Photography Classes in Burlington

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Andy Porter

Andy Porter Photography Classes – Burlington Parks and Rec Fall / Winter 2025

Starting in September, 2025 I will continue teaching Photography Classes in Burlington, through Parks and Rec. The Photo Classes will be held at the Maiben House.

Registration is through Burlington Parks and Rec. Seating is limited for each class. At the link below you can see the entire class schedule and register for classes.

Here is the link to the Burlington Parks and Recreation Catalog of classes.

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Beginners Level 1

Capturing decent images with your new DSLR camera is easy, just set it on “Auto Mode” and shoot away. Moving your photography up to the next level where you get consistently good shots starts with understanding how to set your exposure manually. This is NOT difficult to do.

What the class teaches:

How to Shoot in Manual Mode
Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO. These 3 settings will be explained in detail with lots of examples and images.
Depth of Field: You’ll learn how a photographer changes this in an image.
Bracketing Exposure is capturing multiple images of the same subject with different exposures.
A Circular Polarizer is an optical filter that screws onto the end of the lens.
Raw vs. Jpeg – We’ll discuss this as well as an overview of editing a RAW image file.

Prerequisites: You must be familiar with your camera, taking pictures in Auto Mode, image review, etc.

Equipment Required: A DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with interchangeable lenses.

Dates:

Wednesday, September 17, 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, October 8, 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, November 5, 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, December 3, 6pm to 8pm

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Intermediate Level

In this class we will discuss different lenses, focal lengths and what they do; we’ll delve deeper into depth of field and how to master control over how much of what’s in front of you is in focus. Then we’ll cover the use of different shutter speeds to create stunning, unique images.

What the class teaches:

Lenses and Focusing: Different lens focal lengths and what they are best for
You’ll learn the technique of Focus & Recompose
Sharper Images: Blurry images can be avoided by following one simple rule
Hyper-focal Distance: How to extend your depth of field in landscape images.
We will take time to practice these skills outdoors
We will cover in detail how to capture Night Sky images of the stars and Milky Way.
Discuss all the equipment needed
Exact camera and lens settings, Walk through setting up out in the field!
Locations for night sky imaging and more!

Prerequisites: You must be completely comfortable with shooting in Manual Mode.

Dates:

Wednesday, October 22, 6pm to 8pm
Monday, November 17, 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, December 10, 6pm to 8pm

To register for one of there classes CLICK HERE!

The Andy Porter Gallery is located at 306 Morris Street, in La Conner. Were open 7 days a week with a wide array of Aluminum and Canvas prints, as well as an assortment of Night Lights, magnets and Greeting Cards!

Summer Photography Classes

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Andy Porter

Interested in learning about photography this summer?

Classes are held through Burlington Parks and Rec. The class location is the Maiben House at 219 S. Skagit Street, Burlington.

Here is the link to register for the classes. And here is the phone number for Burlington Parks and Rec: 360-755-9649

These classes are for anyone with a DSLR Camera who would like to learn how to use it to take awesome images.

There are TWO classes offered, the first class is the Basic DSLR Class, and then there is an Intermediate Class.

Basic DSLR Class

In the Basic DSLR class we’ll cover aperture, shutter speed and ISO and show you how to change them on your camera. Next we’ll discuss how to use these manual settings to create the images you want. We’ll practice the use bracketing your exposure to ensure you get the right shot, and more! We will also cover the use of polarizers and capturing images in the RAW format.

I will teach the Basic DSLR class TWO times.

Thursday, July 13, 6pm to 8pm
Thursday, August 10th, 6pm to 8pm

Intermediate Class

In the Intermediate Class we will discuss different lenses, focal lengths and what they do; we’ll delve deeper into depth of field and how to master control over how much of what’s in front of you is in focus. Then we’ll cover the use of different shutter speeds to create stunning, unique images.

Next will be 2 advanced techniques to obtain a sharp focus throughout your entire image: Focus & Recompose and Hyperfocal Distance Focusing.

