Dan's Photo University Course Catalog
You can purchase tickets online, call Dan's at (610) 434-2313, or stop by our store. Please see our cancellation policy before ordering tickets.
Free Tips & Gear Seminars
sponsored by Promaster
Drop in for these quick, free one-hour seminars, full of practical photo tips to improve your pictures right away. Each topic is presented twice, so you can pick a date that's convenient.
Save on Gear! Get 15% off all Promaster gear, books, or DVDs you purchase the same day, just for stopping by!
Hitting the Trail- Saturdays, May 5 & 19 at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
- The Lehigh Valley surrounds us with amazing outdoor photo opportunities. Whether you're standing on the edge of the Appalachian Trail or beneath the towering Tulip Poplar tree canopies, nature's wonders become your photo's canvas. Photo enthusiasts and casual shooters alike can shoot wonderful macro, scenic, and abstract nature photos. Stop by for great advice on what gear to take, how to pack light for the trails, and be inspired by photos taken at recommended local venues.
- No Tips & Gear seminars May 12 & 22
- May 12: The Aussies return for the Creative Photo Workshops
- May 22: Memorial Day Weekend - Enjoy the holiday, and don't forget to share your photos with us on Facebook
Black & White Photography- Saturdays, June 2 & 9 at our new time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Digital Camera Classes
Digital Cameras for Beginners
Not sure where to begin with your digital camera? This class will cover what you need to get started. Focus will be on digital point-and-shoot cameras covering basic camera operation, digital photo concepts like using flash and composition, and recommended accessories to enhance your picture taking. This class is especially helpful for people who received their camera as a gift or did not purchase it from Dan's.
- Class: $24.99
- One 2½ hour class
- Class size is limited to 20 students.
- Class & Software Value Bundle:
- Save big on Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements, for Windows or Macintosh.
- Software Bundle Details »
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 3 | 5:00 – 7:30 | Please call |
| Thursday, June 14 | 5:00 – 7:30 |
Nikon Coolpix Digital Cameras for Beginners
This class is similar to our standard digital camera class, but goes into more detail on some of the features specific to Nikon cameras.
| Model | Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| any | Monday, April 9 | 5:00 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| P500 | Saturday, April 14 | 1:00 – 3:30 | Sold out |
| any | Saturday, May 12 | 1:00 – 3:30 | Sold out |
| any | Saturday, June 23 | 10:00 – 12:30 | |
| P500 | Saturday, June 2 | 10:30 – 1:00 |
Olympus Digital Cameras for Beginners
This class is similar to our standard digital camera class, but goes into more detail on some of the features specific to Olympus cameras.
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 5 | 5:00 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| Thursday, June 28 | 5:00 – 7:30 |
Beyond Beginner With Your Compact Digital Camera
Learn how to look at common photo situations and know what to do to get better pictures with your compact digital camera. Join us to see how exploring your camera's useful features is often necessary to improve the shot.
As a first step, you'll gain insight on how to better use the light around you and learn why your pictures don't always turn out the way you intended. Next, we'll show you what you can change to succeed at your next photo outing. You'll also be more successful when you use our tips on good composition and how to better position you and your subject. We'll cover these and other important topics like focusing and getting the right exposure so your subject is not too dark or too bright. From importing pictures into the computer to doing more fun things with them, you'll be on your way to more exciting images. Digital Cameras for Beginner or equivalent knowledge is a prerequisite for this class.
- Cost: $39.99
- One 3-hour sessions
- Class size is limited to approximately 14 students
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 25 | 10:30 – 1:30 |
Nikon Beyond Beginner With Your Compact Digital Camera
No sessions currently scheduled. Sign up for our e-mail newsletter to learn about new classes as soon as they're announced.
Digital SLRs for Beginners
Digital SLRs offer unmatched options in taking pictures and there are several considerations for getting the results you expect. This class helps familiarize you with: issues that arise when switching to digital; basic functions of your SLR camera; choosing exposure modes; working with different file types; the basics of using flash effectively; and choosing filters and accessories to meet your photographic needs.
- Cost: $39.99
- One three-hour session
- Class size limited to approximately 14 students.
- Class & Software Value Bundle:
- Save big on Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, for Windows or Macintosh.
