Due to the need for health precautions and based on the guidelines and restrictions issued by the state of Virginia involving COVID-19, all classes and events scheduled through June 10, 2020 have been postponed or cancelled at Clifton Forge School of the Arts.
We will continue to monitor the developing circumstances and make future decisions based on the latest information. Students already registered for a cancelled class can hold their payment as credit for a future session of the same class or receive a full tuition refund. You should have received an email asking your preference. Contact us at cfsota@lumos.net for more information.
We will announce future class dates once normal scheduling and operations resume.
Thank you for your patience and understanding in this time of uncertainty.
Look for upcoming posts on our Facebook page for art inspiration and creative ideas to pass the time spent at home! https://www.facebook.com/cfsotarts/
We look forward to creating art and music in person together in the near future. In the meantime, we encourage you to share your individual artistic creations with us on social media or via email- be sure to tag us on Facebook and Instagram!
As always, we appreciate your support of Clifton Forge School of the Arts, the community art school of the Alleghany Highlands.
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Keely Noffsinger Massie, Program Coordinator
cfsota@lumos.net
(540) 862-7275
We will continue to monitor the developing circumstances and make future decisions based on the latest information. Students already registered for a cancelled class can hold their payment as credit for a future session of the same class or receive a full tuition refund. You should have received an email asking your preference. Contact us at cfsota@lumos.net for more information.
We will announce future class dates once normal scheduling and operations resume.
Thank you for your patience and understanding in this time of uncertainty.
Look for upcoming posts on our Facebook page for art inspiration and creative ideas to pass the time spent at home! https://www.facebook.com/cfsotarts/
We look forward to creating art and music in person together in the near future. In the meantime, we encourage you to share your individual artistic creations with us on social media or via email- be sure to tag us on Facebook and Instagram!
As always, we appreciate your support of Clifton Forge School of the Arts, the community art school of the Alleghany Highlands.
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Keely Noffsinger Massie, Program Coordinator
cfsota@lumos.net
(540) 862-7275
PHOTOGRAPHY
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES ARE NOW HELD AT CLIFTON FORGE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
A-100: THE NUTS & BOLTS OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
Saturdays, January 18 and February 1 (2 weeks)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (1-hour break for lunch)
TUITION: $85
This two-week course will cover basic photography from the perspective of a digital camera. Students will learn how their camera works, what all the buttons, switches, and menus do, how to take a better quality image, and how to best share that image online with family and friends. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the hardware and software capabilities of their digital cameras, to introduce them to compositional rules and guidelines, and to familiarize them with the different shooting modes available on their camera. At the end of this course students should be familiar with:
*Shooting Mode Presets (Preset Modes, Creative Modes, Manual Mode):How to control the on-camera flash (On, Off, Auto, Red-Eye, Fill Flash)*Basic Composition Techniques (Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Tonality, etc.)*File formats and how they affect image quality and size*Exposure control and the effects of shutter speed and f/stop*Downloading Images to a Computer (Download, Organization, Backup) Protocols for sizing and sharing images via email (format, size, resolution).
REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER A WEEK AHEAD OF CLASS START!
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
Saturdays, January 18 and February 1 (2 weeks)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (1-hour break for lunch)
TUITION: $85
This two-week course will cover basic photography from the perspective of a digital camera. Students will learn how their camera works, what all the buttons, switches, and menus do, how to take a better quality image, and how to best share that image online with family and friends. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the hardware and software capabilities of their digital cameras, to introduce them to compositional rules and guidelines, and to familiarize them with the different shooting modes available on their camera. At the end of this course students should be familiar with:
*Shooting Mode Presets (Preset Modes, Creative Modes, Manual Mode):How to control the on-camera flash (On, Off, Auto, Red-Eye, Fill Flash)*Basic Composition Techniques (Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Tonality, etc.)*File formats and how they affect image quality and size*Exposure control and the effects of shutter speed and f/stop*Downloading Images to a Computer (Download, Organization, Backup) Protocols for sizing and sharing images via email (format, size, resolution).
REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER A WEEK AHEAD OF CLASS START!
A-120: MACRO (CLOSE-UP) PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
Saturdays, February 8 and 22 (2 weeks)
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
TUITION: $60
Macro photography provides a view of our world that is always there but is seldom seen. Even the most basic digital cameras have a Macro setting that will let you focus to within inches of your subject - but that is only the start of the journey. Extreme close-up views of flowers, insects, or just everyday objects can transform the ordinary into the surreal and turn the ordinary into art. This workshop will introduce students to special close-up photography tools and lighting techniques as they explore a new way of seeing and capturing images.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER A WEEK AHEAD OF CLASS START!
