The large format photography course is fabulous. I took it before buying a large format camera and then retook it after settling on some equipment. I learned a tremendous amount from Nick and this allowed me to begin practicing with the view camera. Noteworthy: Nick is very responsive to questions. The course is definitely a 5 star course. read more

Great teacher. I took a few of his workshops and I highly recommend. He taught me the basics and I have built a very successful Buisness with his foundation. read more

My girlfriend got me private photography lessons with Nick for my birthday, so I cashed in one of my three 2-hour sessions today. I'm self-taught in most everything I know, photography included. I got my first DSLR about six months ago and started reading everything I could find online. I'd shoot around my house and neighborhood, occasionally taking the camera out to events, trying out all the different settings and figuring out what does what. So, I was a little skeptical going into the lesson, thinking I will probably just be relearning stuff that I already know... Well... Nick threw my skepticism out the window. :) Not to mention that his photographs are stunning! There were a lot of things that I thought I already had a good understanding of, but Nick was able to explain various concepts in ways that made a lot more sense. We met up at a Starbucks and he went through a few slideshow presentations on his laptop. The slideshows were surprisingly VERY helpful. Most of it was stuff I had already read about on my own, but Nick's presentations helped dumb down all the technical mumbo-jumbo and provided great examples of use in practical applications. I thought I had a good grasp of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, but Nick did a great job of explaining exposure, and how all the settings effect each other. Where I was shooting mostly in aperture-priority mode before, I now have a much better understanding of the manual mode and metering. I'm a pretty quick learner, and I like to learn everything I can, so we covered a lot of stuff. I consider someone a great teacher if I could teach someone else what I just learned. I definitely feel like I can do that with what Nick has taught me... So, hit me up if you're interested in an introductory photography lesson. ;) Nick is not just an excellent photographer, he is an excellent teacher, as well. Nick offers private lessons, workshops, and classes/seminars in Orange County and surrounding areas, so check out his website for more info (http://www.nickcarverphotography.com/). My next private lesson will be out in the field, and I can't wait!!! read more

Nick Carver Photography - A couple walking along a California beach in Crystal Cove State Park, CA. - Photographers Near Me - Orange, California

I spent the better part of a day going to all the different photography online courses that offered free samples. Some more expensive than Nick , and some less expensive as well. I really wanted to like the cheaper course because it was more in my budget. But I just couldnt really understand the instructor's way of explaining the information. Watching Nick , on the other hand, was like light bulbs going off in my head as I FINALLY understood some of the most basic concepts, due to his explanations. So, I'm off to spend more than I can afford (though his rates are very reasonable)to buy Nick's course, because after my research, I'm convinced he is the best one for me to learn from. I did the research, so you dont have to! read more

Took one of Nick's sunset landscape workshops and not only got great tips and guidance, but enjoyed the class very much. Nick makes it enjoyable and is an expert in this field so he knows what he is talking and where to take you so you have the best chance at a great picture. Came home with a good number of shots I was happy with. Will be taking more of his workshops in the future & highly recommend him to any photography... newb like me to pro. read more

Nick is an amazing photographer and an all-around great guy. His manual metering online course is perfect for anyone just starting out with light meters or wanting to get better film exposures. The information he shares is invaluable and something I wish I had years ago. I highly recommend him and any course he has. read more

I took private lessons with Nick Carver. I have always dreamt of being a glamour photographer and needed to learn to shoot with an DSLR . Nick taught me to use all of the settings on my camera, taught me patiently about shutter speed, aperature, iso and shooting in manual mode..even explained it over again until I got it! (im a slow learner, lol) He encouraged me and gave me alot of help and ideas to get my home studio set up and start shooting..3 years later and I have my own successful glamour portrait studio! I would never have been able to do this without my lessons from Nick, he is an awesome teacher! read more