- Software Bundle Details »
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
Nikon DSLRs for Beginners
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 7 | 10:00 – 1:00 | Sold out |
| Thursday, April 26 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Please call |
| Saturday, May 5 | 10:00 – 1:00 | Please call |
| Thursday, May 17 | 4:30 – 7:30 | |
| Saturday, June 9 | 10:00 – 1:00 | |
| Monday, June 18 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Nikon 1 series cameras for Beginners
This class is similar to our standard DSLR camera class, but goes into more detail on some of the features specific to Nikon V1 and J1 cameras.
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 28 | 10:00 – 1:00 |
Canon DSLRs for Beginners
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 12 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| Monday, April 30 | 4:30 – 7:30 | |
| Thursday, May 10 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| Saturday, June 2 | 10:00 – 1:00 | Please call |
| Wednesday, June 13 | 10:30 – 1:30 | |
| Monday, June 25 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Olympus DSLRs for Beginners
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 7 | 4:30 – 7:30 | cancelled |
| Monday, May 21 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| Thursday, June 21 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Sony DSLR Beginner — DIG 110-S
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 14 | 4:30 – 7:30 | cancelled |
Digital SLRs: Beyond Beginner
Take advantage of your camera's best features now! We'll show you how to figure out why a photo didn't come out great and what to do to make the next one better. This next-step class will help you understand shutter speeds and f/stops so you can get better exposure consistently, and be more successful at every photo outing. It's easier to know what to change to make more powerful images when you have a better understanding of how your camera works with light and color and we'll teach you this. We'll also offer suggestions for stronger composition and show you photo examples that incorporate several of the class concepts to tie it all together and get you excited about getting out to shoot! DSLR Beginner or equivalent knowledge is a prerequisite for this class.
- Cost: $49.99
- One 3-hour session
- Class size limited to approximately 14 students.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 2 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| Saturday, April 21 | 10:00 – 1:00 | Sold out |
| Saturday, June 23 | 10:00 – 1:00 |
Canon DSLR: Beyond Beginner
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 4 | 10:30 – 1:30 | Sold out |
| Thursday, April 19 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| Saturday, May 5 | 12:30 – 3:30 | |
| Thursday, May 24 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Olympus: Beyond Beginner
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 23 | 4:30 – 7:30 | cancelled |
| Thursday, May 31 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Lighting
Intro to Flash with your DSLR camera
Getting started with external flash with your Digital SLR should be easy. See how painless it can be. Learn how to select the right flash for you and your camera, and then how to set the flash and camera options for general use. We'll also take you a bit beyond the full-auto settings to give you a little more control for getting the image you want with professional-looking results. You'll also find out which accessories will improve image quality or add flexibility when shooting with flash in a variety of situations. You'll benefit from concepts taught in this class regardless of the camera brand you have.
- Cost: $24.99
- One 2½-hour session
- Class size limited to approximately 20 students
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 3 | 5:00 – 7:30 | |
| Thursday, June 28 | 5:00 – 7:30 |
Creative Flash Techniques
Moving your flash off-camera offers incredible flexibility and allows for stronger, more creative flash photography. This hands-on class will guide you through the basics of wireless lighting with your external flash and digital SLR.
We will demonstrate examples of simple one-flash wireless setups to multiple flash setups and you will have the opportunity to try these new techniques in class. Learn to unlock your creative potential by using your flash to maximum effect. See how well this all works as a lightweight, portable studio you can take anywhere for portraits, macro, tabletop, wedding and architectural photography. Intro to flash with your DSLR Camera class or equivalent knowledge is a prerequisite for this class.
- Cost: $39.99
- One three-hour class
- Class limited to 14 students
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
Nikon Creative Lighting System
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 4 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Canon Speedlite System
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 21 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Studio Lighting Basics
Explore the fundamentals of studio lighting and how to decide which lighting solutions are best for you. From a single external flash to multiple strobes to hot lights, we'll show you the pros and cons of each for different shooting situations. Learn concepts like quality of light, how to effectively use key light and fill light, and how multiple light sources impact your final image. We'll help you gain confidence to make the most of your lighting equipment and get better pictures. Understanding of photography fundamentals required, including adjusting shutter speed and aperture on your camera.
- Cost: $49.99
- One three-hour class
- Class size is limited to approximately 14 students.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 16 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Sold out |
LifeStyle Classes
Developed by a busy mom and Dan's photo experts, these classes combine camera techniques and real life suggestions for improving your photos and saving you time while capturing the images you want of your family. While all of our classes are presented with the students in mind, Lifestyle classes are especially big on how-tos and small on technical lingo. While focusing on a family-oriented topic, each class will cover specific techniques you can use right away to improve your results. Then we give you tips and suggestions, specific to that topic, that will help add that something special to your photography. Dan's Lifestyle classes focus on providing you plenty of know-how in a short time without overwhelming you with too much information.
