SANTA
CLARA
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP

Upcoming Events

Composition in the Park

Composition in the Park

Saturday 21 June
909 Kiely Blvd - 10am - 2 Hours
Fin Liu
Come and join us as we explore composition in photography.

Composition is one of the most critical element in photography. Composition is how a photographer arranges the visual elements within their image, frame. I promise you that if you search for information on composition you will find plenty You will find formal rules, opinion, some of which you can trace back to historical art movements and painters.

Even in the digital world, composition remains the key to creating strong images. Composition is what guides our eye through an image and gives importance to the subject. It creates the story for the viewer and how we as photographers convey that message.

This meetup will explore composition using our frame and tools available to us as the photographer.
book now
$49      
Natural Light Portraits

Natural Light Portraits

Saturday 28 June
El Camino Real - 10am - 2 Hours
Fin Liu
This meet-up will explore how we can take beautiful portraits using natural light and backgrounds. We will explore how to recognise flattering light and how to manipulate it whilst shooting in a less controlled environment than a studio. We will explore how we can work collaboratively with our subject to achieve a portrait that captures their personality and style. We will also look at posing and setting your subject at ease. Technical learning points will include accurate focusing and metering for skin tones.

Note: Please bring a friend or a family member as a model.
book now
$49      
Street Photography Meetup

Street Photography Meetup

Saturday 05 July
Downtown Mountain View - 10am - 2 Hours
Nithin Kumar
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

Rule of Thirds Meetup

Rule of Thirds Meetup

Saturday 21 June
501 Monterey-Salinas Highway 68 - 10am - 2 Hours
Salinas Photography Group
Izzy Lyons
One of the most basic tenets of composition is the Rule of Thirds. Although most people are familiar with this technique it is often forgotten in the haste to take a photo. However you ignore it at your peril as it can make an average snap into something which is has tension and dynamism.

In this meetup we will practice using the Rule of Thirds in a setting full of photographic possibility.
book now
$47      
Landscape Photography

Landscape Photography

Sunday 22 June
Joaquin Miller Park - 10am - 2 Hours
Oakland Photography Group
Rocky Laber
Landscape photography is possibly one of the most popular genres, so we'll be looking at how you can improve your shots and help your photos stand out from the crowd. We will be focusing on composition, panoramas, equipment tips and settings to use.

All skill levels welcome! The professional photography instructor will be there to provide advice, feedback and tips on how to improve your photos and camera skills.
book now
$47      
Long Exposure Photography

Long Exposure Photography

Saturday 28 June
Fort Ord - 9am - 2 Hours
Salinas Photography Group
Izzy Lyons
Learn the basics of long exposure to capture light trails along with tripod photography.

Long exposure refers to a technique where you keep the shutter open for an unusually long period of time. This results to interesting effects in your photographs.
book now
$47      

Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 28 June
Grand Lake District - 10am - 3 Hours
Oakland Photography Group
Mel Chircop
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
$92      
Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Saturday 28 June
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
$92       5 places left
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       4 places left

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      
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      
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

    Isle Of Wight Photography Group
    2025-06-15
    Title or Location: West wight
    A beautiful fox cub smelling a flower in the beautiful sunshine.
    Credit: Josh Thomas
    Facebook: Capture The Second Photography
    Instagram: capture_the_second_photography

    Cincinnati Photography Group
    2025-06-15
    Title or Location: Rising Sun Indiana
    This image was shot in the winter..the temperature was 13f. ..had to chill my lens to meet the extreme cold ..the location is Red Wolf Santuary
    Credit: Roger harris
    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-06-15
    Title or Location: Milpitas, CA
    The crows do not like sharing the same air space.
    Credit: Brian
    Instagram: dsnylnd4me

    Orange County Photography Group
    2025-06-15
    Title or Location: Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve
    The significance of this shot for me was it was my first American Bald Eagle I had captured in the wild - after my wife, Susan, pointed it out to me. I was thrilled and determined to make the best capture I could.Upon closer examination I was awe inspired to see (in detail) the death stare, that razor like tool cutting beak, the unbelievable chest muscles and tremendous talons. Scary.Camera: Canon EOS R7 (Mark 1)Lens: Canon RF 100-500 F4.5-7.1Aperture: F11Shutter Speed: 1/1000Foca
    Credit: Dave Migliore
    Facebook: Dave Migliore
    Instagram: dave_sandy_migliore

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