What do you do when you buy a brand new camera and have no clue how to use it? Well, you enlist a professional to help :) His 'Understanding Exposure for Beginners' Class was amazing and I feel like I actually know how to work this thing now. Not only USE it, but truly understand what types of outcomes you are going to get in your photo by understanding how everything works together. He is a great teacher- concise, clear, well spoken and his class takes you through everything right from the beginning. It is classroom style where he encourages you to ask questions and engage. DEFINITELY worth the time and money. I have already signed up for other classes, I can only imagine how much more I will learn! read more

I wanted to learn to take REAL photos not just snapshots. I bought a decent DSLR and started shooting in AUTO. I quickly realized I wanted to learn how to use the camera but didn't know where to start. I considered a local community college course. I found Nick's online courses and figured I'd give it a shot. I started with his Intro to DSLR photography course. I am so glad I found his classes because it worked out perfectly for me and there are several reasons why. 1. First and foremost, the material is amazing. I wish my college texts were as good. The written material is well-written, concise and easy to follow yet in-depth. There are great diagrams that explain the concepts and there are many photos to demonstrate exactly the points made in the text. There is nothing I would change about the course materials - they are great. 2. The next thing that drove home the learning was the assignments at the end of each section. After you finish a section there is an assignment to go out and use your camera and put into practice the concepts you just learned. [And that part is important - he teaches concepts and understanding so that you know how to apply it. It is the same thing as teaching someone how to cook vs teaching how to execute a recipe.] If just learning on my own, I wouldn't have done these assignments and therefore wouldn't have really assimilated the material - at least not so quickly as I did by taking the classes and completing the assignments. 3. Feedback/Questions - Nick is great about giving you real feedback on your assignments and answering any questions you have from the reading or just in general. 4. I could do it on my own pace. I have a regular job and other things in my life (like everybody) so being able to do it when it works for me makes it easy to stick with it. 5. Learn from his experience - I learned techniques that saved me time and I learned several things regarding equipment that actually saved me money. He has a no-nonsense approach to equipment and will give you guidelines on how to shop within your budget and what makes sense to put your budget towards. I have now completed 3 courses including "How to shoot in full manual" and I am very happy with what I have learned. I took time to write this review because I believe in Nick because of the progress I have made by taking his courses. I'm not claiming to be a great artist but I know how to use my camera now and I am enjoying taking photos. If I had to start over from scratch today, I would take Nick's courses again. The classes are absolutely worth the money and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone. read more

I've taken several private lesson with Nick and all I have to say is that I wish I found his contact sooner! Prior to meeting with Nick, I spent countless hours reading books, forums, and blogs trying to understanding the techniques related to photography. My pictures came out okay but not outstanding. After a few sessions with Nick, I felt as though I was enlightened! My pictures had more POP! His training material and years of experience has helped me look at photography in a totally different way. With his help, I was able to accelerate my understanding of photography in just a few weeks. Everything from manual shooting, to composition,to metering, etc...it all made sense based on course materials. He is not only a great photographer but a great teacher as well. Very patient and takes his time to explain things so anyone new to photography can understand. He is a master at his craft and his portfolio speaks for itself. Sign up for some of his courses, you won't regret it! read more

I first met Nick at a free clinic. He went over some basics of exposure and filters and set us free to practice what we learned. He explained things in an easy to understand way that made me comfortable as a beginner. Since then I've been to one other free clinic, taken his landscape photography class and a couple private lessons. My photography has gotten significantly better since meeting Nick. He really has a knack for teaching and one look at his site will show you how gifted a photographer he is so learning from someone like him is the best scenario. If you're interested in taking your photography to the next level I'd strongly recommend Nick! read more

