devora
"Shhh, Don't Tell Anyone, But BCC Has A Pretty Fabulous Photography Department..."
Shhhh.... It's a secret! ;)
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A photography class at Berkeley City College in Berkeley, CA.
< read all 1 reviewsShhh, Don't Tell Anyone, But BCC Has A Pretty Fabulous Photography Department...
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Feb 26, 2010
- by devora
- posted in Secret Berkeley
Rating:
You can read this review after you pinky promise not to tell anyone.
+5
.......
Okay, so why can't you tell anyone about this photography class? Well, because there are only about 15 enlargers in the classroom and I don't wanna clammer for, or wait in line for one! I've taken the 95A/95B class a number of times over the years and it has always been a wonderful experience. 95A and 95B are Beginning Photography I and Beginning Photography II, pretty much the same class, except if you already know your way around the darkroom, you can go straight to the darkroom during lectures about how to work a camera or work in the darkroom.
Instructor Dana Davis was actually my first traditional photography teacher ever. I've taken classes at a couple other schools since because of scheduling conflicts, but I've always felt that he was the best teacher I could've had for a first photography class. Other teachers didn't teach the very useful things that Dana taught, and I was able to apply all that I learned from him to the other classes. Dana's a very dedicated photography teacher. I believe that he actually found the class location (which, by the way, isn't on BCC campus), and then he built everything in it. The sinks, the tables, everything. I'm sure that the school didn't fund a lot of it (public schools have been going broke) and that he actually had to pay for some of it himself, as well as get some donations. Now that's dedication.
Here's another fabulous tidbit about this class: As I mentioned, the class isn't actually located on the BCC campus (I hate calling it that because when I use to go there back in the day, it had a nicer sounding name, Vista. le sigh). It's actually located in the historical Heinz Building on San Pablo, right off of the Ashby exit, so it's super easy to get to by freeway or San Pablo, and it's way easy to find parking, whether on the street or in the back lot. If you get out of class late, you can ask one of the kind security guards to walk you to your car. The Heinz Building itself actually has a very neat history. Why is it call the Heinz Building? Because decades ago, that's where Heinz used to bottle their pickles! How cool is that? Besides the darkroom in the building, there's also an fine arts/psychology graduate school, and a chocolate factory, so you've got all kinds of arts going on in that building.
So if you're a traditional photography lover in Berkeley, how could you resist taking such a fabulous class in a historical building with a super savvy teacher?
But remember... shhhh!!!!!! ;)
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amylevin
March 30, 2010
I am dying to take a photography class!!
devora
April 03, 2010
Do it! Community colleges are great for this :)
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Sammy_Luterbach
March 30, 2010
So interesting to hear about! I've always had an interest in photography, but have never taken a class. Thanks for inspiring me to do so!
devora
April 03, 2010
Do it! I think it's something everyone should try at least once :)
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michele
March 25, 2010
Love traditional photography but had to give up my 35mm when I couldn't focus so good anymore!! Comes with age. Your secret is safe with me, I'm in Michigan. ;)
devora
April 03, 2010
Haha, thanks, Michele! Well, you can always do digital photography :)
Scotman
June 28, 2010
That's why I love autofocus!
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woopak_the_thrill
February 28, 2010
Took two years of photography when I was in Advertising. I have to say it is quite a very fun subject and as a hobby it can get real expensive. However, in this age of digital technology, the skilled photographer is becoming obscure since things can always be fixed with a computer. (I don't like retouched supposed photography like someone I know does a lot) Nice one, Lady D.
devora
March 02, 2010
Awesome! And yes, this can get REALLY expensive, especially since a lot of the places selling the materials are going out of business because most photographers are going digital. Well, now there are skilled photoshoppers, I guess :P Thanks for your comment, Woo! :)
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Sharrie
February 28, 2010
Wow, I didn't realise you were that interested in photography! You'd love this travel + photography documentary then! I just caught an episode of it last week on Asia TV but have now lost track of the program! Check it out & may be you should give Art Wolfe a call & see if he'll be kind enough to send you a copy of his travels for your review ;-)
devora
March 02, 2010
Yup, I love photography! Maybe I'll scan a few photographs to add to this review. And I'll have to check out Art Wolfe :)
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Scotman
February 26, 2010
That's very cool. I'm happy they're still teaching film photography. A background in that will help a person with digital for sure.
devora
February 26, 2010
Oh, for sure! Learning traditional photography has greatly helped in my understanding of photo-editing software like Photoshop. Thanks for your comment, Jim! :)
Scotman
February 27, 2010
That's true, and thanks! I've done photography on and off for many years and have yet to see the inside of a darkroom, sadly. I was considering photo courses at CCSF when my paralegal certificate courses are complete this year.
Scotman
June 28, 2010
As predicted, I finished my paralegal cert courses and got the cert -- or will, as soon as they mail it to me. Fall 2010 will be a beginning photo class at CCSF. We'll see how I survive it!
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About the reviewer
devora (devora)
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When I'm not Lunching, I'm a jeweler, and an all around, self-proclaimed web geek. My passions include social media, the interweb, technology, writing, yoga, fitness, photography, jewelry, fashion, … more
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Berkeley City College's ART 95A is a beginning photography class taught by Dana Davis that is an introduction to camera operation: Basics of light, optics, exposure, camera controls and functions and film choices; darkroom techniques, including film processing theory and practice, contact printing, enlarging and print processing; print presentation; aesthetics.
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