A great day spent learning to "get out of auto mode"! I lovvvved this class. I left the class feeling extremely accomplished with my camera. I now feel I have the ability to get a lot more creative with my camera and I will definitely be taking more classes from Hector. Be on time! It's a long day but it is worth it! Hector, the instructor, genuinely cares that you get the most from the class. He will make sure you are following along and understanding each concept. He give you a lot of individualized instruction because the class size is very small and intimate. I feel the class is absolutely worth every penny and am so happy I was able to spend the day outside taking great pictures. It was a long day but time flew by as Hector is extremely organized, knows what he wants you to accomplish, knows EVERYONES camera and doesn't miss a beat. I highly recommend. read more

Hector was great!! It was a very cold day and he had a jacket I was able to use the entire day. Thank you!! He was very patient and took the time to answer questions. It will help a ton to do your homework. He will give you the tools to get out of Autofocus and into Manual. All you have to do is PRACTICE!!! read more

I am so happy I stumbled across Hector's class "Get Out of Auto Mode". I originally was in pursuit of private lessons, because I don't have the time to commit to a photography college course, and I came across this workshop, and I am grateful that I did. The workshop offers soooo much information, and although it is a lot, the flow of the day is smooth and Hector is very attentive to each individual's learning needs. Everyone at the workshop felt the huge sense of accomplishment and confidence in their cameras after the workshop. Thanks Hector!! read more

Hector is the best. He knows what he's doing. He practiced what he preached. He made things simple to understand. He never leaves anyone behind. He'll show you on your camera how to do stuff. My wife appreciates the pictures I'm taking now. If you want to learn how to use your DSLR, attend one of his class. It was the best $150 I spent. read more

This class is so, so, so good! It has completely changed the way that I look at photos and I can actually notice when a picture is of bad quality. The fact that I can use my DSLR in manual mode and the pictures are noticeably better than auto mode shows that this class has certainly paid off. I got the camera just a couple of months before I took the class and just to show how much of a beginner I was, I can tell you that it took me about 5 minutes to figure out how to simply turn on the camera (after I asked my husband for help). It is a long day (from 7am to 5pm) on a Saturday, but it goes by fairly fast and it's well worth it when you walk away with the ridiculous amount of knowledge and practice from the class. Hector is an experienced photography teacher, so he's not only patient with the students, but he knows the common mistakes that people make and is able to guide you in the right direction. The class is very comprehensive--you can expect to learn how to use the various modes and features that your camera has, but he'll also explain how to review the photos on the camera screen and how to figure out whether you took a good quality picture or not. Also, he explains about lenses and other common DSLR accessories and gives advice on the must-haves. Overall, I thought the class was WELL WORTH the money and time. I'm going to practice, practice, practice (as Hector says) and I will take the Part II class soon. read more

Thank you Hector for an amazing, enjoyable, and informative photography class on Saturday! I would 100% recommend this class to anyone who wants to understand their DSLR for personal or business use. Before this class I knew nothing about aperture, ISO and shutter speed. The class started at 7am and by our 10am break I knew more about my camera than I could of imagined and it only got better!!!!! Hector takes that extra time to explain and show you how your camera works. He was very attentive to everyone in the class and helped each of us personally if we were struggling. I left the class feeling like a pro and excited about photography!!!! read more

There are plenty of other reviews that elaborate on the content and such of Hector's class. I agreed with them, the first half is very technical and important and the second half is more application of technique. I entered the course shooting mainly in Aperture Priority and Auto...Left actually feeling more competent in Manual than A. Hector is a patient and thorough instructor. I will say that the students (like me) who were more interactive with Hector and asked lots of questions took away much more from the class. Those who were quiet seemed to struggle at times. We did meet at the Park in San Pedro, the food options are limited unless you want to drive, so I would pack a lunch and layer up...It varied from T-Shirt Weather mid day to fog and light rain. read more