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
Saturdays, February 8 and 22 (2 weeks)
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
TUITION: $60
Macro photography provides a view of our world that is always there but is seldom seen. Even the most basic digital cameras have a Macro setting that will let you focus to within inches of your subject - but that is only the start of the journey. Extreme close-up views of flowers, insects, or just everyday objects can transform the ordinary into the surreal and turn the ordinary into art. This workshop will introduce students to special close-up photography tools and lighting techniques as they explore a new way of seeing and capturing images.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER A WEEK AHEAD OF CLASS START!
A-109: INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE LIGHTROOM
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
Saturdays, April 4 and 18 (2-week class)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (1-hour break for lunch)
TUITION: $85
This two-week course will introduce students to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as an image organizational and editing tool and how it’s used in the image editing workflow. The course will demonstrate the uses of the software and show how it fits into the image editing workflow.
At the end of this course students should be familiar with:
THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN REGISTERING FOR A FUTURE DATE.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
Saturdays, April 4 and 18 (2-week class)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (1-hour break for lunch)
TUITION: $85
This two-week course will introduce students to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as an image organizational and editing tool and how it’s used in the image editing workflow. The course will demonstrate the uses of the software and show how it fits into the image editing workflow.
At the end of this course students should be familiar with:
- The overall purpose of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
- The limitations of the software and it’s alignment with Photoshop as an image editing and workflow solution
- How images are imported into Lightroom
- How images are processed in Lightroom
- How images are exported from Lightroom
- The various options for sharing images directly from Lightroom
- An understanding of the “non-destructive” nature of Lightroom adjustments
- How Lightroom can be used for “creative” as well as corrective adjustments in making the final image
- Output options from Lightroom
- The close correlation between Lightroom and Photoshop
THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN REGISTERING FOR A FUTURE DATE.
THE FOLLOWING CLASSES ARE PART OF OUR COURSE CATALOG BUT NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED
LET US KNOW WHICH ONES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEXT SEMESTER!
A-113: INTRO. TO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY & PAINTING WITH LIGHT
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
TUITION: $60
This course is an introduction to the use of flash photography and techniques used in painting with light. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the use of flash photography in exposure and in controlling lighting ratios, as well as the use of alternative light sources that can be used to aid in exposure. The course will highlight two radically different lighting techniques and expand the student’s understanding of lighting well beyond the norm. At the end of this course students should be familiar with:
*Using flash units as a primary light source or as a supplement to natural light.
*The relationship between shutter speed and flash lighting*How to control lighting ratios using flash*How to control flash exposure and coverage using light modifiers:How to make an exposure using alternative light sources*How to make an exposure using alternative light source*How to use alternative light sources to supplement available light or as a primary light source*The relationship between shutter speed, ISO, and the light source in making an exposure.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
TUITION: $60
This course is an introduction to the use of flash photography and techniques used in painting with light. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the use of flash photography in exposure and in controlling lighting ratios, as well as the use of alternative light sources that can be used to aid in exposure. The course will highlight two radically different lighting techniques and expand the student’s understanding of lighting well beyond the norm. At the end of this course students should be familiar with:
*Using flash units as a primary light source or as a supplement to natural light.
*The relationship between shutter speed and flash lighting*How to control lighting ratios using flash*How to control flash exposure and coverage using light modifiers:How to make an exposure using alternative light sources*How to make an exposure using alternative light source*How to use alternative light sources to supplement available light or as a primary light source*The relationship between shutter speed, ISO, and the light source in making an exposure.
A-107: LANDSCAPE & NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
TUITION: $90
This three-week workshop will introduce students to techniques for effective landscape photography including creating panoramas and 3-D images. As the sun goes down, students will get a good understanding of exposure while shooting at dusk and after dark using starlight and moonlight as well as painting with light using portable strobes and portable lighting. A camera with Manual mode and a tripod are strongly recommended. Limited to 10 photographers.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
TUITION: $90
This three-week workshop will introduce students to techniques for effective landscape photography including creating panoramas and 3-D images. As the sun goes down, students will get a good understanding of exposure while shooting at dusk and after dark using starlight and moonlight as well as painting with light using portable strobes and portable lighting. A camera with Manual mode and a tripod are strongly recommended. Limited to 10 photographers.
A-115: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT LAYERS, MASKS, & MODES IN PHOTOSHOP
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
2 Weeks
This is an intermediate course in using Photoshop and/or Photoshop Elements. This class will provide a comprehensive look at using and managing the most useful and misunderstood tools used in image editing with Photoshop. Students should have a basic understanding of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and will benefit most from bringing their own laptop computer to the class.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
2 Weeks
This is an intermediate course in using Photoshop and/or Photoshop Elements. This class will provide a comprehensive look at using and managing the most useful and misunderstood tools used in image editing with Photoshop. Students should have a basic understanding of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and will benefit most from bringing their own laptop computer to the class.
