Conference Skill Ratings Use
There are programs, events and workshops for all skill levels. Beginning photographers are very welcome at the conference, as are experienced and professional photographers. You do not need to be a member of a camera club, photography group, Professional Photographers of America group, etc. in order to attend — all photo enthusiasts are welcome!
Most photo-ops are for all skill levels. Please note that if equipment (like a tripod) or
Image reviews and critiques are for all skill levels, they are customized one-on-one sessions.
All participants can attend any program. A participant may be a beginner in one area and intermediate in another and advanced in yet another area. For example, an advanced landscape photographer may wish to attend a beginner bird photography program or a skilled SOOC (straight out of the camera) photographer may wish to attend a more advanced technical program (like focus stacking or post-processing) in order to get motivated and add skillsets to their imagery. Beginners should note that the program will run at the level that was designated by the presenter. A less experienced person is welcome to attend any level, but the material will be at the level that the presenter designated. Everyone at all skills levels is welcome, as we recognize that less advanced participants will want to attend more advanced programs in order to grow, but they must realize and accept that they may not grasp every concept of an advanced program.
Some programs are designated all, meaning that there is something for everyone and people of all skill levels will enjoy the presentation. Some programs are designated all because the material will appeal to photographers of all skill sets. Some programs are designated all because there will be material for each skill level and all skill levels will get something from the program, although beginners may be lost for a portion and advanced participants may hear material that they are well versed in.
Some programs are designated intermediate, meaning that the attendee has a basic technical knowledge of their camera and/or post-processing — and wants to learn more! The participant understands some of the creative control functions like aperture and shutter speed on their camera – or the participant understands that Photoshop has layers and masks or that Lightroom has different modules designed for different functions.
A program designated beginner, intermediate would include some material for everyone, but there would also include some advanced material. A program designated intermediate/advanced would include material for the intermediate user but would also include some advanced material.
Some programs are designated advanced, meaning that the attendee should have a strong understanding of their camera, can use their camera’s aperture, shutter speed and manual settings with ease — or for Photoshop, the attendee is familiar with the use of layers and masks and wants to learn tips and tricks to enhance and maximize their creativity.
Some workshops are designated all, meaning that there is something for everyone and that the material and activities are suited for people of all skill levels (workshops that require a level of physical activity are so noted).
Some workshops are designated intermediate, these are usually post-processing classes and the instructor expects that the participant have the program(s) pre-loaded onto their computer (and activated, or a valid free trial mode), that the participant know how to open, save and locate files (basic computer skills), and that they know what a layer is (in Photoshop). For hands-on intermediate workshops, it is assumed that the participant has a working knowledge of the software, i.e. that they can navigate comfortably and are looking forward to learning new things.
Some workshops are designated advanced, these are usually post-processing classes (like Compositing, Luminosity Masks, etc.) and the instructor expects that the participant has the program(s) pre-loaded onto their computer (and activated or a valid free trial mode), that they know how to open, save and locate files (basic computer skills), and that they can use layers and masks (Photoshop). For hands-on advanced workshops, it is assumed that the participant is proficient with that software, i.e. that they can navigate comfortably and has experience with the software.