Hector is an AMAZING instructor. He is very patient, informative and very fun! I would HIGHLY recommend this course for anyone that would like to know the proper way to use their camera. Even though the weather conditions were not how we all would have liked but we all battled the high winds together Here's a few suggestions for future students: 1. When you receive the homework assignment, MAKE SURE YOU DO THE HOMEWORK A FEW TIMES BEFORE CLASS! This will make things much easier for you. 2. Regardless of weather forecast, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A WARM JACKET in your car...just in case! 3. Don't be afraid to ask questions because Hector has all of the answers. 4. Be ready to take LOTS of photos and have a great time! After the course, I went out and took pictures (because practice, practice, practice is the key) and I have a few photographer friends that were highly impressed with my photos. You will not be disappointed by taking this course with HECTOR THE GREAT!!! I can't wait to take the other courses with Hector! read more

I was a amatuer photographer and self taught and i was exploring my camera all these years. However, i want to take a next step and i was researching and i found this class. Its a deal breaker. "No more autoshop" helped to use my manual mode with confidence. Hector is very knowledge and he has tonne of experience in photography. He explained the fundamentals very thoroughly, Hector keep up the good work. lastly i will recommend all who wants to step of Auto Mode and who wants to explore the art of Phtotgraphy. read more

I took Hector's "get out of auto mode" workshop at Long Beach upon reading other reviews. After the class, I couldn't agree better with the other reviewers. I highly recommend Hector's classes to anyone who wants to learn photography. He offers classes in multiple locations which does help. Even with all the good reviews, I was still a little skeptic about the long hours (7.00 am - 5.30 pm) and whether it was worth my time and buck. The class was amazing and worthy of every star in the reviews here. It is also totally worth the money I spent on the class. The class actually started a week before even the actual date. Hector sends a bunch of documents and videos to read/watch even before the class. It does help to check-out his home-work but he makes sure, you don't lose anything if you didn't get the time to read/watch his homework before the class. The actual workshop was a lot of fun, very informative and hands-on. Hector is extremely professional but also easily accessible. He covered a lot about the main settings (but not limited to just that) in a DSLR and plenty of emphasis on exposure He made sure, all of us in the group (5 on the day i took the class) were comfortable with our respective cameras by the end of the day. He spent a good amount of time with each of us, whenever any of us had issues. It felt like a private workshop even though it was a group class. By the end of the day, I was actually able to take photos without auto-mode and understood what might be the affect of the settings I am changing before actually taking a picture to a good extent. Hector provides a lot of information in a day..That is enough ammo to build a good photography foundation. He does stress importance of practicing (keep taking pictures) to better understand the concepts he covered throughout the workshop. The only con was the bad winds and cold on the day of the workshop. read more

I have been shooting for a long time but without any form of training. A day-long class with Hector helped me organize my understandings of digital camera photography into a structured knowledge that provides me the fundamentals to build by photography skills. He is pleasant in his teaching method and seems to know how to teach the basics of digital photography effectively. I recommend his classes. read more

It was 3 days before I was leaving for South Africa that I took Hector's Part ! workshop in Long Beach. It was an amazing day! I learned so much about my complicated camera that I was able to really play with different kinds of shots on my safari. Hector is so patient and never makes you feel that you have no idea what you are doing even though I did have no idea what I was doing at the beginning of his class. I would recommend this class again in a heartbeat and I hope to take Part 2 at another time. Thank you Hector for making me feeling like a 'pro'! read more

Highly recommend the class!!!!!! I came into the 1 day class with literally, I kid you not, ZERO knowledge of using my DSLR camera. I original bought it with the idea that it would take care of everything for me. Just point and shoot. The camera buttons itself resembled the layout of a Boeing cockpit from my perspective. Too complicated to learn. Taking a DSLR class itself? I thought it would be boring and worried about fighting to stay awake. Wrong! Hector was so passionate about what he was teaching, that time flew by. He was able to convey all the technical aspects of photography in a very easily understood manner. After taking this class, I can safely say I understand all the ins and outs of my camera. I went from pushing one button and hoping the camera knew best, to knowing how to adjust every setting to achieve what I wanted in a picture. read more

