Have you ever wondered how artists make a flat drawing appear three-dimensional? The secret is value - the careful use of light and dark to create the illusion of form.

In this relaxed, hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to see light and shadow the way artists do. We'll begin by creating simple value scales using graphite pencils or charcoal, then use those techniques to transform basic geometric shapes into realistic, rounded forms.

You'll learn:
- How to create smooth value transitions
- Techniques for shading with graphite or charcoal
- How light creates highlights, midtones, core shadows, and reflected light
- Simple blending and lifting techniques for realistic effects

No previous drawing experience is necessary. Whether you're new to drawing or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this class will give you skills that apply to every artistic medium.

Materials: Please bring drawing paper, graphite drawing pencils or charcoal, a kneaded eraser, a blending stump or tortillon, and a regular eraser.

Join us for a beginner-friendly photography class covering the basics of camera settings, composition, and exposure. Bring your camera and any lenses you have.

Have you ever seen the amazing images photographers create with pure light? Have you ever wanted to try it for yourself but weren't sure where to start? Learn how to light paint a car in simple, easy-to-follow steps. The featured car for this class is a Red 2012 Mercedes SLS Gullwing! Please bring your digital camera and a tripod required, and wear darker clothing to prevent catching yourself brightly in your photos. A light wand is optional, as one will be available to borrow for practice. Suitable for all skill levels.

Bring in Halloween with your camera. We'll meet in downtown Charleston at 10pm on October 30 and spend the final two hours before Halloween walking some of Charleston's most atmospheric historic streets, alleys, churchyards, and supposedly haunted locations. Along the way we'll mix traditional Charleston ghost stories and dark history with hands-on night photography instruction. Each location becomes a new photographic challenge: low light, exposure, ISO, shutter speed, focusing in darkness, silhouettes, shadows, reflections, and long exposures. Bring your own camera and dress for walking after dark.

Learn how to use the proper settings to capture a beautiful sunrise at Palm Cove. Suitable for beginner to intermediate photographers, we'll cover exposure, composition and how to make the most of the early morning light. A relaxed session with plenty of hands-on guidance. Please bring your camera or smartphone.

Join us for a hands-on sunrise photography workshop. We'll photograph the blue hour and sunrise, learning to work with changing light and adjust your camera settings as the light changes. We'll cover exposure, slow shutter speeds, nature and wildlife opportunities, and composition techniques including the rule of thirds and visual storytelling. You'll receive hands-on guidance with your specific camera. Please bring your camera, charged batteries, memory cards, and a tripod. Park parking fee is included in the ticket price.

Join us for a captivating photography experience as we celebrate the vibrant and enchanting Colors of Autumn! As nature's palette transforms into a mesmerizing array of warm hues, this photography meetup is the perfect opportunity to capture the beauty of the season.

During this event, we will embark on a journey to capture the essence of this magical time of year. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, this meetup welcomes enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Macro photography is a unique form of photography that involves photographing small objects to make them look life-sized or more significant in the photo. The usual subjects include flowers and small insects, which we don't normally get to see up close with the naked eye.

The class will start when the insects are more active. So be ready to explore and capture breathe-taking macro images.

Join us for a 2-hour photography meetup exploring black and white photography. We'll look at what makes a striking monochrome image, using lighting, contrast, and composition. Please bring your camera and any lenses you have.

Learn the basics of flash photography, including when and how to use flash effectively. This beginner-friendly class covers flash exposure, syncing, and creative lighting techniques to improve your photos in any conditions. Please bring your own camera and flash if you have one.