I am now so much more excited and confident to take photos. I took this class, not really knowing very much as I am a beginning photographer, and left feeling like I learned a lot!! The only thing I wish he offered was a follow up class or 2. I am definitely interested in taking another class from Hector. He was patient and helpful. :-) read more

This class was amazing!! I learned so much in just one day. Hector covers a lot of material, but it's not overwhelming at all. You learn things that you thought only professional photographers could do. The nice thing about this class is that you get to practice everything he teaches you in a beautiful setting. It is an all day class, but for a reason, so you can learn how to take pictures in all kinds of light. You definitely feel more confident with your photography skills after this class. This class is highly recommended!! read more

If you spend the money to invest in a camera then why not invest in a practical hands on class to learn how to use it! Get out of auto mode!!!! Hectors lessons not only help you learn the functions of the camera but how to use them in real life applications. You sit down discuss a function then get up as a group and try it out, compare images find the pros and cons and adjust your settings until it's just right! No more guessing for 10 minutes in front of a group of strangers then jumping back to auto because your scared lol. Hector helps give you the confidence to be behind the lens in manual mode without hesitation! Thank you for an amazing class Hector! read more

I have taken many classes and Hector has really helped me learn my camera really well. I have taken two classes from him now and would do it again in a heart beat. He answers all my questions and more. The class is a long day but so worth the knowledge he brings to the table. The classes are small so you are not over crowded with others. If anyone is really interested in learning more about their DSLR camera, go see Hector and you will be happy with your photography. read more

Hector is a very giving photography instructor. He holds no secrets, he shares all the knowledge he has about the cameras you bring and the science of taking a good photo . After a day of Hector's instruction, you go home with more information than you know what to do with. It takes practicing what he shared through the day. Thank you Hector. read more

I took Hectors class got a lot out of this class and would recommend it to anyone interested! Hector is great, knows a lot, and answers any question you may have, and most importantly he loves his job and loves photography. The group size was 4 people and we all had a personalized learning experience. He does his homework and comes to class prepared with manuals based on the camera you have. A great value for the money spent! If you're looking for a photography class this is the one to take!!!! read more

Hector always does a great job! I have taken two of his workshops Part 1 getting out of auto mode, and Flash Photography. He always does a great job of explaining and making you fill comfortable. Thanks Hector for your dedication in helping others be the best they can be. read more

This class is amazing!! If you have a DSLR and don't know how to use the manual features, you need to take this class. My husband and I are going to Europe in the spring, and we wanted a nice camera for our trip so we bought a Canon Xsi. I have only ever used point and shoot cameras, so I definitely needed some help learning the DSLR features. Hector is so helpful, and he makes the class really fun! You will learn so much about how to use your camera and how to take great shots. The night shots in Coronado are amazing. I highly recommend this class!! read more

A fantastic workshop! Hector is a wonderful, so very patient (!!) teacher, very knowledgeable and eager to help you become a better photographer. I learned so much about my camera and am thrilled to get out and practice more photos. Would highly recommend taking the 'Get Out of Auto Mode' class for anyone interested in pursuing photography. Thank you for a great day Hector! read more

I had a blast taking Hector's class! He really opened my eyes to what my camera can do for me. He covers everything you have been wanting to learn about your camera including what equipment to buy and what all those modes actually mean! Hector also teaches all the information in a way that is relatable and easy to grasp - he even gives you a how-to binder of everything he taught that day. Thanks to the small class sizes, he is able to really help everyone individually and answer all questions along he way. I also really enjoyed meeting all the great people in class as well. I would highly recommend anyone new to the DSLR world to take his classes, you'll thank yourself later :) read more

Had a great time and learned a lot about my camera (Sony A6000), and photography in general. Hector assigns homework before the class meets, so plan to spend 3 or 4 hours over a couple of days to watch the videos and learn the buttons on your camera. Class day started at 7am and went until after 5. Learned everything from how to hold the camera, to how to shoot in manual, to how to get the best and most interesting pictures in any situation. Great class for learning how to get the most out of your camera. read more