My 14 year old daughter and I took the get out of auto class together. Hector is a great teacher. He gave us some work before class so we could maximize our learning during the actual class. This was very helpful. Throughout the day, he patiently explained techniques as many times as we needed to understand and he gave us multiple opportunities to practice. We can't wait to practice what we learned. We feel so much more comfortable in using our camera! read more

I was looking to improve my photography skills and learn more about my Canon when I found Hector. I am so happy that I took his class in Long Beach. It taught me so many valuable skills and tricks. I was so impressed on the size of the class, his passion for photography and his genuine interest in making sure you get the most out the class. It was an action packed day of photography. At the end, I was blown away by how much was covered. I was just going through my pictures and reliving the day and the concepts that were taught. There were so many! I can't wait to keep practicing the skills I've learned and perfecting them daily. I would highly recommend you take this workshop. :) read more

I recently took this course in Coronado Bay, San Diego, First of all, Hector is a good teacher that conveys his message in a straight forward enviroment, here you will learn a very good portion of what it takes to become "a clicker", Classroom is held out doors where you will immediately have the opportunity to start doing Photo shoot drills!! Hector will guide you through technical, composition, and different shooting angles, what I liked about the class was the end result, I got the shot I was looking for when I first saw his website!!! it is a long day so wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, Hector brings snacks and drinks!! Over all, you will get your money's worth by taking this course, come with a receptive positive attitude and you will be glad you did!!! read more

I took a class with Hector a couple weeks ago. I found him through yelp, and saw that he had great reviews so I decided to give him a shot. Well I'm very glad I did, because I learned a LOT! There really is a lot to know about how a camera works and how to take good pictures. Hector is very knowledgable and takes the time to explain things clearly. I took the "get out of auto mode" class, and if I decide to take another class I'll definitely go with Hector. I really liked that he sent us home with a workbook with all the info he discussed in the class so I can go back and reference it. If you are thinking about taking a class go with Hector, you won't regret it! read more

Took this course in Long Beach this past weekend (3/11/17) and it was fantastic! I was hoping to learn a few things. However, I went home with SO much more knowledge and I can confidently go out and shoot in manual and get the photos that I want. It's amazing! What a gift. Do yourself a favor and book a course with Hector, you won't regret it! read more

Fantastic class. Really fantastic class. Hector loves what he's teaching and has the patience and ability to guide you through the fun of learning how to shoot a photograph with confidence. I've been to seminars - tried to read my way through and it never was quite enough for me to "figure it out". One Saturday with Hector and I'm rolling. Great class - great teacher - really happy I found this. read more

I took the "Get out of Auto Mode" Workshop yesterday in San Pedro and it was an amazing experience! A very professional workshop by Hector and a fun experience. The location was great, the weather was perfect and the group was fun to work with. After this 10 hours workshop that went by very quickly, I know my camera much better and feel confident to take picture in manual mode. I highly recommend it Thank you Hector for an amazing day! read more

Hector's "Get out of Auto Mode" class was fantastic! I've been messing around with manual mode for awhile now and was unsure if the the class would be too basic....well I'm glad I went! While I understood my light meter I didn't know the basics of what made up the light meter, composition, hand holding technique, light, depth of field...etc. Hector was patient, answered all questions, and really took his time to ensure everyone understood the topic he was teaching. I can't recommend this class enough! Protip: His class is outside ALL day long with lots of hands on instruction and practice. So you might want to bring a hat/sunscreen/jacket or whatever else you think may make you comfortable. He brings snacks, drinks and chairs. OH and of course he tried to keep us in the shade all day long. read more

Best class I've ever taken! Hector has a great way of teaching to make it easy for anybody to understand. If you are new to manuel mode or have never used it i definitely recommend taking the first level. I will be signing up for part 2 ASAP. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to start taking more pictures today with all of the stuff I've learned :) read more

