Understanding Light: Natural Light Basics
with D'Ann Boal or Karlee Hooper
4 WEEK WORKSHOP BEGINS JAN 25
$300 Full Participation | $150 Study Along
Learn how to “find the light”.
This online course will help you learn how to “find the light” and take your natural light photography game to the next level! You’ll learn how to see and use light effectively, assess the quality of the light and manipulate it through a variety of techniques. We’ll cover how light contributes to the mood of an image and how you can use the direction of the light intentionally in your images. You’ll learn how to move beyond the golden hour and feel confident photographing subjects at any time of day while making the most of the light that is available. This is a Click Photo School textbook course, and you’ll see beautiful examples from a number of photographers to help you understand the concepts in new and exciting ways.
PREREQUISITES
To get the most out of this workshop, students should have a solid understanding of the exposure triangle. We will also talk about reflecting light during the course and students are encouraged to practice with a natural reflector or a DIY reflector (more information will be provided during the course of the class) Some students may want to purchase a reflector ahead of the class beginning.
what you’ll get
WEEKLY LESSONS
4 weekly lesson PDFs
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Videos that cover finding, using and manipulating natural light.
DAILY INSTRUCTOR-LED Q&A
Full participation students engage in instructor-led discussion and Q&A for daily interaction and support. Study along students have full viewing access.
CREATIVE VIDEOS
Creative videos from the instructors on how they use light in their own work.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT FEEDBACK & CRITIQUE
Full Participation students receive extensive personal video critiques of weekly assignment submissions.
Study Along Students have full viewing access.
syllabus
Welcome & Preassignment
Lesson One
LEARN ABOUT
Find and Identify the Light
Quality, Direction
Color and Intensity
Reading the Light
Soft Light and Hard Light
Lesson Two
LEARN ABOUT
Additive and Subtractive Light and the Tools You Need
Feathering
Filtering
Reflecting and Diffusing; The Science of Light
Making Hard Light Soft
Making Soft Light Hard
Natural and Dedicated Reflectors
Catchlights
Lesson Three
LEARN ABOUT
Working In Different Light– Open Shade
Covered Shade
Window Light
Direct Light and Backlight
Filtering the Light
Changing the Look of the Light
Lesson Four
LEARN ABOUT
Choosing the RIGHT light for your image
Understanding and Exploring Light Direction
Mood and Intent and why they matter
Styles and Profiles
"I really loved this class. If you are looking for a class that will help you “see the light” both indoors and outside, this is definitely it."
- UMBREEN
read more reviews >
about your instructors
D’Ann graduated with a master’s degree in education, but it wasn’t until her son was born and they moved to the Caribbean that she picked up a camera and never looked back. Photographing their quiet life by the sea inspired her photography journey. Today she runs a photography boutique specializing in newborn, child and family photography. Living on a farm in Colorado with her husband, son and daughter, she loves to capture the light and magic of her children’s lives. She treasures her daily cup of jasmine tea, hikes with family, and long swims in the sunshine.
Karlee Hooper is a Canadian expat who lives in Southern California with her Australian husband, labradoodle, and three daughters. Karlee loves creating art from everyday adventures and unexpected locations. She brings her camera everywhere so she never misses capturing the beauty that is right in front of her. Follow along with Karlee’s work here.
how it works
Full Participation students engage in an interactive online classroom experience that includes instructor-led group discussions and detailed, personalized guidance for the duration of the workshop. Full participation students post their assignments in the workshop and receive critique each week.
Study Along students have access to all materials and are able to view all content and conversation in the main workshop. Study along students will not be able to ask the instructor questions or request instructor feedback on their assignments, but they can follow along with instructor critiques of the Full Participation assignments.
This was such a wonderful class on seeing and observing light. I live in the woods and it is often dark in my house. I am glad I was able to take this class and learn to find light in all the places, not just when I am outside shooting in the open. The PDFs and videos were wonderful and I love that I have them as a reference to keep looking back on.
I took Understanding Light as a Study Along student, and I am already seeing an improvement in my photography. The course materials (including videos and PDFs) were packed with thorough instruction and examples that helped me really understand the different types of light and how to use them effectively. Additionally, D’Ann’s helpful and insightful feedback to the Full Participation students really inspired me to learn and try new things. There were times before when I got lucky and had good light in my photos, but now I’m learning how to make it happen more consistently. I’m especially excited to use the strategies outlined in the course to shoot in direct, middle-of-the day light because that’s when life happens a lot of the time!
I’m a hobby photographer and have taught myself for years, I realized I was missing so much on just bringing life to my images and found myself shooting with the same type of light. I was looking forward to taking this class to help me finally understand light from a professional perspective and it did not disappoint! I learned so much about natural light and how to use it, how to observe it and get creative with it. I’m seeing my home in a new “light” no pun intended :) I’m also able to use light now creatively and purposefully. I cannot believe how much I learned from the class and D’Ann in such a short amount of time. I’m really thinking of making my love for photography more than just a hobby after this. The course work was easy to follow and understand. Michelle Turner did an excellent job with pulling the curriculum together and the videos. D’Ann as an instructor is amazing. She’s so encouraging but also gives excellent constructive criticism. I’m such a big fan of her work so was so happy to have her lead this course. She’s very knowledgable and I was so grateful for her time to go through each of my images and give pointers for improving my shots so that they really end up like works of art. She’s so kind and sweet! I highly recommend this class!
