Speedlight Workshop – Click, click, click

Do you know the ONE setting you should change on your camera to improve focus?

(Look for the discount code below if you’re interested in registering at a 25% discount.)

No, those clicks aren’t clicks of my shutter button.  I haven’t been taking as many shots as I should this week.  But here is one that I am super proud of:

Those clicks are concepts clicking in my mind.  And I am proud of that ghastly photo above because I figured out how to get the exposure correct with my speedlight.  Not once, but twice, on two different speedlight settings.  Ignore the fact that I should have used an umbrella to soften the light – I’m loving the understanding of how to set exposure using an off camera light.

The Speedlight Workshop rocks.

So far, I’ve worked through two lessons and turned in one homework assignment.  The lessons are presented via password protected pages on the Speedlight Workshop’s website.  And participants submit their homework and ask questions in the forum.  I’ve learned:

• How to set up and adjust my flash
• How to set the flash and camera together for a correctly exposed subject
• How to manipulate exposure for creative control of the background or ambient lighting

I have taken lots of the online workshops available to us photog folks.   And I can quite honestly say that this is the best one I’ve ever attended.

Why is it so good?

• The lessons are incredibly well-written. No distracting typos or grammar issues in the lessons.  The lessons are concise – I was surprised when I first saw Lesson 1 at how short it was.  And after reading it and watching the videos, I was amazed at how much I learned from those few words.
• The videos are great. You will probably laugh at this, but they have a super cool intro with the logo dancing around and this awesome little tune playing.  It is a truly professional touch, and the music gives my brain the energy it needs to soak up all the learning.   And the content of the videos is spot on too, with examples of Zenia shooting in real life.  She lists her settings and shows the resulting picture as the video progresses.  But I really like the music.
• Zenia has organized the class well. The lessons are presented on a password protected page on her website with both the narrative and the videos on the same page.  No need to jump around from the forum to the written instructions to the video.  All the instructor info on the lesson is in one place.
• Zenia gives great feedback on homework assignments and makes a real effort to engage the students in a dialog about their homework.  She’s like the doctor who isn’t rushing out the door as soon as she can, but who sits and asks, “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”  That extra time makes all the difference, whether it’s a doctor or a teacher giving it.
• I posted a question in the forum and Zenia answered it almost immediately.  She also answered it completely, not leaving out any parts of my long and winding questions.

I feel sure that this class will become hugely possible, because there is a real need for education on speedlights.  I hope (and fully expect) that Zenia will be able to manage the class the same way even as it gets many many more students.

Are you interested?  Don’t forget that Zenia set up a coupon code for Texas Chicks readers.  If you sign up for the February class, use discount code texaschicks to save $50 (25%).

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