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  • Digital Skills Series for All Ages with Emmy Hilliard!

    Emmy Hilliard of Grow Digital Skills, will help you discover the power of all things tech and computer related. The topics are endless and current based on what's trending in this fast moving digital world. You cannot escape using digital media, social media, the internet, apps, and personal electronic devices in this modern world. All you can do is learn about it, learn how to use it, and learn how to optimize or minimize it to best suit your lifestyle. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and be ready to learn. Handouts will be available as a reference during each presentation, with a Question & Answer period at the end of each class. If you shop online, use smart home devices, or own a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, TV, or iPad, then you will leave each series as a more informed and healthier digital citizen. All ages welcome! 1. Travel Tech Mastery- Sept 15 Finding the best travel deals online Navigation and translation for travel and map apps Staying connected while traveling 2. Exercise the Brain and Body with Cognitive Wellness Apps -Sept 22 Exploring the best Brain Training Apps and Digital Puzzles Language Learning Apps for Cognitive Health Exercising the body at home or anywhere with these apps! 3. Digital Safety & Scam Protection: Staying Safe Online - Oct 13 Become a scam detective: Learn to spot red flags in emails, texts, and websites before they fool you Master the art of bulletproof passwords and discover free tools that remember them for you Take control of your digital footprint and lock down your privacy like a pro 4. Photos to Memories - Oct 20 Organizing and sharing digital photos Creating digital photo books Cloud backup strategies 5. Digital Legacy Planning: Organizing Your Digital Life- Nov 3 Build your personal digital vault: Create a secure, organized system for all your online accounts and treasures Future-proof your memories: Set up digital inheritance so your photos, stories, and accounts reach loved ones Transform digital chaos into peace of mind with simple organizing strategies that take minutes to maintain 6. Cutting the Cord: Streaming TV Guide- Nov 10 Understanding streaming services Hardware options and setup Cost-saving strategies 7. Music Streaming Mastery: Navigating Spotify, Apple Music & Pandora- Dec 1 Unlock the secrets of each platform to find your perfect music match (and maybe save money!) Become your own DJ: Create mood-perfect playlists and discover your next favorite artist with ease Stream smarter, not harder: Hidden features and tricks to get premium perks without the premium price 8. Discovering Audiobooks: From Library Apps to Audible- Dec 8 Turn your library card into a goldmine of FREE audiobooks with apps you never knew existed Navigate Audible like an insider: Score deals, maximize credits, and build your dream library Match your listening style to the perfect app and never run out of great stories again Each topic within the series is independent. Sign up for your topic of interest, or sign up for all! "Great classes with a passionate instructor, well versed in multiple topics. Would definitely attend another class with Emmy!"
  • Getting Creative with Mobile Photography Series

    This mobile series features three classes designed to expand the creativity and capabilities of students in the world of mobile photography. The courses are created in such a way that each class can be taken independently of the others but also build in skill and technique. Class 1 – Perspective Shift (Sept 16) This level 1 class will get students beginning to think creatively about the camera and subject placement when taking an image. Students will need to have a mobile phone and a basic understanding of the camera app. The course is designed around the default iPhone and Google camera apps. During this 2 hour workshop we will discuss: Working with camera elevation, angle, and distance. Working with basic compositional rules. Experimenting with panoramas Class 2 – Working with People (Sept 23) This level 2 class will teach students how to work with people and their surroundings to create more dynamic images featuring people. Students will need to have a mobile phone with a moderate understanding of the Camera app and its features. The course if designed around the default iPhone and Google camera apps. During this 2 hour workshop we will discuss: Working with the subject placement and the surroundings Working with the horizon line and leading lines Working with the available light Class 3 – Creating the Scene (Sept 30) This level 3 class will challenge students with advanced techniques in mobile photography. Students will need to have a mobile phone with a solid understanding of the Camera app and a willingness to experiment. The course is designed around the default iPhone and Google camera apps. Working with motion and burst shutter Selecting and locking focus and exposure Introducing additional lighting sources Abstractions Requirement for all classes: Bring your charged iPhone, Android, or smartphone. Bring a charging cord and wall plug.
  • Moving Beyond Automatic Settings With Your Digital Camera

