Night Photography: Painting with Light
Come and learn a unique technique for photographing the desert at night.  You will learn how to "paint" the desert using a flashlight, resulting in interesting images.  The use of the light emphasizes the plants and landscape in the night. A tripod is recommended.  Instructed by Adam Rodriguez. Limit 10.

Tuesday / March 23 / 7-10 p.m. OR
Tuesday / April 6 / 7-10 p.m.
Member: $40 / General Public: $48

Click here to register on-line for March 23 class.

Click here to register on-line for April 6 class.

Allan Houser: Shadow and Form Photography
Do not miss this rare opportunity to sharpen your 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 great shots of the exhibit that you will be proud to display. Designed for amateur photographers with either digital or film cameras. Limit 10.

Sunday / April 18 / 6 - 10 p.m. OR
Saturday / April 24 / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $40 / General Public: $48

Click here to register on-line for April 18 class.

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

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 open to all digital camera owners. Some shooting in the Garden is included, and students are encouraged to bring their own photos for class critique. Limit 10.

Sunday and Tuesday / April 11 and 13 / Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. and Tuesday 6 - 10 p.m. OR
Saturday and Monday / May 15 and 17 / Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Monday 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $65 / General Public: $80

April 11 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Click here to register on-line for May 15 class.

Digital Desert Photography: Next Steps
This hands-on class is 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. DSLR camera required. Limit 10.

Saturday and Monday / March 27 and 29 / Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Monday /  6 - 10 p.m. OR
Sunday and Tuesday / May 2 and 4 / Sunday / 1 - 5 p.m. and Tuesday / 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $65 / General Public: $80

March 27 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

May 2 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Wednesday, April 7, 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $40 / General Public: $48

February 7 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

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

Macro Photography Spring Session
One of the longest-running and most popular photography series at the Garden, macro photography returns with professional photographer and artist Steve Ehre. You will learn to get the most out of your camera with super macro images of wildflowers, butterflies, or any subject you find, in addition to increasing your overall photo skills. Learn the basics of close-up (macro) photography through discussion, slides, critique sessions and field experience, including photo sessions at the Garden and other locations around the Valley. Recommended for intermediate to advanced photographers with a working knowledge of their 35mm camera. The following items are recommended: sturdy tripod, flash with off-shoe attachment, cable release, lens hood and circular polarizer. A choice of one or more of the following is also recommended: Macro lens (200mm is best), close-up diopter, or extension tubes. A macro lens is not crucial. Film or digital cameras are welcome. Saturday photo session details are coordinated at Thursday evening classes for the convenience of the students. Limit 12.

Thursdays and Saturdays / Thursdays / April 8, 15, 22, 29 / 6:30 - 8:30 p.m / Saturday photo shoots / April 10, 17, 24 / 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Member: $160 / General Public: $195

Click here to register on-line for April 8 class.

Photography in the Field
Learn to shoot photographs like those taken by Garden photographer Adam Rodriguez in a class taught by the photographer himself. In addition to shooting frequent covers for the Calendar of Events, Adam’s photography also appears regularly in The Sonoran Quarterly and has been seen in Phoenix Home & Garden, Sunset and other top publications. This workshop is for digital SLR photographers wishing to improve their understanding of exposure, color composition, camera histogram, and the secrets to finding the shot. Also gain understanding of metering on location, selection of focal lengths, combination techniques in the field with a flash, and diffusion disc techniques. Participants will spend this hands-on workshop outdoors photographing Garden subjects. Limit 10.

Sunday / March 21 / 6:30 - 10:30 a.m. OR
Sunday / April 11 / 6:30 - 10:30 a.m. OR Tuesday / April 13 / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. OR Sunday / May 2 / 6:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Member: $60 / General Public: $72

March 21 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

April 11 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Click here to register on-line for April 13 class.

Click here to register on-line for May 2 class.

Mastering Photography Techniques
The Garden is proud to offer a set of new courses in digital photography, instructed by Scott Salnas. The entire series can be taken in the order offered or students may pick and choose for enrollment in individual topics only. Each topic is an in-depth exploration of the subjects touched upon in the Next Steps photography course at the Garden. The classes are for DSLR camera owners. The students must be familiar with the features of their cameras, and menu and shooting parameter set up. Prior completion of the Next Steps course is helpful but not required.

