Frequently asked questions
What type of camera do I need?
For digital-based photography courses, we strongly recommend a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) with the option to change your aperture and shutter speed for shooting manually. A DSLR is a digital camera in which the same lens is used for viewing and taking pictures. A good way to tell that you have a DSLR is if the camera has a removable front lens. Some popular DSLR examples include can be found here.
In some workshops, like the Field Guide series, you can get by with a camera with a fixed lens (like the popular Lumix DMC-LX and Canon G lines) so long as you can control all manual functions on the camera, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance. If you have any questions about the suitability of your particular camera, feel free to contact us.
Does Brooklyn Creative provide student visas?
We unfortunately cannot provide visas for visiting international students at this time. However, all our workshops are 2 months duration or shorter, so international visitors can certainly enroll in a class or two while on a 3-month tourist visa. We also offer 4-week accelerated programs and One-Day Workshops to better suit your schedule.
Do you give a discount if I recruit friends to take a course?
Yes! If you register for the same class with one or more of your friends, you'll automatically receive 25% off when you check out in our shopping cart. Once your order is finalized, you'll receive an e-mail follow-up where you can update the information on your friends to complete the registration.
What if I miss a class?
If you miss a class, you have a few options. In some cases, you'll be able to sit in on a comparable class within a week or two. Sometimes that's not feasible schedule-wise, so BkC instructors will have a few regular office hours per week for makeup of class information. Just contact us and we'll do our best to set you up.
Can I rent a camera?
Camera rentals can be useful in situations when you have a specific assigment, or want to demo a model before you buy, for a day, a weekend, or even a week or two. Beyond that time, it often makes more sense to buy new or used gear, as the rental cost can easily accumulate. We don't recommend renting a camera for our 4 or 8-week programs.
However, if you're new to photography, and you are in the market to buy a potentially expensive new DSLR, renting for a day or weekend makes a lot of sense. Some rental houses, like K&M, Adorama and FotoCare offer discounted weekend rates, perfect for our One-Day Field Guides, which are designed to pack as much practical information into a single six-hour session as possible, as well as an experienced guide who can answer all your camera-related questions before you pull the trigger on a big investment.
Where should I purchase a DSLR camera?
It seems overwhelming choosing one device with all that is out there, and choosing between the different brands seems to be the hardest battle. In the DSLR market, Canon and Nikon are currently the industry leaders, with Pentax, Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm and Konica just behind them. It really just boils down to your personal preference.
In New York, try visiting the professional stores B&H PhotoVideo (420 9th Ave at w33rd st), Adorama (42 w18th st bet 5th and 6th), Calumet (22 W 22nd St, between 5th and Broadway) and K&M Camera (387 Broadway bet Walker and White). Online shops and retailers like the above, as well as other resources like DPReview and Amazon's customer reviews, can be very helpful in selecting the right camera for you.
Another idea is to rent a camera for a day or the weekend, and bring it to one of our One-Day Workshops—really put it through its paces. You'll quickly figure out not only whether the camera is right for you, but what you are looking for in a camera.
What is your refund policy?
If for some reason you cannot attend a class you have paid for, you may transfer your registration credit to another class within 1 year, so long as there is room available in the desired class. The fee for class transfer is $50. You may also transfer your credit to a friend or family member, minus the $50 transfer fee.
We ask students to carefully choose their class of choice as we do not provide refunds except in the following circumstances:
— A student has transferred his/her credit to a lower-priced class. We will refund the difference in class price, minus the $50 transfer fee, on the original credit card used to book the class.
— Brooklyn Creative cancels the class.
We are here to guide you through class selection to make sure you benefit from our courses, so feel free to contact us for any questions regarding class selection. Once a payment is made towards a course you are confirmed for that class.
Also, please note:
— Gift certificates are non-refundable
— Credits, promotional discounts, or any special arrangements will be one time per individual.
Course Cancelation by Brooklyn Creative
— If less than 4 people are enrolled in a course we will cancel that class and offer students a full refund of the amount paid or a credit towards a new course within a month of the canceled course start date.
— Brooklyn Creative reserves the right to change instructors if needed without prior notice.
— If a class is canceled because of weather conditions or illness of an instructor, Brooklyn Creative will schedule a make up session.
Can I switch a course using my payment?
- Once a payment is made towards a course you are confirmed for that class
- You may only switch your course free of charge the day you register for the class. After 24 hours you must pay a re-registration fee of $50 to transfer. To transfer a course within 24 hours of payment, please e-mail us as soon as possible indicating the desired change. If we receive your e-mail within 24 hours, no additional fee will be charged.
- You can transfer to a different course provided there is space in the class.
- You can put your payment on hold to use towards a different course provided you inform us 5 days before the class you are registered for starts. By receiving a written consent via email you may use your credit (minus the re-registration fee) towards another course until 1 year after making a payment.
- If you are unable to find a course that fits your schedule you may give the credit (minus the re-registration fee) to a friend or family member.
- Exceptions may be made for medically-excused emergencies with documentation or family bereavement.
What if a class becomes full?
If a course becomes full we will gladly add you to our waiting list. We would squeeze you in if we had available space and chairs, in the mean time we will notify you if a spot opens up.
Can I borrow or share a camera with a friend?
Definitely, as long as you are OK with sharing and taking turns to do your assignments with one camera. If you don't yet own a DSLR, it often makes sense to borrow or rent a camera for single workshops like the One-Day Field Guides or 3-Hour Quickstart. The same principles apply for just about any digital SLR, so sometimes a one-day or weekend rental is a smart choice as you'll be able to learn the ins and outs of digital photography while trying out the latest gear.