Certificate Programs Photography

Photography Certificate

Focus on Photography Certificate Program

The Focus on Photography certificate program (FPC) enables photographers of all levels to experience the wonders of the natural world, develop and sharpen their powers of observation, and to master their technical skills. This program is a unique opportunity to discover and enhance your creativity, learn from outstanding photography professionals, and enjoy the Garden as your studio.

Who should participate? This program is designed to engage photographers of all skill levels. Whether you are just beginning your photographic journey or interested in developing your artistic voice, there is a place for you! Just take your first course and you are on your way. No prior experience is needed. Sign up for a Photography Certificate class today.

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Student Resources

Course Overview
Program Policies
Graduation
Questions?

Contact Stana, student advisor:    
Click here to show mail address

 

Program Design

The Focus on Photography program has three tracks of concentration:

Focus on Photography Certificate Program – Fine Art Photography

Fine Art

Creativity skills are developed with an emphasis on design and ways of seeing a subject to evoke a feeling or message with images. This track develops each student’s portfolio and use of their camera as an artistic tool.

Focus on Photography Certificate Program –  Nature and Landscape

Nature and Landscape

Through classroom study and field work, students will learn to use the camera as a tool for documenting flora, fauna, and other environmental subjects, while gaining an appreciation of nature.

Focus on Photography Certificate Program – Master

Master

The Master track is designed for advanced students who have completed either the Fine Art or Nature and Landscape track.

 

Program Requirements

The program requirements include four required introductory courses, four required courses, four fundamental courses, and 40 hours of elective courses. You may select any combination of elective courses to tailor the program to your personal learning objectives and interests. Photography elective courses are designated as such in the course description. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within five years of the start date of your first core course. To earn a certificate, a passing grade is required for each course.

 

Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Beginning Digital Photography and you’ll be on your way!

Available Classes

If a class is sold out, please contact us at (847) 835-6801 to be placed on the waitlist. The Garden will contact you if a space becomes available.

Adult Ed Photography general3

Photographing Nature's Shades of Green

Photography Certificate 

4 Wednesdays: 
April 2 – 23
9 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed Photography Nature and Wildlife

Photographing Nature & Wildlife

Photography Certificate

5 Saturdays: 
April 5 – May 3 
9 a.m. – noon

Photoshop 2

Photography Certificate

6 Mondays:   
April 7 – May 12
November 10 – December 15

1 – 3:30 p.m.  

Adult Ed Photography Raptor1

Photographing Raptors

Photography Certificate 

2 Saturdays: 
May 3 
1 – 2 p.m. and 
May 10 
9 a.m. – noon 

Adult Ed Photography Water Reflection

Photographing Water and Reflections

Photography Certificate 

4 Thursdays: 
May 8 – 29
9 a.m. – noon

Poetic Landscape Photography

Photography Certificate

6 Fridays:
May 9 – June 20 
No class May 23
9:30 a.m. – noon

Travel photography

Garden and Travel Photography

Photography Certificate 

4 Wednesdays:
June 4 – 25
9 a.m. – noon

Photography Classes at the Garden

Beginning Digital Photography

Photography Certificate  

4 Saturdays: 
June 7 – 28 
9 a.m. – noon

Photography Class – Photographing Butterflies & Blooms

Photographing Butterflies and Blooms

Photography Certificate

Monday, June 9
8 – 10 a.m. 

Adult Ed Photography Picturing the Family

Photography: Picturing Family Stories: Online

Photography Certificate

6 Mondays: 
June 16 – July 21
1 – 3:30 p.m.

Adult Ed Photography – Black & White

Black and White Photography

Photography Certificate 

5 Saturdays: 
June 21 – July 26
9 a.m. – noon  
No class July 5

Photographing the Rose Garden – Photography Class

Photographing the Rose Garden

Photography Certificate

Sunday, June 29
8 – 11 a.m.

Adult Ed Photography Lightroom-1

Lightroom 1 Workflow and Image Editing

Photography Certificate 

5 Tuesdays:
July 1 – 29
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Lightroom 2: Realizing Your Vision

Lightroom 1: Workflow and Image Editing

Photography Certificate

5 Tuesdays:
July 1 – 29
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Close-up Photography: Telephoto Lens

Photography Certificate 

4 Wednesdays:
July 2 – 23 
9 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed Photography Intermediate Digital

Intermediate Digital Photography

Photography Certificate 

4 Saturdays:
July 12 – August 2
9 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed Photography Nature Forest

Photographing Nature: Forest Preserves

Photography Certificate 

4 Mondays:
August 4 – 25 
9 a.m. – noon

Photography Classes at the Garden

Surrealism in Photography: Online

Photography Certificate

6 Tuesdays: 
August 5 – September 9 
1 – 3:30 p.m.

Photographing Waterlilies – Photography Class

Photographing Waterlilies

Photography Certificate

Sunday, August 9
8 – 11 a.m. 

Nature & Landscape Portfolio B

Photography Certificate 

6 Sundays: 
August 17 – September 28
9 a.m. – noon
No class August 31 

Photographing the Japanese Garden – Photography Class

Photographing the Japanese Garden

Photography Certificate

Saturday, August 23
8 – 11 a.m.

Photographing the Waterfall Garden – Photography Class

Photographing the Waterfall Garden

Photography Certificate

Saturday, August 30
8 – 11 a.m.

Japanese Garden

Photoshop 1

Photography Certificate 

6 Mondays: 
September 15 – October 27
No class October 13

1 – 3:30 p.m.

History of Photography: Abstracts 2: Online The History and Projects of Insight

Photography Certificate 

6 Wednesdays: 
October 8 – November 12
1 – 3:30 p.m.