Nick's greatest gift is getting you to see (and believe in) your potential, both technically and artistically, and then helping you get there. After a period of years away from photography it seemed a whole new game when I jumped back in. Nick quickly eliminated the fear factor by helping me understand that camera and lenses (and filters and Photoshop and Lightroom, etc.) are tools, sophisticated (and expensive!) tools to be sure, but tools for me to use as I wish to make my pictures speak. He's endlessly patient, but he makes you noodle out the answers for yourself. He is never ever ever condescending but he makes it clear he knows you have a brain and he expects you to use it. The learning sticks with you because of his approach. I've taken most of his in studio workshops, on location workshops and an online course. The most well spent dollars of all my photography education. No matter what level you consider yourself - absolute beginner to accomplished pro - any and all time spent with Nick will make you a better photographer and a better artist. read more

I came across Nick Carver while searching the internet for "photography lessons." I received a beautiful Nikon 3200 DSLR for Christmas last year and had (I am ashamed to say) been using it like a regular point and shoot camera. I purchased a manual more comprehensive than the one the camera came with that delved deeply into the camera's functions, but even after reading it carefully I still felt like all the symbols on my camera were as foreign as hieroglyphs. Additionally, I bought two books that explored composition and vision in photography, but all the vision in the world is useless if you don't know how to utilize the tools needed to get you there. Nick's two week class "Understanding Exposure for Beginners" covers the integral first step to understanding photography that all these books did not: the physics. Sounds complicated? It's really not, at least not the way Nick explains it. Simply put, he teaches you how your camera engages light, and how this interplay results in photographs. The pacing of the course is just right. Nick makes an effort to stay attuned to the needs of the class and is happy to help individuals with questions, whether they are about what kind of exposure might be apt for a certain setting or where to find the ISO button on your camera. The goal is not rote memorization but comprehension. I'm not going to say I left the class feeling like a good photographer, that takes time and practice, but I do feel like I can now find my way there. read more

Any of you dabbling or already working in Photography at all skill levels, I highly recommend Nick in exploring more knowledge about learning your equipment and understanding the foundation of photography. I am self taught (for the most part) and have hit a wall in my learning capability after free-lancing for a studio for years now so I decided to take private lessons with Nick because there's nothing like a one-on-one setting to get my attention in focusing on the areas I needed get to in order to be a better photographer. Within the first lesson and 20 mins in, I was MIND BLOWNED! I'm not going to get into depth about what was discussed but do yourself a favor, if there's any questioning in your ability as a Photographer, Nick will guide you in finding the answers to why, how, when and what will work best for your shot then workflow. I kept an honest and open communication with Nick with my skill level and also gave him the breakdown of my chaotic habits so it was nice that he's been completely patience, funny and super down to earth which made it real easy to be comfortable to work with. It's a humbling experience when you come from a place where you learn how to do something one way and then be taught completely different from another source. He's down to share his knowledge and does care to help you be the best that you can be in this industry. Even though our lessons are complete, I plan on continuing a few more private lessons and attend his workshops outside of class just to keep up with the learning process. I can't thank him enough for his guidance and totally give him mad respect as a teacher! Mahalo mahalo! read more

I have only joined 2 of Nick's classes and have learned so much. It's refreshing to know there is a professional photographer out there that is willing to teach others how to shoot great photos. Nick is extremely patient and has answers to all your questions. I would highly recommend his classes to anyone who is looking to excel with their photography skills. Thank you Nick! I can't wait to take more classes! read more

I am updating my review from back in February. Since then I have purchased one of Nick's custom framed fine art pieces. It is not just a picture in a frame but the two combined are an absolutely stunning piece of art. The photo is a panorama of the Grand Canyon...a breathtaking photo. So inspiring! The beautiful frame was custom built by Nick for this particular photo. On another note, just a couple of months ago Nick helped me develop my own website. :) My dream of becoming a landscape/nature photographer is coming true! AND I couldn't have done it without Nick's help. Nick is an awesome photographer and teacher! read more

Thorough and knowledgeable. Patient with slooow beginners. !! Makes you feel you can do it! The best teacher. I Highly recommend Nick's online courses. Worth every penny and he will answer your questions via email. read more