I am not one to gush, but my goodness, this course is everything I needed to understand the world of light as it relates to photography. D’Ann is a treasure – a true master of her art as well as a patient, encouraging and articulate instructor. I took this as a study-along student, and how I wish I had been able to communicate daily with the lovely ladies in this group. Full participation from now on!!! The volume and quality of material plus the way it is presented allowed me to really grasp the concepts. I have also taken one of D’Ann’s breakouts, and loved that too. I will keep an eye out for any new material she offers through Click Photo School, as I am confident it will be outstanding!
This class is by far the most informative, eye opening and game changer in my photography journey. Don’t even think twice in taking the course, every single PDFs and videos are jam packed with so much information. This course really helped me understand how light can make an image. Before this class, I notice light around me but never really understood how I can use it in my image or identify it. Now, I find myself identifying or analyzing the kind of light I see everyday. D’Ann was the key to this course. I’ve never come across an instructor that answered our questions in such an insightful way and so thorough with all of her feedbacks. Her weekly video was a nice touch. She’s truly a wonderful and talented teacher and an artist. I rarely feel I get lucky in something and this is one of it! Thank you D’Ann for such a magical 4 week journey with you!
l just finished Understanding Light with D’Ann and this has been the best class that l have ever taken and has inspired me to do many more when possible. D’Ann is a wonderful and inspiring teacher that has helped me so much during these last few weeks and l am so happy that l registered as a full participant. She was always quick answering everyone questions and her videos talking about each participants assignments given each week were the best.
This class changed everything for me and I how I view light. I feel like I have so much more control over my photographs and can make the adjustments to get the light I want. I’ll keep these PDFs forever!!
I also really loved having D’Ann as a teacher. She’s so inspirational, kind, and a total role model. She answered everyone’s questions with such care and really make the class an interactive and positive experience.
This is a 5-star class I would recommend to anyone looking to learn about lighting.
I have just completed Understanding Light, with D’Ann and it was an incredible learning experience. It was a very intense 4 weeks, packed with learning, practice and interaction. The course contains so much that my poor brain will need several more weeks to unpack all of the information. Every aspect of the course is well explained, with details and tons of examples. This class has increased my confidence when taking photos, and I feel like I understand more and more what I am doing and why I get or don’t get the results I wanted. And while the course material is wonderful, D’Ann herself is a reason sufficient enough to take this course. She is the most kind, generous and patient teacher. During this run of the course, we overloaded her with questions and shares on the forum, but yet, she managed to answer each and everyone without fail.
This class will change the way you look at the world forever. I can’t help but notify (and classify) the light I see all around me all the time now. Do not hesitate to sign up!
This is the first full participation workshop I have done in click photo school and I was blown away, by the information in the pdf, as well as the videos that were given to really explain the concepts in depth. But most of all D’Ann’s participation in the question/answer forums, here patience in explaining each of the concepts with lots of examples and her eye to details really was the cherry on the top. Light is one of the most fundamental concepts in shooting and I really learnt to see and find light in different areas inside my house and even learnt how to use light in various times of the day outside. I am sure I have to keep coming back to the pdf-s/videos multiple times to really understand everything and keep practicing till using light becomes more intuitive, but I know I have a stepping stone and a path forward. Thanks a lot D’Ann.
I did this course after I finished my mastering manual photography course,here on CPS. I must say this is a stepping stone to take you to the next level of photography. This course has completely changed my perspective towards viewing light and has given me so much insight on using the light we have in ways that will best enhance my subject as well as the picture. D’Ann is one of the best teachers I have ever met. She has actually nurtured a group of women into loving different types of lights in different types of situations. There was no question too basic or no question too random. She took the time to patiently explain and get our doubts on anything cleared. Thank you D’Ann for everything. And thank you CM for offering such beautiful courses to moms who love clickin….
A massive thank you to D’Ann. I could not have asked for a better instructor, and her commitment to all of us was so genuine and caring that I felt she treated us more like friends than students. She really wanted to see us grow in our photography journey in a really personal way. She encouraged us to share our images regularly, and that led to a deepening friendship for all of us. I have been blown away by the material, and from being pretty ignorant about light, I now feel so much better informed to take my photograph skills to a level beyond snapping away and hoping one of them might come out okay. I wouldn’t hesitate at all if you are considering this class.
You know how you hear about courses that are game-changers? For me, this course with D’Ann was truly just that. I felt like I had an “okay” understanding of light prior to this course but after taking D’Ann’s “Room by Room” breakout earlier this year, I knew I could learn so much more about light from her. This class–and more importantly, D’Ann herself–did not disappoint! There are so many different light concepts covered in this course and the PDFs clearly describe how to handle pretty much every imaginable natural light situation. As a more left-brain person, I really appreciated the details of diagrams and angles…those technical aspects really clicked with me and gave me a solid foundation of light to then use in my everyday shooting, whether indoors or outdoors. Additionally, the videos provide real-life examples of the techniques covered in the PDF. But really the star of the workshop is D’Ann! She has a true gift for teaching that shines through in every aspect of the course. She is extremely active on the forum and provides detailed & insightful feedback not only on weekly assignments but also on the daily image shares, which was amazing! I am so glad that I trusted my instincts to join this class with D’Ann. Before this course, I would avoid challenging light situations or just stay in my comfort zone (i.e. put my subject by a window and hope for the best). But now I feel so much more confident going into essentially any natural light scenario because I know I’ve learned the tools to harness the light to achieve my vision. Thank you D’Ann for such a wonderful 4 weeks!
