PhotoTrainer

I am so glad I took this 1:1 session with Tom; he is knowledgeable and easy to work with. He made sure we focused on my areas of concerns and provided instructive feedback and a clear roadmap for how I can improve my pictures. I am so excited to have found him and will be reaching out to him for further training.

To be honest Tom helped me in so many ways. He made me think my photos before shooting, using Manual and RAW mode all the time. I’m in the process to become a pro and learning from Tom who has a huge and great experience is a chance for me. He likes so much to communicate his passion for photography and it’s a great tool when you want to learn. I feel lucky to have him around.

So to be fair — I took this class to learn more about my Nikon DSLR to take pictures of my newborn son. I have had the Camera for a few years and it is better in Auto mode than my old point and shoot, but I figured I should learn how to use all the features that I paid extra money for. So far I can definitely say the results are showing in the quality of my pictures.
I took a Jumpstart class on Saturday and loved the format. It was me and two other ladies. I was the only one that had a Nikon, but this wasn’t an issue. Tom provided me with instructions for my Nikon after he found out my version so I knew where in the manual to find things. This was the only thing that was ‘different’ about having a Nikon or Canon. He was very hands on, showing each of us individually how to do things and to understand how the things work when you change the settings.
Overall this was a great class. I appreciated the fact that it was a SMALL class. I don’t learn well in an auditorium type setting with 20,30,40+ people. I am a very hands on learner. I know some people will complain about the cost of this, but I know I walked away with an understanding of my camera and I am constantly using it to tweak my pictures.
Once I get the hang of my camera more, I do plan to take the next class in the future.
Tom was great!

Take a class from Tom, you won’t regret it. He has an amazing depth of knowledge but knows how to communicate it in a way that is accessible. I was afraid that I would be overwhelmed, but I came out of the class feeling that I’m on my way to great pictures.
There was plenty to keep me practicing for months, but I’m sure I’ll be back to hone my skills.

I came away from this class with a much deeper understanding of my camera and how I can use a wide range of settings to improve my photographs. There were at least five separate times during the class, where I said to myself, wow that alone was worth the money I paid to be here.
One thing Tom has done that allows the student to be fully present during the class, is create high quality hand outs that mimic what he is teaching. This allowed me to be fully present and not worried about writing every last thing down. It also gave me a hook to tie back into when out in the field with my camera.
Tom’s teaching style combines practical facts, deep knowledge and true passion to put together information that is completely accessible to a novice photographer. While also inspiring you to believe in your own ability to catch the perfect shot.
I would highly recommend this class.

I took individual classes with Tom, and I have never had so much fun while still learning so much. Even when I was not in class with hi, I was still able to get help from him ²⁴⁄₇ because he was so great at responding to my emails. I am now able to confidently use manual mode on my DSLR and can take much better pictures than before!
Highly recommended for everyone!
Thanks Tom!

I took the class called DSLR Jumpstart Deluxe on the weekend.
This class is worth every penny and more of it!
The class started at 9am and ended at 4pm. There was a short break in the morning, the lunch time was between 12pm and 1:05pm. We left our stuff in the classroom, Tom locked the place up during the lunch.
We had a table with Canon users and the other table with Nikon users. The class was fast enough to cover all the fundamental functions and was slow enough to have everyone understanding and practicing what we were learning. Super clear, fun, and no confusion!
One and half years ago, I upgraded myself to a Pro camera (Nikon D800 + 70−200mm f/2.8 Lens) without knowing what I would get into. Nikon D800 is an all manually operated professional camera. And, I NEVER used manual functions before. The most pictures taken by me were disappointments. I struggled among ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed setups. I started to call my camera a monster. I learned from friends, YouTube, reading online; and took one Photo class; the more I studied the more I was confused.
After taking Tom’s class, I am no longer confused! Step by step, I know how to handle my camera and how to play with the settings.
Tom has encouraged me to not be afraid and to keep trying. His class has given me the hope and has brought the fun back!
I highly recommend the class!

