You don’t need a large, high-tech, professional camera to take some breathtaking photos.
Most of us carry powerful cameras every day—in the form of our smartphones! During this experience, capture the magic of our conservatories during A Longwood Christmas, a season known for its dazzling display, thousands of lights, marvelous feats of horticulture, and more—using your smartphone.
Thanks to their fantastic lenses, most smartphones can be valuable picture-taking tools, and it only takes time and attention—and some tips and tricks!—to capture amazing images. Join professional photographer Jon Cox for a crash course in getting the most out of your phone’s camera. Then, spend a morning in the Gardens—before we open to guests—practicing what you’ve learned. As a group, you’ll reconvene online to share and discuss your favorite smartphone shots.
Course Schedule
Online Orientation
Tuesday, December 9, 6:00–7:00 pm
Onsite Session
Friday, December 12, 7:00–10:00 am
Online Review Session
Thursday, December 18, 6:00–8:00 pm
Full course content includes both the online and the onsite components.
Location
Onsite at Longwood Gardens with additional online sessions.
Instructor
Jon Cox
Jon Cox is President of the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER Foundation) and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Art & Design at the University of Delaware. A National Geographic Explorer and Full Fellow of the Explorers Club, he has led 23 photographic study abroad programs worldwide. Cox is a pioneer in digital photography, author of two photography books, and former adventure photographer for Digital Camera Magazine. His work includes cultural mapping projects with Indigenous communities in Peru and Tanzania, and ongoing collaborations with the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware. His latest project, ARRIVALS, documents stories of refugees, immigrants, and displaced Native Americans through photography and storytelling.
Supplies
- Required
- Smartphone (with case)
- Smartphone (with case)
- Helpful (Optional)
- Kneeling pad
- Tripod with a head that holds a phone
- Remote shutter for your smartphone
- Microfiber cloth for lens cleaning
- Portable diffusers/reflectors
- Small battery-powered LED light for macro shots
- Clip-on lenses
- Selfie stick
Additional Info
Photos taken during photography classes at Longwood may not be sold for commercial uses.