These classes are not camera specific, and are designed for users of interchangeable-lens cameras, or point-and-shoot cameras with some manual controls. We encourage you to be familiar with your camera's basic operation ahead of time. We invite you to stop by the store, and our experts will gladly give you a brief run-down on your camera's operation before class.
Kidography: Indoor Portraits
Everyday snapshots are essential for documenting our memories, but planned portraits add a new dimension to your photos and gifts. Through a combination of camera techniques and savvy planning, we can help you get better indoor pictures.
See how simple settings on your camera will help with the challenges of indoor light. Review class samples on how the creative use of some common household items can help you compose a great shot. With a few easy hints, some knowledge of lighting, and a couple inexpensive items, you can turn your home into a do-it-yourself studio. Warning: Once your family and friends realize what you can do, you might become the family photographer for everyone else!
- Cost: $24.99
- One 2½-hour class
- Class size limited to 20 students.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
No sessions currently scheduled. Sign up for our e-mail newsletter to learn about new classes as soon as they're announced.
Kidography: Outdoor Portraits
Environmental portraits look great and are easier to master than you may think. Join us for this hands-on class to learn simple techniques for taking great outdoor pictures of your kids. We'll cover traditional and creative approaches to kids' portraits through a blend of basic camera techniques and general instruction. Techniques will include camera settings, options for creating special effects such as soft focus, and composition suggestions. Other topics include managing the variety of challenges kids present when you want to take their photo and choosing your location to create the perfect photo environment.
After the class, you have the option of meeting us at a local park for an on-location shoot. Bring your kids and your camera to start putting what you learned into practice. We will be there to ensure you get the results you want.
- Cost: $34.99
- 2½-hour class, 1½ hour photo shoot
- Class size limited to 20 students.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| class: Monday, 4/16 outing: Saturday, 4/21 |
5:00 – 7:30 9:00 – 10:30 |
Sold out |
| class: Thursday, June 7 outing: Saturday, June 9 |
5:00 – 7:30 9:00 – 10:30 |
Capturing Baby's 1st Year
Your baby's first year has more memories than any other, yet it goes by so fast. This class will teach you how to better prepare yourself to capture these precious moments. We will discuss a combination of photo topics and general considerations you might not have thought about and you'll leave class with a bunch of great ideas. Photo techniques covered include choosing your camera settings, managing various types of lighting and must have accessories to simplify your shooting. General suggestions include how to plan your photos, using props and ideas for managing all those pictures. You'll most likely be taking hundreds, maybe even thousands, of photos in the first 365 days. Let Dan's help you turn more of them into treasured photos you'll be proud of.
- Cost: $24.99
- One 2-hour class
- Class size limited to 20 students.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 2 | 5:30 – 7:30 | cancelled |
Kidography: Kids in Motion
Playing sports often creates some of our best childhood memories, and is one of the most challenging situations to photograph. Great photos that tell the story of your child's adventures become treasured keepsakes. As part of our Lifestyle series, this class focuses on a blend of camera techniques and real life suggestions to get the photos you'll want to share. Easy to follow techniques including how to freeze action, getting sharp focus on moving subjects and handling indoor and outdoor lighting challenges. We will also review suggestions for composing images with impact, planning how to tell a season's story, and great ways to display and share all your photos that you and your family will love. We recommend an interchangeable lens camera for this class.
- Cost: $34.99
- Two 2-hour classes
- Class size limited to 20 students.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
No sessions currently scheduled. Sign up for our e-mail newsletter to learn about new classes as soon as they're announced.
Better Pet Pictures
Pets are some of the most photographed subjects, but they present some unique photographic challenges. In this class, we'll take you beyond simple snapshots and help you get great photos of your pets.
We'll start with basic camera modes to help you capture moving subjects, and how to use focus creatively to put the emphasis on your pet and not the background. You'll also learn some simple flash techniques to avoid distracting glowing pet eyes, and composition techniques to turn basic snapshots of your pet into amazing family memories.
This class is best for people with DSLR cameras or enhanced point & shoot cameras that let you manually adjust shutter speed and aperture for more creative control (most compact digital cameras do not have these features).
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
- Cost: $29.99
- One 3-hour class
- Class size limited to 20 students.
