One of the interesting things that is happening out in Apple land is the proliferation of ‘applications’ for photographers. No, I don’t mean the program that will manipulate the image on your iPhone or iPad, but content. In the old days, we called it eLearning, computer based training, computer assisted instruction – you get the idea. But now, it’s call an ‘app’. Seems like every photographer out there is racing to get their slice of knowledge out to the world through this mechanism. The first ones I’ve looked at are pretty lame, but when you spend 99 cents on it, you can’t get too angry about it. Odds are, you’ll look at it once and then never mess with it again.

However, they are starting to get better, and I got a press release (below) from San Francisco Bay Area photographer Kim Binfield. She was also kind enough to give me a code to unlock the program for free (saved me $1.99) and test it out.

This is one of the first ones that is starting to ‘get it’ when it comes to putting some educational content on the iPad. They’ve got a menu that allows you to navigate to the tutorials, a glossary of terms, resources, contact and an about page.  Each of the tutorials has text, sample images and they give you the equipment and settings that were used. Not too bad. So, my recommendation? Worth the $1.99 if you are new to photography and interested in portrait shooting. What should these types of programs have that they’re missing? Well, when we get to branching, using some instructional design concepts, voice over and a quiz to test how much you’ve retained after you finish – we’ll be there.

Announcing the launch of “Portrait Classroom” – a brand new iPad App for aspiring photographers!

Owners of digital SLR (DSLR) cameras, many of them new parents, often ask: “Why aren’t my photos any better than the ones I took with my point and shoot camera” and, “Why don’t they look like the photos taken by professionals?”

Now, in a series of 10 tutorials, the all new ‘Portrait Classroom: Baby and Child Photography Tutorials’ App (currently available exclusively for the iPad) teaches camera owners how to take portraits of babies and children like a professional photographer!

PORTRAIT CLASSROOM: Baby and Child Photography Tutorials has been created by San Francisco Bay Area photographer Kim Binfield, to help anyone improve their photography. Available now from the iTunes App Store, for just $1.99, the App expertly describes from start to finish how to create stunning, keepsake portraits. Ten example portraits with detailed tutorial text and ‘before and after’ images describe how users can create similar portraits using their own digital SLR camera. Users of the App will learn about techniques and resources that will enable them to capture the images they’ve always wanted!

EACH TUTORIAL:

- Describes, in simple language, the set up for the portraits (including notes on composition and interacting with the subjects)

- Provides essential details on the camera, lens, ISO, shutter speed and aperture settings used

- Describes the portrait’s natural light and how to replicate it (no external flash systems or lighting are used for the portraits allowing amateur users ease of replication)

- Presents a full range of ‘before and after’ shots showing how the final image was obtained including shots straight out of the camera and through to post processing

- Details the editing steps taken in Adobe Photoshop that will often also apply to Photoshop Elements and similar editing programs

PORTRAIT CLASSROOM has been created for parents, hobbyists, and aspiring semi-pro photographers who want a hands-on guide to taking better pictures of babies and children. For those who have bought a DSLR camera but can’t get photos any better than their point-and-shoot camera, or if they are using their DSLR on ‘green’ auto mode, then this App is for them!

Users of PORTRAIT CLASSROOM will learn how to get professional looking results with their existing camera equipment and learn about additional photography gear, software and resources, much of it inexpensive, that can further enhance their portraits. Many of the tips included in the App can be applied to point-and-shoot cameras as well, though the App is geared more towards DSLR cameras.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Download the Portrait Classroom iPad App at the iTunes store or via: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/portrait-classroom-baby-child/id385486822?mt=8#

Read the Portrait Classroom Blog: http://www.portraitclassroom.wordpress.com

View the Portrait Classroom Demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6BKhuo_EZM

Join the Portrait Classroom Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portrait-Classroom/148498991834270

Join the Portrait Classroom Flickr Group (users of the App can upload images they have taken using tips from the App): http://www.flickr.com/photos/portraitclassroom/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Photographer Kim Binfield provides premier, custom portraiture within the San Francisco Bay Area. She formed her portrait photography business in 2005 after nearly two decades of enjoying the craft. She is a mother of two young children, a ‘mompreneur’ and is available for interviews at: portraitclassroom@gmail.com.

CONTACT: portraitclassroom@gmail.com for further screenshots, promotional codes to review the App, or additional information about the App (which is available now, for just $1.99 from the App Store)

QUOTES FROM USERS OF THE BETA VERSION:

“Provides as much information as a detailed series of magazine articles, but for a fraction of the cost.” — Paul Blair, Edinburgh

“The Before and After shots were particularly useful alongside the text. I will use many of these tips next time I’m taking photos of my kids.” — Carrie Gallison, California

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