Master Your Camera Controls and Composition in the Field - Photo Workshops

The DPA Instructors who lead these workshops are professional photographers

For each Master Your Camera Controls, a maximum of 5 attendees sit for 90 minutes with the instructor who will walk you through the manual camera controls of your specific camera. More than 5 attendees would be too chaotic if each person brings a different camera, with different controls.

After enrollment we procure the exact camera manufacturer and model in advance so the teacher is sure to point out any special features. This allows the photographer the option of overriding the automatic camera controls which sometimes disengage because the mechanics of the camera miscalculate the visual effect you are attempting.

Each Composition in the Field class begins with a talk with one of our experienced instructors, and then you and your fellow students take a stroll through one of a variety of photogenic locales (in any of the 20+ cities the DPA encapsulates). There is street photography, magnificent interiors, farmers markets, zoos, landscapes, and more, photos of which are included within. These photos are a mix of student and instructor images in many different venues and cities across the United States and Canada.

You will have fun in the three hour session, learn to shoot strategically, get more interesting photos of the event, and walk away with a foundation to improve your photographs in the future, whether you’re traveling, or at a birthday party and everywhere in between.

The Master Your Camera Control session is always taught very close to the meeting spot of the Composition in the Field session. Registering for this Eventbrite event means you will be enrolled in both classes (which take place back-to-back, immediately one after the other).

Balboa Park is the nation’s largest urban cultural park. Home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, and the San Diego Zoo, the Park has an ever-changing calendar of museum exhibitions, plays, musicals, concerts, and classes—all in the beautiful and timeless setting of this must-see San Diego attraction! So join your Digital Photo Academy instructor and go see it through your camera lens!

The Park’s historic architecture and botanical garden provide countless image opportunities. Experiment with macro photography to capture beautiful close-ups of blossoming flowers and enhance the tiny details of a leaf. Your instructor will teach you how to bring out the colors of the flora and blur the background to show just the flower that you want to capture.

You will also learn new techniques to shoot a variety of architecture. Learn how to find new angles and discover ways to balance different shapes and sizes of buildings and statues. Play with wide-angle shots of buildings and highlight the small details found on church pillars.

Please bring your DSLR or another type of digital camera that you use, a fully-charged battery, and the equipment that you can carry. You should dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Restaurant Craveology with a large green sign by the large water fountain.

Formally Galileo Cafe.

Located at the Fleet Science Center. 1875 El Prado, San Diego, 92101

Please note – if a class must be cancelled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control we will be happy to work with you to reschedule or provide a refund. However, if you should need to cancel or require a new class date, contact us. A $25 transfer fee will be imposed without a 3 day notice before the scheduled class.

Call Digital Photo Academy at 1 877 372 2231 or a field agent at 917 597 7053. Lots of people seem to hang up if our welcome recording comes on instead of a live voice, but we promise to return your message within a day or two if you leave one with your name and number. It would be even better if you included your email address as well as the date and city of the class you are considering. If leaving a voice mail message is not your thing, please email us at and include the date and city of the class you are considering, as well as your phone number.

Host or Publisher Digital Photo Academy