I absolutely loved this course with D’Ann. I honestly don’t know how I was taking photos prior to this course, because it has opened my eyes to seeing and using light both in my own home and outdoors. This class was very thorough and covered so much material in 4 weeks—I only wish it was still going because I learned so much and felt engaged throughout the entire time. D’Ann created such a cohesive and encouraging environment that made me feel like no question was too silly to ask, and the share forum was one of the most engaged I have ever been on. D’Ann provided such thoughtful feedback on the image share forum and on our weekly assignments that I felt I could go forward tackling new things. I now find myself looking at the light on my son’s face as he plays, or tracking the light on my phone to see the best day to shoot during golden hour :) Definitely a must take course to enhance your photography knowledge and skills! Thank you so much for an incredible month, D’Ann!
This class has opened my eyes to seeing light in so many various ways (indoors and out!) and has given me tools to manage the light as well as resources to identify types of light. The course was jam packed with information each week as well as videos to further explain the concepts. Watching the behind the scenes videos was so helpful for me to think about my surroundings and the ways they could be used. D’Ann is the queen of light and was SO generous with her time in giving feedback throughout the week as well as on the assignments. If you aren’t sure about taking this class, know that this was well worth the time and money spent! I only wish it were 8 weeks long! Thank you D’Ann for your expertise and patience over the four week course!
This is the third Click Photo School class I have taken and I have to say it was EXTREMELY thorough! This class is absolutely a must take in my opinion and is great for photographers of all levels who are looking to understand, control, and use light intentionally in your images. The PDFs are long and cover all types of light – what they are, how to identify them, how to use them, how to control & work with them. The videos give a behind the scenes practical look at everything the PDFs cover plus some bonus material. I took this class with D’Ann and I was absolutely blown away by her generosity in how active & involved she is in the Q&A forum in giving feedback and answering questions. She also added additional videos of her own each week on various light topics that were incredibly helpful. D’Ann was SO kind, so encouraging, extremely knowledgeable and her talent speaks for itself. I feel so lucky I was able to take this class and I can see the difference in my images already but I know I have SO MUCH MORE to glean from these course materials. Honestly, the best money I have spent so far at Click Photo School!
I have loved every single moment of this course, even the really frustrating ones – they have probably taught me the most! This course is absolutely jam packed with information. It’s been four weeks and I’m exhausted. I’ve learnt so much, and yet the journey is only just beginning! Light is what makes an image beautiful, dynamic, engaging, and this course gives you all the tools needed to utilise it! Such a worthy and meaningful investment, I only wish I had done it sooner! It has been such a brilliant learning experience, made truly magical by D’Ann who is without doubt the most beautiful light you will find on this course!
I am wondering what the details are of this class? What time of day, and which days? If you do study along can you watch videos later? Is it recommended for experienced photographers? Thanks in advance!
If you do Study Along you can download all the materials and do the class whenever suits you. You just have to download all the material before the end of the course. I have had all levels of photographers in this class, it covers light basics as well as more advanced techniques.
I just finished Understanding Light with Karlee Hooper and it was beyond eye opening. This was my first class with click photo school and my first time to really start taking photography seriously. The amount of information offered in this course completely exceeded my expectations. However, I think what made this class so successful is Karlee. Karlee is not only an extremely gifted photographer she is also an extremely gifted instructor. She was always willing to go above and beyond to answer questions and she took time to give thoughtful and detailed answers with photo examples. Her teaching style is patient, encouraging, kind and positive. No matter how much I was struggling with a concept or idea, she always found a way to provide encouragement. Her video critiques were packed with helpful information, but done in such a personal way that I felt like I was sitting with her having coffee and talking about photography. I will be forever grateful for Karlee and how this experience has inspired me to continue on in my photography journey.
Hope we really do get to sit together and have coffee one day Lauren! It was such a pleasure to have you in class!
Understanding light was such an eye opening class. Karlee teaches it in a way that is easy to understand. She is so kind and encouraging in all of her critiques. I had so many “Ah Ha” moments during the 4 weeks. When I learned about using window light I discovered that I had an amazing spot in my house that creates the most beautiful light for portraits.Then week 4 there’s backlighting. I was able to take the techniques taught and capture a beautiful image of my daughter. When Karlee told me that I rocked that backlit portrait I was in the kitchen doing a happy dance! If you get the chance to sign up for this class, take it! You will be happy that you did.
Wish I could have seen that happy dance Tara! Thank you for being such an amazing student!
I am just finishing up this course as a full participation student with Karlee Hooper and I will be so sad when it is done! All of the course materials are really detailed with so many inspirational photo examples and great videos to supplement the weekly pdf’s. But while the materials themselves are really informative, what really took this experience to the next level was having Karlee as an instructor. She is so incredibly kind and generous with feedback and resources. Any questions that anyone had were quickly answered and often with enlightening photo examples or extension videos. Her photos are spectacular and illustrate so many different natural light scenarios.I was hesitant to sign up for full participation, but Karlee and the rest of the supportive class really made this such a positive learning experience. Thanks Karlee for helping me see the light and work with the light! I am super excited to keep taking photos with everything I have learned!