We will cover in detail how to capture Night Sky images of the stars and Milky Way. We will go over all the equipment needed, exact camera settings, locations for night sky imaging and more!

I will teach the Intermediate Class :

Tuesday, August 22, 6pm to 8pm

Photography Classes in Burlington

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Andy Porter

Photography Classes with Andy Porter are back!

Starting on September 15th I will be teaching two different Photography Classes through Burlington Parks and Recreation, they will be held at Maiben House, at 219 S. Skagit Street, in Burlington.

Basic DSLR Class

Taking pictures with your new DSLR is easy, just set it on auto and shoot away. Capturing GOOD pictures with your new DSLR…that’s harder. Quality photography starts with understanding how to set your exposure manually. This is NOT difficult to do. In this 2 hour workshop we’ll cover aperture, shutter speed and ISO and show you how to change them on your camera. Next we’ll discuss how to use these manual settings to create the images you want. We’ll practice the use bracketing your exposure to ensure you get the right shot, and more! We will also cover the use of polarizers and capturing images in the RAW format.

This class will be held on:

Thursday, September 15th, 6pm to 8pm

Tuesday, October 4th, 6 to 8pm

Thursday, November 10th, 6pm to 8pm

Tuesday, December 6th, 6pm to 8pm

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Intermediate Level

Next will be 2 advanced techniques to obtain a sharp focus throughout your entire image: Focus & Recompose and Hyperfocal Distance Focusing.

We will cover in detail how to capture Night Sky images of the stars and Milky Way. We will go over all the equipment needed, exact camera settings, locations for night sky imaging and more!

Finally I will cover my tips and tricks for capturing landscape images. We will spend time discussing (with LOTS of examples) Layering; Leading lines; the Rule of Thirds; Framing and more.

Prerequisites: You must have taken the How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Beginners Level 1 (aka Nature Photography – Beginners class) OR be VERY comfortable shooting in the Manual Mode with your current camera.

This class will be held on:

Tuesday, October 18^th, 6pm to 8pm

Saturday, December 3rd, 10am to 12pm

Each class is $45. The classes are 2 to 2.5 hours long.

To register for class, contact Burlington Parks and rec, through their website here.

or by phone: 360-755-9649

Best wishes and hope to see you soon!

Andy Porter

Photography and Photoshop Classes

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Andy Porter

Online classes through Burlington Parks and Rec – with Andy Porter

I will be teaching a Basic DSLR Photography Course AND a 5-session Introduction to Photoshop Class, online, through Burlington Parks and Rec. These classes are all done via ZOOM. I just completed the first set of classes and it was a lot of fun!

The Basic DSLR Photography Class is for beginners. We will cover how to shoot in the manual mode, learn about bracketing and how to get the right shot, and also cover use of a circular polarizer, RAW files, and more. You need to have a DSLR Camera for the class (IF you cannot change lenses on the camera, its NOT a DSLR!) The class is scheduled for two different days (same Class, both days). Tuesday, June 1, from 6 to 7:30pm and again, the same class, on Tuesday, June 29, from 6pm to 7:30pm. You can enroll online through Bellingham Parks and Rec. beginning on April 12th at 8:30 am. The class is $40. Here is a link to the Parks and Rec web site.

Introduction to Photoshop is a 5-session series of classes for anyone interested in learning some basics of Photoshop.

I never wanted to learn Photoshop. I was drawn into it rather reluctantly. But as a Nature – Landscape – Night Sky Photographer editing and prepping my images for printing is now an integral part of what I do. In this series of 5 classes we will first cover how to enhance your images using Adobe Camera Raw. This allows you to adjust the overall exposure, shadows and highlights, as well as many other options, to make your image look much closer to what your eye saw when you captured the image.

The Camera Raw interface makes it easy to edit any image, portrait, nature or nighttime images and save them in the proper formats for printing and web use.

There will be creative lessons about layers and for some lessons you will need to both capture images, and edit them. There is a lesson on Multiplicity, or cloning, where you blend multiple images of the same person together and another creative assignment, Levitation, learning how to make someone or something float in the air! We will also cover how to capture and edit a Panorama image and make it ready for printing.