- Class & Software Value Bundle:
- Save big on Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, for Windows or Macintosh.
- Software Bundle Details »
No sessions currently scheduled. Sign up for our e-mail newsletter to learn about new classes as soon as they're announced.
Photo Software
Organizing and Archiving Your Pictures
Are you overwhelmed with boxes of photos, memory cards that are full and a computer with duplicate photos in several different places? This is the class for you! We will be sharing tips on how to get organized with everything from prints to negatives, and most importantly hundreds or thousands of digital photos. Equally important is keeping all of these important memories safe and archival. We will explore a few different ways to organize and how to figure out what might work best for you.
For your digital image files, we'll demonstrate the powerful organizing and search features in Adobe Photoshop Elements. Options for additional backups of your images include CDs and DVDs, as well as External Hard Drives. You'll leave with a better idea of which route is best for you. Our goal is to give you tips on how to get organized with your photos right now and develop a plan on how to keep you organized and be able to easily retrieve the pictures you want in the future. Imagine how good it will feel when you are done with this project and can find any photo in just a few minutes!
- Cost: $19.99
- One 2½ session
- Class size limited to approximately 20 students
- Class & Software Value Bundle:
- Save big on Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, for Windows or Macintosh.
- Software Bundle Details »
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 19 | 5:00 – 7:30 | |
| Thursday, May 24 | 5:00 – 7:30 |
iPhoto for Beginners
This class will help you organize, enhance, and share your digital photos efficiently using iPhoto software. We'll show you how easy it is to use this software for the Mac to store your photos and organize them in a way that allows you to find them quickly a month from now or a year from now. You'll see how to enhance the color and exposure of your images to make them pop and get them ready for printing or fun projects like a professional-looking photo book. We'll also cover how to burn CDs of just the images you want for sharing on any Mac or PC and show you other ways to share and show off your photos!
- Cost: $24.99
- One 2½-hour session
- Class size limited to approximately 20 students
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 27 | 2:30 – 5:00 | cancelled |
Intro to Picasa
Picasa is a free photo-editing application by Google that Dan's recommends for simple editing and organizing. Learn the basics, including how to import photos from your camera or computer and see how easy it is to get organized. Picasa is handy for cropping photos to a specific size, fixing red eyes, and applying effects to your photos. See demonstrations of these and other useful and fun tools for becoming creative with your photos in this free software. This is a lecture-based course demonstrating the features of the software. Students should already be familiar with basic computer concepts.
- Cost: $24.99
- Two 2-hour sessions
- Class size limited to 14 students
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesdays, April 11 & 18 | 10:30 – 12:30 | cancelled |
Adobe Photoshop Elements™, Beginner
Photoshop Elements™ is powerful yet affordable software. Students will receive an overview of many of the useful features this program offers. Topics include, cropping images for various purposes; basic retouching techniques; adjusting highlights and shadows; removing unwanted portions of an image, an introduction to using layers, and more. This is a lecture-based course where students will receive detailed handouts following class and have an assignment between sessions.
Note: Students should already own Photoshop Elements version 8 or later and be familiar with computer basics and digital concepts such as resolution and file formats.
- Cost: $59.99
- Two three-hour sessions
- Class size limited to approximately 14 students.
- Class & Software Value Bundle:
- Save big on Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, for Windows or Macintosh.
- Software Bundle Details »
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Mondays, April 23 & 30 | 4:30 – 7:30 | Sold out |
| Mondays, June 18 & 25 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
Adobe Photoshop Elements™, Intermediate
This hands-on course will take Photoshop Elements users beyond the basics. Class will be part lecture and part hands-on computer lab. Students will complete several image-editing projects including; retouching imperfections in photos; creating a collage with several images; and creating a photo business card. This class is designed to help you understand more of the tools in Photoshop Elements and spark your creativity.
Requirements: Students should own Photoshop Elements and have attended Photoshop Elements Beginner class or have equivalent knowledge.
- Cost: $79.99
- Two three-hour sessions
- Class size limited to approximately 12 students.
- Class & Software Value Bundle:
- Save big on Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, for Windows or Macintosh.
- Software Bundle Details »
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, May 31 & June 7 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
If you're not using Camera RAW, you're not using the full potential of your digital camera! (enlarge photo)
Shooting RAW for Better Images
This introductory course is a great way to find out why more people are shooting in RAW mode, then editing the images in software like Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Photoshop CS4/CS5. Working with RAW files in these programs has many advantages, including controlling exposure, adjusting color, highlight & shadow detail, and more.
