Registration for the online Photographers' Workshop is this coming Monday, March 2nd at 9:00am Pacific Time at snapshotsofagoodlife.com for the following courses:
The Photographers’ Workshop running March 30th - June 7th, 2009
The Photographers’ Workshop running June 8th - August 16th, 2009
A few really important notes:
The registration page will NOT be visible the morning of March 2nd, until exactly 9:00 am Pacific time (if you aren't sure what time that is in your neck of the woods, just use a time conversion calculator like this one - I'm in Oregon).
The website almost crashed just a few minutes prior to the last registration due to hundreds of people simultaneously hitting the 'refresh' button on their computers right before registration. Unfortunately, in order to prevent the site from crashing on Monday, the web guy has the site set up to block any ISP addresses that are repeatedly hitting the refresh button prior to 9:00 am (having your ISP address blocked will prevent you from accessing the website). So log in at 9:00 am sharp, don't hit the refresh button repeatedly and you'll be in good shape.
In order to complete your registration and reserve your spot in a class, you have to complete the payment process, paying the course tuition in full $275 US).
Even though the site says it accepts American Express...it doesn't (I'm trying to get this matter resolved but I don't think it will be resolved by Monday). The site accepts Visa/Mastercard/Paypal.
Classes sold out in under 2 minutes during the last registration. I have no idea what will happen this time around. I know it's frustrating for people who keep trying to register unsuccessfully. Please know that my plan is to keep teaching this same class over and over (and over) again until every person who wants to take it has had a chance to do so.
If you do not get into a class on Monday, you can increase your chances of getting into a future class by getting on the wait list (you can get on the wait list by going through the regular registration process). I will be offering early registration for students on the wait list for all future classes (allowing wait list students to fill up 75% of the seats in the class, leaving only 25% of the seats to students who are not on the wait list). If you're on the wait list, I'll send you out an email a few weeks prior to the next early registration with all the details (probably sometime in June).
Registration day is always a really crazy day for me. If you email me on Monday, I will get back to you as soon as possible but please know that I may not be able to get back to you right away.
Ok, and some general information...
The class runs for 10 weeks, which includes a 1 week intermission halfway through the course. I am only taking a limited number of students per class and registration is on a first come, first served basis.
The Snapshots of a Good Life website has a forum devoted specifically to the online Photography Workshops. There is a new lesson posted daily, Mon.-Fri. and assignments posted at the end of each week. There is a Q&A board, a Photo of the Day board and a Photo Critiques board where I evaluate composition, camera settings, focus, lighting, white balance, exposure, etc. on photos posted by students.
If you want to check out some of the comments from past students, you can read them here. And if you want to check out the class syllabus and other class info. you can find it here. I am working on putting together a testimonial page from previous students but I'm not done working on it yet.
Here's how the process will work...
At 9:00 am Pacific Time on the snapshotsofagoodlife website, registration will begin.
From the Home Page, click on the icon in the top bar that says 'photography classes' as shown above which will take you to the Photography Classes page shown below.
From the Photography Classes page, select 'register for a class' from the top toolbar as shown above which will take you directly to the Registration page as shown below.
From the Registration Page, I recommend ONLY filling in the required fields to save yourself time during the registration process (if you take the time to fill in the unrequired fields, you may lose your spot in the class - once you are successfully registered for the class you can come back to complete the unrequired fields). The following are required fields:
1. your full name 2. your full address 3. your country 4. your country 5. your email address 6. which class you would like to register for 7. your username (preferably your first and last name to help students get to know each other better in class) 8. your password
Once you have filled in the required fields, click on the 'click here to complete your registration' icon which will immediately take you to your shopping cart where you can provide your payment information.
If you are successfully registered, you payment will be processed and you will receive a confirmation email. Do not lose this confirmation email as it will contain your username, password and the date your class begins.
If the class you are trying to register sells out while you are trying to register, you will be redirected to the registration page and asked to select a different class.
If both classes sell out while you are trying to register,you will be asked if you would like to be placed on the master wait list. If any spots become available in a class, I will contact people on the waiting list in the order they signed up.
And to answer a few more questions:
1. It is recommended that you have a film or digital SLR to take this class (if you have a point and shoot or advanced point and shoot style camera and would like to take the class, please email me at karencrussell@charter.net so we can discuss it in advance).
2. You do not need any sort of photo editing program to take this course as photo editing is not a part of the course curriculum (the class is focused on getting the best pictures straight out of your camera without photo editing).
3. If you are unsure what time registration is in your neck of the woods, there is a time conversion chart here (you can use Salem, OR as my time zone). Please remember that this is 9:00 in the MORNING, PST.
4. If you are unavailable on the registration date, you can have someone else register for you. They will just need your payment info. and all the required fields info. listed above.
I'll be working over at the new, old house all weekend but if you have any questions about registration, leave them here and I will get to them Sunday evening when I get back home.
I hope the registration process goes smoothly for all of you who are hoping to sign up (be sure to stretch out your fingers and type quickly)!