A-120: PHOTOSHOP POWER TOOLS, PART 1: MAKING SELECTIONS
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
TUITION: $60
Adjustments made to an image (exposure, contrast, color, temperature) will usually affect the entire image and are referred to as “global” adjustments. However, it’s often necessary to make a change to a specific part of an image, referred to as “local” adjustments, or even to copy a part of an image. Photoshop provides several “selection” tools and even a special Selection menu for that purpose. Some of these tools have been around since the earliest days of Photoshop (now over two decades old!) Others have been added over the years and are increasingly automated and precise in the way they operate. Most selection tools will select an area based upon certain aspects: color, tone, contrast, and even depth of field. It’s up to the user to select the right tool for the job based upon the image and the area to be selected.
The objective of this course is to introduce you to each of the selection tools in Photoshop, familiarize you with how they work, and which to use depending upon image content. You will also learn how the selection tools can be used together, how to refine a selection, and how to save and load a selection.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
TUITION: $60
Adjustments made to an image (exposure, contrast, color, temperature) will usually affect the entire image and are referred to as “global” adjustments. However, it’s often necessary to make a change to a specific part of an image, referred to as “local” adjustments, or even to copy a part of an image. Photoshop provides several “selection” tools and even a special Selection menu for that purpose. Some of these tools have been around since the earliest days of Photoshop (now over two decades old!) Others have been added over the years and are increasingly automated and precise in the way they operate. Most selection tools will select an area based upon certain aspects: color, tone, contrast, and even depth of field. It’s up to the user to select the right tool for the job based upon the image and the area to be selected.
The objective of this course is to introduce you to each of the selection tools in Photoshop, familiarize you with how they work, and which to use depending upon image content. You will also learn how the selection tools can be used together, how to refine a selection, and how to save and load a selection.
A-121: LIGHT PAINTING THE STILL-LIFE IMAGE
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
2 Weeks
Photographers often stop shooting when the sun goes down or grab a flash to capture an image, but there’s a lot more photography to explore at night or in a darkened environment by using moonlight, starlight, or even by adding your own light. Join us as we explore the world of night photography and Light Painting* techniques to develop images that are unique and sometimes otherworldly. The images we’ll capture can’t be seen with the eye or processed with your brain until after they are captured in the camera. The results will amaze you and open your world to an entirely new dimension in photography.
Equipment needed:
-A digital camera with shutter speed control. All but the least expensive point & shoot cameras have this option. And now you’ll learn how to use it!
-A tripod or camera stand. Because the exposures will be of long duration, for most shots the camera should be stable. But we’ll also explore camera movement in capturing images that will stretch your imagination.
-Lights and subjects will be provided, but even a cell phone light will work.
-A workbook will also be provided.
*Light painting is a photographic technique in which exposures are made by moving a hand-held light source or by moving the camera. The term light painting also encompasses images lit from outside the frame with hand-held light sources. Light Painting Photography can be traced back to the year 1914 when Frank Gilbreth, along with his wife Lillian Moller Gilbreth, used small lights and the open shutter of a camera to track the motion of manufacturing and clerical workers. Man Ray, in his 1935 series "Space Writing," was the first known art photographer to use the technique.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK ALMAREZ
2 Weeks
Photographers often stop shooting when the sun goes down or grab a flash to capture an image, but there’s a lot more photography to explore at night or in a darkened environment by using moonlight, starlight, or even by adding your own light. Join us as we explore the world of night photography and Light Painting* techniques to develop images that are unique and sometimes otherworldly. The images we’ll capture can’t be seen with the eye or processed with your brain until after they are captured in the camera. The results will amaze you and open your world to an entirely new dimension in photography.
Equipment needed:
-A digital camera with shutter speed control. All but the least expensive point & shoot cameras have this option. And now you’ll learn how to use it!
-A tripod or camera stand. Because the exposures will be of long duration, for most shots the camera should be stable. But we’ll also explore camera movement in capturing images that will stretch your imagination.
-Lights and subjects will be provided, but even a cell phone light will work.
-A workbook will also be provided.
*Light painting is a photographic technique in which exposures are made by moving a hand-held light source or by moving the camera. The term light painting also encompasses images lit from outside the frame with hand-held light sources. Light Painting Photography can be traced back to the year 1914 when Frank Gilbreth, along with his wife Lillian Moller Gilbreth, used small lights and the open shutter of a camera to track the motion of manufacturing and clerical workers. Man Ray, in his 1935 series "Space Writing," was the first known art photographer to use the technique.