Marie it was such a pleasure to have you in class. It makes me so happy that you enjoyed the class so much! Can’t wait to continue to watch your photography grow!
I was thrilled with D’Ann’s recent section of Understanding Light. I had not taken a class like this through Click Photo School yet and signed up for the full participation to hold myself accountable to assignments and have the opportunity to hear feedback from D’Ann and classmates. I was blown away by the community giving constructive feedback and encouragement. D’Ann’s instruction and weekly video feedback was thoughtful, thorough and deliberate. She offered support and clear direction on any questions asked of her. I felt I had a good understanding of light prior to the course, but feel much more empowered to work with any light and not just wait for the easiest, most ideal conditions. This was such a valuable course for my photography journey and am grateful to have been able to follow along and share my work with the group.
I absolutely loved Understanding Light with D’Ann Boal! I wish it could have been longer. I feel like I could learn so much more from D’Ann. I appreciate all of her feedback and could not soak up enough. Not only was the content of the material excellent, but I learned so much from the Q & A and picture shares and all of D’Ann’s feedback. I would highly recommend any class D’Ann teaches. She is so encouraging and specific with her feedback. Thank you D’Ann for such a wonderful learning experience!
I’ve wanted to take this workshop for some time now, but it never seemed to work out. I just finished this workshop with D’Ann as a full participation student, and I wish I would have taken this workshop sooner! It was a huge eye-opener! Light plays such a crucial role in photography. After taking this course, I realize how important it is to have a good solid knowledge base on how to find it and how to use it. This workshop definitely lays that foundation! I always disliked working with indoor light, because I didn’t fully understand how to use it to get my desired result. I am now able to create beautiful portraits in any room of my home with a single window. And a huge bonus is once I was able to find the light and use it correctly, it made my post processing so much easier! Everything in an image starts with light! I used to always seek out flat light, and after taking this class, I am able to create depth in my images that I’ve always wanted. D’Ann was such an amazing teacher! She always responded quickly and gave insights that I never would have thought of. I grew so much as a photographer under her mentorship in this four-week workshop! This is a must-take course!
Is this workshop suitable for someone who doesn’t photograph people? I don’t have any nearby children and mainly shoot flowers, both indoor and outdoors.
Hi Liz,
Yes, it would absolutely be suitable. It’s so helpful to have a deep understanding of light, no matter your subject. :)
I highly recommend this class! Light is THE most important thing in photography and this class will change how you look at light. You learn how to use light intentionally in your photography. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an advanced photographer. I took this class with D’Ann and she’s an expert in using light but also in teaching. She is sweet, positive and knows what to say so you can take your photography to the next level. She is present a lot on the forum and will answer any question! She will also adapt her teaching to what the students need. The pdf’s are very clear and easy to read and understand. The videos only make it more clear but are also great for visual learners. At first I signed up for study along but I’m very glad that I could change to full participant as I wouldn’t have learned as much as I have know.
Just finished Understanding Light with D’Ann. It was a fabulous class and I learned so much. I took photos in places that I never would have dreamed of taking photos before this class. It took me out of my comfort zone and I learned I could take photos that I liked in places I never thought of because the light was great. I still have a lot of practice to do (lots and lots of practice), but now I understand much more about the different types of light and how to have it help me make the photos I envision.
D’Ann went above and beyond in our class. Not only did she answer questions about light, she answered a multitude of questions about editing. She even edited a photo that we submitted that we wanted to see edited by her! I also took the breakout ‘Room by Room’ which D’Ann was doing live at the same time as our Understanding Light workshop. It was a great breakout to take at the same time and the workshop and breakout complimented each other. If you get the chance, take this workshop. D’Ann is a fabulous photographer and teacher.
I just finished up the Understanding Light with D’Ann and I learned so much! She is a fantastic teacher and really went out of her way to provide explanations, shooting videos and editing tips! This class was so helpful in learning to understand how to use light and find light both indoors and outdoors. I feel like I am much more prepared to place my subjects and understand what to look for when I go out with my camera. The detailed weekly feedback on assignments was fantastic, really detailed comments and editing help as well as suggestions for things to look for and positive critiques.
This class was a gift! D’Ann teaches in a way that is so encouraging and positive – and it pushes you to want to be better for yourself and for her! The PDFs and the videos are so well done and so easy to follow. I know that I will refer back to all of the materials again and again. In addition, the FULL PARTICIPATION was incredible. It far exceeded my hopes for the class. The interaction with other members in the group was so positive and helpful. It was a special group. Thank you! Thank you! I cannot wait to take another class
I am relatively new to photography as I’ve only taken the MME class before this one. Understanding Light was a huge eye opener for me! Until I took this class, I never realized just how important light plays a role in producing beautiful photos… hence the title “Understanding Light”! :) I do wish I took this class as FP as I was only a SA student, because from seeing the way D’Ann responded to her students, she would answer ANY question, light related or other, and she always gave a very personalized response which I admired. I would recommend this class for anyone who wants to take their photography to the next level… even if you’ve been taking pictures for a long time, I think this class would be beneficial!
