SANTA
CLARA
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP

Upcoming Events

Street Photography Meetup

Street Photography Meetup

Sunday 20 July
Downtown Mountain View - 10am - 2 Hours
Fin Liu
People, cafes, vendors, street merchants, buskers, historic buildings, art installations and much more. The power of observation underpins the art of great street photography. Learning to "see" interesting detail is a practised skill and we introduce you to easy methods that will open your photographer's eye and expose you to a world that is alive with detail. The most rewarding part of the class is learning how to approach interesting people and have them willingly pose for you.

We will also go over settings, focusing techniques and lens choices common to street photography to help us capture those random chance encounters.
book now
$49      

Nearby Photography Groups

Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Saturday 26 July
Financial District - 3:30pm - 3 Hours
San Francisco Photography Group
Michael Forks
This class is for anyone looking to switch their camera mode from Auto to Manual and learn how to shoot using the Manual Mode. The goal is to help everyone become more confident when using their camera settings. We will touch on essential camera functions and the exposure triangle Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO.
book now
$98       2 places left
Urban Light Trails on the Embarcadero

Urban Light Trails on the Embarcadero

Saturday 26 July
San Francisco Waterfront - 8pm - 2 Hours
Oakland Photography Group
Rocky Laber
Create long exposure images at night on the San Francisco waterfront. Explore techniques and compositions to capture a juxtaposition of landmarks and motion. We'll start at the Ferry Building and examine a handful of close-by locations along the Embarcadero.
book now
$49      
50mm Lens Meetup

50mm Lens Meetup

Sunday 27 July
China Basin Park - 3:30pm - 2 Hours
San Francisco Photography Group
Michael Forks
The 50mm lens is one of the flexible and useful lenses in any photographers gear bag. It is neither a wide-angle or telephoto lens, but allows the camera to see on the same scale as your eye. As such, it can be used for a variety of styles, from landscape and street photography to portrait and product photography. In this meetup, well review the basic camera settings. Well then cover some of the advantages of shooting with a prime lens, and some basic techniques to using the 50mm lens. As always, there will be ample opportunities for you to put your new knowledge into practice.
book now
$49      

Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 02 August
Financial District - 3pm - 3 Hours
San Francisco Photography Group
Michael Forks
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance!

Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.

We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
$98      
Aerial Imagery on the Oakland Waterfront

Aerial Imagery on the Oakland Waterfront

Saturday 09 August
Middle Harbor Rd, Oakland, CA 94607 - 9am - 2 Hours
Oakland Photography Group
Rocky Laber
A workshop for beginner and intermediate drone image capture - photo and video.

Create stunning images from unique perspectives. Virtually all modern drones are capable of producing incredible high resolution media, learn how to make the most of your gear.
book now
$49      
Mindfulness of Our Surroundings Through Photography.

Mindfulness of Our Surroundings Through Photography.

Saturday 09 August
North Beach - 3pm - 2 Hours
San Francisco Photography Group
Michael Forks
This photography group class and photo walk will focus on cultivating mindfulness by deepening our awareness of the world around us. Through intentional observation and creative composition, we'll use photography as a tool to slow down, engage our senses, and appreciate the beauty in everyday moments. this experience will help students see the world with fresh eyes and capture meaningful images with presence and purpose.
book now
$49      

Photograph San Francisco!

Photograph San Francisco!

Saturday 06 September
Financial District - 3pm - 2 Hours
San Francisco Photography Group
Michael Forks
Join us on a photo walk, covering some of the most iconic San Francisco locations. We will start at the Ferry Building with views of the Bay Bridge. Then walk through the stunning financial district, and end in bustling Chinatown. Practice your street and architecture photography while exploring one of the World's most beautiful and dynamic cities!
book now
$49      
Urban Light Trails in North Beach

Urban Light Trails in North Beach

Saturday 06 September
North Beach - 8pm - 2 Hours
Oakland Photography Group
Rocky Laber
Create long exposure images at night in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. Explore techniques and compositions to capture a juxtaposition of landmarks and motion.
book now
$49      
ABOUT SANTA
CLARA
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP
Come along to our photo sessions to dust off your camera and get snap-happy with a professional photography instructor.

Brush up on your camera skills and learn new photography techniques whilst on a photo walk class with other local keen photographers!

We run two hour photography sessions based on a photography theme/technique/style and they take place in various locations in Santa Clara .

  • New to photography? We also run a popular 3 hour Beginners Guide to Photography Class once a month. And once in a while we will run special niche 3 hour classes, for example, Astrophotography - so do subscribe to our newsletter to know when the next on is!

  • Who can attend? Open to all skill levels, from beginners to keen amateurs. The photography instructor is there to help you with camera settings and provide any advice you need.

  • What to bring? We recommend bringing a camera that has full manual mode or semi-manual modes (Aperture or Shutter Priority). Compact cameras and smartphones also welcome!

    The meeting point and full details for the day are sent in the booking confirmation email to the email address you provide at time of booking.

    Join the Santa Clara Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
  • PHOTOGRAPHERS
    Fin Liu
    Fin Liu is a third year film and television production undergrad at the University of Southern California. They have been shooting photography for several years, with an emphasis in portraiture and event photography. They have been the director of photography on many award winning short films including "The Moons Eat Turkeys with Seven Swords".

