Why? Say goodbye to blasé photos and get ready for a new world of photographic possibility. After a week of immersion in RMSP-style education, you'll understand how your camera works—and how to make it work capturing the beauty and moments around you.

What? During this week of learning the basics, you explore the craft of photography with an instructor who makes the process fun. Split between classroom lectures, hands-on field shoots, and lively critique sessions, you listen as topics are thoroughly explained indoors—and then actively explore them through trial and error outdoors. Your instructor teaches you the building blocks of photography: Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and how they all work together to determine exposure. You learn how to interpret your camera's histogram, adjust the white balance, and use its various metering modes. An A–to–Z equipment lecture covers cameras, lenses, tripods, and more. Learn how to use depth of field to stunning creative effect, and how techniques for composition can make your images sing. Group critiques help you identify areas you can improve while letting you see the work of your classmates.

Who? You're a beginning photographer who wants to learn to use your camera in manual mode—and take the best pictures of your life.