Complete Studio Lighting Class

  Unique, Informative and Fun

Review:
The basic class in Studio Lighting is unique to the Austin area. It assumes no prior knowledge, so is suitable for beginners. Having said that, people who have experience with studio lighting will benefit. Maria takes a fun, down-to-earth approach to the class. She provides background knowledge, but limits this and spends the majority of the class doing hands-on exercises. These exercises allow students to set up many different lighting and light shaping devices and discover the features that make each one useful. Another benefit to the class is time with a professional model and coaching regarding posing, props and other portrait concerns.

  Great instructor, great model, great class

Review:
The other reviews cover almost everything I have to say about the class. It was a fantastic experience! I really appreciated Maria's contacting me several times before class to get some camera-specific issues worked out. She also asked us to bring our favorite images along and took time to review them with us and make suggestions for retouching, etc. It's clear that Maria loves photography and teaching!

  Wonderful Class

Review:
Definately the most that I have learned in a class so far. Highest caliber of instruction and no sales pitch. The class size was small and the studio was fantastic. This was a hands on class, Maria gave a brief instruction to the class on how the lights go together and then the student completed the studio setups based on her instructions. This is not one of those typical clases where the instructor does a bunch of magic and then just talk about what they did. Everything was hands on for the students to give you real time experience. Maria made sure each photographer had equal time in the setups and taking photos of the professional model. Speaking of the model, Maria brings in a professional model that you don't have to spend all of your time trying to get them into a good pose, instead you can spend your time on the subject of the class. Then again this is where Maria will go beyound the class and give you extra information on what poses will work and which won't, she even ties them back into the lighting situations. Since the model is a professional you can easily work with her to achieve any pose you want or she will fantastic poses automatically. Maria's critiques and re-touching tip were invaluable.
I have several fellow photographers say that it was just too expensive of a class. After seeing my work from the class and me telling of the knowledge that I have gained, well they are definately kicking themself for not taking the class. Can't wait for the Maria's next class next month.

  Maria Bernal�s Studio Lighting Class 1

Review:
I just finished Maria Bernal�s Studio Lighting Class 1 and can honestly say that it was an incredible experience. It is a very rare thing to spend time with a professional of her caliber who will explain all the equipment, what works and what may not, what lighting works for various situations, how to pose the model, and what items to look for when posing a model. The class was small and we all shot pictures of a top notch model. After, a critique was done on the photos and a demonstration of the final re-touching of a photo in Photoshop CS3. The tips we learned in just the re-touching session were worth more than the price of the class. If you really love photography and want to move up to the next step this is a class you cannot miss.