Exposure
Exposure is everything, and the new series starts with basic exposure theory and practice. Although exposure principles are the same as with film, they are applied in different ways in digital capture and processing. It is always best to start with a well exposed image in-camera that does not put you in a hole to dig out of when editing. Learn how to spend more of your time creating images instead of correcting them. This course includes identifying high-key/low-key areas of the scene, dynamic range, using the gray card, ISO management and exposure compensation. Limit 10.

Sunday / March 28 / 1 - 5 p.m. OR
Saturday / May 1 / 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Member: $50 / General Public: $60

March 28 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Click here to register on-line for May 1 class.

Landscape and Compostion
It is difficult not be drawn to landscape photography. Landscape has always been a favorite of photographers since the invention of the camera. This course covers landscape exposure techniques, depth-of-field, use of white balance, low light shooting, gear, working in all kinds of light, and most important, pleasing composition. Limit 10.

Wednesday / March 31 / 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $50 / General Public: $60

Click here to register on-line for March 31 class.

Flash for Portraits
Flash is probably the most misunderstood, misused and underused skill by amateur photographers. Too often, people think of flash as simply a way to add light to people in low light scenes. Using a flash on your camera is as easy as turning it on, but using it well is more difficult. Flash, when used properly, can take your people photography from mediocre to exciting and appealing. This course covers how flash units function, understanding guide numbers, using diffusers, locking flash exposure for subject of the image, and using your flash for fill light in outdoor sunlit backgrounds. It is recommended that students enrolling in this course own an auxiliary flash for their digital cameras. Limit 10.

Saturday / April 10 / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $50 / General Public: $60

April 10 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

The Art of People Photography
Learn how to take better pictures of people and kids 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. The class also includes a posing and shooting session in the Garden. Bring your camera, auxiliary flash and tripod. Limit 10.

Sunday / April 25 / 1 - 5 p.m.
Member: $50 / General Public: $60

April 25 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

Digital Workflow
You have an image recorded in your digital camera; so now what? The processes that traditionally happened in the darkroom now happen on your computer. This class covers basic instruction in downloading, pluses and minuses of file format choices, digital image file organization, an orderly workflow, and basic tools and functions of editing. Included is a demo of using Adobe’s Camera RAW tools. Limit 10.

Wednesday / May 12 / 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $50 / General Public: $60

Click here to register on-line for May 12 class.

Open Garden Photography
Capture the magnificence of the Garden at night with these exclusive photography sessions created to allow all levels of photographers--and their tripods--an unobstructed after- hours opportunity to shoot along the main Garden trails. Photographing plants and art in the evening with only other practitioners present is an amazing experience. A Garden photography host will be available to provide guidance on the best locations to capture that perfect shot. Limit 50.

Monday / April 12 / 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. OR
Monday / May 3 / 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Member: $16 / General Public: $20

Click here to register on-line for April 12 class.

Click here to register on-line May 3 class.

Full Moon Photography
The beauty of spring 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. The 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.

Tuesday / March 30 / 6 - 10 p.m. OR
Wednesday / April 28 / 6 - 10 p.m. OR
Thursday / May 27 / 6 - 10 p.m.
Member: $45 / General Public: $55

March 30 class is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.

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

Click here to register on-line for May 27 class.

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.

Wildflowers in Cyanotype
This hands-on workshop is an introduction to one of the oldest photographic printmaking processes—cyanotype. Participants will create beautiful botanical prints in the distinctive Prussian blue color of cyanotype’s simple two-part formula of photosensitive iron salts. After a brief lecture on the history of the process, the class will use the beauty of the Garden’s wildflowers to create several beautiful works of art suitable for framing and display. Students will also learn the skills necessary to produce cyanotypes on their own in the future. All materials are included. Limit 15.

Sunday / April 11 / 1 - 5 p.m.
Member: $60 / General Public: $72

Click here to register on-line for April 11 class.

Wildflowers in Van Dyke
Use Van Dyke photographic printmaking, one of the oldest known processes, to create beautiful botanical prints in the distinctive sepia color of Van Dyke’s simple formula of photosensitive iron and silver salts. After a brief lecture on the history of the process, the class will use the Garden’s wildflowers to create several beautiful works of art suitable for framing and display. Students will also learn the skills necessary to produce Van Dyke prints on their own in the future. All materials are included. Limit 15.

Sunday / May 16 / 1 - 5 p.m.
Member: $60 / General Public: $72

Click here to register on-line for May 16 class.