Photo 201 Summer Class

Please contact Paul before purchasing to confirm availability. Class sizes are intentionally limited, and spots may not be available even if online registration remains open.

Photo 201: Thinking Like a Photographer is a six-week photography class designed for photographers who already understand the basics of their camera and are ready to move beyond simply operating it.

Photo 101 teaches you how the camera works. Photo 201 teaches you how to think before you ever press the shutter.

This class is about seeing photographs before you take them. You'll learn how to evaluate a scene, anticipate changing light, choose the right lens, decide when a tripod is worth carrying, recognize when a filter will improve an image, and identify photographic opportunities that many people simply walk past.

Rather than focusing on individual camera settings, we'll focus on making intentional decisions. Why this composition instead of another? Why this focal length? Why wait another five minutes? Why move twenty feet to the left? These are the choices that separate snapshots from photographs.

Each week combines classroom discussion with hands-on shooting. Some classes begin at the gallery before heading into the field, while others take place entirely on location. We'll photograph sunsets, night skies, landscapes, and other real-world scenes throughout Door County, giving you opportunities to apply what you learn immediately.

Topics include reading light, visualizing the finished image, choosing lenses intentionally, neutral density and polarizing filters, low-light photography, long exposures, astrophotography, field workflow, and creating stronger compositions through thoughtful decision making. We'll discuss when filters improve an image, when they simply add complexity, and how to incorporate them into your workflow with confidence. Editing will also be introduced as the final step in creating the photograph you envisioned in the field.

This class is designed for photographers who are already comfortable changing camera settings and want to spend less time thinking about their camera and more time thinking about the photograph.

If you've ever found yourself asking, "I know how to use my camera. Now what?" this class is for you.

Class Details

Tuesdays, August 4 – September 8, 2026

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

DoorCo Photo

26 S. 3rd Avenue

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Cost: $125

Recommended Prerequisite:

Photo 101 or equivalent experience. Students should already be comfortable using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Mode.

What to Bring:

DSLR or mirrorless camera

Charged batteries

Memory card

The lenses you own

A tripod will be recommended for selected classes.

Questions before registering? Contact Paul at 920-860-7340 or learn@doorcophoto.com.