AWESOME class- a must take for anyone who wants to learn more about their DSLR cameras!! Hector was a very helpful and knowledgeable teacher who walked us through everything. I've had my camera for over a year but was only shooting in Auto mode. I tried to teach myself by reading the manual and watching you tube videos, but nothing stuck. I'm so happy I found Hector's class!!! Now I feel WAY more comfortable and confident to shoot in Manual modes. I wish I would have taken his class sooner! It's a long day with lots of information to take in, but definitely worth it!! Why have these nice cameras if we aren't using them to their fullest?! Take Hector's class and you will feel much more like a pro (or semi-pro) than a tourist :) read more

I wasn't really sure what to expect but I was blown away by how much I learned in one day! Hector made the class comfortable and fun even with it raining out. We moved at a fast pace but nothing everyone couldn't keep up with and by the end we were having a great time shooting in Manuel mode and understanding what we were doing! I highly recommend this workshop whether you want to start a career or hobby in photography. read more

Really recommend Hector's class. I learned a lot from his class and I feel that his class really helped me to get out of Auto mode. I also learned we're all of my cameras buttons are and what do each and one of them do. Hector is very patient and will answer any questions you might have. If you are looking for a great photography class this is the one!! read more

I took Hector's workshop last month in San Diego. The workshop was beyond amazing! I haven't put down my camera since then. Hector started off Part I of his class with an introduction to your camera and its settings. Once you are familiar with how to navigate through your camera you will never set it back to "Auto" again! Hector taught us about F Stops, Shutter Speed, Aperture, White Balance and ISO with a manual he has put together and by visual and hands on demonstration. This is your first step as you begin to take your "own" pictures, or as Hector would put it... on your way to become a "Clicker"! Part II is where we put all that to work! Hector took us on a walk around Coronado were we then began "Composing" our photographs. Using everyone in the class as subjects we learned various techniques on composition and lighting. We ended our class taking photos of the Coronado Bay Bridge and the nightly Fireworks with the San Diego Skyline as a backdrop. It was a long day, but definitely worth it!! Hector provided snacks and refreshments throughout the day and we got to hang out and get to know the best group of people! This workshop was not only a great learning experience, but it was exceptionally fun! Hector is a very patient and knowledgeable instructor who wore a smile all day! Reading his reviews is what prompted me to choose this workshop over any other. I hope it does the same for you! Look no further... you will definitely get your money's worth and walk away more confident than ever with your DSLR Camera! Hector, to you, a sincere "Thank You!" -Monica read more

10 stars for Hector. I purchased my Canon 5D Mk II 3 years ago and only shooting in Auto mode.The results in auto mode was frustrating and I was wondering how to take good pictures... I found Hector in yelp and decided to take his class in Temecula. It was the best investment I ever made for anything. In one day, I learned everything about my camera and how to take best shots and every possible situation. His tutorial printouts are excellent... Better than any books. Short, concise and detail... Exactly what you need to learn basics of photography. I will consider taking all his advanced photography classes in future. read more

Took Hectors "Getting out of auto mode" class in Long Beach. The class was great! If you are looking for a hands on class environment that teaches camera basics like buttons and features as well as explaining/teaching technical information on how to account for various lighting situation then this is the class for you! Hector is awesome and shares his wealth of knowledge on photography. I loved the small class size and that I was able to ask questions and get answers without feeling intimidated. Learned a great deal and had loads of fun in the process...you won't be disappointed!! read more

Excellent Class that teaches you how to get out of using your cameras auto setting and into manual. The instructor is patient , very well informed and is able to provide individual support to each member since he limits each class to a small group. I highly recommend !!! read more

Ok, don't walk, run to Hector's class. If you are interested in learning how to really work your camera, I promise you, you will leave his class with what you need in order to do so. With the amount of time, effort and energy Hector puts into this class, I feel like I should have paid more. It's a long day, but it goes by so fast, and he gives you all the tools you need to make a jumpstart into photography (whether you're interested in it as a hobby or a career). I did a lot of research before I selected this class... Yelp reviews were one of the main reasons why I picked Hector, and now I know why his reviews are all so amazing. I am happy I now get to add to them!! read more

