Photography

Fall Full Moon Photography
The beauty of fall full moon nights combined with the splendor of the Garden make for a fantastic evening of photos and fun. Class times are optimized for best shooting times of twilight, moonrise and dark skies. This class is for amateur photographers wishing to discover their nighttime photography potential through hands-on guidance and personal instruction on the Garden trails. This class is focused on creativity and experimentation to learn elements of lighting, exposure, camera settings and other nighttime considerations such as painting with light. Both digital and film cameras are welcome. Limit 10.

Tuesday / November 3 / 5-8 p.m.
Member: $40 / General Public: $48

November 3 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Digital Desert Photography: Getting Started
This is a hands-on class for beginning digital camera users interested in learning the concepts and craft of digital photography. Class instruction emphasizes learning the functions and features of your digital camera with primary emphasis on the auto scene modes of the mode dial for either point-and-shoot or DSLR cameras. Guidance is provided to help you set up your camera for various shooting conditions and subjects. The course also covers composition and tips for taking better everyday pictures. Some shooting in the Garden is included, and students are encouraged to bring their own photos for class critique. Limit 10.

Sunday and Tuesday / November 8 and 10 / Sunday 1-5 p.m. and Tuesday 6-10 p.m.
Member: $65 / General Public: $80

November 8 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Digital Desert Photography: Next Steps
This is a hands-on class for digital camera users interested in learning intermediate photo skills and advanced set-up of your digital camera. Students should have an understanding of basic photographic concepts. Learn to take your camera off the auto scene modes and take charge of capturing images using the creative options of the mode dial. You will learn to set up your camera for varying lighting conditions and scenes using appropriate metering and focus options. Instruction includes indoor and outdoor flash use, and using custom white balance. Also covered are image file structures and a demonstration of digital workflow and editing. Some shooting in the Garden is included, and students can bring their own photos for class critique. DSLRs are recommended, but some advanced point-and-shoot cameras can be used if they have an external mode dial with selection of M, A, T or S, and P shooting modes. Limit 10.

Saturday and Monday / November 14 and 16 / Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and Monday 6-10 p.m.
Member: $65 / General Public: $80

November 14 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

New! The Art of People Photography: Presented with Phoenix Art Museum
Study the work of master photographers at Phoenix Art Museum with curator of photography Rebecca Senf, while touring the exhibit Face to Face: 150 Years of Photographic Portraiture, and put the principles into practice for the holidays. Learn how to take better pictures of people and children in various outdoor settings and backyard events. Learn basic posing skills and use of available light and fill flash to make your family and friends look their best. The class covers choosing the appropriate camera features and options to fit the shooting situation. Students should have a good understanding of their digital camera and be able to navigate the camera menu and buttons. The class includes a short posing and shooting session in the Garden. DSLRs or advanced point-and-shoot cameras are recommended. Instructed by Scott Salnas. Limit 10.

Wednesday and Saturday / November 18 and 21 / Wednesday 6-8 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Member: $70 / General Public: $85

November 18 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for waitlist.

Digital Desert Photography: Getting Started
This is a hands-on class for beginning digital camera users interested in learning the concepts and craft of digital photography. Class instruction emphasizes learning the functions and features of your digital camera and helps you set up your camera for various shooting conditions and subjects. The course also covers composition and tips for taking better everyday pictures. This beginning course emphasizes primarily auto scene modes and is recommended for DSLR owners and Point & Shoot cameras. Some shooting in the Garden is included, and students are encouraged to bring their own photos for class critique. Limit 10.

Sunday and Tuesday / January 17 and 19
Sunday / 1 - 5 p.m. and Tuesday / 6 - 10 p.m.

OR Sunday and Tuesday / February 21 and 23
Sunday / 1 - 5 p.m. and Tuesday / 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $65 / General Public: $80

Click here to register on-line for January 17 class.

Click here to register on-line for February 21 class.

Allan Houser: Shadow and Form Photography
Do not miss this rare opportunity to sharpen your nighttime photography skills while focusing on the spectacular bronze sculptures of the Allan Houser: Tradition to Abstraction exhibition. Learn how to capture the shadow and form of these astounding works of art through your photo lens in either daylight or night sessions. Through individualized instruction and attention, you will go home with some great shots of the exhibit that you will be proud display. Designed for amateur photographers with either digital or film cameras. Limit 10.

Sunday / January 24 / 4 - 8 p.m. OR
Saturday / January 30 / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $40 / General Public: $48

Click here to register on-line for January 24 class.

Click here to register on-line for January 30 class.

