This four-session photography course includes a mix of classroom time and field time on the grounds of The Morton Arboretum. Students will practice new skills and concepts with the support of the instructor, experiment with camera settings, participate in supportive critique sessions, and benefit from personalized direction and feedback from a professional photographer.
Over the course of this workshop, participants will learn:
- How to adjust a camera’s manual settings
- Basic composition and editing techniques
- How to read and adjust a manual camera for different light conditions
Please bring a digital camera with manual functions, such as a DSLR. This class is not intended for smartphone cameras.
This program meets in person at the Arboretum.
All experience levels are welcome.
Instructor: Cora Jacobs, photographer
Age: 16 and older
Course number: P000
Instructor
Cora Jacobs, photographer
Cora Jacobs is both a nature and a street photographer. She has been teaching at The Morton Arboretum since 2012. She served as the managing editor for Allium, A Journal of Poetry & Prose and taught magazine editing and production at Columbia College Chicago.
What to Know
This program meets indoors and outdoors.
For outdoor sessions on Saturdays, check the forecast and dress for the winter weather. Wear comfortable, sturdy boots or shoes and plan to walk more than a mile on uneven terrain.
This program is intended for beginners.
Please bring a fully-charged digital DSLR camera and manual. This class is not intended for smartphone cameras.
Bring water and a snack.
Materials for taking notes will also be useful.
Program Schedule
This program meets the following five times.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
