Exploring Digital Photography and NYC: The Big Apple

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this Photography + Destination Combination class, you will learn about basic digital photography and apply your new knowledge and skills during a trip to New York City. This course is for anyone who loves to travel, learn about new places, and is interested in improving their photography skills, using any digital camera or smart phone, so that you can take exceptional pictures when you travel. During this 4-day hands-on class, you will learn basic photography skills and get to experience the culture and history of the Big Apple.

We will explore the concept of exposure, color balance, and composition. We will also look into shooting macro (close up) photography, landscape, and still photography. Basic editing and retouching techniques will be discussed, which will help you complete your post-assignments.

Some of the places we will visit include the famous Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO. Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in NYC. You will learn the history of the bridge and everything you need to know about it, from the early days of construction to its cultural significance today. You’ll also get perfect views of the Manhattan skyline as you cross. Once we’ve crossed the bridge, we will head to the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood called DUMBO. This place is known for its high-end boutiques, delicious desserts, pizza shops, art galleries, and scenic waterfront views. Its most famous view is the vision of the Manhattan Bridge wedged perfectly between two brick buildings.

We will also visit the 9/11 Memorial and the Oculus. The 9/11 Memorial was established to honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. We will head to the Memorial’s twin reflecting pools that sit in the footprint of where the Twin Towers once stood. These pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The names of every person who died in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are inscribed into the bronze panels edging the pools. Adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial is the World Trade Center Transportation Hub’s centerpiece, the Oculus, a spiny, bleach-white structure, which was designed to evoke the image of a dove taking flight from the hands of a child.

We will take the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, where you will learn the history of these two places. “The Statue of Liberty” was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States in 1886, and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. At Ellis Island, you will get to tour The National Immigration Museum. It is the destination that welcomed more than 12 million immigrants to our shores. Ellis Island is now a poetic symbol of the American Dream.

Of course, let’s not forget about Times Square, once of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas and hub of the Broadway Theater District. Times Square is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually. Brightly lit by numerous billboards and advertisements, it stretches from West 42nd to West 47th Streets, and is sometimes referred to as “the Crossroads of the World”, “the Center of the Universe”, and “the heart of the world”.

You will also visit 3 other boroughs including Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn – because NYC is not only about Manhattan!

**Make sure you bring comfortable shoes (there will be plenty of walking), weather appropriate clothes, water and of course camera/phone!

Your post-assignments will consist of editing your pictures from the trip to NYC as well as assignments demonstrating your knowledge of New York City and all the places you visited.

ASSIGNMENTS AND COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

In addition to the in-person meetings that will take place on Thur – Sun this class will include pre-assignments and post-assignments as part of the 72-hour class.

You will be invited to join Google Classroom about a month before class starts, which is the platform we use for the course. Check your spam folder, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive the invitation and later, your certificate. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use gmail, outlook, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification to join Google Classroom, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.

Pre-assignments will be posted on Google Classroom 3 weeks before class starts. Make sure you join Google Classroom early and complete the assignments BEFORE coming to class. It will take you approximately 18 hours to complete

Follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 18 hours. You must complete them in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to you, a few days after the class has officially ended. You will have 4 weeks to complete the assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please indicate it during the registration process and upload proof. The earliest you can receive your certificate is ONE WEEK after in-person portion of class has concluded.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in NYC and on campus in Jersey City. If you are late or leave early, your will risk not receiving your certificate. Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water and snacks. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!

$995 | IN-PERSON | 72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)

Contact Information

Office of Continuing Education
161 Newkirk Street, Room E504
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 360-4224
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