I really enjoyed this class. It is jam packed with information! The instructional videos are some of the most informative I’ve watched, and I know I will be returning to them and the PDF in the future. This class has completely changed how I view the light in my home, and because of it, I now have some new favorite locations and times to shot!
I can’t believe how much I learned in this class! It has opened up a whole new way to look at like and completely changed what I am looking for in pictures. Rooms in my house that I used to hate shooting in are now spaces where I take some of my favorite portraits. My understanding of shooting in backlight has grown amazingly, but what I appreciate most of all is that I am recognizing beautiful light. It inspires me to go get my camera all the time! I am so grateful to this class, and D’Ann’s amazing instruction. She gave so much insightful feedback I highly recommend the full participation class.
I just finished this course with D’Ann and it was amazing. It helped me learn to find light on location more effectively and quickly, as well as to understand how to use reflective light. It really helped me with positioning my subjects relative to the light to achieve the different light/shadows. I’ve taken SO many different courses in the past 18 months and I really feel like I had gathered many bits of information here and there about light but I was having a really hard time pulling it all together. I felt like this course really helped me with understanding light (pun intended ha!) and applying those principles. ❤️
Another game-changer! I love how this class helped me look at light and how to use it in my photography. It’s amazing how D’Ann was able to explain and answer our questions and give us great feedback. I see light a whole new way.
When I heard about this class I knew “Understanding Light” was what my work was missing. I am so happy I stumbled across D’Ann and Click Photo School. I really enjoyed the reading, videos and assignments and the feedback was kind and extremely valuable. I was sad for the course to end! I definitely want to take more of D’Anns courses. 100% recommend this course and doing so as a full participant.
Amazing light journey! I definitely needed this class to extend my knowledge in photography. So educational and informative and D’Ann’s edits are so stunning and inspirational! I feel so much more confident with shooting after I have taken this class and found a whole new passion for light. Thank you so much D’Ann. This class was amazing and I am so happy, thankful and blessed that I got this opportunity to have conversations with you and my classmates in this class.
If you are considering taking this class or wondering if this is the next class you should take, just do it. Light is such an important part of photography and it’s the key element in completing your journey to finding your voice. The technical knowledge is such a key in putting your photography to the next level!
D’Ann’s teaching is absolutely world class and second to none. She goes above and beyond ALWAYS. She has taught with her whole heart and not just imparted her knowledge. She has not only given me the tools to understand light, but more importantly a new found confidence and belief that I can always find my artistic voice in my work. She is one special lady and if you can take the opportunity to have her as your teacher you are extremely lucky. Not all people that teach have D’Ann’s talent and warmth. I have turned huge corners because of this lady and I believe more than ever than I am on the right path. I cannot thank you enough D’Ann and I really hope one day I will have the pleasure of meeting you. You are welcome to Austria always! Come for a cuppa in Bregenzerwald please!
Understanding Light is a must take class for any photographer! This was my first experience as a full participation student and it far exceeded my expectations. It has completely changed the way I see light everywhere! I notice it when I walk into a room, when I’m outside playing with my kids and every time I look at someone’s face! I see shadows and catchlights and contrast in a whole new way. Before this class, I would never even think of shooting if the light wasn’t soft and flat. Understanding Light has taught me how to use and manipulate all kinds of light, regardless of it’s intensity or direction; which has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me!
D’Ann was an absolute dream teacher! She was consistently present throughout the course to answer questions and offer guidance. The feedback she provided on assignments was always thorough and encouraging. D’Ann is just one of those teachers that genuinely wants to see her students do well and it shows. If you’re on the fence about enrolling in this class, take the leap and sign up for it! I promise you won’t regret it.
I just finished up this workshop with D’Ann. It by far exceeded all expectations! She is a great instructor- very thorough and so quick to respond. I enjoyed her own videos and images she provided, plus her extra edits. I felt like I could ask her anything about photography, not just light. The PDFs and videos by Michelle turner were very informative and helpful. I can’t say enough! I only recommend taking this as a FP as I did. Thank you D’Ann for being the best instructor and CPS for offering this course!
I really want to take this class! When is it typically offered?
This response is probably a little to late but in case anyone else is wondering it is typically offered 4 times a year (every 3 months).
This class has been such an eye-opening experience for me that I will never look at light the same way again. Karlee Hooper instructed the class, and not only is she wonderful, but her CC’s were incredibly helpful. I truly believe this class, along with Karlee’s CC’s, will have an ever lasting impact on my photography voice.
Tamara this review means so much to me. Thank you!
I just finished this class with Karlee Hooper. It was amazing and I learned SO much! This was my first full participation class and I highly recommend it. I was very intimidated to post at first but Karlee is just the sweetest and her critique delivery is kind but also very helpful. I previously purchased her breakout and thought she had the best personality and was so talented so I HAD to take this workshop. I even emailed her with a question about her Elements presets that I purchased in the Clickin’ Moms store and she made me a VIDEO explaining how to solve the issue I was having! Even if you think you know about light you will learn something in this class. It’s easy to understand and touches on everything!
It was such a pleasure having you in class Rachael!
