Food seems to be on everyone’s minds;  it is our number one request for workshops.  It is HOT.  Everyone wants to learn how to shoot mouth-watering foods at home using simple techniques.  We like to think of it as “playing with your food” while learning something.

Keep these dates in mind for our Spring Sessions.  We will be releasing ticket information 30 days before the venue.  If, you want a gentle remainder, sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Twitter or like us over at Facebook, all the options are listed at the top of our website.

• March 24 – Food Photography & Styling Workshop  (tickets are sale now, a few spaces left)
• May 19 – Food Photography & Styling Workshop
• June 23 – Food Photgraphy & Styling Workshop

Can’t wait to have you over for a play date!

Experience level: Beginner
Equipment: Digital Camera – please bring your camera and laptop as this is a hands on workshop

Objectives:

-       Understand what makes a good food photograph (light qualities, composition, bringing out the best in a dish).

-       Learn how to manage available light to achieve the effects you want.

-       Knowing the different camera angles and perspectives for photographing food.

-       How to style your food and eat it: basic styling tips for the home photo studio.

-       How to tell the story of a dish through pictures.

Agenda breakdown:

Brief overview about the creative process behind a good food photograph

Shooting exercise 1 – Working with Light

Shooting exercise 2 – Style It and Eat It

Class discussion and Q&A

When: March 24,  10:00 am – 4:00 pm – working lunch included

Where:  West Oakland Space (address will be provided with confirmation)

Tickets

Minimum of 6 attendees required for this workshop.

We had an amazing 2011, teaching and learning from so many talented people who came to play over at our playground.  Every workshop ended on a higher note from the last one, and we all looked at each other at the end, and just smiled;  it was just plum nice to teach a little something about what we love to do!

Big news is happening over at the Playground.  Our usual venue is changing a bit.  We relocated the Playground over to West Oakland;  bigger digs for more creative workshops.  We are in the process of setting up the space that will be used for our Food Photography and Video workshops -lots of gorgeous light and room to play around.  As well there is tons of parking (free) right out side.   If you don’t drive, no worries, there is a Bart station near by.  All of our other workshops, will still be taught in the Photographer/Instructor’s studio.

We are really excited to meet new friends and to play with some old ones.

Winter Schedule – will be updated as we confirm dates with photographers

• Beginning Photography   -  January 28, 2012
• Beginning Food Photography   –  March 24, 2012

photo credit:  Bryan Alberstat

Our hands-on Beginning Photography workshop will have you shooting in no time, and not in “Auto” mode.  You will learn what all those dials and buttons do, the settings you should use as well as photography concepts such as aperture, depth of field, shutter speed and how to get out of relying on the automatic mode.  Not only will you be learning all about your new camera but you will also have fun shooting with a small group of “kids” who are at the same level as you.

When:  January 28, 2011.  10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Where:  West Oakland Studio

Instructor:  Bryan Alberstat

Price:  $149 per person

Sample Agenda.

TICKETS

Price includes:

• A full-day informative hands-on workshop of basic technical skills needed to use that new camera
• Knowledge
• Hands-on fun

Minimum of 10 attendees required for this workshop.

As always the lovely Danielle Tsi will leading this hands on workshop which is all about shooting delicious food.  Danielle’s workshop has been structured with the beginning food photographer in mind.  Maybe you are exploring new career paths, or you are a food blogger struggling with adding photography to the list of must dos, or maybe you just like playing with your food;  whatever the reasoning is, this is the workshop for you.  Danielle will show you have to make your food look pretty for the camera and still be able to nosh on it afterwards.

Experience level: Beginner/Intermediate
Equipment: Digital Camera – please bring your camera and laptop as this is a hands on workshop.  All digital cameras are welcome from point/shoot to DSLR.

Objectives:

-       Understand what makes a good food photograph (light qualities, composition, bringing out the best in a dish).

-       Learn how to manage available light to achieve the effects you want.

-       Knowing the different camera angles and perspectives for photographing food.

-       How to style your food and eat it: basic styling tips for the home photo studio.

-       How to tell the story of a dish through pictures.

