workshops & seminars | more info | register for a workshop
individual workshop | personal tutoring session
For photographers who are visiting NYC / northern NJ area, I offer individual tutoring sessions on a one-on-one basis. For photographers who live in the NJ/NYC area, I would suggest the full-day workshops as a better alternative to the individual tutoring sessions. (Check the workshop schedule for details on this.)
These sessions take place in my home-office, which is in Wayne, NJ 07470.
My availability is based on my schedule. Tutoring sessions will be available on Tuesdays to Thursdays only. Some limited sessions may be available on other days of the week or on weekends, but these are rare, since I have a busy work schedule.
Each individual tutoring session lasts 4 hours. The price of the session is $350. If you’d like to pair up with a friend and both do the tutoring session together, then the total fee is $450. If you would like to have a model to photograph, then the fee is an additional $150, and the session lasts 5 hours.
The tutoring session is based on the material that I present in the workshops. It’s important to note that these sessions are not master-classes in studio lighting. They are personalized sessions that are intended to help photographers where they might be struggling with specific aspects of flash photography.
The goal of the session is to answer specific questions or provide answers to specific challenges that each photographer is facing. Photographers are also encouraged to bring in images (either on a disc or on a laptop) that might provide insight into their needs. Having this information will allow me to personalize the tutoring session to make the most of the time available.
Possible topics to cover include aspects of flash and digital photography, such as:
- camera and flash essentials
- exposure metering
- basic lighting
- lighting formals (for wedding photographers)
- outdoor lighting including fill flash and high speed sync
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A certain level of fundamental technical knowledge is required for the sessions to be successful.
For example, a photographer should already know:
- the basic operation and controls of his or her camera,
- how to read the camera’s built in metering display,
- the basic relationship of aperture / shutter speed / ISO, and
- how to manually adjust those settings.
If a photographer requires tutoring on these fundamental concepts, then an additional hour will be required (for a total of 5 hours at $450).
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Anyone who is interested in signing up for a session, can email me or phone me at 862-485-7276, for more info.
thank you
Neil van Niekerk
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I want to thank you for a hopefully life changing day! I had several aha! moments today. You truly have a gift not just in the obvious, (your photography), but in your ability to share your knowledge. Your desire to truly help someone is obvious; where some would keep their secrets to themselves you clearly want to help others become better. Your love of the science behind lighting “shines” through, and is almost contagious. I truly feel that with the tools you have given me today I will be able to take my passion to the next level and that is something one can not put a price tag on. Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the day, and appreciate what you have given me.
Thank you,
Sandy E.
Comment by Sandy E — February 6, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
For the last few years I’ve been shooting using only natural light. Who can honestly argue with the gentle light of late afternoon in February? The obvious problem is that it’s seldom late afternoon in February. So I was forced to venture into the wild unknown and extremely opinionated world of man made lighting.
Thank goodness I came across Neil’s Blog. The pictures speak for themselves, the lighting is spot on.
In most cases you wouldn’t know the lighting wasn’t coming thru a nearby window. I knew this was the man I wanted to learn from.
I knew nothing when I first contacted Neil. I had just received my first Nikon Speedlight from B&H a SB910 but had no idea how to turn it on (o.k. I could turn it on but that was about it). We talked for a bit on the phone and I quickly set up a private 4 hour lesson in his home/studio located in Wayne N.J.
My lesson took place yesterday. I was amazed at the amount Neil shared in 4 hours. We worked primarily with Speedlights, we covered:
Techniques of Bouncing on Camera Flash
Mixing and Balancing of Ambient Light and Flash.
Using Flash as a Main Light.
Using Flash as a Fill.
Correct Metering for Difficult Situations.
The Real Factors that effect Freezing Motion.
Dragging Shutter.
TTL vs. Manual
High Speed Sync
He also shared his vast knowledge on gear, and how little you really need to get a great amount of light (even when trying to light up a group of twelve people evenly). He went into the advantages of light meters both in camera and handheld and the logic of when to use which. Pocketwizards vs. Radio Poppers vs. CLS systems.
It wasn’t just about the big topics tho, it was about the heavy and constant sprinkling of real world knowledge that Neil shares as he goes thru the lessons and exercises. He is a kind , warm, patient, funny and generous teacher who wants you to know every trick he does.
For anyone that can take a lesson with Neil I highly ecourage you to. Your eyes will be opened to the truth about lighting. The proof is in the pictures.
Robert M.
Comment by Robert M — January 24, 2012 @ 8:47 pm