Hawaii School of Photography

I am so happy that I decided to attend Steve’s 4 week class! I sort of understood how my camera worked, but now I never shoot on anything but manual mode. Steve breaks down how and why different settings are used, and my pictures have vastly improved. If you are on the fence about taking a class, do it! Well worth it! Thank you again Steve!

I took the Introduction to Digital Photography class, which met once a week for 4 weeks and then added an additional one-​night class on flash photography. The classes were small (4 – 6 people) so we got plenty of personal attention. Steve was an excellent teacher, not just showing us how to take photos using the new DSLR cameras, but he really delving into the math/​science behind it all. He is a self-​proclaimed geek and he loves sharing his passion for why pictures come out the way they do. The amount of information he covers is vast and you really learn the basics of how to take photos with DSLR cameras. His workbook is an outstanding companion to the class and gives me something to reference. I am looking forward to taking more of his classes. I highly recommend Steve and his Hawaii School of Photography!

Steve is a wonderful instructor whose enthusiasm for photography is contagious. His digital photography basics class is geared toward his succinct and easy to read text book, and the homework assignments are relevant and very helpful. The class itself is wonderful and packed with information. I really feel like I have a lot more facility with my camera and photography after taking this short course and I plan to sign up for more classes as they become available. If you are interested in taking your DSLR out of «auto mode» and improving the quality of your photographs this is the way to do it. Steve has a real knack for explanations and a love for cameras and photography that makes you want to go out and shoot better pictures.

Steve is so knowledgable, and he really knows how to teach. When I first got my DSLR, I was clueless and kept it on «Auto.» Within one class, he was able to show me the basic in ps and outs of the settings and what they mean, but most of all, how a camera actually works, the F stop, and capturing light. It was a great foundational course for me.

«So, You Just Got a DSLR or SLR Camera… Now What?»
That was the title of the 3-​hr beginner class I took today with Steve. I wish I had taken that class a long time ago! Back then I had a Canon EOS Rebel that used film (the thing that comes in the little black cannister that you load into the old fashioned cameras) and shame on me, I never used anything but «auto» mode to snap pics. Flash forward to today and I’m shooting with a Nikon DSLR but still in «auto» mode because I never learned what all the dials and buttons meant.
Do you have a DSLR and shoot in «auto» mode too? You need to take this class!
I found a great deal on Amazon Local for $ 65 for a 3-​hr beginner class. There is also a deal for $ 79 for the 4-​hr intermediate class if you already know the basics. If you go to the website, there are all kinds of classes you can take once you get the basics down.
Steve is not only an amazing and internationally recognized and published photographer, but he is a great teacher for those of us who never took a photography class before. Today I learned so much, but the highlights for me were the following:
1. I learned what ISO, f-​stop, and shutter speed means, and how I have to adjust them based on the distance, lighting, etc.
2. I learned what the letters on the dial means (P, A, M, S) so I don’t have to shoot in auto mode ever again.
3. Depth of field (it’s not just a filter on instagram!).
4. We got to see the inside of a real camera, which made it much easier to understand shutter speed, aperture. I felt really old when the rest of the class said they had never used a film camera.
5. Formatting the memory card
Are all of those things in the instruction manual? Probably, but I hate reading instruction manuals and I don’t even know where mine is. Steve explained everything clearly and gave us a chance to go and try the different settings we learned about on our own. The small class setting (there were 6 students in my class) was a great learning environment and even though we each had a different camera, by the end of class all of us were shooting in manual mode. Yay.

Stephen Dantzig has been a photography mentor of mine for years. His classes and books are all 1^st Rate! He is an international award winning photographer and holds a wealth of information regarding photography and lighting under any condition! He is someone who is always working at his craft and changing with the times and an excellent teacher and writer. I knew him when he was shooting slide film and he has always been the one to stay ahead of the curve throughout the new digital age! If you ever have a chance to study with him in person… BOOK the Class! He is super patient, knowledgeable and will rock your world in photography. You’ll never find a better teacher or mentor in photography!

Excellent instructor, very enthusiastic with a wealth of experience and knowledge. The course is an excellent start for a new camera owner and its held in a beautiful location.