Agenda breakdown:

Brief overview about the creative process behind a good food photograph

Shooting exercise 1 – Working with Light

Shooting exercise 2 – Style It and Eat It

Class discussion and Q&A

When: September 17,  10:00 am – 4:00 pm – working lunch included

Where: Noe Valley Home Office, San Francisco, CA (address will be provided with confirmation)

Tickets

Danielle Tsi will leading this hands on workshop which is all about shooting delicious food.  Danielle’s workshop has been structured with the beginning food photographer in mind.  Maybe you are exploring new career paths, or you are a food blogger struggling with adding photography to the list of must dos, or maybe you just like playing with your food;  whatever the reasoning is, this is the workshop for you.  Danielle will show you have to make your food look pretty for the camera and still be able to nosh on it afterwards.

Experience level: Beginner
Equipment: Digital Camera – please bring your camera and laptop as this is a hands on workshop

Objectives:

-       Understand what makes a good food photograph (light qualities, composition, bringing out the best in a dish).

-       Learn how to manage available light to achieve the effects you want.

-       Knowing the different camera angles and perspectives for photographing food.

-       How to style your food and eat it: basic styling tips for the home photo studio.

-       How to tell the story of a dish through pictures.

Agenda breakdown:

Brief overview about the creative process behind a good food photograph

Shooting exercise 1 – Working with Light

Shooting exercise 2 – Style It and Eat It

Class discussion and Q&A

When: July 23, 2011,  10:00 am – 4:00 pm – working lunch included

Where: Downtown Office, San Francisco, CA (address will be provided with confirmation)

Tickets

We promised you some big news;  right?  We have been working on a little project with our local Macy’s Cellar.  If you are not familiar with the Cellar, it is the kitchen mecca of Macy’s.  In addition to buying fun things for cooking, and for eating, they also conduct workshops about all things food.

We have partnered with them for a workshop, which will be all about shooting your food in the dark.  No matter what your skill level is, or your goal, we will be guiding you during this 2 hour workshop, on how to shoot food in the dark.  It could be your own kitchen or even in a restaurant;  the techniques practically hold hands.

There cannot be a workshop about shooting food, without food.  We are excited to tell you about Tracy Benjamin.  Tracy is obsessed with good food and great photography, both of which are equally evident on her fun and colorful blog, Shutterbean. Completely self-taught, Tracy loves the intimacy and nurturing quality of sharing delicious meals with loved ones.  As a busy working mom and wife, she has made it her mission to serve up tasty home cooked meals, without having to slave for hours in the kitchen. It’s a constant juggling act to balance it all, but making time for her process feeds her both inside and out.  She looks forward to sharing her tips and tricks with everyone!

Come join us for a couple hours of learning, filled with delicious food.

When: May 14, 2011; 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Where: San Francisco Downtown Macy’s Cellar

Pricing: $35.00

Tickets

Experience level: Beginner
Equipment: Digital Camera – please bring your camera and laptop as this is a hands on workshop

Objectives:

-       Understand what makes a good food photograph (light qualities, composition, bringing out the best in a dish).

-       Learn how to manage available light to achieve the effects you want.

-       Knowing the different camera angles and perspectives for photographing food.

-       How to style your food and eat it: basic styling tips for the home photo studio.

-       How to tell the story of a dish through pictures.

Agenda breakdown:

Brief overview about the creative process behind a good food photograph

Shooting exercise 1 – Working with Light

Shooting exercise 2 – Style It and Eat It

Class discussion and Q&A

When: June 11, 2011,  10:00 am – 4:00 pm – working lunch included

Where: Downtown Office, San Francisco, CA (address will be provided with confirmation)

Tickets

Tim at work during a workshop in Gascony

Photo Credit:  Tim Clinch

Last year, we had the chance to meet Tim Clinch, and to play in one of his extraordinary, hands-on workshops in Gascony, France.  Let me just say, “WOW”.  Tim, and the talented Kate Hill, taught hands-on workshops throughout the year in Gascony.  This year, Tim, has not only partnered with the lovely Kate in Gascony, but he has also partnered with Sam and Jeannie to add workshops in Spain.  Just think, two amazing playgrounds, to run around in, and get creative in.