Nick makes ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed make sense! Great beginning course. Looking forward to more classes with him once I have some time with my camera/lens. Thanks Nick! read more

I took Nick's Understanding Exposure for Beginners at the recommendation of a friend who has taken Nick's classes before. It was excellent. I know very little about digital photography and I feel this was the best way to begin, because at the end of the second class you actually can think through what each of the settings does and how to tweak things. He provides tons of examples and lots of repetition to help it "stick". This class also taught me that you don't have to shoot in "full" manual to get good pictures. I highly recommend this class for beginners. One suggestion though - spend some time getting to know your camera and how to get to various menus, etc. It will really help you. Nick knows all the brands inside and out, but you get a lot of info in these classes - already knowing how to navigate around your camera will help you out a lot. I'm really looking forward to his 4 class Landscape Photography class next week :-) read more

Amazing! I took Nick's Lightroom class and I am blown away at how much I know and how comfortable I am with the program now. He does a great job of simplifying information so that it is digestible and relevant. I highly recommend his classes and I will definitely be taking more myself. read more

Just finished the last Thurs of 4 awesome days of instruction with Nick.His down to earth way of teaching is so helpful and makes hands on with your camera so easy.He is not a instructor teaching you,hes more like a friend with knowledge and patience giving you the fundamentals of photography.He gives you the paths to go down to grow into your camera and excel at your own pace.If you have the passion and desire for photography,Nicks techniques and direction will get you there! Cant wait for the next class and enroll in the online courses for my LIFETIME tool! Thanks so much Nick!...you have made me realize and made me confident that I am able to do more than I ever thought! read more

Loved the Understanding Exposure class. Nick really breaks down all of the basics and explains everything in a way that makes sense. The class is organized, hands-on, and worth it! read more

I just finished Nick's four week Landscape Photography course and can't believe the improvement I've seen in my photography in that time. Not only is Nick an amazing photographer, but also a great teacher. I had taken photography in high school, and had picked up a new DSLR a year or so ago in hopes of getting into photography again. While I had a good foundation, Nick taught me a tremendous amount: how to shoot and meter in manual mode, how to properly compose a landscape, which filters to use and why, and how to get the most out of my workflow after shooting (all the way through printing work). Nick is friendly, responds promptly to emails during the course, and truly cares about his students getting what they want out of his classes. I would highly recommend him to any photographer, from beginner through experienced. I know I will be taking more classes/lessons from Nick in the future. It was a great experience and I walked away with some images that I can proudly have printed and displayed on my walls. read more

Nick Carver breaks down photography in ways that it's easy to understand. I walked away from his basics class with a very broad understanding and now feel confident that my photos will be much better. I'm also taking his Light Room class which has been super helpful. I'll definitely be taking more classes in the future. read more

I'm an amateur who's never been in any organized photography classes nor workshops - I basically learn as I go through books, magazines, internet and trial and error which can be very confusing and frustrating. Thanks to Yelp I found Nick Carver and I've recently took "Understanding Exposure for Beginners" and WOW what an eye opener and the way he explains it makes it easy to understand - Now I'm very eager to learn more - Plus he makes the learning part fun - I'm glad I invested the money in taking the class rather than buying another lens..... hehehe - Going to take some private class soon. So I give it a 5 stars!!!!!!!!! read more

I took private lessons from Nick once a week for several months about 2 or 3 years ago. I credit him with teaching me everything I know about my camera, it's settings, metering and exposure. He's very professional and prompt. He's extremely patient and thorough in his explanations. I've since taken several workshops both online and in person, of all those experiences I have to say Nick is the best teacher I've had. If you want to take the next step with your photography, don't hesitate for a second, the sooner you get some instruction from Nick the sooner you'll be on your way to creating what you dream of. read more