I was hesitant to take this class…I have taken several classes and break-outs and most of them discuss light a little. I was worried that an introduction class wouldn’t offer anything new. Boy was I wrong! I learned so much! There is so much information about light and how to use different types of light. Karlee was amazing! I was a study along participant, but was able to learn so much from her feedback on other student assignments. She was so encouraging and her feedback really reinforced the course materials.
Karen I am so glad you took the class and it was so beneficial to you!
I highly recommend full participation with Karlee. I found her to be very down-to-earth, funny, inspiring, and sincere. As an instructor she is quick to respond to questions and to provide feedback on weekly assignments. She even generously created supplemental video’s for the class to clarify or introduce various post processing techniques. Karlee really takes the pressure off and makes the class a community. I was shocked when she shared at the end that this was her first class! I was hesitant to purchase this class because it was offered in the dead of winter. I’m am so glad I didn’t hold off. All the assignments accommodate for whatever mother nature is giving you. The classroom PDF’s offer valuable information, vocabulary, and assignments. As a visual learner, I appreciated all of Michelle Turner’s videos! She is fantastic at explaining and reinforcing the lessons.
The community aspect is my favorite part about Click Photo School classes so I am so glad you highlighted that here. You were such an amazing classmate!
This class was so helpful, informative, and perspective-changing. Thank you Karlee for being so open, encouraging, and creating a safe place for all levels to feel welcome. loved it so much! xo
Sarah it was my pleasure, can’t wait to follow along with your work!
I just finished this class (as full participant) with Karlee Hooper! Her critique and feedback have been invaluable. She not only tells you how you are doing with light but also gives you on ideas to improve your image with composition techniques or editing. She is always so quick to answer any questions you have and even creates additional videos to show you the answer to your question.
The material was fantastic and taught me so much. I’d been struggling with getting rim light and finally found out the trick for capturing it. Like composition and mastering manual exposure, it is one of those foundational classes for capturing your vision.
Thank you so much Laura for the kind review. I am so glad rim light is finally clicking for you and that you found the class so beneficial. It was a pleasure having you in class!
Over the past few years I’ve taken a few CM courses as a study along student, but for this course I registered for full participation – IT WAS AMAZING!!!!! The amount of material that was covered in four weeks was just incredible – the PDFs and videos were so helpful and well organized. The way I see light has forever changed since taking this course!
Karlee Hooper is an outstanding photography instructor! She shared a wealth of knowledge with us and gave such wonderful feedback on assignments. Karlee was so helpful with questions that came up, and she really went out of her way to help her students with topics they needed help with. Karlee is a gifted artist and teacher and I’m so impressed with her work. This course has had such a positive impact on my photography journey – after taking it I feel empowered to face any lighting scenario that comes my way!
Thank you, Karlee! So grateful to have had the chance to take this class from you – you’re amazing and inspirational!
Deanna, thank you, you actually made me a little teary in the best way. I can vividly remember taking the natural light class with Click Photo School years ago and I am just pinching myself that I actually get to teach it now. To have you say that I am outstanding at instructing this class means the world to me. You have done such a great job over the last month and I am so excited to see what you create from here!
I have long been an admirer of Karlee Hooper’s images, and jumped at the chance to take this course with her as an instructor. The materials are very rich and dense with gorgeous photos and detailed examples, and Karlee’s critiques on the weekly assignments were so amazing! I’ve been photographing for several years and I still found myself trying new techniques for controlling light and shooting in unused pockets of my house for the first time that I was seeing with new eyes.
Oh Anna, that really means so much to me. I am so clad you found my weekly critiques useful! It was a pleasure to get to know you and your work! I am so excited to see more from you in the future.
This class with Karlee Hooper has been amazing! I have taken the full-participation and I highly recommend it so so much, really worth it! Previously took the MME class.
I feel I have grown as a photographer, having learnt how to use and search light. The materials are easy to understand and so well structured, making things much easier. During the course, we where asked what additional things we wanted to learn and Karlee worked on extra videos which where fascinating and inspirational. Her CC’s are very constructive and help so much to understand your style! Thank you so much Karlee for your dedication and support!!!
Ines, it was my pleasure. Thank you for being such a wonderful student! I am so happy to hear that you found full participation to be worth it!
I am just completing this class with Karlee Hooper and it was amazing!!! I look at all my photos differently now. It really helps you to see light properly and know what to look for when taking a photo. Karlee is so lovely, friendly and knowledgable! I learnt so much from her and looked forward to her assignment feedback every week. Would definitely recommend this course!
Vanessa is was such a pleasure having you in class. I am so glad you found the course helpful and appreciate your kind words so much!
Just finishing up this class with Karlee. It is a great class and she was very “available” which was so nice! This may be the first Click course I have actually finished and she was very encouraging. I highly recommend this class to anyone who is newer to light and photography. I would take it again and plan to!
Betsy, I knew we would finish the whole class together! It was such a pleasure to have you in class and thank you for your thoughtful review.
This was a great class and Karlee is knowledgeable, engaging, encouraging and approachable. I will never look at light the same!
I so appreciate your kind words Sheryl. It makes me so happy that you see light in a new way!
I just finished this class as a full-participation student with Karlee Hooper. It was absolutely phenomenal! The course materials are amazing – I know I will reference the pdf’s and all the videos many, many times. I also can’t say enough about Karlee as an instructor. Her CC’s were so thorough and insightful. Seriously, I want her to critique all my work from here on out! She was so helpful and responsive to all of our questions and even made extra videos for us to explain new concepts or to show to us how to achieve a certain look. I highly recommend this class and if you can take the full participation – do it!
