LEI0027 - Night Photography in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs
Course Description
There is something kind of magical about night photography. A scene that looks
forgettable when shot during the day can be totally transformed if you shoot it after the sun
goes down. Plus, by taking photos at night, you’re more likely to get uninterrupted access to
places that might be too busy to shoot in the middle of the day.
Since nighttime photography takes a little bit more technical know-how than regular
photography, adding it to your portfolio is a great way to make your work stand out from
the crowd.
Our inclination is to use flash photography whenever there is insufficient light for making good photographs, but there are many creative approaches to creating visually interesting and unique photographs after dark. This class will explore night photography camera techniques, the art of visualizing night photographs, using alternative light sources, and understanding the technical aspects of shooting night photography. Students will have at least one complete matted and framed image at the end of the session.
The sessions alternates between online instruction and in-person class meetings in towns local to Harper College. Packing a backpack with weather clothing and wearing comfortable shoes is advised.
Notes
Please note that some course materials may include R-rated or mature content intended for educational and artistic analysis; enrollment is open to students aged 16 and older with parental consent.
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Testimonials
Chicago’s Best Photography Teachers
If you’re suspicious of photographers who want you to invest in a trip to Kauai in order to take beautiful landscape shots, you’re already more perceptive than most and perhaps you just need to get to Harper College. A photographer in the U.S. Army and a graduate of Columbia College, Harold Rail makes a living in photojournalism, commercial, and creative photography, so the man has the chops. A decade's long dedication to Zen Buddhist practice informs his images with knowing nano-second captures of infinity – and, honestly, where else can you get the combo of experience and artistry? Rail champions the art of photography teaching affordable classes for children, teenagers, and adults at Harper College. See the eccentricity and enthusiasm that blooms in his photographic work on exhibit at the new Hyatt Centric in Chicago, too.
I really enjoyed working with Jim, he was open about many techniques, and getting info about being in the profession was very interesting and eye-opening. He made us all feel comfortable and excited about us learning and moving forward. B. L.
I learned a lot in the photography class. He taught by example and we had a lot of hands-on experience in class. He was able to talk to the various levels of experience each student had in class and to the variety of camera models we each had. S. L.
Harold is a great instructor, who makes his classes very interesting and full of creative energy! V. W.
Harold Rail is a photography instructor for Harper College teaching Continuing Education classes. For 25 years he owned Afterglow Creative Services, an independent video production and still photography company. He was an Army photographer stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. He majored in photography with a minor in film production and writing at Columbia College, Chicago. Presently, along with his teaching work, he mostly freelances with journalist Jacqueline Runice photographing travel and events stories. His primary work is making original creative photographs.