We'll walk you through the key workflow steps, from capturing RAW files in your camera to making simple software adjustments that will have a big impact on your images. See the power of working with RAW files and how you can save time by correcting multiple images in just one click. We'll make recommendations on which steps to do first, and which are best for later in the process, all to help you maximize every image you capture!
- Cost: $39.99
- One three-hour session
- Location: Dan's Camera City
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, May 19 | 10:00 – 1:00 | cancelled |
Creative Classes
Principles of Design and Composition
Learn to improve your pictures with better composition! Whether you're photographing people, landscapes, or other subjects, this class will teach you how to use simple elements and principles to give your images incredible impact. Gain a better understanding of how to use color, shape, line and pattern for better pictures that capture the viewer's attention.
This two-session class helps you learn the rules of good composition… and when to break them. Session two provides an opportunity for students to review the concepts, receive feedback on their images, and learn how good design may improve them. Inspiration from the instructor's personal work and important photographers past and present will show how traditional design and composition concepts can be applied to photography.
This class is recommended for anyone from those with basic camera skills to pros looking to take their images to the next level. Basic understanding of camera operation is required.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
- Cost: $59.99
- Two three-hour sessions
- Class limited to 14 students
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Saturdays, April 21 & 28 | 12:30 – 3:30 | |
| Mondays, June 4 & 11 | 4:30 – 7:30 |
High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography 
This introduction to HDR photography will explore an exciting alternative for photographing high-contrast (high dynamic range) scenes. Get tips on how to look for subjects and scenes that work well for HDR and which ones may not, as well as tips on camera settings and shooting techniques. Learn how to shoot a sequence of photos quickly of the same scene (some dark, some bright) to get one great final image. See how software like Photomatix and Adobe Photoshop (CS2 or newer) let you blend the best parts of each image to create a traditional photo look, but with better highlight and shadow detail. If you'd like something more creative, see lots of examples of how to go for a hyper-realistic or even surrealistic effect.
HDR allows you to bring out the vibrant colors, incredible detail, and texture of the scenes around you that are otherwise impossible to capture. We'll demonstrate how to control the amount of the effect applied to your blended images and how to get the final look you want. Once you see what can be accomplished with these techniques, you're likely to find a new way of seeing and a new way of shooting.
- Cost: $29.99
- One three-hour class
- Class size limited to approximately 20 students
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 26 | 4:30 – 7:30 | cancelled |
Close-up Photography (macro)
Close-up photography creates lots of new opportunities for stunning images, and you can do it with a variety of digital cameras. This class will help you get the best results from your point-and-shoot or digital SLR camera for great close-up photos. We'll cover key topics common to most cameras including: macro mode, using natural light, using flash, and getting better focus. You'll also learn about composition and the best ways to frame your up-close & personal subjects. While the overall focus is on nature photos, most of the concepts can be applied to a variety of other close-up subjects as well.
How do I use a coupon or gift card?
- Cost: $24.99
- One 2½-hour class
- Class size is limited to approximately 20 students.
No sessions currently scheduled. Sign up for our e-mail newsletter to learn about new classes as soon as they're announced.
Kids Photo Camp!
Digital Photography Class for Kids
Looking for something for the kids to do during summer break? How about a camp designed to get your kids excited about photography. This four-day kids photo camp will get your child started with the basics of handling a camera, and understanding basic camera features like flash. We'll cover simple composition tips and basic people photography skills to help them capture the people and things important in their life. Then they'll put into practice what we cover in class with real shooting assignments indoors and out (weather permitting).
After some creative in class and homework assignments, we will be presenting what they learned with a fun take home project. For ages 11-15 we will also begin to explore simple computer software editing options for quick and fun photo projects.
- Cost: $59.99
- Four two-hour sessions, Monday thru Thursday
| Ages | Date | Time | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 – 10 | 7/9 – 7/12 | 10:30 – 12:30 | Allentown store | |
| 11 – 15 | 7/9 – 7/12 | 1:30 – 3:30 | Allentown store | Please call (610) 434-2313 for ticket availability |
| 8 – 10 | 8/6 – 8/9 | 10:30 – 12:30 | Nazareth Crossings store | |
| 11 – 15 | 8/6 – 8/9 | 1:30 – 3:30 | Nazareth Crossings store |
Our classes sell out quickly. Sign up for our e-mail newsletter to learn about new classes as soon as they're announced.