Photography Basics Press Release

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Brentwood Photography Group to Offer Free Photography Basics Classes

Brentwood, Tennessee (January 21, 2021) – The Brentwood Photography Group (BPG) today announced that it will offer a series of seven free classes on photography basics to be taught by Gale Stoner, a longtime professional photographer based in Murfreesboro.

“These classes are targeted to help photographers of all skill levels become better photographers,” said BPG President Jeremy Teran. “Whether you’re just getting started in photography or have been working at it for years, Gale will include something for you in every class.

“Some of our members have been serious photographers for decades, but they still find a lot of information to help them enhance their skills.”

Gale Stoner Photo

BPG has offered these Photography Basics classes for years to the group’s nearly 200 members but is opening them to the public at no cost for 2021. Initially, the classes will be offered online via Zoom and require advance registration. To register, go to https://brentwoodphotographygroup.org/photography-basics/ and click on the “Register Here” link. If you experience any issues with registration, email Teran at president@brentwoodphotographygroup.com.

The classes will be presented at 7 p.m., on the second Tuesday of each month from February through August.

“Later in the year, we hope to be able to present the classes live,” Teran said. “However, for now, we are planning to offer them online and will archive the classes on our YouTube channel for people who cannot participate in the live presentation. If you aren’t sure if you will be able to attend the classes as they are presented, go ahead and register so you can receive details on how to access recordings of the classes.”

The classes will cover a broad range of topics including getting to know your camera, basics of composition, digital photo processing and how to shoot landscapes, flowers and sports.

Gale Stoner has more than 50 years of experience in photography. He loves  to photograph people, places and things.  He began photographing landscapes in the mid-sixties while stationed in Duluth, MN.  After a successful 21-year career in the Air Force and then as a professional speaker for the past two decades, Gale returned to his love of photography. He now operates a commercial photography business in Murfreesboro, specializing in landscape and fine art photography.

His work has been highlighted in the international publication, Photoshop User magazine, KelbyOne Insider Column, and his image of Old Faithful at sunrise was published in Outdoor Photographer magazine.  One of Gale’s images was selected for the cover of the 2019 Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Bureau guide booklet.  Gale has served as the 2018-2019 Photographer Laureate for the City of Murfreesboro Cultural Arts Department.

The Brentwood Photography Group was founded by Dick Dougall in 1998 and has grown to become a leading resource for photographers in the Nashville-Brentwood-Franklin community. Today it includes nearly 200 members at all skill levels—beginning, amateur and professional photographers, with skills ranging from novice to expert.

BPG’s mission is to serve its members by encouraging development of their photographic skills through education, exhibitions of photographic accomplishments, friendship with others who share a love of photography and to share our talents with individuals and organizations in our community.

For information on how to join the Brentwood Photography Group, go to https://brentwoodphotographygroup.org/join-bpg/.

Schedule of Photography Basics classes for 2021:

February 9, 2021 – Know Your Camera

  • Break from “Auto” Setting
  • Master the Controls
  • Customize Your Camera

March 9, 2021 – Introduction to Composition

  • Discover Your Subject
  • Less is More
  • Guides to Composition

April 13, 2021 – “Good” vs. “Great Images”

  • Create “Tack-sharp” Images
  • Selecting Focus Points
  • Controlling Depth of Field

May 11, 2021 – Introduction to Flower Photography

  • Pattern of Threes
  • Depth of Field
  • Controlling the Light

June 8, 2021 – Introduction to Water Photography

  • Selecting Shutter Speed
  • Managing the Light
  • Filter Selection

July 13, 2021 – Introduction to Action/Sports Photography

  • Camera Settings
  • Lens Choice
  • Shooting Positions

August 10, 2021 – Post-processing With Lightroom

In this class, Stoner will address basic adjustments in Adobe’s Lightroom software. He will discuss the “why,” as well as the “how” in his own workflow. Using Lightroom, he will process several landscape images submitted by participants.  Even if you are not a Lightroom user, the same adjustments can be used in Camera Raw.