I recently took Nick Carver's beginner's class for understanding exposure. Not knowing a whole lot about the basics of photography, Nick made the subject matter easy to comprehend! He makes the class fun and easily understand. His straight forward teaching technique along with his witty humor kept me interested through the 2.5 hr classes. I would definitely like to continue taking more of his courses as they're offered. I would also not hesitate to recommend his courses to anyone of my friends. Thanks Nick for being great and I hope to attend another one of your classes and workshops! read more

Went to my first class as a beginner to photography and Nick's class was very welcoming. Nick is very thorough ensuring that everyone is understanding the content being taught and assuring you that it all comes together by the second of two classes. I look forward to taking more classes with Nick Carver Photography. read more

Photography is an investment. You'll spend so much of your time, money, energy...not to mention your emotions. Save yourself and invest in Nick. His teaching style is as sharp as his photographs. They're well-planned, well-presented, easy to comprehend, and his delivery is very effective. His passion for photography can be seen and felt. So if you're looking to either ramp up or reach a higher plateau in your photography endeavors, look no further. I purchased my first DSLR earlier this year and started with private lessons. I soaked up more in our first session than I did anywhere else. I also took his class on landscape photography and was impressed by the amount of valuable information I gained. He covered a lot of subjects and details without making it seem overwhelming. Check out his website (www.nickcarverphotography.com). Being self-taught is admirable but it's a long and lonely road. There's nothing wrong with learning on your own but don't exacerbate the photog dummy by being too stubborn to get hired help from a pro! read more

I had already taken the Filters for Nature Photography course with Nick Carver. I liked the course and Nick's way of teaching so much I signed up for his beginners course, Introduction to DSLR Photography. He's clearly passionate and very knowledgeable about photography and has a great way of breaking it down so it's easy to understand. I look forward to my next course I've already signed up for, Adobe Lightroom. I would recommend his courses to anyone just learning about photography or looking to expand their knowledge. read more

I have used Yelp to find information on various companies over the years but never took the time to write a review myself. That is until I started taking lessons from Nick. I decided he was worth signing up. If you get the chance to take lessons from Nick, you will not be disappointed. He has a way of explaining things that, not only keep you interested, but is easy to understand. I am just finishing up my first set of private lessons and I will most likely take more. read more

I delightfully stumbled across Nick Carver's website while looking for photography lessons. Within a few clicks of his website, I immediately fell in love with all of his shots....at the time I thought I could only dream of shooting photos so beautifully...and there's no way I would ever be able to afford private lessons with such a talented artist...I also wondered...would he be willing to teach me, a complete novice? Completely mesmerized by his shots I decided to take the plunge and send him an email to learn more about his services. Within our first exchange of emails I felt completely comfortable with Nick. After having just two private lessons from Nick, I can now say that he has guided me well on my way towards achieving my goal of being a professional photographer. Of course I still have a long way to go, but he is definitely steering me in the right direction. Just to give you a bit of background, I had recently purchased my first DSLR. Prior to meeting with Nick, I had no clue how to use all the bells and whistles.....and the study of photography in itself was entirely new to me. I went in knowing absolutely nothing about ISO, Aperture, Exposure...As I left my first session with Nick, I walked away with an entirely new perspective of photography...and my camera....his passion truly inspires you. Nick Carver is truly gifted and knows his stuff...and as if his talent isn't enough...to boot he's really just a wonderful "down to earth" guy! In between lessons I have emailed Nick with questions about equipment and techniques, and he is always quick to respond... and always provides a plethora of information. In a nutshell, he is amazing! If you are looking to learn more about photography and kick your skills up a few levels then you must contact Nick. I did a lot of homework in researching private lessons throughout OC & LA counties and found Nick to be the best! Reasonable prices, amazing talent and an overall phenomenal instructor/artist! read more

Nick Carver's Photography workshops and private classes are money well spent. He is patient and brilliant. I would recommend him to anyone beginner, immediate or even advanced seeking more guidance. read more

