Current Offerings
Louisiana Photography Society – Education
Do you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera but haven’t taken the time to learn to use it? Have
you been using your camera but would like a structured review of the basics? Are you a
skilled photographer, but enjoy helping others? Do you prefer a class format rather than just
reading the manual on your own? Does group structure and accountability help you to stay on
task?
Janie Braud will be leading a cohort through a structured online learning platform starting
January 14 th – “Mastering your Digital SRL or Mirrorless Camera” through the Gale Courses –
free with an EBRP Library Card number. If you have a library card from a reciprocal parish –
you are also eligible to receive an EBRP Library card by presenting your parish library card at
the EBRP registration desk. (Reciprocal parishes include Ascension, Assumption, East
Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa,
Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana)
Full instructions on registration on following page.
Please email Janie when you enroll online, so she can set up an email group for our
photo cohort – mjsbraud@gmail.com. We will touch base a few days prior to January 14 th
(via email).
All instruction is provided online through reading materials and video clips. There are 12
lessons – 2 are released each week throughout the 6-week period. Although, you may progress
at your own rate – as a cohort, we will try to stay on track.
Throughout the course, you will have access to an online discussion board to ask questions and
interact with the instructor, Curt Simmons — PLUS – through our cohort, we will support each
other – perhaps before LPS meetings, our group zoom meetings, and yes – there is homework
and we may do that together! (format to be determined by the consensus of our group)
Note – the course does include quizzes and a final exam in which I encourage you to participate
in, but no worries – no one will know your grades. All Gale Courses have a final exam as
some courses are taken for work certifications.
Mastering Your Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera – Syllabus
Lesson 01 – Getting to Know Your Digital SLR Camera
Lesson 02 – Zooming in on Lenses
Lesson 03 – Seeing Clearly: Exposure, Focus, and Metering
Lesson 04 – Going Deep: Using Aperture
Lesson 05 – Speeding Up and Slowing Down With Shutter Speed
Lesson 06 – Getting Bright With ISO
Lesson 07 – Making the Most of Flash Photography
Lesson 08 – Managing Photo Files, Editing, and Movies
Lesson 09 – Working With Manual Mode
Lesson 10 – Getting Better Exposure
Lesson 11 – Shooting HDR Photos
Lesson 12 – Mastering Difficult Shooting Situations
About the Instructor – Curt Simmons
Curt Simmons, B.A., M.Ed, is a best-selling author, trainer, and multi-media expert. He holds
degrees in English and communication studies and has more than 10 years of experience
teaching English and writing in the classroom. Additionally, Simmons has authored numerous
books on a wide variety of technology topics and has been a technical editor for numerous other
titles.
How does it work? Once a session starts, two lessons will be released each week, for the six-
week duration of your course. You will have access to all previously released lessons until the
course ends.
Keep in mind that the interactive discussion area for each lesson automatically closes 2 weeks
after each lesson is released, so you’re encouraged to complete each lesson within two weeks
of its release.
Registration for an East Baton Rouge Parish Library card is FREE for all eligible residents of the
parish and reciprocal parishes.
Registration requirements for eligible residents are as follows:
I. Adult Library Card (18 Years Or Older) East Baton Rouge Parish Residents
* Official Photo I.D. LA Wallet is acceptable.
* Proof of Address. NOTE: The Library will not accept mail received at a U.S. mailbox or
commercial mail drop box as proof of residency in East Baton Rouge Parish. Physical
and digital proof is acceptable.
* Responsible for all materials checked out on their card and the damages, and losses that
result while materials are checked out.
Out-of-Parish Residents – Reciprocal parishes included: Ascension, Assumption, East
Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa,
Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes.
* In addition to the above requirements, a library card from their home parish must be
presented or a good standing form signed by a librarian in their home parish.
How to enroll in the free Gale Courses through the EBRP Library
(Note – many of our neighboring parishes also offer Gale Courses – however, the courses
available may differ from parish to parish. You may search your parish library’s website, but the
instructions below are how to locate the “Mastering your Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera” class
through the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.)
- You will need a library card — see information about reciprocal parishes
- Go to EBRP Website: Home – East Baton Rouge Parish Library
(https://www.ebrpl.com) - From the top menu, click on “Library Services” . From the dropdown menu, click
on the tab “Online Courses” - Click on the box – “Gale Courses” (Not “Gale Presents Udemy”)
- Wow — there are LOTS of free, interesting, and worthwhile classes!
- From the catalog list on the left – click on “Personal Development”
- From the menu that opens, click on “Digital Photography”
- From the list – you will see “Mastering Your Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera”
- Enroll now – you will need your library card number and as a group – we are doing
the session that starts January 14.
Registered – please send Janie Braud your email so she can set up our photo cohort group.
mjsbraud@gmail.com
Members may register for classes on the Visual Pursuits Registration page.
Plans changed? Please cancel so that someone else can fill your spot.