This was an excellent one-day crass course in DSLR from the basics on how to properly hold your camera, to advanced manual functions. He covered SO MUCH information, but in a paced, patient way that allowed for practice and understanding. I feel like my photography skills advanced by light years after this class. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! It is well worth the very reasonable cost, and I look forward to taking another one soon! Thank you Hector! read more

DSLR Class Part 1 - Aug 3, 2013 with Hector Gonzalez I really liked the class and enjoyed every minute of it. It is an all day class which started at around 7 am until about 6 pm. It was a small class of four photographers with varying interests. Hector is a very knowledgeable professional - a subject matter expert. He covered camera settings for the different shooting modes including AV, TV, and M with lots of opportunity for hands on practice exercises. Hector was patient and took time to answer all questions. It was a great learning experience for me and I highly recommend to anyone who want to explore beyond the Auto mode. I am more confident now to use my camera to create better images. With lots of practice shooting I look forward to attending Part 2. Thank you Hector. read more

Awesome class! Hector is very patient with his students and really breaks down the information into understandable segments. It is a lot to learn, but it has definitely changed the way I look at photography and using my camera on auto settings. That will not happen any more! It was quite a bit of information, so at times it was easy to start getting "fuzzy", but Hector was great in making sure we stayed with him and never left us with a question unanswered. Will definitely make time to practice and take another class with him! read more

I have had my camera for a couple of years with the intention of using it for travel and food photography. I purchased books, viewed online tutorials and even attended another class, they helped somewhat but never held my interest long enough for me to grasp what my camera could really do, instead I felt overwhelmed. I found Hector's class on Facebook and tried to sign up a couple of times but there communications issues with emails etc... I finally was able to sign up for the class on Saturday and I definitely feel more in control of my camera and all that it's capable of. The class was organized and well planned and Hector was patient and methodical, by the end of the class we were all able to confidently manage the settings on our cameras and shoot pictures. I plan on seeking out photography groups to continue to hone my skills and I definitely recommend that anyone looking to conquer their fear of their camera settings sign up for this class. My only caveat is if you don't get a response to your initial inquiry try contacting him through Facebook or another way as I did not even find his emails in my spam, alas it remains a mystery : ) but I am now enjoying my newly honed skills! I look forward to my next vacation to really put them to the test! Thank you Hector! read more

Wow, Hector's "Get out of Auto Class" was fantastic. I see few people work as hard as Hector does. He is really passionate about teaching photography and he is so patient and kind with his students. Hector is an organized teacher with a lesson plan which he thoroughly explains and gives each student time and assistance in understanding the information and finding the settings on their own cameras. For the money, this is a great value. We spent an entire day at the park doing "classroom" time and practicing what we learned. I will be taking more classes with Hector to continue learning about photography. After this class I do feel much more confident in taking good pictures and I understand how to operate in Manual mode--which was completely foreign to me before the class. Thank you, Hector, for all you do for your students and for making photography affordable and accessible. read more