Thank you so much Jessi. You were such a joy to have in class! I so enjoyed critiquing your work and hope I get to see more in the future!
what a great class! I have taken about 4 classes at CPS and this has been my favorite! the videos the images and everything has been very thorough and helpful. I HIGHLY recommend this class. ( i took it as ass tudy along and wish I would have as a regular student for the feedback)
I am so glad you enjoyed the class Carla. I wish everyone could be full participation, it is so nice getting to “know” everyone.
Will this class be offered soon? It was suggested for after Mastering Manual Exposure. Thank you~
I believe that next run will be in April with D’Ann.
This was my second class after Mastering Manual Exposure and I really loved this class so much! D´Ann was such a warm and personal teacher and the way she explained things (often with her own photos as examples) was so thoughtful and easy to understand. I loved the way she encouraged every one of us and mulled over creative ideas on how to enhance the story in our photos on top of teaching us about light and shadows. She even went outside the curriculum by adding extra materials like videos of her own workflow etc. She was genuinely excited for us when we grew and expanded our understanding of the theme, and was always available in the forum for questions, feedback and some chat. This created what felt like such a safe environment for us to share our thoughts and photos through the whole class!
And oh – the light! I`ll never view light or shadows in the same way again after this class, inside or outside. The curriculum was explained very well in the PDF and videos, and I liked the way each week built on the next one while having a new theme. After this class I’m actually finding myself mentally making notes on where the good spots are when I`m in a new place! I notice how the light falls and what quality it has to it. The four weeks flew by way too quickly, and I wished this class would have lasted longer. I was having so much fun, felt so inspired and I`m so happy I went for the full participation! I recommend this class so so much!!
If you are looking for your next class after mastering manual exposure this is it. The information and how it is explained with videos and a PDF is so helpful, and the amount of information is everything you need to know to set the foundation with your understanding of light and how to utilise it in your photography confidently. I am glad I took full participation as getting your personalised feedback is invaluable
D’Ann is THE MOST AMAZING TEACHER. I feel like it is the little things that make the greatest impressions and speaks volumes and in the online workshop she was so caring, patient, always available and answered every question and even made an extra video for the students in her class. She is kind and understanding and supportive in that she took a genuine interest in her students and was so personable. I feel like when you are trying to learn all you can about photography the person who teaches you and how they teach is just as important and D’Ann provided such a positive learning experience in this workshop greatly appreciated it. Thank you so much D’Ann.
You made me cry Klarissa! Thank you!!!!
An investment that you will not regret, D’Ann is the quintessential queen of light. She is committed to her students and always readily available to answer any questions and goes the extra mile to help you in your journey. I’m just shy of six months into my very own photography journey and i credit D’Ann for most of it. Take this course, it will change the way you view the world through your camera!
Angelina you are the sweetest. Thank you!!! Watching you grow seriously makes my heart jump for joy and it’s an honor to be part of your photography path.
I was a study along student for this class, and while I didn’t have a “voice” or an opportunity to have my work reviewed, it was still a wonderful class for me. (fall 2019) The students who participated were involved and asked a lot of questions. I read every single thread and article, and I viewed every video.The Q&A threads were wonderful opportunities for learning. D’Ann was a great teacher. Like others, I am amazed this was her first class. She has a great eye and could give great suggestions on how to make a good photo even better. She was great in adding comments about what the student did well, too. And not to mention that she is very thoughtful and kind in her responses. I will never think again of just having my subject “go stand in the shadow.” Oh my goodness, the subject might be at the edge of the shade, move back in the shade, turn 1/4 this way or that way. It makes all the difference in the world. I was just telling someone today that at the moment, I am so distracted by light and shadows. I see a scene now and I start analyzing it: Where would I put the subject? Where would I stand? Where is the sun? What should the background be? Are there any reflective surfaces? I will never look at light and shadow the same. I took the exposure class and it fundamentally changed and improved my photos. I would say that this class is also a game-changer. Thank you to D’Ann and all the students who participated for making this a great class. I HIGHLY recommend this class!
Gayle! I’m so happy to hear from you, and to read how much you got out of this class. I think the take away I most hope attendees have is a changed way of seeing the world in all its light. Like you, I’m constantly distracted by beautiful light everywhere I go! Thank you so much for taking the time to write these thoughtful words.
Wow is all that I can say!! I feel that my eyes have been opened. D’Ann is an amazing teacher and explained things in a way that was easy to follow and understand. I feel that I can now begin to take my photography to the next level. Thank you so much
Thank you Dena! I so loved having you in class and watching you grow!!
First of all – Congratulations to D’Ann, can’t believe this is her first time teaching Understanding Light workshop – she is outstanding!. D’Ann is amazing at all levels of teaching and breaking down everything or finding a few different ways to explain a concept if not clear! She is so dedicated and always prompt at answering any questions asked, going over and beyond not just with anything related to light but also with other elements of exposure, composition, LR or PS suggestions. She was always there to support and encourage everyone not just weekdays but through out the weekend and give a detailed review back on HW assignments.