    Fin Liu is available for private bookings

    Available every weekend and most weekdays. Events, headshots(LinkedIn, acting, model digitals), videography or editing.

    Nithin Kumar
    Nithin Kumar is an up and coming Cinematographer and Colorist from the Bay Area. He started getting interested in cameras at a young age, and has pursued them passionately ever since. He has gone on to DP on many short films, commercials, and music videos. He has also completed the ASC Masterclass and has received a certificate of completion for the course. Nithin has also written and directed several passion projects that have gotten into many festivals, including NFFTY, the biggest film festival for people 24 and under.

    Nithin Kumar is available for private bookings

    Available most days for most types of bookings, events, weddings, etc.

    PHOTOS
    Santa Clara Photography Group
    2025-05-05
    Title or Location: Near Pinnacles National Park, California
    My first attempt at Star Trails went well. I found this old barn near Pinnacles National Park and it was facing North. The set up was pretty simple. Two VJIM LED lights sitting about 75-100 feet away from the barn at a 10 level to light paint the front of the barn . They were at a 45 degree angle to the barn. I took about 11 shots at 180 seconds each and the last shot I walked into the barn and light painting the insides with a red lens LED light.Shot with a Nikon Z6II & Z 20mm f/1.8 len
    Credit: Brad Iwafuchi
    Instagram: bradiwafuchi

    Santa Clara Photography Group
    2025-04-11
    Title or Location: Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, California
    Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve provides both seasonal and year-round habitat to a large number of bird and mammal species, including rabbits, waterfowl and raptors such as red-tailed hawks, kites, and harriers. This is an urban oasis near the high-tech and go-go technology center of Silicon Valley, part of a much larger wetlands restoration project, offering a peaceful, easy walking environment. It's a great place to take pictures of native birds and wildlife, which are conditioned to seeing
    Credit: Dennis Pfaff
    Santa Clara Photography Group
    2024-07-23
    Title or Location: Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Trail
    I like bird shooting. This pic was taken last sunday morning. Pelican is a beautiful, attractive huge sea bird.
    Credit: AH UI

    Santa Clara Photography Group
    2024-05-27
    Title or Location: Yosemite Valley
    I went on a hike in Yosemite Valley and unexpectedly found this tree that had a heart shaped hole in the trunk. I stayed until dusk and used my red light on my headlamp to cast the red glow inside the heart. I was inspired by my then girlfriend. I love LOVE!
    Credit: Cody Mattson
    Facebook: codymattsonphotography

    Santa Clara Photography Group
    2024-05-13
    Title or Location: Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve
    I'm a frequent visitor to the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, which provides habitat for a large variety of birds and other wildlife, thus offering multiple photo opportunities. On a beautiful warm spring day, this hummingbird seemed especially resplendent, sporting bright red plumage that literally flashed like a ruby beacon in the sunlight. Fortunately, it tolerated my presence long enough to allow me to capture this image. Canon EOS R6 Mark II with RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens @5
    Credit: Dennis J Pfaff
    Santa Clara Photography Group
    2024-04-29
    Title or Location: Guadalupe river trail
    Whike walking along the Guadalupe trail, I happened to see this beautiful Salsify blloom with a lady Beetle viditor, and the color contrast just really caught my eye.Whike Salsify is not native, I just find it to he a beautiful flower.
    Credit: Erica Fleniken

    Thornton Photography Group
    2025-07-11
    Title or Location: Aloha Kia, Oahu Hawaii
    Early evening shot of Rabbit Rock. Taken from the south shore of Oahu.
    Credit: Jeff Lawson Photography

    Savannah Photography Group
    2025-07-10
    Title or Location: Ellis Square, Savannah, GA
    I met young Miles at Ellis Square while he was doing some rather gymnastic break dancing. Luckily, for me, I was using my Nikon Z7 which allowed me to switch from raw to jpeg giving me 9 frames per second on motor drive. I was shooting aperture preferred and used f/8 the resulting shutter speed was 1/1600 of a second. 9fps sounds fast but I only had 6 nicely composed shots out of 120 exposures.
    Credit: Ray Sliva
    Birmingham Photography Group
    2025-07-09
    Title or Location: Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, UK
    I had spent the better part of the day moving silently through the edges of the chase looking to photograph deer. It was one of those days that seemed perfect on paper: overcast skies that softened the light, barely a breath of wind, and a camera battery at full charge. But nature is nothing if not humbling. The deer remained ghost-like, unseen despite hours of quiet patience and soft steps.By late afternoon my hopes had dimmed so I began the slow walk back to the car. The path wound through
    Credit: Darren Ford
    Facebook: darren.ford.1865
    Instagram: darrenfordphotography

    Winnipeg Photography Group
    2025-07-09
    Title or Location: Whitemouth, ManitobaCPKC
    CPKC Rail Engine 9350 plus one heading east out of Winnipeg to deliver it's freight to Eastern Canada and possibly countries beyond on this beautiful summer day. Engine 9350 is a Diesel/Electric Locomotive which was built in February 2012 by General Electric and produces 4400HP which is capable to propel it to a top speed of 75mph. I love to photograph trains whenever I get a chance. To me they are iconic.
    Credit: Terry Jeffery

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