Learn Photography Fundamentals in 5 Weeks
Summer 2026 Session, Dallas, Texas
Learn photography this summer in a sequence of 5 classes offered in Dallas by Matthew Hine and Don’t Be Strangers.
Photography has never in history been more popular than right now – literally everybody now has a camera in their pocket. But learning the fundamental skills of photography has maybe never seemed less relevant. Why mess with all those complicated settings when everybody’s phone makes good pictures automatically, and AI will generate any picture you want?
I’m going to show you how photography really works, and how learning the skills can be a real improvement to both your pictures and your life.
Whether you want to get serious with an SLR or you only shoot with your phone, I want to help you make better and more meaningful pictures, and at the same time unlock a new way for your mind to see the world more richly and meaningfully.
Not convinced? Here’s an article I wrote about why photography is still worth learning.
This session starts in Thursday, July 23. We’d love to see you there.
(Signup link coming soon…)
Who are these classes for?
The classes are designed for just about anybody who has a curiosity about photography and a desire to learn, no matter what kinds of pictures you want to take.
Everybody has a camera in their phone, and if that’s all you’ve got, we’ll get started there and maybe you’ll end up convinced to take the next step with a dedicated camera. If you’ve already got one – from a retro pocket cam to a big pro dSLR – bring that along and you’ll learn how to get the most out of it.
When and where is it?
Every Thursday at 6:30-8pm for 5 weeks, July 23 - August 20.
See the full agenda below.
The Dallas Medication Center in Richardson is kindly hosting us.
How much does it cost?
To cover costs, we’re charging a small fee that we hope isn’t a barrier for anyone.
Each class is $15, or sign up for the full sequence of 5 classes for $50 (recommended).
You can come to individual classes if you only have specific questions, but you’ll definitely get more out if you attend the full sequence, with each class building on the previous ones to build a complete understanding of photography fundamentals.
Why am I doing this?
I’ve loved photography my whole life and want to pass that love and the skills I’ve learned on to others.
I have an unusual perspective on photography too. I spent many years designing optical systems professionally, so I know what actually matters when you’re shooting, without the superstition that often creeps into photographer’s heads. The combination of art and science makes photography unique and wonderful, and I love demystifying the science so you have the tools to make your own art.
What will the classes cover?
In each class, I’ll use examples, live demonstration, and clear explanation to show you how cameras really work and the results you can get. You’ll learn what all the confusing photography terms mean and what all of the buttons and controls on your camera (or camera app) do, so they become tools rather than barriers. If you just want to come, listen, and maybe ask a coupe of questions – that’s great. If you want to get out your camera and try some things out without pressure, we’ll do that too. You’ll always leave with some ideas for things to try on your own so you can see for yourself.
I’ll cover one topic a week for 5 weeks. My mantra in these classes is going to be “see for yourself”. The best way to learn how to use your camera, and to take pictures that are more meaningful to you, is to experiment, see the results, and repeat. By the end my goal is for you to have an understanding of the tools so you can enjoy experimenting and seeing for yourself rather than getting frustrated and confused.
Here’s what each class will cover over the 5 weeks:
July 23
📷 MAKING CHOICES as a photographer and why they matter. We’ll talk about the surprisingly difficult challenge of capturing “what you experienced” in a little flat rectangle – not just taking good-looking photos but giving them meaning and impact. We’ll also cover the “light budget”, a concept that we’ll be using across each of the next 4 classes about the important choices you make (or don’t make) every time you take a picture...
July 30
🖼️ Choosing FRAMING with composition, FOV, zoom, shift, … and your feet.
August 6
⏱️ Choosing TIME with movement, shutter speed, and the decisive moment.
August 13
👁️ Choosing FOCUS with focal distance, aperture (f-stop), manual/auto focus, and bokeh.
August 20
🌇 Choosing BRIGHTNESS with exposure, ISO, EV compensation, and locking.
If there’s interest, we may also add on additional sessions on topics like:
🌈 Choosing COLOR with white balance, color correction, and simulated film styles
☀️ Choosing LIGHTING with natural light, time of day, clouds, flash, and studio lights.
📊 Why shooting RAW matters
👩💻 Post-processing SOFTWARE and non-destructive editing
⚙️ No-nonsense answers to questions about GEAR and specifications
🪽 Shooting with SPEED while not giving up your choices
What will we not cover?
I’m not going to teach you shortcuts to mimic other people’s looks, or quick tricks to get clicks on Instagram. I’m going to make the fundamentals of photography understandable so you can make your own choices and make images you actually care about.
(Signup link coming soon…)