Arizona Explorers: Storm Chasing with Photographer Warren Faidley
Join us for the debut of an exciting new lecture series bringing the wonders of Arizona to life through the eyes of people who explore our unique natural treasures. Presented in a partnership between Arizona Highways and the Desert Botanical Garden, the Arizona Explorers lectures will gather the resources of two organizations highlighting the magnificence of Arizona for over 70 years. Our first lecture features Warren Faidley, renowned Arizona-based professional storm chaser. With stories of his quest to find Arizona and the planet’s most extreme weather– from Sonoran monsoons, powerful hurricanes and the twisters of Tornado Alley–Warren is your host for an exciting lecture filled with breathtaking images and anecdotes of adventure along the way. Severe weather photography and safety will also be discussed. There will be a Q&A period at the end of the lecture. Warren will be available for book and poster signing following the lecture.

Monday / January 25 / 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Member: $20 / General Public: $25

Click here to register on-line for January 25 lecture.

Full Moon Photography
The beauty of winter full moon nights combined with the splendor of the Garden make for a fantastic evening of photos and fun. Class times are optimized for best shooting of twilight, moonrise and dark skies. This class is for amateur photographers wishing to discover their nighttime photography potential through hands-on guidance and personal instruction on the Garden trails. This class is focused on creativity and experimentation to learn elements of lighting, exposure, camera settings and other nighttime considerations such as painting with light. Both digital and film cameras are welcome. Instructed by Adam Rodriguez. Limit 10.

Sunday / January 31 / 5 - 9 p.m. OR
Sunday / February 28 / 5 - 9 p.m.
Member: $45 / General Public: $55

January 31 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Click here to register on-line for February 28 class.

Master your Point and Shoot Camera
Learn how to obtain the best results from your digital point and shoot camera. This hands-on class focuses almost entirely on learning how to set up your camera and use its many features. This is an excellent, entry level class for students new to digital cameras and will prepare you for more advanced photography classes offered by the Garden. Instructed by Scott Salnas. Limit 10.

Sunday / February 7 / 1 - 5 p.m.
Member: $40 / General Public: $48

Click here to register on-line for February 7 class.

Instruction includes indoor and outdoor flash use, and using custom white balance. Also covered are image file structures and a demonstration of digital workflow and editing. Some shooting in the Garden is included, and students can bring their own photos for class critique. Limit 10.

Saturday and Monday / February 13 and 15
Saturday / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Monday / 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $65 / General Public: $80

February 13 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

New! Alternative Photographic Arts
The Desert Botanical Garden is proud to offer these one-of-a-kind classes instructed by Laszlo Layton, an internationally known fine art photographer specializing in the use of vintage photographic equipment and archaic printing methods. Laszlo’s work is in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City and many renowned private collections.

Vintage View Camera Photography
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience with our three-part course introducing participants to art photography using a view camera and direct contact printing. Part one will introduce the basics of using an 11”x14” restored antique view camera and photographic techniques from the 1800s. All students will have a one-on-one opportunity to photograph a botanical specimen from the Garden, creating their own artistic interpretation of the plant. Part two will focus on contact cyanotype printing methods with students making prints from their negatives by exposing them directly to sunlight. Part three concludes with a lesson in toning prints to change their overall color as well as hand-coloring with watercolor paint and pencils. Limit 10.

Sundays / November 1, 8, 15 / 1-4 p.m.
Member: $120 / General Public: $145

November 1 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Vintage View Camera Photography
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience with our three-part course introducing participants to art photography using a view camera and direct contact printing. Part one will introduce the basics of using an 11”x14” restored antique view camera and photographic techniques from the 1800s. All students will have a one-on-one opportunity to photograph a botanical specimen from the
Garden, creating their own artistic interpretation of the plant. Part two will focus on contact cyanotype printing methods with students making prints from their negatives by exposing them directly to sunlight. Part three concludes with a lesson in toning prints to change their overall color as well as hand-coloring with watercolor paint and pencils. Limit 10.

Sundays / January 17, 24, 31 / 1 - 4 p.m.
Member: $120 / General Public: $145

Click here to register for January 17 class.

Van Dyke Botanical Illustration
This hands-on workshop is an introduction to Van Dyke photographic printmaking, one of the oldest processes known. With inspiration from the very first book of photographic botanical illustrations, printed by Anna Atkins in 1843, participants will create beautiful botanical prints in the distinctive sepia color of Van Dyke’s simple formula of photosensitive iron and silver salts. After a brief introduction on the history of the process, the class will walk through the Garden gathering and identifying desert plant material and return to the classroom to create beautiful works of art suitable for framing and display. Students will learn the skills necessary to produce Van Dyke prints on their own. All materials are included. Limit 15.

Sunday / February 28 / 1 - 5 p.m.
Member: $55 / General Public: $68

Click here to register on-line for February 28 class.