I took Tom’s DSLR Jumpstart class on a weeknight and left enthused about knowing how to use my camera’s Manual Mode for an upcoming vacation (trip to the desert). Out of all the intro photography classes I’ve taken (I took one at Aperture Academy and one at Stanford), I actually gained the most out of this 3.5hr session.
Not everyone in class had the same camera. 2 people had a Canon Rebel T3i, 1 had a Nikon, and 1 had a Sony mirrorless. What I appreciated the most was that the lesson was customized to the DSLRs of the students in our class and that I physically got to figure out what some of the functions do on my own camera during the actual session. Changing aperture, shutter speed, metering, playing with white balance, diopter set-​up, bracketing, composition, menu setup, figuring out the manual — I’m the kind of person that needs to physically do something in order to get it and I got to do just that in class. Having opportunities to get one-​on-​one help from Tom to get things to «work» was also very helpful. Tom provides a copy of a manual that he wrote, and that’s pretty easy to read.
I know his class sizes can be slightly bigger, but my particular class was incredibly small (4 people). I think it also helped that the other person sitting at my table also had a T3i, so we were learning the same camera and bouncing ideas off of each other when practicing.
Parking is difficult on a weeknight in this area, since there are tons of restaurants around. You could park on the street (after 5pm it’s free) or in the public parking lot. I actually come to this area often and usually can find a spot easily just off Bryant and Forest Ave. I also don’t mind walking a few blocks to get to my destination.
The PhotoTrainer office is in the 616 building on Ramona and you have to go up the stairs and then all the way down to the back. The PT office is the last one at the end.
Class gets bonus points for having tea, water, and chocolate available during class! Nice evening pick-​me-​up.

I’ve taken two classes from Tom — the introduction to DSLR photography, and the Lightroom workshop. I was brand new to the DSLR camera, and Tom emphasized that his goal was to get us comfortable with the basic camera and then get us shooting in manual mode and RAW. Mission accomplished! Since taking the class I have shot only manual and RAW and am really pleased with the progress. Tom was quite patient with the small class (only 4 students) and everyone seemed to their questions answered.
The Lightroom class was also an introduction, but the subject is complex and it will require a lot of practice and, I’m certain, additional consultation with Tom. Here again, he impressed me with his ability to simplify a complex subject and make it less intimidating to a newby. He was free with time and allowed many questions skirting the bounds of the course. I expect to continue consulting with him as my experience (and problems) expand.

I find PhotoTrainer classes way beyond what I can do on my own with the manual, so I keep going back. Tom has an endless ability to answer some of my toughest questions and help me understand what seems to be the foreign language of a camera. My favorite is his system for organizing my manual in color coded tabs. I can refer back to it easily when trying to remember a certain technique from the course. I enjoyed the interactive aspect of his courses (we photographed each other to use bracketing). Thanks to Tom, there has been a new world opened up to me on what my camera can do when I take it off the auto function. Tom’s many years and college education as a professional photographer is noticeable and very helpful, so is his dry sense of humor. I recommend his courses and his mailing list. The tips that arrive with his PhotoTrainer newsletter are outstanding.

those were 4 hours perfectly utilized.
Tom was very patience and even though mu camera was not a classic DSLR (sony nex 5n), he prepared specifically for me a manuel with explanations.
Besides that I understand better how to use my camera and take better pictured for my food blog. I highly recommend.

I took the DSLR Jumpstart Deluxe class a few weeks ago with a friend after having read a bunch of great reviews on Unilocal and I found that, in fact, Tom’s class was both fun and helpful! I have had a DSLR camera for quite a while now and had never used it for more than just a point and shoot. I’ll be traveling abroad the next couple of months to several European countries, so I knew I had to learn how to use it quickly before my big trip! After taking the class, these last few weeks I have practiced and I know for a fact that my photographs are looking better and better every time! This class has lasted with me and luckily it is still continuing to help me improve. I’m so glad I took the class with Tom and I can’t wait for my trips in the next couple of months to take amazing photos!

I got my daughter a DSLR for Christmas, and suggested to her that we take a class together to get her started. We found Tom via Unilocal and took the jumpstart class. Great class (although if you take the Thursday evening session, bring yourself some food).
He limits the number of people in each class, and seeks out how to help each of his students. Good listener, and sound advice, targeted to what you want and need.
I have been sort of a recovering film photographer for a while — meaning that after my beloved film SLR was stolen, I haven’t really set my heart on taking pictures for years. My wife gave me a dslr years ago, which I’ve never really gotten to know. I was really surprised how much help I got.

