Class Requisites & Overview
In most cases students can register for the class of their choice. However some are more advanced than others, noted on the course description.
General Requisites
Remember, you will be in a class with people from all across the country who are just as eager to learn more. Please don’t use the class time to learn a new software, computer or camera. Know your equipment, and how to use it, before enrolling in a class. You should be familiar with everything you will use to allow you, and everyone else, to get the most out of the class environment. Bring with you is an open mind, but please do not saddle the class with insensitive questions or other ways to keep the class from progressing. You have enrolled in a class to study with a particular instructor to incorporate new ideas and techniques to improve your skills. We all want to see you grow and improve, but not at the expense of everyone else in the class. If you feel you are not ‘up to snuff’, then get your basic photographic knowledge intact first, before progressing to a specific genre or more advanced class.
Your week at MARS will be an intense study program.
Courses Overview
Classes are held in the hotel. Each instructor has his or her own designated, and distinct, classroom. Rooms are equipped with a projector, screen, and sound. Depending upon your instructor, and your course curriculum, your instructor may have a studio setup in the classroom, and/or may take equipment on location for various lighting techniques and demos. Some classes may have models.
SUNDAY – In the evening, meet with your instructor for a brief orientation and overview of the week.
MONDAY thru THURSDAY – Full days of class. 8 am until 5 pm daily.**
FRIDAY – 2 hour morning session in your class (from 8-10 am) to ‘tie-up loose ends’ and bid farewell.
** note- these times are guidelines and may vary or be modified based on your instructor and course content. Some classes, particularly the environmental classes, often head out much earlier and may stay out later.
Depending upon your instructor, your class may go on location within the hotel, outside the hotel, or to any one of the great places in the vicinity. Fellow students in your class are usually happy to carpool, so everyone can take advantage of some of the places that are not within walking distance.
IMPORTANT NOTE – Instructors and classes are encouraged to go on-location if the curriculum dictates. However, please keep in mind, there are designated times for meals. The hotel kitchen and staff works hard to prepare those meals at the designated times. But the kitchen and staff also need to cleanup and ‘reset’ for the next meal or function. You must attend during those times if you want to eat your included meal. so be mindful of your time while ‘out-and-about’. Understand that if you arrive after the designated end time for a particular meal, you will not be served.