I loved Steve’s Intro to Digital Photography, 4 week session at his downtown studio. In this course he covered a lot of information, not a second wasted and I had a very good feel for how to use my camera. Steve very easily helps navigate both Nikon and Canon users with all level of cameras to better understand their features and settings. I felt the course was an excellent value in relation to the time spent. I highly recommend for anyone taking the course to put in the time and do your homework as you will get so much out of this 4 week class.

I learned lots Steve, thanks! I went from, «aww man, I’m going to have to read a lot to figure this camera out,» to «awww, yes, I know what I’m doing!» The 3 hour intro class for beginners was super helpful, and now I feel excited to use my camera instead of intimidated by all the modes. Steve is passionate and knowledgeable about photography, which makes him an excellent instructor. He offers many other classes as well for those who want to continue learning/​fine tuning their photography skills.

Great intro to digital photography class! I love that I can play around with the manual settings now and know a little but of what I’m trying to do:) thank you Steve!

Steve Dantzig is an awesome teacher, in the classes I took several years ago (in studio and outdoors on-​sight) I learned skills that are an absolute routine now, that I never would have figured out just reading the manuals or «experimenting». This is a real photography school for people from beginners to advanced, Steve has courses that cover it all. A true Gem of a man and a Genius too!

Steve is a great teacher. I learned so much about my DSLR! We were taught outside at the Botanical Gardens like other reviewers stated and we got to go out and take photos and Steve helped us out along the way. Great class! Great teacher! I took the class almost a year ago and to this day, I can email Steve with any questions I have about my camera or photography and he will reply with just as much help as he did in class.

I recently completed the introduction to digital SLR cameras class. It was a total of four classes over four weeks and each class was 3 hours long. It was an excellent class for several reasons. Steve was clear in his explanations and extremely patient when going into the details about basic concepts in photography including lenses and f-​stops. The class does have quite a bit of detail, which I found satisfying and is what I was hoping for. I took the class because I wanted to understand how my new Canon works and to get the most out of using it. Although I have no intention of shooting in studios or using advanced lighting techniques I do plan on traveling and would like to «master» my camera taking pictures on a fully manual mode. This class was an excellent beginning to being able to do that. Since finishing the class I have tried to do what Steve suggested and that is to go out and practice what I’ve learned. Steve is an excellent resource during the class because he seems to know everything about photography and has years of experience. Another reason the class is great is that he gives you weekly assignments and you are expected to complete them. I learned a lot from these assignments and found them helpful. I loved this class and only wish I could have Steve with me whenever I’m taking pictures so I could pick his brain.
I would highly recommend taking this class if you want to start taking better pictures and want a better understanding of photography and your digital SLR camera!

I took Steve’s intro to DSLR class outside as mentioned in a previous review. He was very thorough and knowledgeable as well as an entertaining teacher. He clearly knows what he is talking about and can present it in a way that a beginner like me could understand. We also spent time practicing. I know a lot more about my camera than when I first started. I just have to find the time to take a few more classes and really work on it!!! I would highly recommend this to anyone else interested in learning more about photography.

Never mind that you’re taking a photography class in HAWAII, Steve is a fabulous and inspiring educator who will show you how to ramp up your shooting technique and style and set yourself above your competition. Everyone should visit Hawaii, so what’s better than taking a class with a world-​class instructor while you’re there (and writing off the trip)?
Imparting his extensive knowledge of photography and lighting in ways his students can easily understand is one of Steve’s driving passions. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed with any class you take from Hawaii School of Photography.

I’ve taken the «Outdoor Lighting: and the «Working with Models» classes with the Hawaii School of Photography and they are both first class. Steve Dantzig really takes the time to explains the concepts behind good lighting in the outdoor situation. Wether it’s using the natural light to your advantage with or without modifiers like reflectors or scrims, or supplementing the light with flash, Steve will show you how it’s done. In the «Models» class, he’ll go through some of the things that you will need to consider when working models, including the legal aspects. I consider both classes as money very well spent!

I took an Introduction to Photography class with Steve a little over a year ago. I wanted to know how to use a dlsr that I bought in Japan (i.e. other than the auto button).
The class was taught outside, at the Queen Kapiolani Botanical Gardens in Waikiki. After a brief introduction to photography (understanding iso, aperture and shutter speed), we were sent outside to practice. After only a few hours, I understood what a majority of the other «non-​auto» settings on my dlsr did. Also, I was a lot more comfortable playing around and shooting with my camera.
Steve is a great teacher and I would recommend him to all. Keep up the good work.