    This 2-session course will introduce students to their DSLR’s priority and full manual modes. By learning how and when to use each mode, students will gain greater creative control over their cameras. More advanced composition concepts will also be discussed based on students questions, levels and experience. Students will need to have a DSLR, mirrorless, or fixed lens camera capable of aperture and shutter priority and full manual modes. Long exposure and light painting will require a tripod. Session 1: This class will explain the exposure triangle and how to set exposure. Students will be introduced to and encouraged to explore of their camera’s priority modes. Exposure Triangle Aperture Priority Mode Shutter Speed Priority Mode Session 2: This class will build in the information from the previous class by delving deeper into the app and its features. Full Manual Mode Advanced Compositions Creative Explorations (Long exposure, ICM, Light painting) Requirement: DSLR Camera
  • Uncommon Ways to Use AI That Instantly Level-Up Your Day-to-Day

    Discover how AI can make your life easier, more connected, and more fun! This hands-on course introduces you to the latest AI tools, with a focus on using ChatGPT, Claude, and Google's Gemini, and has been updated with new use cases and tips. You'll learn how to incorporate AI into your daily routine, from summarizing documents and food planning to using the camera to identify everything from plants to rare car parts. Learn how to use AI as an assistant and tutor. Some things we'll cover are. Snap-to-Price: Photograph an item and let AI suggest competitive prices for Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay in seconds, and write the description. DIY Anything: Turn a quick smartphone photo of a broken gadget, appliance, or household fix into a step-by-step repair guide—no tech skills required. Inbox Shield: Paste any suspicious email into an AI checker to reveal hidden scams, phishing tactics, or misleading language before you click. These bite-size demos show how anyone can save money, time, and stress with AI tools they probably already have. We'll also touch on the ethical side of AI, ensuring you're informed and empowered. Optionally, bring your devices with ChatGPT or Claude installed and prepare to explore!
  • Introduction to the Lightroom Mobile App

    This 2-session course will introduce students to Adobe’s Lightroom Mobile application. The course will cover the creation and sharing of albums, editing of images, and the built-in camera. Students will need to have a mobile phone with the Adobe Lightroom Mobile app preloaded. The course will discuss the difference between the free and paid versions of the app; students are not expected to purchase the app. Session 1- This class will introduce students to Adobe’s Lightroom Mobile app and help familiarize them with navigating through its features. Navigating the app Creating and sharing albums Exploring the built-in camera in “Auto” mode Basic editing features Session 2: This class will build in the information from the previous class by delving deeper into the app and its features. Working with the built-in Camera in “Pro” and “HDR” modes Advanced editing Requirement for all classes: Bring your charged iPhone, Android, or smartphone. Bring a charging cord and wall plug. Download the Adobe Lightroom Mobile App before the start of the course.
  • Intro to Organizing, Editing and Publishing Digital Images Using Adobe Lightroom Classic- ONLINE

