Two New Digital Courses, Nikon School Digital 101(SM) and Nikon School Advanced Digital Workflow(SM) Drive Home Essentials of Digital Photography

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon® (http://www.nikonusa.com ), the world leader in photography, today announced the launch of a new digital photography curriculum to its popular Nikon School, making it one of the most comprehensive photography education and training programs in the industry. The new Nikon School seminars, Digital 101 and Advanced Digital Workflow, are taught by imaging experts and are designed to help digital photographers and business users of all skill levels understand and improve all aspects of digital photography including capturing, editing and sharing digital images. The series will launch on September 28 in Chicago, IL, and visit 25 cities in the U.S. through June 2003.

"For almost 30 years, The Nikon School of Photography has educated thousands of photographers in the creative picture taking process," said Jerry Grossman, vice president of marketing for consumer digital products and compact cameras. "With the expansion of digital imaging into America's homes and offices, we saw a need to educate photographers on how to get the most out of their digital cameras. The Nikon School of Photography helps to make picture-taking come alive for more photographers, no matter what their skill level. These additional courses bring enthusiasts together to explore new digital techniques and applications, taught by some of the best experts in the digital imaging industry."

The newly expanded Nikon School now offers three distinct day-long curriculums, designed for the novice through the professional photographer. Nikon School of Photography is designed to teach amateur to advanced-amateur photo enthusiasts the basic techniques, sharpen skills and move on to more advanced, creative methods of picture-taking. Digital 101 is for anyone who has just purchased or is considering purchasing their first digital camera and wants to learn the essentials of digital photography. Advanced Digital Workflow gives professionals, enthusiasts and new-to-digital SLR photographers an in-depth understanding of a digital camera and its applications, information about the digital darkroom process and provides ways to improve imaging workflow. Anyone can attend the classes, regardless of what brand of camera or equipment they use.

Nikon partnered with Blue Pixel, the pre-eminent digital photography and workflow group to develop the digital photography series curriculum.

The Nikon School of Photography: The Best Place to start your Photographic Education

The Nikon School of Photography is designed to give a solid understanding of the photographic process regardless of the camera or media used. Students will learn how to take great pictures of landscapes, sunsets, rainbows, fireworks and other Creative Camera techniques. Attendees will enjoy the insights into exposure, composition, proper flash usage, and filters provided by the expert instructors.

"Our instructors make learning photography fun," said Bill Pekala, general manager of professional & technical services.

Nikon School Digital 101: Digital Photography for the Masses

Digital 101 is designed for anyone entering the exciting world of digital imaging, and teaches attendees how to get the most from their digital camera. Students will learn basic digital camera terminology, including terms like megapixels, resolution, CCD and USB, the difference between optical and digital zoom and much, much more. Digital 101 also visits the computer side of digital, showing students how to get images from the camera to the computer and what to do with the images once they are uploaded. Students will learn how to print pictures and share images through e-mail or posting on a website.

Nikon School Advanced Digital Workflow: Empowering Photographers to Get Tangible Benefits from a Digital Imaging Setup

For advanced digital users and professionals, Nikon offers the Advanced Digital Workflow course, an in-depth understanding of imaging workflow techniques to the digital darkroom process. Concepts covered in the course include color management, working with RAW files, managing and archiving image files, speeding up image downloads and automating the digital workflow. This course caters to a growing number of business owners who use imaging in their everyday work activities. Through the program, students can learn how to shoot, manage and archive their digital files efficiently.

"The Advanced Digital Workflow curriculum is a smart investment for photographers who have a basic knowledge of digital photography and want to begin putting that knowledge into action. The program will help photographers to fine tune their workflow practices and, in turn, build their business," said Pekala.

The Nikon School of Photography one-day courses run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. A $99 fee includes the 8-hour course, lunch and the 162-page Nikon School of Photography Handbook. Digital 101 and Advanced Digital Workflow courses are offered during two-day weekend seminars. Digital 101 is held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A $99 fee includes the 8-hour course, lunch, The Nikon Coolpix Guide to Digital Photography Handbook and a resource CD. Advanced Digital Workflow is held on Sundays for a course fee of $149. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include a reference handout and a resource CD. To register for Nikon School or for more information, including a complete list of cities and dates as well as a School calendar of city listings, check the website at http://www.nikonschool.com or call 1-631-547-8666

About Nikon

Nikon Inc., the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology, is recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance in consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Advanced Photo System cameras; 35mm compact cameras; Coolpix® compact digital cameras; Coolscan® digital film scanners; Nikonos® underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. The company plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For product information, contact Nikon at (800) NIKON-UX or visit http://www.nikonusa.com , which links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.