Before I met Nick, I had been self-learning photography for over ten years. I went through many tutorial articles, books, and videos. I also spent numerous hours reading Amazon's camera&photography equipment reviews and upgraded my cameras periodically to improve my overall photography skills. Although all those helped, I made limited progress. I decided to try private lessons and that is how I found Nick(Thanks Yelp!) I took 6 hours of lessons from Nick and I can tell you confidently that it's the best investment I ever made in my entire photography learning process. Nick is a great photographer, and most importantly he is a great teacher. He teaches in a very fun and systematic way that makes everything easy to understand. I highly recommend Nick to anyone who is interested in photography. read more

I've taken two of Nicks Courses: 4 Week Landscape Photography Course and the 4 Week Macro/Close Up Course. Nick's knowledge and professionalism in photography made these course's very enjoyable as well as a great learning experience. The class time length is sufficient and you can't beat the price! I cant wait to take another class! read more

My husband bought me private lessons w/Nick for our first year anniversary and it's been by far one of the best gifts I've received. Nick is an awesome teacher and explains the basics of photography so well. I have tried googling different internet sites, watched youtube videos but it wasn't until my lessons with Nick did I truly get comfortable with my camera. There is so much to learn when shooting with an SLR from when/how to shoot, what settings to use and also how to edit. Nick was able to cover all these topics & more during our sessions. It was so helpful that I rebooked 2 more packages of private lessons. Overall excellent experience and well worth the investment. read more

Nick's online Precision Metering Method course is excellent. It's is full of content that covers the methodology, equipment and techniques that will take your light metering to the next level. The courses are clear and not confusing on what that course is teaching. Each "class" or video builds from one to the next making it a smooth transition to keep things simple but not too simple. Class after class gets you closer to understanding how simple the method is and how to use it in the field. My first time ever shooting film and using the Precision Metering Method in the field was not stressful. Nick has also been very responsive to a couple of email's I sent with random questions with excellent feedback. In the field, I took my time but in the end when the film came back I had managed to get correct or close to correct exposure in 36/40 pictures. No doubt it is because Nick's course on the Precision Metering Method helped guide me when taking pictures. If you want to learn how to go from never knowing how to meter to having confidence in most situations as a complete beginner this course is for you. These classes can also simplify your current method if you are getting some shots perfect and others not. Again, I was blown away how well Nick's course on Precision Metering worked for a brand new film photographer. Thank you Nick for taking the stress out of film photography and making it fun. read more

I inherited a bunch of really nice camera equipment a few years ago and realized I needed lessons if I really wanted to get the most out of my new camera and lenses. I googled photography lessons in Orange County and came up with a bunch of results, many of which showed some impressive photography but were pretty rinky-dink in terms of web design and information offered. Nick's website was light years ahead of the other sites I looked at, so the choice was easy. Not surprisingly, he brings the same professionalism and attention to detail to his photography and his teaching. He knew the technology of my camera backward and forward, but he was also able to explain how to use it in a very easy to understand way. I purchased a package of three private lessons at a very reasonable price; he came to my house and walked me through the basics of the camera the first day, and once I'd gotten a feel for how the camera worked we went shooting. On my first try I got some really amazing shots of the ocean at Laguna Beach thanks to the tips and tricks he taught me. I now feel a lot more comfortable using my camera than I did before. I have several friends who have also taken lessons from Nick, and they all agree that he's the best. If you're looking to take photography lessons, look no further. read more

I took a four week Landscape group photography class with Nick. It far exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend him as a teacher.

Nick has a way of teaching that makes it fun and easy to learn. I've taken most of the courses he provides. I have emailed Nick many times with home work, questions about the lesson and just general questions about photography. He has always responded very quickly and provided me with all the information I needed. I am in CT and he is in CA, but it's as if he's next door. While traveling on vacation to CA, I had a private lesson with Nick. We met at Laguna Beach and took pictures of the rocks, water and sunset using different combinations of shutter speed and aperture. Again, he explains everything in a way that makes it so easy to learn. Take one of his courses. You will be so glad you did. ! read more