Balanced Exposure

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9 reviews in English

• Balanced Exposure

  Review from Carolyn K.

  

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  • 26 reviews

  • Carolyn K.

  Schiller Park, IL

  

  4/23/2012

  Went to the "DSLR Photo Essentials" class and ended up purchasing 3 more classes after that. Russ was great and had a lot of patience. I look forward to the future classes with him! Classes are very reasonably priced for those that choose to return and take more classes!..
  
  The only downfall was that two guys brought non-SLR camera's to this class. (This took Russ's attention away here and there to try and figure out their cameras and how and where to find certain settings within their camera's menu system.) Make sure you read the directions before signing up! It CLEARLY says that you MUST have a DSLR and instruction manual for this class to attend!..
  
  Other than that, nothing bad to say about the guy or the class! He was very knowledgeable and professional and held our attention the entire class.
  
  If you want to understand or better understand F-Stops/ISO/Shutter Speed, sign up! He also has an advanced DSLR class that you may be interested in if your beyond that!

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from Ben Y.

  

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  • 12 reviews

  • Ben Y.

  Westchester, IL

  

  11/30/2011

  I bought the groupon and attended the 101 class with a co-worker in July.  To be fair, I had set the bar high and had hoped to pick up some tips, tricks, techniques, lighting, etc.  So I am going to place my disappointment with the class on me.  It was an introductory course, pretty much for people who know nothing about their camera or photography, so I didn't get much out of it.  Russ was knowledgeable and did an adequate job explaining the manual modes, aperture, lens basics etc.  And it's not relevant, but some of the work samples framed in the classroom are pretty blatant model on green screen shots.  Not what I'd expect out of a professional wedding photographers portfolio, lets update those bad boys Russ.  The HDR one rocks though.  Which reminds me, the 5 min spent discussing HDR was the highlight of my day.  It was the "new trick" I was looking for.  
  
  I guess my tepid review comes with a suggestion.  I'm not sure if Russ does it or not, but if you really want to about your camera, I would forgo the class and get some one on one instruction.  The drawback of the class setting is that there are 15-20 people, all with different experience levels, different camera models, and varying goals (but mostly it seemed like soccer moms who want to take better kid pics, kudos ladies).  I'm going to say you can accomplish as much in 1 hour of personal instruction as you can in 4 hours of class work.

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  Comment from Russell L. of Balanced Exposure 11/30/2011    « Hide

  

  Ben:  Sorry you didn't get as much out of the class as… More »

  Ben:  Sorry you didn't get as much out of the class as others did.  But you are right... the class you signed up for is an Intro to Photography course as stated on the Balanced Exposure website.   Those looking to get started with their cameras all end up with great information.  Those who have some knowledge already coming in obviously will pick up less as they might already have some of this information.
  
  Still, the feedback I get from most students are very positive and that's what this class is all about.  There are more advanced classes available, but the one you had purchased through Groupon was the intro class.
  
  Hopefully still, you got some information to take with you that can further your photography.
  
  I appreciate your suggestions and will look into implementing them.  The green screen photos shown are there because many of my students have expressed interest in how to further their photography using the technique.  But again, not all students need or want to do that.  I suppose it's just hard to have everyone satisfied with what is presented because they all do come from varying backgrounds and desires on what to learn from an introductory course.  I purposely did not want to put wedding photos on the studio wall because I don't photograph weddings any longer and most of the students coming in for training are not photographers who want to do that either.  Like you said, many are the typical "soccer moms" whose main reason to take that intro class was to learn how to use their cameras for personal photos.
  
  Best of luck to you as you continue enjoying your camera.
  
  Russ

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from J W.

  

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  • 1 review

  • J W.

  Mt Prospect, IL

  

  5/24/2012

  I took the Essentials class last night and I have to say that I did learn about my camera in the first 2 hours of the 4 hour class. I bought the groupon and I didn't know much about the functions on my camera before I went. But I was disappointed in the second half of the class. He talked more about computer software to possibly use, he spent about 20 minutes "advertising" his other classes to purchase, and showing us things on his cameras. He showed us a feature on his camera and how useful it is, but wouldn't show us how. He said we would have to purchase the next class and he would teach it to us! Kinda tacky! He also said a few times, "I could show you how but it would take about 20 minutes." He could of not showed all of the random software and talked about all his other classes, and we would have had much more time to learn about the actual camera, which is what I had signed up for.

