<p>Does anyone know if there are any 2-unit photography classes available at USC? </p>
<p>I just got a great great deal on a DLSR (Canon XSi/450D) from a friend and I really want to learn how to use it properly. Unfortunately, after a quick glance at the spring classes it doesn't seem like there are any 2-unit photography classes (that focus on DLSR) geared towards beginners. All I'm seeing are 4-unit classes in Roski.</p>
<p>Aside from that, any suggestions on good places to start learning how to REALLY use the camera to it's full potential? Maybe a club on campus or something.</p>
<p>I use a lot of Canon equipment and tho I don’t know about on-campus classes or clubs, there is a very helpful and active online forum called photography-on-the.net (You’ll have to Google it because College Confidential doesn’t allow links to other forums and I’m not sure if that applies.)</p>
<p>Does anyone know any good camera shops within the area? I need a lens filter, cleaning supplies, flash diffuser, and some other stuff and it would be nice to have a physical store to go to instead of relying on having stuff shipped to me (usually a hassle anyways given the way my apartment is set up)</p>
<p>Avoid Ritz/Wolf/Camera World like the plague, high prices and bad service are the norm. Sammy’s is a well-established B&M store in the LA area. Having said that, the prices of almost any B&M store are bound to be not particularly competitive. I do 90% of my shopping at B&H Photo, they have very competitive prices and rock-bottom shipping rates. The only exception is when Bing.com goes into idiocy mode and offers cashback discounts for some vendors. JR.com usually has a 5% cashback on Bing, for smaller purchases it is not worth the hassle, but if you are dropping a grand or two it adds up. Filters are ridiculously priced anywhere in the US, you really can’t beat hvstar.net. Sure, they are in Hong Kong but make no mistake, you will get top-notch customer service, timely shipping (considering the distance), authentic merchandise, and rock-bottom prices on B+W and Hoya filters.</p>
<p>Finally, there really is no need for a class to learn photography. The concept of trading off aperture for shutter speed is pretty simple, and large aperture = shallow DOF is another simple one. There are plenty of online tutorials on the web to teach you that, and since you know what a flash diffuser is you are obviously well beyond that. Composition is something that you can’t really teach beyond the basics, and those are well covered in a $10 book, “Pictorial Composition in Art” or some such title, check it out on Amazon.</p>
<p>I have to agree with GroovyGeek. (I can’t believe it either!) I do most of my shopping at B&H also. Most camera shops do not have much of a selection and the prices are high. I would try to figure out your shipping hassles and order online. </p>
<p>About a diffuser- I rarely use one and have much better results bouncing the flash. I never use direct flash and have found very creative ways to bounce. The easiest/cheapest bounce card is an index card attached to the flash with a rubber band.</p>
<p>As far as other suggestions for learning- I also really like planetneil.com.</p>
What is the world coming to? To make matters even worse, I have to agree that planetneil.com is by far THE best source of information for the casual strobist. Sure, there is strobist.com, but that is for gearheads.</p>
<p>To the OP: you are right, great lenses cost a ton of money, but that is not necessarily true for good lenses. There is also no point of buying lenses new. You can get some great bargains on less-desired lenses on the photo forums, and the chances of getting ripped off are very low. If you are shooting Nikon a used 18-55VR and 55-200VR will cover 90% of your needs for around $250 total. Not cheap, but certainly within reach of a motivated college student. And you can pick up a used D40 body for around $200. There are lots of people with more money than brains in photography (myself included), don’t let them ruin the fun.</p>
To make matters even worse, I have to agree that