I took Hector's class this past weekend in Long Beach. He was great in explaining everything in layman's terms and showing by example. Once he talked about something he had the group do the exercise to practice what was talking about. I would recommend this class for beginners and those who need a refresher in DSLR photography. The class is all day, but it's well worth it. Be sure to bring very warm clothing in the morning. He brings drinks and some snacks, but don't forget to bring a sack lunch. I would highly recommend Hector and his DSLR classes as it has opened my eyes and has allowed me to have more tools and knowledge to take better photos. My recommendation is too watch the links and study the information he provides you one week prior to the class. It will help you to understand more of what he talks about during the class. read more

Took this class a few months ago and it was amazing! Hector is such a great instructor, very patient and detail-oriented. I really enjoyed the homework assignment before the class because it gave me a good foundation about the class. I also really liked that he gave us a binder full of notes that we could reference later, super helpful since I tend to forget certain things and I'm a visual person. Really enjoyed the class and hope to take another one of his classes one day! read more

This is an awesome class! I took this photography class with Hector in Long Beach. Hector is a great instructor! He is very nice and kind. He helped us all understand how to use our cameras. He was patient and helped everyone discover how to take good pictures. He makes sure that each student understands everything that he is teaching. He takes extra time with the people that are struggling. I highly recommend this class with Hector! There is no better teacher out there. Thanks for a great class! And thanks for the snacks! read more

To make a short story long, I got front row tickets for the Tennis matches in Indian Wells, 2014, and naturally I want to be able to photograph the action, especially Roger. I got the early matches so that I wouldn't miss him (he doesn't win all the time any more). I bought a camera but could not seem to make it photograph action. Not even in auto. The action was always blurred. Instead of shelving the camera and my dreams, I signed up for Hector's class in Long Beach. Hector knows photography and cameras well; but even better, he is an effective teacher who cares whether his students learn. The class is long because the lessons are each punctuated by really well constructed exercises which gave us the opportunity to use what we had just learned. But it was when we had to take pictures of Hector shaking his hands, spinning a football, and then running across the grass, that my dreams came true: my pictures were neither fuzzy nor shaky. By the time the class was over, I was shooting in manual, not always perfectly, but I could always correct my mistakes. Move over tennis photographers, Literally. (I think I am sitting behind them). read more

Excellent class! I have taken photos in Auto mode all my life and finally decided I wanted to learn how to shoot on A, S and M and this class provided the skills to do so. Hector is a genuinely nice person with patience and great teaching skills to make it easy to understand and learn. The class is small with 7-8 people so there is no time wasted! The class is 8 hours long but the day went by fast! He provides snacks, drinks and a binder with lesson plan, examples and explanations! Now all I have to do is practice. I would recommend this class for anyone with a DSLR who is looking to up their photography skills. read more

WOW! Where to even begin? I just took Hector's class this Saturday and was blown away! I did not know what to expect out of a full day photography class, and walked away SO excited and much more knowledgable about my camera! Hector is so passionate about photography, which transfers to his students! He could answer every question about every camera, regardless of the brand. During the wonderful day together, we learned ALL about the best ways to use our cameras, the three most important rules (take the class to learn!), lighting, and other great tips and tricks! Hector is so kind and a great teacher for anyone at any level! I am so grateful to have been able to learn from Hector and look forward to being able to take a class from him soon! read more

I took this class in Long Beach and it was great. Hector is an awesome instructor. I would highly recommend it to get to know your camera!! Many thanks! read more

Fun, informative, great hands-on photography class!! Hector is an awesome, patient instructor who is passionate about teaching photography. He keeps his class small to facilitate a more intimate and thorough learning experience. I am a novice and wanted to get off using Auto mode on my Nikon dslr, so I searched on Yelp for a photo class. All the 5 stars and good reviews for DSLR classes are well-deserved! Hector is one of the best instructors around, a pro photographer who is very approachable. Just a great guy who holds enjoyable classes. If you are looking to jumpstart your journey towards learning photography, sign up for a class with Hector. You'd be glad you did! Looking forward to taking Part II! read more

I highly recommend Hector's DSLR classes. I already a little bit about shutter speed, aperture and ISO, but I learned so much more and came away with a better understanding. Keep up the great work Hector! read more