The Natural Light Natural Food workshops are an experience, not just a workshop.   Besides, grasping your camera by the hand, and learning new skills;  you will have a wonderful time eating regional food, while taking gorgeous photos.  It doesn’t matter where your interest lies, if you love to shoot food, for personal or professional gain, you will learn something over the course of 5 days.  Maybe you want a career change, and would like to start making money with all of the photos you take.  Tim’s workshops are the perfect way to improve your photography and styling skills, and you will be able to walk away with a solid base, to start that portfolio.

Photo Credit:  Tim Clinch

ANDALUCIA – 5 day hands-on workshops will be held in beautiful Finca Buenvino, which is located about 10 minutes from Aracena (you will need to fly into Seville).   The setting is truly amazing.  Workshops will be a full-day of shooting as well as visits to local tapas bars, and some of Sierra de Aracena’s best food producers and village artisans.

DATES:

June 6th-10th

September 19th-23rd

October 3rd-7th

“Andalucia workshops are 6 hours per day, starting at 10:00 am.  We stop for lunch at 1.00 and, yes, we ARE in Spain so a siesta, or a swim in the amazing infinity pool follows! Classes resume at 5.00 and finish in the golden evening light at 8.00. We will also spend a day in the beautiful city of Seville where we will shoot in some of the city’s most iconic tapas bars. We will also visit some of the Sierra de Aracena’s best food producers and village artisans.  The price of the workshop includes 5 day-long sessions, 5 nights full board (Sunday through Thursday), transportation for all outings, and excursions and transfers to and from Seville airport/train station.

Photo Credit:  Tim Clinch

PRICE: €2500.00 per person (price for non-participating partners is available).  This price does NOT include air or other travel to and from mainland Spain.

Booking.

Photo Credit:  Tim Clinch

GASCONY – 5 day workshops are held in Kate’s romantic 18th-Century farmhouse, Camont.  Camont is nestled deep in truffle and Armagnac country, and is truly a culinary retreat, as well as prop heaven.  The workshops are 6  hours per day, and begin during the early morning daylight.  You will shoot until you break for a 4 hour “French lunch and rest” during the high noon sun;  there is so much to shoot that you probably won’t want to rest.  Classes resume at the golden hour, where you will pick up from where you left off.  You will get a chance to visit and photograph near by villages, markets and providers of some of the best artisan food around Gascony.

The price for the Gascony workshops includes 5 day-long workshop sessions, all lunches Monday-Friday, transportation for outings and excursions including local markets and food producers, and between Camont and the chateau.  Transfers to and from Agen Railway station, and bed and breakfast at the Chateau de St Loup en Albret are also included.

DATES:

May 23rd-May 27th

July 4th-July 8th

September 12th-September 16th

October 24th-October 28th

PRICE: €3000.00 per person (price for non-participating partners on application)

PLEASE NOTE: Price does NOT include Air or other travel to or from France

Booking.

So, what are you waiting for?  Dust off that passport.  Book those airline tickets, trade-in those miles, and plan a holiday that will leave earning to shoot more.

Email for more information;  gladly will give our personal perspective on playing in the Spanish and French playgrounds.

We are taking the next month off to work on some projects as well as to nail down some new and exciting workshops for everyone.  If you are feeling extra creative and want to play outside of the Playground for a little while;  we found these workshops that are happening the month of April, in the Bay Area.

In the meantime, you want to sign up for our newsletter, so you can be the kid in the know;  you won’t want to miss out on some great workshops coming up this year.   We also have a fan page over at Facebook – YIPPY!   You can also find us tweeting around the playground, join, and jump in a conversation, tell us what you would like to see taught at the Playground.

Video – Philip Bloom will be wowing DSLR film makers with a full-day of education about all things film related.   Details.

Food Photography – Penny De Los Santos will be back in the area teaching a San Francisco Market and Street Photography workshop.  A couple of the kids over at the Playground took Penny’s workshop last year, and really enjoyed it.  If you are interested in a journalist approach to food, this will be a fun addition to your food photography experience.  Information.