Clean Camera Hands-on Photography Workshops
Bring Your Camera. Leave With a Cleaner Camera — and the Confidence to Actually Use It at our hands-on photography workshops in Michigan.
New Hands-On Camera & Photography Classes from Clean Camera
Have you ever looked at your camera and thought:
“I know this camera can do so much more than I know how to do with it.”
Maybe you bought a beautiful camera because you wanted better photographs of your kids or grandkids.
Maybe you're getting more serious about photography and you're ready to finally get out of Auto mode.
Maybe you've been photographing for years, but you're still frustrated by images that aren't as sharp as you'd like.
Or maybe you've recently fallen in love with film photography and have absolutely no idea where to begin.
That's exactly why we're introducing our new Clean Camera Hands-On Photography Workshops & Camera Classes.
And we're doing them a little differently.
You Don't Have to Take Classes You Don't Need
We didn't want to create a traditional Photography 101, 102, 103 program where everyone has to follow the same path.
Photography doesn't work that way.
Some people already understand exposure but struggle with focus.
Some photographers understand their camera perfectly but want to become better at finding beautiful light.
Someone else may simply want Tim to help them understand all those buttons, menus and settings on the camera they received for Christmas three years ago.
And then there are the people pulling Dad's old 35mm camera out of a closet and wondering, “Can I actually shoot with this?”
So we're letting YOU choose your path at our Clean Camera Hands-on Photography Workshops.
Choose one class.
Choose two.
Choose three.
Or take all five.
You decide what you want to learn.
EVERY FIRST CLASS INCLUDES CAMERA CARE
Here's what makes these classes very different from a typical photography workshop.
Your first class is $199, regardless of which topic you choose.
In addition to your hands-on class, you'll receive our Camera Care Package, which includes:
Professional sensor cleaning
Camera function/condition check
Focus performance check
Lens calibration/check for up to three compatible lenses
Basic camera and lens care guidance
Traditional lens calibration is not applicable to every camera/lens combination. For equipment where traditional calibration isn't appropriate, we'll perform the applicable focus/performance checks instead.
So bring your camera.
Bring your lenses.
Bring your questions.
We'll take care of the gear AND help you learn how to use it.
CHOOSE FROM 5 DIFFERENT CLASSES
CLASS OPTION 1: CAMERA 101
Know Your Gear
“What does this button do?”
There are no silly questions in Camera 101.
This class is designed for anyone who owns a DSLR or mirrorless camera but doesn't feel completely comfortable operating it.
We'll explore your camera's buttons, dials, menus and settings and help you understand what actually matters.
Topics include:
Camera buttons, dials and controls
Understanding your camera's menus
DSLR vs. mirrorless basics
Camera shooting modes
Autofocus settings
Focus points
Drive modes
RAW vs. JPEG
Memory cards
Batteries
Basic lens terminology
Changing lenses properly
Customizing commonly used controls
Basic troubleshooting
Camera and lens care
The goal: Stop being intimidated by your camera and start feeling confident using it.
CLASS OPTION 2: PHOTOGRAPHY 101
Get Out of Auto
You don't need a more expensive camera to become a better photographer.
You need to understand how to control the camera you already own.
Photography 101 takes the mystery out of exposure and teaches you how photographers intentionally create an image instead of allowing the camera to make every decision.
We'll cover:
The exposure triangle
Aperture
Shutter speed
ISO
How aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together
Depth of field
Freezing motion
Creating intentional motion
Exposure compensation
Metering
Choosing ISO
Aperture Priority
Shutter Priority
Manual exposure
Hands-on shooting exercises
We're not interested in having you memorize a bunch of photography vocabulary.
We want you to understand WHY changing a setting changes your photograph.
The goal: Get out of Auto and start making your own creative decisions.
CLASS OPTION 3: FOCUS & LENSES 101
Get Sharper Photos
You've invested in a good camera.
You've bought good lenses.
So why aren't all of your photographs sharp?
This is one of the most common frustrations photographers have, and the answer isn't always the equipment.
Sometimes it's focus.
Sometimes it's shutter speed.
Sometimes it's camera movement.
Sometimes it's the wrong autofocus setting.
Sometimes it's depth of field.
And occasionally, there really is an equipment issue.
We'll help you understand the difference.
Topics include:
Autofocus modes
Focus points
Eye and face detection
Subject tracking
Back-button focus
Camera shake vs. missed focus
Choosing an appropriate shutter speed
How focal length affects your photograph
Prime vs. zoom lenses
Aperture and lens performance
Understanding depth of field
Choosing lenses for different situations
Handholding techniques
When to use a tripod
Troubleshooting soft photographs
The goal: Stop guessing why your photographs aren't sharp and learn how to consistently improve focus.
CLASS OPTION 4: LIGHT & COMPOSITION 101
Learn to See the Photograph
Once you understand your camera, something interesting happens.
Photography becomes less about the camera.
It becomes about seeing.
Seeing the light.
Seeing the background.
Seeing the composition.
Seeing the moment before you ever press the shutter.
This class focuses on the artistic side of photography and helps you start thinking like a photographer.
