Exploring Digital Photography & The Empire State: NYC & Niagara Falls
$1,095 | IN-PERSON | 72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)
DAY 1: 10:00 AM – 8:00PM
DAY 2: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
DAY 3: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Offered in collaboration with Hudson County Community College
Photography Instructors: Craig Stokle & Sara Abbassi
Class Coordinators: & Anna S. & Anna Z.
January 30 – February 2, 2025
March 27 – 30, 2025
May 29 – June 1, 2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
** Professional camera is NOT required for this class
In this Photography + Destination Combination class, you will learn about basic digital photography and apply your new knowledge and skills during a trip to New York City and the majestic Niagara Falls, NY. This course is for anyone who loves to travel, learn about new places, and is interested in improving their photography skills, using any digital DSLR camera or smart phone (iPhone & Android), so that you can take exceptional pictures when you travel.
Please note that this class starts in NYC and ends in Niagara Falls, NY. (If you are flying you need to fly in to JFK or LGA and fly out of Buffalo, NY) Buffalo/Niagara Airport is 30 mins from Niagara Falls by Uber.
During this 4-day hands-on class, you will learn basic photography skills including the concept of exposure, color balance, lighting and composition. Basic editing and retouching techniques will be discussed, which will help you complete your post-assignments. While shooting pictures, you will get to explore the best of both worlds: the bustling streets of New York City to the majestic beauty of Niagara Falls, NY. This unique combination offers a perfect blend of cosmopolitan charm and breathtaking landscapes, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
New York City, often referred to as the “City That Never Sleeps,” is a vibrant metropolis that pulsates with energy and creativity. From iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square to world-class museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, NYC is a treasure trove of cultural riches waiting to be explored.
Some of the places we will visit include the famous Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO. Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in NYC. You will learn the history of the bridge and everything you need to know about it, from the early days of construction to its cultural significance today. You’ll also get perfect views of the Manhattan skyline as you cross. Once we’ve crossed the bridge, we will head to the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood called DUMBO. This place is known for its high-end boutiques, delicious desserts, pizza shops, art galleries, and scenic waterfront views. Its most famous view is the vision of the Manhattan Bridge wedged perfectly between two brick buildings.
We will also visit the 9/11 Memorial and the Oculus. The 9/11 Memorial was established to honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. We will head to the Memorial’s twin reflecting pools that sit in the footprint of where the Twin Towers once stood. These pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The names of every person who died in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are inscribed into the bronze panels edging the pools. Adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial is the World Trade Center Transportation Hub’s centerpiece, the Oculus, a spiny, bleach-white structure, which was designed to evoke the image of a dove taking flight from the hands of a child.
We will take the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, where you will learn the history of these two places. “The Statue of Liberty” was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States in 1886, and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. At Ellis Island, you will get to tour The National Immigration Museum. It is the destination that welcomed more than 12 million immigrants to our shores. Ellis Island is now a poetic symbol of the American Dream.
Of course, let’s not forget about Times Square, one of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas and hub of the Broadway Theater District. Times Square is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually. Brightly lit by numerous billboards and advertisements, it stretches from West 42nd to West 47th Streets, and is sometimes referred to as “the Crossroads of the World”, “the Center of the Universe”, and “the heart of the world”.
After soaking in the vibrant culture of New York City, we will leave the Big Apple and head to Niagara Falls, NY for a complete change of scenery. Niagara Falls is a natural wonder that will leave you speechless. You will witness the sheer power and beauty of the cascading water as you stand at the edge of the falls and when we take a boat tour to experience it up close.
There will also be a chance to walk across the Rainbow bridge and into Canada.
PRICE INCLUDES
– Tuition fees
– 2 x nights of shared room accommodations at Q4 Hotel in LIC, Queens (1 subway stop from Manhattan) or similar. You will sleep in own bunk bed.
– 1 x night of shared accommodations at Aashram Hotel by Niagara River, or similar. You will sleep in your own twin/full bed.
– Local transportation costs to and from all activities (unlimited 7-day metro card distributed during class check-in)
– All activities including entrance fees to observation decks and museums
– Bus or Train ride to Niagara Falls, NY
– Maid of the Mist Boat ride at Niagara Falls
– Registration fees
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
– Airfare to NYC/from Buffalo
– Transportation to/from airport (flying in to JFK will allow you to take the AirTrain and subway, which is cheaper than Uber from LGA airport)
– Meals
ASSIGNMENTS & COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
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
Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in NY and on campus in Jersey City. 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, appropriate clothing, water & snacks. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!
2024 Class Schedule
DAY 1: 10:00 AM – 8:00PM
DAY 2: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
DAY 3: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
** Detailed agenda, schedule and information will be shared soon 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 a taxi from the airport.