The Gallery School came together out of the demand for education in photography and contemporary fine art from people coming to the Elaine Fleck Gallery. The quality of work exhibited at the Elaine Fleck Gallery is world class, the artists represented are exceptional. The general public and creative people alike are very stimulated by the art work. We get a lot of, “how do you do that”, “what is the technique here”, “I have always wanted to take a course in…”

The Gallery School is currently offering courses on the following:

"Does it seem like you're spending more time on the computer than taking pictures?
With the advancement of digital photography there have never been so many software options available to today's photographers. The choices, costs, and learning curves can be so daunting that it can be hard to know where to start...and finish. Enter ADOBE LIGHTROOM. This powerful, user-friendly, all-in-one software was produced with photographers in mind – not computer gurus. All the tools of digital image processing and organization: folders, white balance, levels, cropping, Hugh, Saturation, black/white conversion (and much more) are laid out in front of you in an elegant, clean interface – all at a third the cost of its big brother, PHOTOSHOP.
This course is delivered in three, three hour classes and will guide you through the fundamentals of importing photos from your digital camera, professional processing techniques and more, all within the fun and easy-to-use interface of the newest generation of digital photo editors, ADOBE LIGHTROOM."

Whether you are new to Photoshop or you want to quickly expand your expertise you have come to the right place. This one on one instruction will propel participants deep into the world of Adobe Photoshop—the most powerful imaging program available. After defining the term “resolution,” we’ll begin our journey into the endless possibilities that Photoshop has to offer: image adjusting and color correction, retouching and restoration, creative tips and filters, image compositing, adding text to images, and much more. Participants will master the basic tools (selections, retouching, paint brush, etc.) and menus of Photoshop and proceed to one of its most versatile, powerful and creative features—Layers. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, participants will quickly gain the skills necessary to handle their most challenging imagery needs. These Classes are limited to four people per class.

Instruction on the techniques and communication skills required to create compelling portraits. Each class presents a new portrait style. Starting with available light and minimal equipment in the first class and building with more and more sophisticated lighting equipment and technique in each class and culminating with the students participating in a fashion shoot. You are entering the world of professional portrait photography. A model is provided in each class. You will be shooting portraits. You should know how to shoot in manual mode and bring your camera. Class size is limited to four people.

We start with a critique of your photos, what you are doing right and what could be improved on. We apply the guidelines of composition, then cropping, colour correction, tone correction and retouching for a professional edge. Next we look at the best printing options for your style of shooting. A printing work flow is demonstrated to ensure an accurate. If you have not gone through this process, you need to.

Get instructed on how to use your digital camera so you can use it with confidence. You will learn to shoot manually for full control. You will learn all the automatic modes on your camera so you can use them with no confusion. Then on to Sensor Speed, so you can shoot in any lighting condition. Lens choices so you know what your options are and what each lens is best suited for. Next: Quality Settings, White Balance, Colour Control, Focusing Options, Exposure Options, Bracketing, Histograms and Creative shooting Techniques. In these two classes you will gain the certainty you are looking for.

An Introduction to the techniques of lighting in photography: After all, the word Photography comes from two words “Photon” meaning; “light” and “Graphic” which means; “to write”. This class teaches you to use light to create mood, bring out texture, or draw more attention to your subject. We start with professional studio lighting equipment. We look at examples of hard light, soft light and bounced light, a demonstration of how to direct light is given and then the students participate in lighting a variety of still life subjects. You then learn how to make an on camera flash perform in ways you never dreamed possible. Next a model is provided and students are directed into creating stunning portraits. Class size is limited to four people.

This class teaches you the basics that apply to every camera ever made, film or digital. You will then be able to shoot in manual mode with confidence and you will gain a full understanding of all the automatic modes of a camera. You learn how your camera records light so that you can control the way that light affects your photographs. You learn how your camera records colour and then how to control the quality and degree of colour that it records. You are taught the basics of the Zone System as well as colour theory for photography.

A brilliant PowerPoint presentation with all the rules, reasons and explanations of composition all backed up with classic and contemporary fine art photography. Students work is then reviewed and critiqued.

This is a unique opportunity to go over your photos with a professional photographer and instructor. First your photos are reviewed to determine your level of skill, followed by a discussion of your goals. Instruction then begins in order to give you the tools, knowledge and skills you need, to take you to the next level as a photographer.