We'll explore:
Hard light vs. soft light
Direction of light
Finding beautiful natural light
Window light
Open shade
Backlighting
Golden hour
Working with difficult light
Background selection
Rule of thirds
Leading lines
Framing
Perspective
Creating depth
Eliminating distractions
Basic composition for photographing people
Recognizing potential photographs in everyday locations
The goal: Learn to create photographs that are more than technically correct — photographs that actually make someone stop and look.
CLASS OPTION 5: FILM PHOTOGRAPHY 101
Back to the Beginning
Film is back.
And we couldn't be happier about it.
Maybe you've inherited an old camera.
Maybe you found one at an estate sale.
Maybe you're a digital photographer who's curious about where all of this started.
Or maybe you're part of a new generation discovering the magic of slowing down and creating a photograph without immediately looking at the back of a screen.
Film Photography 101 introduces you to the analog photography experience.
We'll cover:
How a film camera works
35mm camera basics
SLRs, rangefinders and point-and-shoot cameras
Choosing a film camera
Loading and unloading film
Understanding ISO/ASA
Choosing film
Color negative film
Black-and-white film
Slide film
Manual focusing
Metering
Exposing film
Caring for vintage cameras and lenses
Common problems with older equipment
What happens during film development
Understanding negatives
Scanning and digitizing film
What to look for when purchasing used film equipment
You'll also have the opportunity to learn more about the mechanics behind these incredible cameras and why so many of them are still working decades after they were manufactured.
The goal: Give you enough knowledge and confidence to load a roll of film and start shooting.
HOW PRICING WORKS
This is where we've made the program especially flexible.
Your First Class — $199
Choose ANY ONE of the five topics.
Your first class also includes your Camera Care Package with professional sensor cleaning and checks for up to three compatible lenses.
Then decide if you want to keep learning.
Add Your Second Class — $125
Pick whichever additional topic interests you most.
Add Three or More Classes — Just $75 Each
The more you want to learn, the more affordable each additional class becomes.
YOUR CUSTOM PROGRAM | PRICE |
Any 1 Class + Camera Care | $199 |
Any 2 Classes | $324 |
Any 3 Classes | $399 |
Any 4 Classes | $474 |
ALL 5 Classes | $549 |
There are no required prerequisites and no required order.
You build the program that fits YOU.
WHO ARE THESE CLASSES FOR?
Beginners are absolutely welcome.
In fact, beginners are encouraged.
But these classes aren't only for beginners.
They're great for:
Parents wanting better photographs of their children
Grandparents wanting to finally understand their camera
Hobby photographers
Aspiring professional photographers
High school and college photography students
Content creators
Small business owners
Photographers struggling with focus
Digital photographers interested in film
Film photographers returning after many years away
Anyone who bought an expensive camera and is still using Auto
Anyone who simply loves photography
You don't need the newest camera.
You don't need the most expensive lens.
And you definitely don't need to know all the photography terminology before you arrive.
That's why we're teaching the classes.
TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. ONE CLASSROOM.
One of the things we're most excited about is combining our different areas of experience.
Tim brings the technical side of photography — cameras, lenses, equipment, troubleshooting, cleaning, repair and understanding how the equipment actually works.
Melonie brings the photographer's perspective — decades of professional photography experience, professional credentials, teaching experience, lighting, composition, posing and creating photographs for real clients in real-world situations.
That means we can talk about both sides of the equation:
Is it the camera — or is it the photographer?
Sometimes it's the camera.
Sometimes it's a setting.
Sometimes it's technique.
And sometimes you just need someone sitting beside you saying:
“Here. Change this setting. Now take the picture again.”
That is exactly the kind of hands-on learning environment we want to create.
BRING YOUR CAMERA. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS.
We want these classes to feel approachable.
This isn't about showing off expensive equipment or making beginners feel like they don't belong.
Quite the opposite.
Bring the camera that's been sitting in your closet.
Bring the lens you aren't sure how to use.
Bring Dad's old film camera.
Bring the camera you just bought.
Bring the photographs that keep coming out blurry.
And definitely bring the questions you've been afraid were too basic to ask.
We'll start where you are.
CHOOSE YOUR CLASS. CHOOSE YOUR PATH. START CREATING.
First Class + Camera Care: $199
Second Class: +$125
Third, Fourth & Fifth Classes: +$75 each
Complete 5-Class Series: $549
Choose from:
Camera 101 — Know Your Gear
Photography 101 — Get Out of Auto
Focus & Lenses 101 — Get Sharper Photos
Light & Composition 101 — Learn to See the Photograph
Film Photography 101 — Back to the Beginning
You don't have to learn everything.
You just have to start with what YOU want to learn.
Clean Camera
Bring Your Camera. Leave With a Cleaner Camera — and the Confidence to Actually Use It.
For the email blast, I would not put this whole article in the email. I’d use a much shorter teaser built around “Pick Your Class”, show the five choices, highlight $199 including sensor cleaning + up to 3 lens checks, and have one big LEARN MORE / CHOOSE YOUR CLASS button leading to this blog page. That should make the email much easier to scan and click.
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