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  Comment from Russell L. of Balanced Exposure 5/24/2012    « Hide

  

  I'd have to say that no matter what is presented in class… More »

  I'd have to say that no matter what is presented in class for the benefit of the entire class, there's always someone who is not going to like it.  It's unfortunate that I need to say this on your review of the school, but I think it's time those who read these reviews understand why certain things are presented during class.
  
  There are plenty of students who attend the classes and are fully happy with the class.  I'd number them currently in the several thousands of students.  But no matter how hard an effort is given to give the most rounded class, there's going to be someone who doesn't think it is good enough.
  
  The presentation of the Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop post production software is definitely a part of Digital Photography.  These are programs all photographers need to learn to get the most out of their cameras and photos.  But unfortunately, you see this as pushing the products and the additional classes.  Well, I don't sell Lightroom or Photoshop, yet I do show how you can save literally hundreds of dollars on these programs.  Is this not useful?  And, I did not push anyone to take a Photoshop or Lightroom class.  I just told the class that these classes are available should they want it and I also offered a substantial discount on the classes as well.
  
  20 minutes of advertising?  No way.  In fact, I recall that I specifically only spoke briefly about the additional classes.  20 minutes including the demonstration on how the programs work to help photographers?  Possibly.  But this is not selling.  This is part of the training.  It shows how these programs can improve your photography.
  
  Again, it's too bad that only those who have negative things to say about businesses review companies on sites like Yelp.  Those who really like the classes simply tell their friends and spread the word this way.  But it seems often with sites like Yelp, it just gives people a way to complain about something they don't agree with.  And yet, the merchants are asked by these sites to be careful in how to respond to reviews that aren't 100% positive.  That seems unfair to me.
  
  Sorry your review needs to be the one in which I needed to clear this up.  But considering how many of your fellow students in last night's class seemed interested in what I had to say concerning the Photoshop and Lightroom programs and how I noticed that literally everyone was writing down how to get the discounts on buying the programs through Adobe, I'd have to say you might be in the minority of thinking that it was tacky.
  
  Also, recall that many of your fellow students last night asked a lot of questions about the programs.  If they didn't have an interest in what was being said, would they have asked so many questions about it?
  
  As far as offering discounts to the class for other classes, I'd say, sure, why not?  Who would not like to get a discount for an additional class if they want another class and can get it for less?  I only offer this to those who have attended the first class and the only way for them to know about it is for me to tell them about it.  Would you rather not get the discounts?  Do you know of any company that would not want to get their customers to come back by offering some kind of incentive to do so?
  
  Sorry you didn't feel the class met your expectations.  But for a class that is normally $225 of which you had paid $50 for on a coupon deal, I'd say you got a lot for your money... even if 20 minutes of the 4 hours didn't meet your expectations.

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from N D.

  

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  • 26 reviews

  • N D.

  Wood Dale, IL

  

  5/12/2012

  Took this class after getting a deal on Groupon. Will I go back-probably not. Found the teacher kind of condescening. Spent the first 5 minutes complaing to the class about people who cancelled at the last minute, not very professional. I guess I was looking for something a bit more personal. He did hit on all of the important basics though so if you know nothing about your camera, this may be the class for you. I guess I feel that I got my $40 worth.

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  Comment from Russell L. of Balanced Exposure 5/14/2012    « Hide

  

  Sorry you didn't think I was professional enough. But I… More »

  Sorry you didn't think I was professional enough. But I believe your comment here is based on the first five minutes of a three hour class?  Not sure if that's fair or not as it does seem you were satisfied with the information you received during the actual training based on your other comments.
  
  Regardless, the reason for the "complaint" about those who cancelled late was the fact that many people had tried hard to get into your particular class because their coupons were running toward their expiration date and they called all week long asking how to get into that particular class.  Because the class was filled to the max, they could not schedule their class... but I had 3 other classes beyond their expiration dates set up as roll-over dates to accommodate them.
  
  But when someone ties up a class date only to cancel out at the last minute, it just seems irresponsible on their part for not respecting the time of both the school and also the other students who want desperately to schedule and take the class.
  
  Often, classes have last minute cancellations or people who simply do not show up.  If the school was a dentist office, you can imagine the dentist would charge for the cancellation.  I only wanted to tell the class that I appreciate the fact that they respected the class and showed up rather than those who did not have the courtesy to do so.
  