: Panorama

: Panorama

: Panorama

: Multiplicity

: Multiplicity

: Multiplicity

: Levitation

: Levitation

: Levitation

Students must have a current subscription to Photoshop, newest version/subscription. AND HAVE SOME familiarity with Photoshop. Please don’t download Photoshop for the first time and expect to be able to follow along! The series of 5 classes can be purchased separately for $50 a class, or as a package for $200 for all 5 classes. You will also need to have a camera or cell phone to capture images with as well as a simple tripod.

Why should you edit your images at all?

The Human Eye sees more than any camera can record. When you capture images of high contrast scenes, like sunrises or sunsets, the camera cannot capture BOTH the brightest AND darkest parts of the scene. So, sunset images you capture with your camera are either too bright in the sky or too dark in the foreground. But this is NOT how it looked to your eye!

You can use Photoshop to make the brightest parts of the image darker, and the darker parts of the image brighter. This is what Ansel Adams did with his black and white negatives, he “edited” them by dodging and burning (darkening and brightening) parts of the image.

In the world of Photoshop, this is easy to do. Of course Photoshop can do more than brighten and darken parts of the image; you can enhance colors, erase unwanted items in the image, and make the image look like the scene you saw with your own eye.

Each class is $50, or you can enroll for all 5 classes for $200.

Here is the link to Burlington Parks and Rec to enroll.

Classes are Wednesday Night, June 2; Thursday Night, June 10; Thursday Night, June 17; Thursday Night, July 1, and Thursday Night, July 8th. All classes from 6 to 7:30pm, all online.

IF you have ANY questions about the classes, or what will be covered, feel free to email me anytime.

Andyporterphotography@gmail.com

Photography Classes in Burlington Fall 2018

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Andy Porter

Andy Porter Photography

I will be teaching several Photography Classes in Burlington Fall 2018. There are 3 different classes, each is about 2.5 hours long and cost $40.

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Beginners Level 1

Looking down the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River

There are 4 scheduled sessions for this class on different dates and times to make it easier to find a date that works for you.

Sept. 18, Tuesday, 6pm – 8:30pm
Sept. 27, Thursday, 6pm – 8:30pm
Oct. 6, Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm
Nov. 6, Tuesday, 6pm – 8:30pm

In this 3 hour workshop we’ll cover aperture and shutter speed and show you how to change them on your camera. Next we’ll discuss how to use these settings to create the image you want. Bracketing the exposure is a very key part of this and will set you on the right path. We will also cover the use of polarizers and capturing images in the RAW format.

To register for classes, visit the Burlington Parks and Rec web site here

How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Intermediate Level 2

Mt Rainier and Packwood Lake

There are 2 scheduled sessions for this class on different dates and times to make it easier to find a date that works for you.

Oct. 16, Tuesday, 6pm – 8:30pm
Oct. 27, Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm

In this class we will delve deeper into depth of field and how to master control over how much of what’s in front of you is in focus. Then we’ll cover the use of different shutter speeds to create stunning, unique images.

We will discuss different types of lenses and which is best for you.

Next will be more advanced techniques to obtain a sharp focus throughout your entire image, we will practice each technique as we go.

This class will cover in detail how to shoot Milky Way and Star Trail images.

Bring your tripod and any and all lenses you have for your camera.

Liberty Bell and the Milky Way

Photography Composition and Basic Editing

Having an eye” for photography is definitely an acquired skill! Once you learn the basic tools and practice you’ll have it. We will cover: subject placement; use of the horizon; reflections; leading lines; the Rule of Thirds; framing and more.

Then we’ll delve into how to edit your images on the computer, covering cropping, color adjustment, filters and all sorts of amazing stuff to make your images pop!

Nov. 8, Thursday, 6pm – 8:30pm

To register for ALL CLASSES you must sign up and pay through Burlington Parks and Recreation. Seating is limited so sign up sooner!

