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Homeschool Photography Lessons

Offering three levels of classes for students from elementary school to high school, ages 6-18. Taught by a professional photographer with +35 years of commercial experience. Most classes will be taught at local parks when the weather permits.

$75 per month

Parents are always welcome to stay and learn, too!

A Visions in Education Approved Vendor.

A Pacific Charter Institutes (Valley View, Heritage Peak) Approved Community Partner.

Beginner

(Ages 10-16) The beginning level will start with the history of photography and the basic concepts of how photography and cameras work, with demonstrations of different types of cameras, both film and digital. Then we will work on how to compose and frame pictures to add interest to their subject(s). I will introduce the ideas of how camera settings affect their images and how they can use those settings can create added interest, and how lighting adds/detracts from a picture. We will also determine what went wrong with a picture and how to correct it. The kids will also learn to upload their photos to a computer or (with parent permission) to the web, and explore how to use Adobe Express (Photoshop’s free, online, little brother) to process and improve the images what they’ve taken.

Equipment: At this level, all that is needed is a smart phone, and possibly access to a laptop or desktop computer.

Intermediate

(Ages 11-18)We will start with a more in-depth look at the history of photography, throughout the semester we explore how photography and cameras have changed in the last 200 years, and how they have changed us and our society. We will look at how ISO settings, aperture and shutter-speed are interrelated and affect the image. DSLR and Traditional SLR cameras will be introduced with limited hands-on instruction. We will further explore how both natural and, later on, artificial light can enhance their photos. Toward the end of the semester, I will also introduce concepts of black and white and color film photography. After most lessons, we will explore how to further enhance and manipulate their images in Adobe Express (Photoshop’s online, free, little brother) and Photoshop.

Equipment: What’s needed? A smart phone will suffice, but a more advanced one that has adjustable aperture and/or shutter is recommended. A point and shoot camera with manual controls would be better, a DSLR or mirror-less camera would be nice, but definitely not required. Students are encouraged to bring film cameras if they are able to develop the film.

Advanced

(Ages 12-18 with Prior Photography Experience)This course will delve deeper into the concepts behind photographic composition and exposure and lighting. We will learn how to use light meters (incident, reflected and spot), properly exposing fill light, using both bounce and electronic flash. There will be practice with studio lighting equipment and possibly image capture software. Students will learn how to choose the proper lens for a given situation. Toward the end of the semester we will be working with Photoshop (monthly subscriptions currently cost $35 to be able to cancel at anytime), though your student can use it and ask questions at anytime. We will explore photography careers, including; wedding, portrait, product, architectural, and commercial. There is the possibility of taking a field trip to a working photolab later in the semester, but that is not guaranteed.

Equipment: This course requires a point and shoot camera that has full manual controls. A DSLR or mirror-less digital camera is preferred. And if we get the chance to process black and film, a film camera would be needed (ask your parents/grandparents if they have one you could borrow). I do have a couple of manual point and shoot and film cameras that can be borrowed.

Lessons will be 60 - 90 minutes one day/week, either Tuesday or Thursday, every week except for holidays, beginning the Second week of September through the last week of April. Each semester will have 15 classes. Four charter school vendor payments of $75 ( one payment/month) each are due on the 30th of each month are required ($10 sibling discount available). Venmo or Zelle payments are accepted for non-charter school students.

I’m Tom Percival. I’ve been a professional photographer for more than 35 years. I began taking pictures at El Camino HS in Oceanside, CA before joining the US Navy and being lucky enough to become a Naval Photographer. This is where I learned the technical side of color and black and white photography, both behind the camera and in the darkroom.

I served for five years on active duty and then almost four years in the US Naval Reserves while earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Small Business Management at (Southwest) Texas State University.

After graduation, my wife and I moved near her hometown of Menlo Park, CA and I began working as an architectural photographer photographing buildings and structures for architects, contractors, and designers. I also photographed landscapes in black and white. I was quite successful for the following ten years before deciding to stay home to raise our triplet sons, followed by their younger brother.

Homeschooling came about in the triplets’ third grade year as a result of a complete lack of competence of one of their teachers. We homeschooled, with the help of Visions in Education, for the next nine years, and they are now in college and high school.

I’ve wanted to get back to working as a photographer, but not in the same full-time capacity as before, but I want to teach it, as well. I hope I can make photography a passion for my students, as my teachers did for me all those years ago.

Please take the time to look at the other parts of my website, highlighting my portfolio and past projects.

Tom Percival created several videos for me to use in my Zoom language arts classes during Covid. The well-presented content and Tom’s friendly voice kept the students engaged while teaching them to scrutinize the visuals. His videos on the history and concepts of photography and his photoshopped puzzles taught my students to sharpen their “seeing.” These lessons allowed them to synthesize their writing skills with their skills of observation—all while enjoying a video and a break from “English.” Tom instinctively knows how to reach all ages and abilities. I highly recommend him!

Chun Mei Wilson

Homeschool Language Arts Instructor

I believe Mr. Percival puts so much unappreciated work into these informational videos. I personally love them so much, they are so fun to watch and interesting to write about. He has a wonderful perspective on life from his photography background. It is quite wonderful how well he can teach as well. Although I am not completely sure if he has had a teaching background it is very amazing how he describes everything he does. He allows a creative passion to flow through his artwork which I quite like. He describes something called "the rule of thirds" today. Although I do not quite understand what he is saying, he makes me interested in what he says every single video he makes. I really enjoy his work and hope to see more of it. Now I say thanks to Mr. Percival for all he has done.

Sam K.

8th Grade Student of Mrs. Wilson

I'm happy to recommend Tom Percival, an easy going, thoughtful, and dependable homeschool dad who will be offering photography classes. I had the pleasure of working with Tom in the homeschool capacity for over four years. He has a natural way of connecting with students, makes learning feel fun and unintimidating. He creates a relaxed, positive environment that's perfect for learning a hands-on subject like photography. I'm confident that Tom's enthusiasm toward photography will benefit any students taking his classes.

Megan Kammerer

Homeschool Certified Teacher