CEPA’s photography classes and workshops cover a variety of subjects for students of all ages and skill levels.
Take a class with us! Learn all about photography including film photography, digital photography, darkroom, photoshop, studio lighting, and more.
A 1-Day Class
Saturday, June 1st
10:30am–1:30pm
Ages 16+
If you’re new to studio lighting, it is easy to get intimidated by the amount of stuff you have to learn. In this hands-on class, you’ll start to learn the complexities of controlling light in a controlled space. CEPA will provide studio space and equipment, introducing you to some of the most basic studio lighting equipment and terms you will need to navigate a photography studio.
A model will be on site for hands on experience working in a real studio setting.
Class is taught by one of CEPA’s veteran instructors – Piotr Meszynski (see more about Peter below). By the end of the lab session, you’ll have the skills to tackle any type of indoor shoot, whether it’s in a huge warehouse or your spare bedroom.
In this class you will learn how to:
· Set your ISO, shutter speed and aperture.
· Understand depth of field and shooting groups.
· Use all sorts of flashes, including strobes and hot shoe flashes, as well as modifiers.
· Build your studio and buy the right gear for the right price.
Follow up what you learn in this class by signing up for Piotr’s advanced class – Conceptual and Creative Portraiture. Purchase both classes and receive a 15% discount (refunded when your order is processed).
CEPA Education Center
Saturday, June 1st
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »
Check out the description below to learn more about the teaching artist for this workshop.
A 2-Day Class
Friday, May 24th and June 7th
5:30 PM– 8:30 PM
Ages 13+
Designed specifically for beginner photographers, this course will walk you through the essentials of how to use your digital mirrorless/SLR camera and all the key functions. Take a deep dive and become more comfortable with your camera, perfect for someone who has recently acquired a camera but hasn’t learned it inside and out yet.
You will learn photography tips about everything from shutter speed to aperture, depth of field to ISO. You will get a primer on how to compensate for bad lighting and how to compose your shot for maximum effect and better photos. By the end of the course, you‚ will be ready to take your photography skills to the next level and continue your education with a more advanced photography course.
This class will help you:
CEPA Learning Center
Friday, May 24th and June 7th
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »
Check out the description below to learn more about the teaching artist for this workshop.
A 1-Day Workshop
Saturday, May 25th, 2024
2:00 – 5:00 PM
All ages
The Tunnel Book Workshop is about the potential for expressing personal narratives and creative stories in a connected series of stacked and layered frames. Participants will be guided by a series of prompts to create a scene through several art pieces on translucent photo frames. These pieces will be joined together into a final art object that provides the illusions of depth and movement within a diorama. These works will be motivated by exploration of identity and will present interesting juxtapositions of images that illustrate the complexity of human stories. The frames will come together to form a final, cohesive image, reflecting the diverse aspects that make up the self.
All Materials and Supplies are Included.
CEPA Gallery Learning Center
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
Saturday, May 25th, 2024
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »
The Mobile Darkroom introduces students to a mode of image making that has vanished from our everyday experience of photography. Material photography is hands-on, it teaches patience and problem solving, rewards experimentation and connects students with the science and magic of light, water and chemical reaction, the natural phenomena that make photography work.
For more information or to book a Mobile Darkroom event contact: nate@cepagallery.org
Photography is a powerful tool of communication and self-expression. It is an art form that is accessible to all ages and abilities.
CEPA creates unique programs using photography, technology and the literary arts to awaken curiosity and creative thinking. Our classes are taught by talented and dedicated local artists who are passionate about teaching art and empowering people to find their voice.
At CEPA people from all walks of life come together to interact and learn from one another in a safe and welcoming environment. Students have unlimited access to CEPA’s darkroom, digital lab and photo studio. They are offered many opportunities to stay engaged with CEPA and photography, often becoming mentors and teaching artists.
Our classes and workshops offer a variety of subjects for students of all ages and skill levels. We also offer custom workshops for four or more people as well as one to one tutoring.
In addition to our signature arts education programs, we develop customized projects to meet the specific needs of schools, groups, and communities. Read on to discover the variety of arts education programs that CEPA provides to people of all ages—and find out how you can get involved.
Recognized by Michelle Obama with a 2013 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award, CEPA’s nationally celebrated community arts programs create opportunities for children throughout Buffalo and Western New York to come together and learn in a unique and supportive arts education environment.
Under the instruction of our teaching artists, students of all ages engage in film photography, digital photography, pinhole cameras, darkroom printing, digital graphic design, animation, creative writing and bookmaking.
CEPA provides free tours of our galleries for school and community groups. If you can stay for awhile, take one or all of our workshops for a small fee.
Students visiting CEPA will see a variety of photographic art. Often the images are challenging in a way that stretches the mind.
CEPA’s art programs in schools are tailored to specific classroom curriculum and designed with a particular focus or subject area. Interdisciplinary in nature, these projects expand upon students’ understanding of language arts, science, social studies and technology.
Working with teachers, CEPA’s exciting art programs educate students of all ages and abilities about the arts, as well as engage them with their community and their world.
Photography is an art form that is accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. CEPA is honored to partner with some of the best organizations in Buffalo to bring arts education to people with special needs—whether developmental, social, or otherwise.
Participants study and practice a variety of photographic processes, including black-and-white film photography, digital photography, darkroom printing techniques, digital graphic design, creative writing . . . and more!
CEPA summer art programs are a blast! Students learn the art and science behind photography, experimenting in both the darkroom and computer lab.
There are classes for 8-12 year olds as well as teenagers and they run for a full week, half day. There is something for everyone, beginners as well as advanced.