One thing I like about Yelp? With nothing else to go on, you are just taking a leap of faith choosing something like a photography class. But after reading the reviews of DSLR, I had a good feel for Hector's abilities to help me transition toward better use of my camera. My goal is to move away from taking pictures, toward taking a photograph. Let's face it, with SmartPhones, the whole world considers them selves photographers, but there's a distinct divide between recording an image and creating a photograph. So I signed up for the Redlands class, held on 4/19/2015. Hector was very informative and attentive during the period leading up to the class, including calling me to discuss my experience level and camera knowledge. Note: understandably, as he often travels a distance to teach, Hector doesn't form a "class" until he gets 5 paid, committed students. So don't wait until the last minute, unless you're OK with using PayPal to pay( with a slightly higher fee). He accepts checks, but you need to leave time for them to arrive. He will keep you posted as the class gains students, and will distribute very useful "homework" as class day approaches. Doing a good job on the homework is a good use of time, as you will gain an edge on the material he covers in the class. Hector comes prepared with chairs, all his equipment, snacks and drinks. You will get a quick lunch break, so bring one or go to the local fast-heartburn joint. I'd suggest bringing a light jacket of some sort, because the early morning start is/was chilly for some.Hector provides an individual, take-it-home notebook, covering the class topics, including practice exercises to cement the concepts. He is very personable, tolerant of student problems and issues, and he has created a very well-designed flow of topics that flows concept to concept to get you off "Automatic" settings. He demonstrates and has you create hands-on examples that illustrate the effects of the various settings for aperture, speed and ISO settings. By the time I was done, my head was swimming with good knowledge, and greater confidence in gaining control over my photo output, being able to create the shot that I see in my head, instead of the shot that everybody takes, because your camera can do it without you. There is no hesitation in recommending his classes - if they fit the description of what you're seeking, go ahead and sign up with confidence. (one last comment - he is very knowledgable of many types of equipment, we had Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras, of all different levels of complexity and functions, and he was able to move from camera to camera and help us each out with settings) read more

Hector is an awesome person and is extremely knowledgeable on DSLR cameras and how to use them properly and adds a lot of extra tips and insight. The price he offers for his workshop is better than any San Diego workshop I saw in regards to prices per hour. Fun experience, learned a lot. read more

With that tiny users guide in hand, I sat down to master the Canon 7D in manual mode. 5 minutes later I was zoning out on the Chargers. Look people, I was a faker using Auto mode on my old D20 and turning out images that with a little tweaking, tricked others into thinking I was a real photographer. Saddled with a new camera that did not allow for Auto mode, I was under the gun to get results from this gizmo and fast. Hector came through big time. The guy gives you excellent explanations of what controls the exposure on your camera and how they relate to one another. You will leave with a solid understanding of the markings on your dial other than the green box. Hector creates a very mellow, fun environment where learning is the key and everyone communicates and helps one another. Sure, any education is expensive but this class was worth every penny. Save time, your sanity and enjoy a great day with an expert who shares knowledge freely and leaves you feeling much more confident in your photography abilities. read more

This class was awesome!! I had been trying to go to one of Hector's classes for awhile now but always had a conflict with my schedule. Hector was able to accommodate and added a week-day class which we had yesterday. I had been looking forward to taking this class for weeks and I was not at all disappointed!! Hector covers A LOT of material but presents it in a way that is not too overwhelming. Our class was very small so it provided a lot of opportunities for one-on-one instruction and feedback. I had taken a different class a few months ago and got the basics of using other modes besides Auto but Hector had a great way of explaining things that I got it much better this time. It's honestly not necessary to know anything but how to operate a few basics on your camera before taking this class. We had a lot of fun and I can't wait to get out and practice! I definitely recommend this class to anyone with a DSLR camera who considers themselves a beginner. In fact, a friend just told me she already signed up for a class with Hector in January!! read more

I had just recieved my DSLR camera one week prior to the Beginner/Part 1 Class. When I called Hector, I noticed signing up and paying was easy using Paypal. He was punctual, professional, and welcomed everybody with a laid-back approach. Overall, the course was well structured and organized. The lecture portion was full of relevant and useful information. Hector did a fabulous job breaking down the information so everybody could understand. If you were lost, Hector was there to take you step-by-step. Hector showed patience towards us throughout the entire 9-hour course. Hector gave a great foundation to start me off in learning about photography. The next chance I get, Im going to take his next set of classes. I recommend this for anyone interested in photography. read more

Great Course. Hector is a great teacher, very calm logical way of teaching the material. Made sure no one was left behind during the exercises. Course went from 730 am to 6pm. Couldn't ask for more for a days course. Looking fwd to doing parts II, III and IV. read more

