CEPA’s photography classes and workshops cover a variety of subjects for students of all ages and skill levels, including film photography, digital photography, darkroom, photoshop, studio lighting, and more.
Due to a flood in CEPA’s education suite, we have canceled our February and March workshops.
Thursday, May 21st
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Ages 16+
In this 2 hour workshop, we will explore the relationship between text and photography. We will begin by looking at artists who use text and image in their work. Next, we will review different writing techniques and approaches. Every participant will have the chance to write about an image during the workshop, and share with the group if desired.
Every participant should bring images that they are excited to use in a short assignment during the workshop. These can be photographs you made yourself, vernacular photographs, news clippings, family photos, digital or printed, etc. You may also bring a computer or tablet to write with. Paper and pens will be provided.
This workshop is brought you by Andrea Wenglowskyj, who was generously funded by Art Services Inc. for her recent exhibition at CEPA, Anxiety of Amnesia.
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
CEPA Learning Center
This class is limited to 10 participants.
Thursday, May 21st
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »
A 1-Day Class
Saturday, June 6th
12:30pm– 3:30pm
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
Saturday June 6th
12:30pm – 3:30pm
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 Class
Saturday, June 13th
12:30pm–3:30pm
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.
CEPA Education Center
Saturday, June 13th
12:30pm–3:30pm
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.
CEPA is now offering two hour tutorials covering basic and commonly requested topics. These are introductory lessons, designed to get you started on your journey with photography quickly or to help refresh those looking to get back into it.
For more in depth instruction, see our workshops above or call to arrange a one on one lesson.
Tutorials are by Appointment Only. Once you place your order, someone will reach out within a few days to schedule your lesson. You can also email nate@cepagallery.org or call 716-856-2717 to arrange an appointment.
Basic Exposure and Image Control
Learn about the basics of Photography! This one hour tutorial covers the fundamentals of exposure and image control through Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed, as well as basic camera control for either digital or film.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
Basic B/W Film Development
New to the darkroom? This roughly two hour tutorial covers the basic process for loading, exposing, developing and processing your film by hand. Learn about film exposure, chemistry, how to load a daylight tank, as well as some tips and tricks to avoid common beginner mistakes. Includes a roll of 35mm film to practice.
Recommended to take prior to Basic Darkroom Printing. Receive a 15% discount when ordering both.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
Basic Darkroom Printing
New to the darkroom? This tutorial covers the basic process for enlarging film in the darkroom, including how to use an enlarger, control contrast and exposure, archivally process and wash prints, dodging and burning, plus other techniques to get you up and running in the darkroom quickly. Students need a developed roll of B/W film, other materials provided. Includes 1 hour of instruction and 3 hours of lab time to get you started.
This tutorial is recommended to follow B/W Film Development. Receive a 15% discount if purchasing both.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
Basic Digital Workflow in Lightroom
This two hour tutorial covers a basic workflow in Lightroom. Learn about the RAW file format, as well as how to import, organize, edit and export your digital images.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
Basic Digital Printing
Learn how to print your digital images! This tutorial covers resolution, cropping/resizing for print, as well as color profiles and proofing.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
Intro to Alternative Process
New to alternative process photography? Alternative or non-silver photography offers both digital and analog photographers the ability to make unique, hand made prints using traditional methods without the need for a darkroom.
Cyanotype is simple, affordable and non-toxic, serving as a cheap gateway to more advanced non-silver processes such as Platinum Palladium, Calotype, Van Dyke, and many other variations that use a contact print and UV light.
Learn how to correctly set up and print a digital negative in photoshop, practice the technique for coating water color paper with light sensitive emulsion, and print an image using UV light.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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.
A Week-long Summer Class
July 6–10 @ 9:00am–12:30pm
Ages 8 to 12
This class is jam-packed with all sorts of fun photo activities, including darkroom, digital, and experimental photography. There’s something for everyone, with many opportunities for students to get hands-on with photography.
Cameras are available for use, or students are welcome to use their own.
For ages 8-12
CEPA Gallery Learning Center
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
July 6-10, 9:00am-12:30pm
A Week-long Summer Class
July 13-17, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Ages 13 to 17
In this class, loosely inspired by the experimental New Vision photography movement, students will practice a number of different hands-on techniques. Students will experiment with a range of different photographic techniques each day, collaging the results into a Zine (a short, homemade magazine), to share and exchange with other students in the class.
Students will have the opportunity to work with Digital Photography, Photograms, Polaroid Transfers, Cyanotype, Collage and more!
All materials included. Students are welcome to bring their own cameras if they have one or will be provided with CEPA cameras to borrow. Each student will leave class with a handful of photo prints, negatives, and a completed Zine.
For ages 13-17
CEPA Gallery Education Center
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
July 13-17, 9:00am-12:30pm
We can create a custom class for four or more people, and we also offer one-to-one tutoring. To discuss, contact Nate Ely, our Education Director:
A former student of one of CEPA’s many art programs in schools, Darron Whitsett participated in a photojournalism program where students created a newspaper from the ground up. He later joined ArtWorks!, one of CEPA’s after school programs. During the year-long advanced photography course, students worked with all of CEPA’s artists in residence—learning and working in their style, exhibiting their work throughout Buffalo, and producing a personal catalogue at the end of the program.
“CEPA’s art programs helped shape my life in so many positive ways. The things I learned then are the foundation of what I do today. They have afforded me the chance to travel and be creative, a dream I have had since I was a child . . . a dream that CEPA’s program gave me a framework for. For that I will be forever grateful.”
Darron is a professional photographer, designer, and artist. Learn more about him at darronlw.daportfolio.com.
