I walk you through the creation of actual projects.

Class sizes are limited to allow for questions. BYOC! Bring Your Own SLR Camera to get hands-on practice. (An SLR camera is one that can change lenses, not a point and shoot camera.) A laptop is not necessary for the Photoshop class.

Photography Class Date: Saturday, February 4 from 1:00 to 3:00.

Photoshop Class Date: Saturday, February 4 from 3:00 to 5:00

Cost: $65 for one class or $100 for both classes.

Classes are held at the Centerpiece Photography studio: 3123 SW Huntoon, Topeka, Kansas.

To sign up for one or both classes, just e-mail Melissa@CenterpiecePhotography.com or call 785-232-4768. (Hurry! Spots are limited.)

Ho! Ho! Ho! Now Booking Santa Sessions

Melissa — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:22:59 +0000

Halloween Portrait Sessions

Melissa — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:33:01 +0000

“HOP” In For Bunny Portaits

Melissa — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:12:23 +0000

A real live Easter bunny will be at the studio on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 for portraits. The digital files from the session are available for $85 for one child (10 images) or $150 for two or more siblings (20 images). To reserve your session, e-mail Melissa@Centerpiecephotography.com

Spring Blooms

Melissa — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:54:46 +0000

Spring has sprung (finally!). To celebrate, we are hosting the spring blooms mini-sessions. Enjoy some sample images with the spring blooms from previous years:

Due do construction at Gage Park, unfortunately we will not be able to offer the tulip mini-sessions this year. Instead we are offering these spring blooms mini-sessions at a very special rate (usually reserved just for holiday sessions). For just $85 per child (or $150 for two or more siblings) you’ll receive the 10 best digital files of each child. The trees will be blooming soon, so don’t hesitate in reserving your session. Call Melissa at 785-232-4768 or e-mail Melissa@CenterpiecePhotography.com

Halloween Mini-Sessions

Melissa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:31:59 +0000

Bring your ghosts and goblins to the studio for positively frightful Halloween portraits. Your kids will already be decked out in their costumes for the school parties on Friday, October 30, so head over the studio afterward for a quick session. Can’t make it Friday? Start your trick-or-treating early and stop by the studio Halloween morning, Saturday, October 31, for your session.

We’ve scared up some spook-tacular prices for these boo-tiful portraits. For just $25, you’ll receive the best images from your child’s session (about 5) in digital format with a release to print as many copies of the images as you’d like. What a sweet treat!

Where’s Tanner (Final Round)

Melissa — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:41:09 +0000

I hope you’ve been enjoying the Where’s Tanner contests to celebrate Centerpiece Photography’s third birthday. Here’s the final round. Where is Tanner?

Look like he doesn’t know where he is either. :-) Here’s a hint: Its a very wondrous place. Enter your guess by 11:59 p.m. Monday, August 31 to be entered in our big drawing. Good luck!

Update: Sorry for the late upon on the contest. Tanner was at Monument Rock, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. Thank you all for participating in the contests. The Random Number Generator pulled the number for an entry submitted by Lisa R. Congratulations Lisa!

Where’s Tanner? (This One is Easy)

Melissa — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:25:11 +0000

Sorry for the delay in posting the next round of Where’s Tanner. The other rounds must have been really difficult, so I’m going to make this one really, really easy. Where could Tanner possibly be? Doesn’t he look excited!

E-mail me (Melissa@CenterpiecePhotography.com) by 11:59 on Monday, August 24 with your guess. Good luck!

Update: Several of you correctly guessed that Tanner was at the Marengo Cave in Marengo Illinois. Congrats!