Visit their web site here OR Call them at : 360-755-9649

Andy Porter Images is my main web site where you can buy prints, calendars, cards and more.

Are you interested in a Night Sky Photo Tour? Learn more here.

Questions? Email me at andyporterphotography@gmail.com

Vote for the 2018 Calendar Images!

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Andy Porter

Always a tough call, which images to include for the next calendar… 14 images (12 months and front/back covers)

Please vote your fave in each category in the “Leave a Reply” section below.

Choice number 1:

I want to use one of these sunset shots from the Samish Overlook, which do you fancy? Choose your favorite and second fave.

: Sunset 1

: Sunset 2

: Samish Overlook

: Sunset 4

Choice 2: View of Clear Lake from Big Rock: Which?

: Big Rock

: Big Rock

Choice 3: Samish Island Sunset. Which?

: Samish Sunset 1

: Samish Sunset 2

Choice 4:

Tulips: Whats your first and second favorites?

: Skagit Valley Tulips

: Skagit Valley Tulips

: Skagit Valley Tulips

: Tulip 4

: Skagit Valley Tulips

: Tulip 6

Choice 5: Night Sky – Pick your two favorites

: Night 1

: Night 2

: Night 3

: Diablo Lake at Night

: Night 5

: Night 6

Choice 6: Scenic View: Pick your top two.

: Scenic 1

: Scenic 2

: Scenic 3

: Scenic 4

: Scenic 5

: Scenic 6

: Mt Buckner

: Scenic 8

Here are a few pictures that have already made the cut:

: Palouse Falls under a Full Moon

: Sunset over the North Cascades

: Enchanted Goats

: Point of the Arches

: North Cascades Fall

The 2018 Calendars come off the press ready to ship by the end of October!

Washington Journey Magazine

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Andy Porter

Some months ago I was referred to a local travel author for tips on capturing awesome landscape images. I shared my ideas and sent it off with some images. I was a bit surprised to get a call later from a “fact checker” to verify what I had said!

Months past and I assumed the article was scrapped, but behold, here it is in the Fall issue of Washington Journey Magazine.

Departures — Journeys Issue: September/October 2017

Scroll down a bit for the article “Picture Perfect”.

The next Night Sky Class at the North Cascades Institute is scheduled for Sat. Sept. 16th. This class is through NCI, I am the instructor. We will visit Artist Point.

I will also be doing Night Sky Tours on Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday,Oct. 21 Here is the Link.

Classes in Burlington and Marysville start again September.

Winter along the Cascade Loop Highway

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Andy Porter

Last week I had an opportunity to drive over the mountains on the Cascade Loop Highway, to Eastern Washington for a 3 day winter photo safari. The plan was to escape and explore on the east side of the mountains where they have a REAL winter with snow and that sort of thing.

I had intended to do some hiking and out door adventures but my plans were derailed by the two wonderfully sumptuous resorts I stayed in along the way.

My trip took me over Stevens Pass to Leavenworth, where I stayed at the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. Leavenworth is a heaven for all winter activities, and the weather was perfect: It snowed the night before I arrived, was clear during the day and snowed again late at night, making for perfect conditions.

The drive over Stevens Pass was uneventful, at a bit over 4,000 feet the top of the pass was crusted with snow, but traction was good and all went perfectly.

The Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort was such a treat. Everything about the place is wonderful, the rooms, food, hospitality and location, in fact it was too nice! I found myself so pampered that I didn’t make it very far afield out side, but rather luxuriated in the spa, hot tub and wonderfully warm room…

Here are a few images from my stay.

The next day took me further east along the Cascade Loop Highway to Twisp and another way too incredible lodging opportunity at the Twisp River Suites.

I rarely stay in resorts, or even hotels for that matter, I am happy with my Thermarest and sleeping bag. I am slightly embarrassed to report that I made little effort to brave the elements outdoors, but rather opted for the living the life of luxury at the Twisp River Suites. The room was amazing, everything perfect, even the couch was captivating, it enveloped me completely!

But, I did manage to get a few pics and here they are!

Merry Christmas, everyone!