Exploring Digital Photography & Northern California
SAN FRANCISCO, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, MONTEREY
$1,095 | IN-PERSON
+ registration fees
72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)
Offered in collaboration with Hudson County Community College
Photography Instructors: Sara Abbassi & Becca Ruschell
Class Coordinators: Vanessa Hornedo & Agnes Brandin
SPACE IS LIMITED AND FILLS UP QUICKLY, SO REGISTER EARLY!
September 27 – 30, 2025
October 25 – 28, 2025
Discover the art of photography while exploring the rich history and diverse cultures of Northern California. This beginner-friendly course blends technical photography instruction with educational travel to some of the region’s most iconic destinations: the dynamic cityscape of San Francisco, the majestic wilderness of Yosemite National Park, and the historic coastal towns of Monterey and Big Sur.
Students will learn how to use a digital camera in manual mode, master essential techniques in composition and lighting, and gain experience in visual storytelling. At the same time, they will dive into the cultural and historical significance of the places they photograph—walking the same streets captured by early street photographers, standing beneath the granite cliffs that inspired Ansel Adams, and exploring the cultural heritage of California’s coastal and indigenous communities.
Through guided excursions, hands-on workshops, and reflective photo assignments, students will not only sharpen their technical skills but also deepen their understanding of how place, history, and culture can shape an artistic vision.
Locations Explored:
– San Francisco – famous neighborhoods and landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 and more.
– Yosemite National Park – natural beauty in places like Wawona Tunnel View, Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Village.
– Monterey & Big Sur – coastal ecosystems and the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge on Highway 1.
** Detailed agenda, schedule and information will be shared on Google Classroom 2 weeks prior to class start date. All registered students will connect via WhatsApp, giving an opportunity to get to know each other before the trip and make plans to share an Uber from the airport.
COURSE DETAILS
DAY 1: 10:00AM – 7:00PM (San Francisco)
DAY 2: 6:00AM – 10:0PM (Yosemite)
DAY 3: 9:00AM – 7:00PM (Monterey)
DAY 4: 9:00AM – 3:00PM (San Francisco)
**We reserve the right to change this Class Schedule if needed, due to bus/activity availability, inclement weather etc.
– Tuition fees & course material
– 3 x nights of Shared Room Accommodations at —l OR SIMILAR HOTEL. You will sleep in your own bed (can be a pull-out bed/sofa bed)
– 3 x continental breakfast
– Transportation to and from all activities
– All activities
– Registration fees (credit card processing fee & registration platform fee)
– Airfare to/from San Francisco, CA
– Airport transportation to/from hotel
– Lunches & Dinners
In addition to the in-person meetings, this class will include pre-assignments and post-assignments as part of the 72-hour class.
You will be invited to join Google Classroom about a month before class starts, which is the platform we use for the course. Check your spam folder, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive the invitation and later, your certificate. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use gmail, outlook, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification to join Google Classroom, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.
Pre-assignments will be posted on Google Classroom 3 weeks before class starts. Make sure you join Google Classroom early and complete the assignments BEFORE coming to class. It will take you approximately 18 hours to complete
Follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 18 hours. You must complete them in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to you, a few days after the class has officially ended. You will have 4 weeks to complete the assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please indicate it during the registration process and upload proof. The earliest you can receive your certificate is ONE WEEK after in-person portion of class has concluded.
Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in California. You are expected to be in class on time every day, including the first day and last day, so choose flights accordingly.
First Day: Class starts at 10:00 AM in San Francisco. The latest that you should arrive at SFO is 8:30am
Last Day: Class ends at 3:00pm in San Francisco. The earliest you should book a flight out is 6:30pm
If you miss any class hours you will risk not receiving your certificate! Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water & snacks. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Operate a digital camera using manual settings to control exposure, focus, and composition.
2. Apply the principles of photographic composition, lighting, and storytelling across various environments.
3. Edit and enhance photographs using basic post-processing techniques.
4. Identify and interpret key moments in California’s regional history and cultural development.
5. Analyze the relationship between place, identity, and visual representation in photography.
6. Develop a photo series that integrates both technical skill and cultural insight.
7. Practice ethical and respectful photography in culturally and environmentally sensitive locations.