Understanding light WS is an eye opener, its comes with so much of materials and videos to learn from! I really appreciate indoor light and outdoor a lot more, specially learning about how to study about the directions, the way light falls, and understand what could be expected – opened up so many more possibilities to work around with – in situations that might not always be according to what we want, along with the bigger picture of how control light the way we want to! I have read so much on using basic light in past few years, but this class is so much depth and much more to learn from, and the FP and forums help a lot! Would highly recommend any one interested in taking this class!
Thank you so much Manisha. I’m so happy to hear that you got this much out of this class, and that you learned and grew with how you see light. It was a joy teaching you and watching you grow!
I just finished this class with D’Ann and I cannot even begin to describe how eye opening it was for me. I see light in a completely different way than I did before. I notice it everywhere. D’Ann is an amazing instructor. She gives freely of all her knowledge and is so good at making everything easy to understand. This was my first full participation course and I can’t recommend it enough!
I loved getting to know you Erika! Watching you grow and have aha moments is what teaching is all about. Thank you for this kind review. I’m so happy I had the opportunity to be your instructor!
I took this class as a Study Along student, and although I greatly missed the interaction with D’Ann and other classmates I still felt it was a huge gain for my skills. I started realizing what made my “lucky” shots look nice and how to replicate all of those components in a more consistent way for friends and family. Most importantly it was great to see what techniques and habits professionals do in order to assess light and use them even when situations are less than ideal. I was expecting to hear about what equipment to buy and while some were recommended (like a 5-in-one reflector, lens hood, etc) I also really appreciated learning how to reflect light with objects around me. I live in a crowded, urban environment where nature is scarce. This course helped me look at my neighborhood through a new perspective and realize what I used to see as a hindrances (ie tight alley ways with limited light) can still be utilized to capture flattering and beautiful photos if I’m studying my light well. I’m now tracking my neighborhood streets and making notes of when and where to try something new. Beauty can be found in the less than ideal when you know how to chase the light. Thanks D’Ann for helping shift my perspective!
Angela,
Thank you so much for this thorough and thoughtful review! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to know you in the FP forum, but so HAPPY you were able to learn and grow as a SA student. I hope to see you around in the forum!
This class was a game changer for me – at the most basic level I now look for light and see the differences in light. I cannot say enough about Danielle who went above and beyond to answer questions, and explain nuances in detail This class provides so much information about using light to your advantage. I feel like I have a whole new arsenal of tools to make the best with the light that I have. And I now understand why I was having issues in some scenarios. I have taken two other CM classes as a SA. This was my first FP. Not sure I can ever do SA again. The feedback is invaluable. I am sad it is over especially because I had so many overcast days – I want to take this class in every season just for the awesome feedback!
This class opened my eyes to the light around me. It helped me improve my use of light in photography and my appreciation of the beauty of light in my everyday life. Danielle Awwad takes the time to create extra videos to help elucidate difficult concepts. She ensure the course material is personalized to the level of each student. Well worth the investment.
I LOVED this class! There is so much information and it has already made such a difference in my images. The information is well presented and thorough. Elizabeth is so thorough and thoughtful in her evaluations of your work. She has an amazing eye. If you are debating between study along vs full participant I highly recommend full participation to get the feedback. She answers every question with thought, examples, links, she really cares that you understand it. This was my second Clickin Mom’s course, my first was MME and this was a great second class to take.
If you are thinking of taking this class, stop thinking and start taking! This class was the most informative and photography-changing class I’ve had. I learned so much about finding and using light and I feel like my photos are finally starting to match my intention. Elizabeth was a supportive and involved instructor, who answered every question we posed as quickly and thoroughly as she could. Her feedback was invaluable! I can’t recommend this class enough!
This was my first class on light and I learned so much more about it than I expected. Every week was packed with information and Elizabeth guided us through each concept, answering all our questions with thorough explanations, personal examples, and video. She was seemingly always available and eagerly offered plenty of helpful, friendly encouragement. It’s a foundational class that’s changed the way I see light forever and how I use my camera every day since. I’ve read tons on this subject, but nothing substitutes the feedback and interaction of a workshop, especially when you’re able to take it FP and pour yourself into it each week. I seriously learn more in a 4 week workshop than I do in a year on my own.
I really loved this class. If you are looking for a class that will help you “see the light” both indoors and outside, this is definitely it. Elizabeth is a very supportive instructor, and she was also willing to dive into directions not in the syllabus based on questions asked by students. It is the first class I have taken, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I would definitely recommend it as a full participation course. My only regret is that it was just 4 weeks. I want more!
Understanding Light is a fantastic introduction to all things light! The materials (pdf’s and videos) were very thorough and really help to build a solid foundation for seeing and understanding how to use light. Elizabeth is exceptionally sweet and encouraging. I really felt like she cared about each one of us in the class, and that is a great feeling! She is more than willing to answer all questions and help you in any way that she can. She provides detailed video feedback on the weekly assignments that is very helpful. This is the class to take if you want to start building your knowledge of light, both indoors and out!
This class was by far the most eye opening class I have taken. My only regret is that it didn’t last longer. Elizabeth constantly encouraged us to ask questions, no question was too small and she answered in such detail. I have learned to see light in a whole new way and it has changed my photography. I highly encourage full participation in this class, the constant feedback is invaluable.