    Are you ready to take your digital photography to the next level? Do your photographs need editing to bring them to life? Do you have a well organized filing system for all the thousands of photographs saved and can you access them easily? There are just a few of the topics that will be covered during this 4-week, online, comprehensive course on using Adobe Lightroom Classic. Professional photographer, Bernhard Wunder, www.magiclens.net, will address a new topic, outlined below, to teach you the benefits of using this software to optimize your digital photography experience. If you are experienced in digital photography AND have basic knowledge of using Adobe Lightroom Classic, but would like to deepen your knowledge on how to maximize the use of this software, enrolling in week 3 and 4 is recommended. "Bernhard is a fountain of information which he is willing to share. I want to take any class he was signed up to teach. Actually, that is why I signed up for these 4 classes." - SL Course Outline by Week: Session 1 : Digital Workflow and Introduction to Adobe Lightroom Classic Workflow Overview & Tasks Backup Strategy What is Adobe Lightroom Classic? Key Concepts & Catalog Lightroom Interface Viewing Options Lightroom Catalog Lightroom Preferences Navigating your Library Session 2 : Importing and Culling Photos, Photo Organization Importing Photos from Filesystem or SD Cards Importing from Another Catalog Culling Why Organize Photos? Organizing Methods How to Best Use All of This Session 3 : Basic Photo Editing and Color Treatment Lens Corrections Cropping and Straightening, Perspective Transformation Exposure, Texture/Clarity/Dehaze Details (Sharpen & Noise) Tone Curve, Vibrance and Saturation Temperature and Tint Color Channel Tone Curve, Color Profiles Camera Calibration HSL Adjustments, Split Toning History, Snapshots and Virtual Copies Presets and Profiles Session 4 : Advanced Photo Editing and Sharing Your Work What are Local Adjustments? Traditional Masks: radial, gradient, brush AI Lightroom Masks: sky, subject, objects, people Photoshop Integration Working with Third Party External Editors File Formats and Layers Digital Publishing Options Physical Publishing Options Exporting from Lightroom REQUIRED: While Adobe offers a free trial license, it is only valid for 7 days. Please purchase, prior to the start of class, the monthly subscription model. You are able to cancel at anytime after the course completion. "The Lightroom class with Bernhard Wunder was fantastic. Lightroom is a huge, complicated program that is overwhelming for new users and Mr. Wunder broke it down into manageable pieces that he presented in a logical order. It turned an incomprehensibly complex program into something I'm comfortable using and experimenting with"
  • Creative Use of Shutter Speed

    Go beyond your photography of static elements and capture the effect of moving elements by manually controlling your shutter speed. We will explore different topics like moving water, ICM (intentional camera movement), subject movement, time lapse, freeze action and more. After an introduction to the topic we will experiment with several concepts in a Lab/Studio setup, so bring your camera and a tripod if you have one. You can bring and use your smartphone for this if you have an app that allows you to set the shutter speed of the phone’s camera. "The instructor is very knowledgeable and his presentations were well prepared. I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in photo editing."
  • Mastering Composition in Photography - ONLINE

    Unlock the power of composition and take your photography to the next level! In this class, we’ll explore key principles like balance, framing, simplicity, leading lines, symmetry, perspective, and many more to create visually compelling images. Learn how to guide the viewer’s eye Discover the impact of color Explore what can be done with post-processing to further improve your photo Join this workshop and elevate your photographic storytelling through composition! This is an online and interactive workshop presentation using Zoom. An email will be sent prior to the start date with information on how to join. "Bernhard is a fountain of information which he is willing to share. I want to take any class he was signed up to teach. Actually, that is why I signed up for all his classes."
  • Planning Photoshoots with the PhotoPills App - ONLINE

    The PhotoPills App is a comprehensive "Swiss Army knife" for photographers, offering extensive tools for planning shoots, including day, night, and astrophotography. Its broad range of tools (or “pills” how they call them) make it very versatile, but also rather intimidating to use for novices. This lecture gives an introduction to the app and guides through several scenarios how to plan photoshoots like aligning a rising full moon with a building or a mountain. This is an online and interactive workshop presentation using Zoom. An email will be sent prior to the start date with information on how to join. "Bernhard is a fountain of information which he is willing to share. I want to take any class he was signed up to teach. Actually, that is why I signed up for all his classes."
  • Getting to Know Google's Helpful Tools

    Google is one of the most used and useful platforms available in the digital world today. If you use Gmail, a Google Calendar, or need help with better understanding how to share documents using Google Docs, and navigate Google Sheets, then this course is for you. Emmy Hilliard of Grow Digital Skills, www.growdigitalskills.org, will show you how to optimize Google apps and use them more efficiently in this 2-session course. You are welcome to bring an iPad, laptop, or tablet, as well as a charger. Classroom computers will also be available for all to use. 1. Mastering Gmail and Google Calendar 2. Creating and Sharing Documents with Google Docs and Sheets This course is designed for for anyone that interfaces with Google and would like to work with this platform more efficiently. No previous technology or computer experience necessary.