This class was amazing, I just moved to the area recenty and first thing I wanted to keep pursuing was my passion for photography. I searched and found this class online and signed up immediately ready to enhance my skills of using my DSLR. Thanks hector for teaching me ways to use my camera that I have never thought I can do. I recommend this class to all beginners and the advanced, I promise you won't have any regrets read more

I recently (Temecula May 1, 2016), took Hector's class, get out of Auto Mode, and was not only thrilled but completely amazed with what I learned. Hector has a gift of teaching to all different levels and learning styles. He doesn't simply show you the buttons on your DSLR but allows you to take pride in discovering, while thinking for yourself, how they work and why. His interactive techniques were extremely well planned, organized, and at times had a fun comical edge, only adding to a beautiful relaxing day. Needless to say, I would highly recommend Hector's class and can proudly say, from now on it is Manual Mode! read more

GREAT CLASS! I just took Part 1 and can't wait for the next one. When we started class, I didn't know what most of the camera buttons were for (if I could even find them) and by the end of the day, I felt confident to go out and start taking pictures with "auto" turned off. Hector was a great instructor, VERY patient and it was obvious that he loves teaching and photography. read more

Hector is extremely knowledgeable and extremely patient - the perfect combination for a great instructor. He explains the hows and whys of your DSLR camera in a way that makes sense, and he has a keen eye for finding that "extra special effect" in what might otherwise be very ordinary settings. I've taken both his Part I and Part II classes. My only regret is that I haven't taken even more time to do his #1 suggestion: Practice, Practice, Practice!! There's a lot more of that to come! In short: if you want to become more comfortable with your DSLR, give one of Hector's classes a try; you won't regret it. read more

Great class had fun and learned a lot Hector is really good teaching and he takes his time with each of us making sure everything is clear and that we understand all the concepts , class is very entertaining time goes by so fast now I see photography in a different way i feel more confident using my camera in manual mode. even my wife told me that my pics look much better lol highly recommended class cant wait to take level 2. read more

I took Hector's introductory class last weekend and it was awesome! I have owned my DSLR camera for a couple years and basically used it like a point-and-shoot (shameful of me!). Hector's class is hands-on and a great way to get aquainted with your camera. The class size is small which allows him to work with every person all day long. For each topic he provides a hands-on exercise to help reinforce the information. The pace is set to the learners' needs and Hector will take more time with you if you find a topic tricky. I went home feeling like I had learned so much and I was eager to start practicing. This is an excellent class for beginners and I plan to attend more of his workshops. read more

I like to take photos for fun of my daughter, family and friend gathering school events, my dogs, etc.... I did OK, have some nice pics but everything I took was always in auto mode. I felt it was quite a shame having a decent camera, I have a Nikon D3200. I took Hector's class last Saturday, my first photography class ever, and this was the best investment I ever made. Hector is very patient and attentive to all the student in the class, noone is left behind. I learned to use all the features of my camera, I now understand what setting is best for a static picture, what shutter speed to select to take a moving object or person. How to orient a subject to have the best light, how to adjust white balance, ISO, exposure, etc...When to use to a timer and why.... I can say that when I left the class I was in control my camera, no more photography in auto mode! If you want to take control of your camera, take the class you won't regret it, it is worth every penny! Thank you so much Hector! read more

Great class! I thought manual mode would be crazy difficult, but Hector breaks it down to understandable basics, then brings all the pieces together. I'm excited to practice and get ready for his next workshop! read more

Without a doubt, Hector's photography workshop is exceptional and far surpassed my expectations!! Thanks to Hector, I finally have a greater understanding of the mechanics of my DSLR settings and how and when to actually use them. The terms aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, etc. now have meaning and are far less daunting. Hector made this workshop a very fun learning experience. He was also extremely generous with his time, giving individual attention to each student to ensure that they were getting the concepts. This demonstrated to me that Hector is a man of integrity in addition to being a very talented photographer! I would highly recommend attending Hector's photography workshop. You will have a fun day while expanding your knowledge and gaining confidence behind your lens. I am getting ready to take a trip to Spain and I can now look forward to taking stellar photos.......THANK YOU Hector!!! read more