Exploring Digital Photography and Nevada: The Silver State

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of digital photography while immersing them in the dynamic visual environments of Las Vegas, Nevada, and its surrounding landscapes, including Grand Canyon West and Valley of Fire State Park. (During the summer months, when Valley of Fire State Park closes due to extreme heat, the course instead includes visits to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah, where the higher elevations provide cooler conditions and equally spectacular landscapes for photography.) Designed for students using either a digital camera or smartphone, the course combines technical skill development with the creative practice of visual storytelling in real-world settings.

Through hands-on instruction and guided fieldwork, students will explore essential photographic principles such as exposure control, composition, color balance, and visual framing, while also learning introductory editing and post-processing techniques. Structured shooting assignments, group critiques, and instructor feedback support skill development throughout the course.

Students will photograph a diverse range of subjects—from the vibrant urban culture and historic landmarks of Las Vegas to the dramatic desert landscapes and monumental public art of the surrounding region.

Throughout the experience, students are encouraged to consider how place, culture, and environment shape visual narratives, strengthening both their technical proficiency and their ability to communicate meaning through images.

Key Experiences:

Mob Museum (an interactive look at organized crime, known as the mafia, and law
enforcement history).
Fremont Street (a vibrant historic district known for classic neon and live
entertainment).
Seven Magic Mountains (a large-scale desert art installation).
Hoover Dam (a major engineering landmark on the Colorado River).
Valley of Fire (Nevada’s oldest state park, known for red sandstone formations and
petroglyphs).
Grand Canyon West (a dramatic viewpoint of one of the world’s most iconic natural
wonders).
Zion National Park & Bryce National Park (From May 15 – September when Valley of
Fire is closed).

Post-course assignments include photo selection and editing, written reflection, and short learning activities that connect photographic work to the cultural and geographic context of the destinations.

*We reserve the right to change any of the activities if any of them are unavailable due to inclement weather or any other reason.

PRICE INCLUDES

Tuition fees.
3 nights at Circus Circus Hotel, Excalibur or similar in Las Vegas (sleep in your own
Full/Queen bed in a shared room with other au pairs)
Local transportation costs to and from all activities.
Day trip to Hoover Dam & Grand Canyon West.
Day trip to Zion National Park & Bryce National Park in Utah (from May 15th –
September when Valley of Fire is closed).
All activities including entrance fees to parks and museums.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare to/from Las Vegas.
Airport transportation to/from first lecture and hotel.
Meals.
Registration fees (platform and processing fees).

ASSIGNMENTS AND COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

In addition to the in-person class hours in Nevada, this course will include pre-assignments and follow-up assignment as part of the 72-hour class.

You will be invited to join Google Classroom 3 weeks before class starts, which is the platform we use for all our assignments. Check your junk or spam folder, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive the invitation. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use Gmail, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification to join Google Classroom, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.

Pre-assignments will be posted on Google Classroom 3 weeks before class starts. Make sure you join Google Classroom early and complete the assignments BEFORE coming to class. It will take you approximately 14 hours to complete them.

Follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 14 hours. You must complete them in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to you a few days after the assignment deadline. You will have 4 weeks to complete the assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please indicate it during the registration process and upload proof of deadline.

All assignments must be completed in order to receive your course completion certificate!

ATTENDANCE

Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in Nevada. If you are late or leave early, your will risk not receiving your certificate. Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, water, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!

Schedule:

Day 1: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Day 2: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Day 3: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Day 4: 8:00 AM - 4:00 Pm

** Detailed agenda, schedule and information will be shared on Google Classroom 2 weeks prior to class start date. All registered students will connect via WhatsApp, giving an opportunity to get to know each other before the trip and make plans to share an Uber from the airport, which is approximately $20-30.

$1,095 + registration fees | IN-PERSON | 72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)

Contact Information

Office of Continuing Education
161 Newkirk Street, Room E504
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 360-4224
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