Photography Classes at Hot Sams Foto Park
Come and join us at this amazing venue located in Lakeville, MN
Photographing Antiques & Collectibles
Join us for a hands on workshop where you will learn how to take great photos of your collectibles.
This workshop is for collectors, crafters, sellers or anyone interested in still life photography. In today's online selling world, the quality of the image goes a long way towards getting your post noticed.
We will cover topics such as simple lighting, staging, and camera set-up. The great news is that none of this needs to be expensive. With a few simple tools, anyone can create interesting photos. In fact, the teapot photo shown here was lit using a pen light flashlight.
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This is a hands on workshop. Everyone attending will get to work with the techniques demonstrated by Don. During that time, Don will be available to assist and answer any questions that you might have.
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For more information, or to register, click on the "More Information" button.
Date: October 7, 2023
Time: 10am - 1pm
Price: $65
Light Painting
Photography is essentially capturing light. Nothing reinforces this concept more than light painting. Join us for an after dark, special access, photo workshop on the grounds of Hot Sam's where you will get to experience the fun of painting with light.
During this workshop, we will begin with an overview of light painting. During the overview, we will discuss the following:
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Camera settings and set-up
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Painting an object in a single exposure
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Painting an object using multiple exposures
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Creating ghosts
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Light writing
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Lighting effects using various light painting tools
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Spinning Orbs
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This is a hands-on workshop where you will spend the majority of the time taking photos. Everyone will get a chance to do some of their own light painting.
Date: April 20, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:30pm
Price: $75
Photographing America's Roadside Attractions and Curiosities
Hot Sam's unique collection provides the perfect location to explore the world of travel photography as it relates to capturing images of roadside attractions and curiosities.
During this class, Don will provide you with the tools necessary to return from your trip with a collection of photos that truly reflect the unique subjects that are often encountered when traveling. This happens when our photos help to tell a story as opposed to being a set of unrelated "snapshots."
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We will cover the following topics:
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Planning ahead to understand what an area is famous for, unique subject matter, best time to visit attractions, and best use of light.
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Coping with less than ideal lighting situations.
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Adding interest using people and/or props.
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Selecting the proper combination of focal length, aperture and distance to subject to manage both depth of field and background.
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Exploring different angles in order to gain a unique perspective.
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Minimizing risk by understanding safety
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The format for this class is a lecture followed by a photo shoot. As part of the class you will build a mini photo plan that you will follow when we are out shooting. During the photo shoot, Don will be available to assist and answer any questions that you might have.
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Date: June 1, 2024
Time: 10am - 1pm
Price: $65
The Art of Automotive Photography
Classic cars are more than just "rolling antiques." They bring back memories from the past and invoke a sense of nostalgia. Hot Sam's has several classic cars and trucks which makes this location a great choice for this workshop.
This workshop is for anyone who enjoys cars. It does not matter if you are shooting with a phone, or a high-end camera. The techniques taught apply to all camera types and skill levels.
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During the workshop we will cover the basics of taking photos of automobiles and trucks, working with difficult light, applying light to enhance the photo, photographing automotive details, working with different angles and perspectives, and the creative use of wide angle and telephoto lenses.
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This is a hands-on workshop where you will spend the majority of the time taking photos. As part of this, Don will demonstrate his "20 Photos" approach to automotive photography. The workshop will follow a demonstrate then shoot format. During the shooting exercises, Don will be available to assist and answer any questions that you might have.
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