This class was fantastic. Tom is a great teacher, fun and personable and the class-​size is just right. Having other students there means that you get more questions about situations you might not think of yourself and you have people to feed off for ideas and inspiration. There were many different cameras (but all Nikon and Canon) and Tom was great at relating information that was useful for all of us. I now feel like my camera is written in a language I can read rather than a daunting and forgotten text. I can’t WAIT to go out and use what I learned.

The investment of time and money for this class was some of the best I’ve ever spent. I’ve had my Nikon D40X DSLR for years, and I wish I’d taken this the moment I got my hands on it. A week after taking this class, I brought my camera on vacation and I think I’ve taken better pictures than I ever have in my life, just being able to get into the menus and really know how to operate the camera. The class was amazing and I can’t wait to learn more. Tom is not only thorough, well-​organized, and thoughtful in his approach, clearly based on both experience teaching and in front of cameras, but he has a beautifully dry sense of humor that kept the class engaging. I was easily able to converse with Tom or his assistant whenever I needed help.

I took the DSLR Jumpstart Deluxe and then about six months later I took the DSLR Explore. They were both excellent. The Jumpstart class focused on your camera and details on how to use it. It included a booklet put together by the instructor on concise, practical information about photography. I refer back to this booklet frequently and I like the additional assignments throughout the chapters. This was a well organized class, which was kept very small, so it felt personal. Everyone felt welcome and the atmosphere was very friendly. I am really hoping the develop some new classes soon.

I’ve taken two classes with Tom. My first was a couple years ago and was his Intro to the DSLR workshop. Most recently, I set-​up a private session with him.
The workshop was a great intro to the camera, but, since it’s a class, there is only so much individual attention you should expect. I left it with a better understanding of how the camera works and an incredibly helpful guidebook to turn back to.
During my individual session, Tom helped me work through issues I had been stuck on and reviewed some of my photographs to see what I was doing right and what I could be doing better. I left super excited to shoot in situations that had previously frustrated me.
Tom enjoys working with students and wants to help you become a better photographer. I couldn’t ask for a better teacher.
I should note that I shoot with a Nikon and Tom has no problems helping me with my questions.

Took Saturday’s DSLR Jumpstart class for $ 125. Figured I could learn a thing or two with my new camera.
The class was divided into two groups: Canon and Nikon with an assistant, Nicole.
I liked the guidebook. I liked the hands-​on demonstration. BUT. .. I didn’t like how I was not able to ask any questions or interact with the teacher DURING the lecture. Umm, that doesn’t work. Especially when the class was 4.5 hours long.
At one time, I asked Nicole, the assistant, for additional help on understanding the aperture numbers. Tom, the teacher, interjected that we must not be diverted from the subject at hand (which was about lens).
Felt like a high school class instead of a workshop.
Tom, the teacher, is more familiar with the Canon cameras, so you would benefit from him if you own a Canon.
I didn’t care too much for the class. I can only retain so much information in a nearly 5 hour class with no substantive foods (Light snacks are provided).
But I did retain this: DON’T USE AUTO MODE.

I was really happy with the course. I was the only student so having 2 teachers was pretty amazing. Before the class, I was a real newbie and could only do Auto mode and had to pull out the manual too often. I shoot manual now and it all makes sense now (ISO, Fstop, etc.). His training manual was pretty useful. A 6 hour class was perfect for me. I’ll go shoot for awhile and then come back for other stuff.

I thought the class was a little disorganized. It seems like they had new printouts/​handbook, and the class ran 1 hour over.
Class size was a little bit bigger than I anticipated, and I probably should have signed up for the next level class.
The class is for any Digital SLR owner, but I think Tom is better at running through the Canon settings than the Nikon, all else being equal.
Very friendly setting, and the handbook that you get to take home is a good tool for beginners. I’ll sit with this class for awhile to see if I want to take the advance class.
I would suggest the weekend classes, as parking is free. I parked right in front of the building and then was able to grab lunch right down the street.