Hector, Magnifico!! If you want to learn how to use a camera Hector is the man. A teacher and a gentelman who takes the time individually on every lesson we are working on. I did not expect how he takes so much time for every person and never misses a name and never misses a beat. He demands you learn or he won't leave you alone, and he knows when you do not know...I want to take his session on night photography sometime in the future. I wouldn't consider anyone but Hector. I highly recommend him if you want to learn about your camera. He's a great resource. Jack Williams read more

Worth every penny! This was the best gift I got for Xmas. I learned more in one day with Hector than I had in yrs of teaching myself. This says alot bout me I know! :-) He makes the class fun and the time flys by. No one wanted to leave the park when it was over... click click click read more

I took a Part 1 class with Hector in early February. Totally recommend it and my pictures have improved drastically! The class session is held outside during the day so you get to play with different subjects and with different lighting as the day goes on. The class was explained to both types of students ... those with Nikon and those with Canon cameras. The class size was small so if you got lost or had any extra questions, then they were immediately addressed. We spent about 8 hours together and I very much enjoyed it. I look forward to taking the other classes he offers once I get some more practice in with my Nikon. Great instructor that made the day of learning enjoyable. read more

If you really want to learn how to use your camera, take Hector's class! I was sort of comfortable with aperture mode, but completely intimidated by manual mode and really wanted to learn it well. I love shooting in manual now! I can control the exposures and I am pretty comfortable adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to get the shot I want. Hector explains how all these interact to get light into the camera and it makes so much sense to me now. Highly recommend his class! You'll be glad you took it! read more

Thank you so much for an amazing class, sir Hector. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. I know how to work my camera properly and definitely loving the manual along with the Shutter Speed and Aperture mode. I feel very comfortable working with my camera now and know how to fix my pictures in shadows and highlights. Definitely worth the money and would recommend anyone to take the class. You will surely enjoy it. Thank you again sir Hector and looking forward to your next class!!!! read more

This class is truly fantastic! For years I have been saying I should take a class to learn how to use my Canon Rebel DSLR camera other than in auto mode. My husband signed me up for Hector's "Get out of auto mode" and it couldn't have been better. You will receive some homework before the class that forces you to look at all your camera buttons and play around with them. The class itself is 10+ hours long (so prepare yourself for a long day) and you will get a binder with everything you learned that day. Hector goes over all the basic photography terms, best practices, equipment and your goals of taking the class. After reviewing all the physical buttons on your camera he explains each function in detail and makes you practice. The class is very hands on so you can see the effect of different settings on your own camera and learn from it. You will go through all options of your camera until you "graduate" to shooting in manual. Hector is amazing and it shows that he loves photography and teaching alike. He has the day perfectly planned out and created a great manual that you get to take home. He also answers any questions that you have and makes sure he has the right props so you can practice! Don't waste your time or money on other classes, as tempting as the Groupon photography classes might sound. You will just end up taking Hector's class anyway! read more

Hector never disappoints. Love taking photography workshops from him. I highly recommend his workshops.

Hector is an awesome instructor! I left the class with gaining so much information and being confident in utilizing my camera than I ever did in my life. He uses great analogies to explain things to see the overall picture. I needed help in some cases, but he guided me until I understood. I definitely recommend him. read more

I'm a total newbie in photography and had just gotten my camera about two weeks before taking Hector's "Get out of auto mode class". I highly recommend his class for both beginners and people who want to take the plunge and get out of auto mode! It's a 10+ hour class but the time passes quick. By the end of the class I was so excited to try out what he taught. Iso, aperture, shutter speed, lighting, and just where everything is on my camera I now have a much better understanding as to what my camera is capable of! Hector is a fantastic teacher; he explains concepts very clearly and what's great about this class is that after explaining a concept you would get hands-on practice (using props that he brought) and apply your knowledge. You see exactly how simple changes on your camera modes can make a big difference in taking the perfect shot. You also get a binder in the beginning of the class that you can take home and review the concepts later. I definitely will be taking another class with him in the future! Tips: Make sure you finish the homework! He goes over a lot of information but if you do the homework it's definitely manageable; dress for the weather, and get ready for a day of fun! read more