Photography Workshops - at Matte Black Camera

Some photographers freeze when they switch their cameras over to video. The settings feel unfamiliar, the results uncontrolled, and the footage rarely looks the way they imagined. This workshop replaces that uncertainty with a clear, repeatable approach to shooting video that actually works.

In this guided, hands-on session, you will learn the few concepts that truly matter, from frame rates and shutter settings to stabilization, sound, and sequencing. The focus is on clarity and confidence, so you can shoot clean, intentional video with the camera you already own.

You’ll learn:

• Frame Rates That Matter – What to use and why
• Shutter Angle / Shutter Speed – Explained clearly, without jargon
• Audio Basics – Clean, clear sound that doesn’t ruin your footage
• Stabilization Techniques – How to hold and move the camera smoothly
• Shooting Sequences – Wide → Medium → Close → Detail → Action for easy edits

This workshop is hands-on. You’ll practice each concept with your own camera and walk away knowing how to record video confidently — not just hope it works.

Join us for a relaxed, guided photo walk around Tempe Town Lake. This casual, beginner-friendly meetup is designed for anyone who wants to practice photography in the real world while walking, shooting, and asking questions along the way.

We’ll move together at an easy pace, stopping at intentional locations to photograph what’s happening around us. The focus is on observation, experimentation, and practical shooting. Questions are encouraged as they come up, with plenty of opportunities to apply ideas immediately.
We’ll work entirely with available light and the environment, concentrating on strong composition, movement, and photographing people naturally in public spaces. The group is intentionally kept small so everyone has room to shoot, ask questions, and stay comfortable.

This Creative Lighting Lab is a live studio build and guided shooting experience focused on creating cyberpunk-inspired neon portraits using continuous light and RGB LED lighting.

We'll be building a neon scene together from the ground up, explaining creative and technical decisions along the way. You’ll see how color, contrast, light placement, and exposure work together to create a cinematic, futuristic portrait style.

Once the lighting is complete, participants will have the opportunity to photograph and direct a CyberPunk styled model in a controlled studio environment. This is a hands-on session where you can ask questions, observe adjustments in real time, and apply what you’re seeing directly to your own shooting. This event is designed for a mix of beginners and intermediate photographers.

### What we’ll cover

• Building a portrait lighting setup using continuous and RGB LED lights
• How color choices affect mood and skin tone
• Light placement, contrast, and background separation
• Camera settings and exposure considerations for RGB lighting
• Directing a model and composing intentional portraits

### What to bring

• Your own camera and lens
• A basic understanding of how to operate your camera
• Curiosity and a willingness to experiment

### Event details

Many photographers rely on their on-camera flash without ever feeling in control of it. The results feel unpredictable, harsh, and accidental. This workshop replaces that uncertainty with a simple, repeatable approach so your flash works for you instead of against you.

In this guided, hands-on session, you will learn how to use a camera-mounted flash intentionally, regardless of brand or system. The focus is on clarity and confidence, so you can light your subjects cleanly and consistently instead of hoping the camera gets it right.

You’ll learn:

• Flash Basics – Understanding your flash and how it works with your camera
• Exposure Balance – Blending flash with ambient light for natural results
• Flash Power & Zoom – Controlling light intensity and coverage
• Bounce Flash Techniques – Creating soft, flattering light indoors
• Color Temperature & Gels – Matching your flash to different lighting conditions

We’ll work directly with you and your gear to show you exactly where and how to adjust your flash settings. A live model will be on set so you can immediately practice and refine your techniques in real shooting scenarios.