May Update: Birthday party, upcoming classes, editors reports and more

What makes a good photograph? The composition? The direction of light? The subject matter? The exposure? Come learn the answers to these questions and gain insight into the basics of improving your photography skills in a two-hour class with freelance photographer Tom Baker. Tom will help you understand terms like aperture, shutter speed, depth of field, overexposure/underexposure, focal length, and other terminology, while explaining the elements that must come together to create an effective and appealing photo that can provide content and meaning to the viewer. His approach will be from the standpoint of a photojournalist, but will also give examples of artistic and landscape photography to help aid understanding and importance of color, light, pattern, and depth. Camera types covered will be SLRs, point-and-shoot, and cell phones. Tom will even explain the basics of using that pesky flash that can be frustrating for most to work with. In the end, you will have the tools to help you understand what makes a good photograph and the knowledge to apply them to your own photography.

Tuition is $10.00. Scholarships are available. Please register at TheDataBank.

Do you have a LinkedIn account but have never quite figured out how to use it? With over 130 million members, LinkedIn is a network worth developing. In this class we will learn how to set up a profile accurately, discover new contacts and participate in groups.

This class will be taught by Marcos Lopez-Carlson. Thanks to our partnership with the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA), this class is offered free of charge, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. To register, call 952-891-0300.

Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Pinterest—wherever you are online, if you’re a little confused, you’re not alone! Come to our monthly social media clinics at the Daily Planet office and get a hand from Twin Cities Daily Planet associate editor Jay Gabler—in addition to connecting with other community members and sharing your own best practices. Our social media clinics are meant to help you successfully navigate your way through the online forest of information, and to reach the communities you want to reach for your nonprofit, small business, or personal interests.

WHO: Jay Gabler and up to ten registered participants.
WHY: As part of our nonprofit mission to help members of Twin Cities communities connect with one another and with our larger global communities using the power of new media.
HOW: We ask participants to pre-register so as to guarantee that space will be available and to pay the participation fee of $10 for each workshop. Participation is free for all Daily Planet advertisers (click here for more information about how to advertise with the Daily Planet), and scholarships are available upon request. Bring your laptop—wi-fi is available. If you want to participate but don’t have a laptop, inquire with us; we may be able to provide you with a computer for the session.

Personal Privacy in a Social (Media) World

Confused by all of the privacy options on Facebook? Overwhelmed trying to figure out what is meant by “private”? You’re not alone! As Facebook changes the way we communicate with each other, it’s also changing the way we understand what is meant by private. With a focus on Facebook, this two-hour class will cover the basics of privacy in a “social” world. Instructor Marcos Lopez-Carlson will answer such questions as:

-What is private?

-Who can see my personal information and posts?

-How can I protect my privacy and still use social media?

-How is my information being used in ads?

-What should I know about privacy when using other social media, such as Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn?

Tuition for this class is $10.00. Scholarships are also available. Register for this class atTheDataBank.

In this class instructor Avye Alexandres will examine what makes a compelling photograph and set you on a journey to becoming a more skilled photographer by introducing you to the basics. Both artistic and technical aspects of the craft will be addressed. We will look at classic and contemporary works, investigating how visual elements such as light, texture, composition, and subject, interplay to create mood and impact. Then we will dive into technical aspects such as exposure, focal length, and depth of field. Tips, resources and exercises for how to take better photos and avoid common mistakes will be addressed throughout, and participants will leave with an assignment. This class is open to beginning students with any sort of camera- from point-and-shoot or camera phone to DSLR. Please note: We will not be examining specific models of cameras, or going step-by-step through the functions, therefore a familiarity with the menus and capabilities of your own device is encouraged.

Tuition for the class is $10.00. Scholarships are available upon request. Register throughTheDataBank.

We will reconvene in a second class to view student work and discuss avenues for improvement, using supportive and constructive feedback. We will discuss style and/or concept in relation to images and revisit technical aspects as they arise. Although it is recommended that people register for both sessions, it is not a requirement.

Avye Alexandres is a photographer and artist living in Minneapolis, who arrived by way of Texas, Florida and Athens, Greece. She creates performative events and immersive installations utilizing photographic elements and technologies new or old. A Jerome Foundation/Northern Lights Grant recipient, she has exhibited locally at the Weisman Art Museum, Spotart and Concordia Galleries, and presented during the Soap Factory’s Artery festival and at Red Eye Collaborations. Her freelance photographic work includes creating promotional imagery for artists, theatre companies, musicians or actors, as well as occasional documentary ventures.