Exploring Digital Photography and Oahu: The Heart of Hawaii
$945 + | IN-PERSON | 72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)
DAY 1: 3:30PM – 8:00PM
DAY 2: 7:00AM – 6:00PM
DAY 3: 7:00AM – 8:00PM
DAY 4: 7:00AM – 6:00PM
DAY 5: 6:00AM – 2:00PM
Offered in collaboration with Hudson County Community College
Photography Instructors: Jimmy Edens, Becca Ruschell & Shaun Kelly
Class Coordinators: Anna Zielinski & Anna Starzec
SPACE IS VERY LIMITED AND FILLS UP QUICKLY, SO REGISTER EARLY!!
**We reserve the right to change any of the activities listed below, should any of them be unavailable due to inclement weather.
December 7 – 11
[ Class is Full! ]
December 11 – 15
March 1 – 5, 2025
May 14 – 18, 2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this Photography + Destination Combination class, you will learn about basic digital photography and apply your new knowledge and skills during a trip to Oahu in Hawaii. Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian island and home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of East and West cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. This course is for anyone who loves to travel, learn about new places, and is interested in improving their photography skills, using any digital camera or smart phone, so that you can take exceptional pictures when traveling. During this 4-day hands-on class, you will get to experience many aspects of Hawaiian life including its culture, history, marine life, agriculture, volcanoes, landscape and surfing.
The pre-assignments will focus mostly on photography, where you will explore the concept of exposure, color balance, and composition. We will meet with a local photographer in Oahu, and you will look into shooting portrait photography and landscape. You will also focus on basic editing and retouching techniques, which you will use for some of your post-assignments.
During a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center you will learn about thePolynesian cultures of the Pacific Islands, with an emphasis on Hawaii. Activities will include Learning to hula, making lanais and learning some Hawaiian language. This is also a great place to take beautiful pictures and get a true feel of Hawaii.
At the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, you will learn about one of the most pivotal moments in US history: the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II. Known all over the world as a “date which will live in infamy, the devastating events of December, 1941 changed the course of history. You will go on board the U.S.S Missouri Battleship and explore it.
We will visit the legendary Kualoa Ranch on the windward coast of Oahu, a 4,000-acre private nature reserve and working cattle ranch, as well as a popular filming location, where over 79 movies and TV shows have been filmed.
With 1,200 miles of coral reef fringing the Hawaiian Islands, snorkeling is one of the most popular water activities in Oahu, which you will also get to experience. Hopefully see colorful coral heads. Bright yellow tang. Turtles. And of course, the state fish of Hawaii, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
We will also learn the history of surfing and if you would like to learn how to surf, you may sign up for a 1-hour surf lesson for an extra cost of around $60. Surfing in Hawaii is a culture, an art, a science, and a way of life. With the advantages of Hawaii’s shoreline topography, warm ocean waters, and abundant waves, the indigenous people of the Hawaiian Islands developed and refined the sport that has become a thriving international phenomenon today.
There will also be some time for you to explore Honolulu and world famous Waikiki Beach on your own.
Your post-assignments will consist of editing your pictures from the trip as well as assignments demonstrating your knowledge of Oahu, Hawaii and all the places you visited.
*We reserve the right to change any of the activities if any of them are unavailable due to inclement weather or any other reason.
PRICE INCLUDES
– Tuition costs
– Meals: 1 Polynesian dinner buffet at a Luau
– All local transportation costs
– All activities including entrance fees to parks and museums
– Registration fees
– Accommodation: 4 x nights at Waikiki Malia OR SIMILAR HOTEL (sleep in your own bed in a shared room with 3 other au pairs) ** (accommodation is only included if you select this option for an added fee)
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
– Airfare to/from Honolulu, HI
– Airport shuttle to/from hotel (The Bus takes about an hour from the airport and is $2.75. Uber to/from hotel is anywhere between $30-60 one way. You will connect with other au pairs before the trip and be able to share a ride.)
– Accommodation (Unless you select the accommodation option for an added fee)
– Meals (except for ONE Luau dinner)
ASSIGNMENTS & COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
In addition to the in-person class hours in Oahu, this course will include pre-assignments and follow-up assignment as part of the 72-hour class.
You will be invited to join Google Classroom 3 weeks before class starts, which is the platform we use for all our assignments. Check your junk or 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. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use gmail, 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 12 hours to complete them.
Follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 12 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 assignment deadline. 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 of deadline.
All assignments must be completed in order to receive your course completion certificate!
ATTENDANCE
Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in Oahu. If you are late or leave early, your will risk not receiving your certificate. Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, water, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!
SCHEDULE
DAY 1: 3:30PM – 8:00PM
DAY 2: 7:00AM – 6:00PM
DAY 3: 7:00AM – 8:00PM
DAY 4: 7:00AM – 6:00PM
DAY 5: 6:00AM – 2:00PM
** 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, which is approximately $20-30.