Photography is a technical art, requiring mastery of a unique and constantly evolving set of tools. Professional instruction in photography is meant to give students hands-on experience with the tools of the trade, while instructing them in practical techniques for producing professional photographs. A good program will give students both the theoretical tools, such as composition and representation of subject matter, and the practical tools, such as developing one’s own film or editing digital images, necessary to succeed in the marketplace.

Probably, if you are reading this, you are a practicing photographer. But have you stopped to ask yourself whyyou take photographs? Certainly, there are some things in life you just accept – like the goodness of a hot fudge mocha sundae or an early June evening on your friend's back porch – you love them just because. But, as one who has had a bit of experience with the camera, I have a few bits of advice that might help you get to the heart of your interest and hopefully help you produce a more advanced body of work.

Photography lighting can be the difference between a breathtaking photo and a terrible one. The science behind photography lightingis really what photographers use each time they take a picture, whether they know it or not. Without good lighting, a photograph can be grainy and blurred. Professional photographers understand the relationship between their camera settings and the light that they have available.

Ansel Adams (February 20, 1902 - April 22, 1984) was a man of many talents and passions. In the end, he was able to combine two of his great loves – photography and nature – to become the foremost American landscape photographer of the 20th century. He was also an important activist, author, innovator, and leader.