  Because of situations like this, I have invested in setting up our online scheduler so that students can now put their names on a waiting list so that should someone cancel the class, an automatic email message is generated informing them that a seat has opened up.  Of course, last minute cancellations would not be enough time for someone to fill the spot, but at least it is an effort to give them the opportunity to attend.
  
  As for getting more personal instruction, that's possible, but individual private lessons would cost a lot more than the money spent on a group class, which is what the coupon deal offers.  Thanks for taking the class, but sorry you weren't fully satisfied.

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from Deanna S.

  

  • 6 friends
  • 24 reviews

  • Deanna S.

  McHenry, IL

  

  6/29/2011

  I love working with Russ from Balanced Exposure! I started taking photography lessons from him in Sept 2009 and although I've only taken a three lessons from him, I've learned tons! Prior to even taking my first lesson I was already learning things. I contacted him to learn more about what he offered in his lessons and he started sharing tips with me looking at some of my images to help me improve my skills!
  
  Prior to each lesson he checks with me to make sure he knows exactly what I want to work on so we can fit in as much as possible. There aren't many breaks, unless you, the student, want them. This is to benefit you so you can get the most out of each lesson. After every lesson I've had he's sent follow up emails to clarify things he knew I didn't quite get, or provide extra details he wanted to mention. I've learned how to use two DSLR cameras, three different lenses, my external flash, & a Photoshop program so far, and I intend on taking more lessons.
  
  His office is nice and professional, not to mention easy to find. It's pretty hard to miss the Zurich towers in Schaumburg. :-) A studio is now set up in the building as well, so you can take lessons on how to use lighting equipment and techniques. He also rents the studio & equipment for those of us who don't have the space or the money to have our own studio.
  
  Whether it's advice on picking a new lens, finding the best program for editing, or just to send your latest image that you're proud of he's always there for you. That's the best part about the relationship that develops through taking lessons with Russ. You don't feel like you're going to school, you feel like you're gaining a friend that is sharing his knowledge with you and treats you as an equal.

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from Kunal G.

  

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  • 2 reviews

  • Kunal G.

  Villa Park, IL

  

  7/19/2011

  Russell is great. I took the photography 101 class on the 16th of July and it taught me a lot about my camera which I never knew. His method of training including learning the basics of aperture, shutter speed and ISO was very good and gave me a understanding of how to set up my camera. I got into the class through Groupon and following the Groupon model Russell provided all of us with major discounts for the next level of advanced classes. However I would add that the classes could have been even better if he had taught more about photographing in different situations and locations. Overall it was a great experience and I would recommend it to everyone who wants to be able to use their SLR cameras.

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from Vicki W.

  

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  • 2 reviews

  • Vicki W.

  Rolling Meadows, IL

  

  8/28/2011

  This was the best basic photography class I have taken.  I finally get how to use my dslr beyond the "auto" button.  I have signed up for another class based on Russ's expertise and his teaching style.  He is dedicated and answers all questions and makes sure you understand the answer.  I have been taking pictures for alot of years but now feel that I will be able to take photographs worthy of display.  Russ is a great teacher and I can't wait for my next class.  I highly recommend this class to anyone that wants to get to know how to use their camera for all it's worth.  Thanks Russ, see you soon.
  
  -vicki woodman

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from Margaret G.

  

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  • 40 reviews

  • Margaret G.

  Near West Side, Chicago, IL

  

  11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here

  I purchased a groupon for the Photography 101 class in July and finally attended the class last week. It was a six hour class from 9-4 with an hour lunch break. I thought I would get antsy sitting in the same room for such a long class but boy did the class fly by. The instructor and owner of the company, Russ was very informative while sliding in some entertaining stories between topics. One can tell Russ loves to teach (and talk) which makes the experience more pleasant. I learned a lot about my SLR camera and wish I had more time to take another class. He offers a bunch of different classes including flash photography, an advanced SLR class, and photo editing classes. Although I have only sat in one of Russ's classes, I would not hesitate to ask for his advice before purchasing anything camera related in the future. If you have the time, interest, and money I would not hesitate to email Russ and find the photography class for you.

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• Balanced Exposure

  Review from Jessica B.

  

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  • 28 reviews

  • Jessica B.

  Indianapolis, IN

  

  7/9/2011

  I took the photography 101 class and highly recommend it. I learned so much great information and really appreciated the opportunity to ask Russ questions. Russ is a great teacher and has so much experience to share.

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