Your instructors—Hal Schmitt and Robert O'Toole—are top
photographic professionals associated with the renowned
Lepp Institute of Digital Imaging.
Robert is a Nikon shooter and Hal is a Canon shooter, which means that both the major digital-camera technologies are covered from an equipment perspective. Of course all types of cameras are welcome and instruction will be applicable to any digital equipment.
Robert O'Toole (Nikon expert)
Robert OToole is an award-winning professional photographer, a BBC/Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition award winner and the American Bald Eagle Foundation Photographer of the Year for 2008.
A full-time professional photographer and instructor for seven years, he has led photography workshop tours year-round across the US and internationally. He also hosts post-production image optimization workshops and has written tutorial CDs with new and unique Photoshop techniques.
Specializing in wildlife and nature, Robert is self-taught has been a serious photographer for more than 20 years. Currently he is based in California and Florida and uses a variety of top professional cameras and Sigma lenses. Previously Robert worked in the commercial field all around the globe, including Africa, Australasia, Europe, Eastern Europe and South America. Past clients include Quiksilver Inc, Billabong International, Liquid Energy Ltd, Action Sports Group, and Atoll Media Ltd.
Hal Schmitt (Canon expert)
Hal Schmitt is the Lead Instructor and Director of the Lepp Institute. Although relatively new to the industry, Hal instructs all levels of photography, in addition to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop as if he'd been shooting for decades. His workshops and photo tours are recognized around the world as incredible learning experiences.
As one recent student commented "Hal and Victoria bring a lot of top-flight instructors through The Institute, but I don't think any of those I've attended or read do quite the job that Hal does. He's not as cute as Tim Gray. He's not as verbose and chatty as Scott Kelby. He's only been into photography for a short time. But he understands teaching and students so thoroughly that he is seamless and getting better..."
Hal started his photography and digital imaging experience two short years ago when he, along with wife Victoria, purchased the Lepp Institute of Digital Imaging from Canon Explorer of Light George Lepp. With no formal training, owning no cameras, and heard to remark "Photoshop? What's that?" Hal hit the ground running and has not looked back. At the Institute he trained night and day with industry leading photographers, Photoshop gurus, and print masters until his skills were honed and ready. He began to instruct his own courses at the Institute in the fall of 2007 and has since taught over 1000 people and led more than twenty five major courses and photo tours. Although he teaches at all levels, everything is about the basics, "If your fundamentals are strong, you have a firm foundation upon which to rapidly build your skills."
Before picking up his first DSLR, Hal spent fourteen years as a decorated, combat veteran flying FA-18 Hornets and Super Hornets in the U.S. Navy. He was fortunate to fly over 2,000 hours and accumulate over 550 carrier arrested landings. As a two-time TOPGUN Instructor, Hal taught advanced strike fighter tactics at the Navy Fighter Weapons School for over five years. He often relates many of his current subjects to things he learned and taught at TOPGUN. Of course, most things now are "a bit slower and a lot less dangerous."
Hal is an expert in all aspects of the digital work flow from capture to final output. With a straightforward teaching style, Hal uses many real world, day to day examples to ensure his students master even the most complicated subjects. With practical instruction Hal follows a "lather, rinse, repeat" concept. That is students will always see a procedure demonstrated first, then work it step by step with Hal, and finally do it on their own. His style and flow have allowed countless students to advance from total beginner to advanced user in only a few days.
Robert is a Nikon shooter and Hal is a Canon shooter, which means that both the major digital-camera technologies are covered from an equipment perspective. Of course all types of cameras are welcome and instruction will be applicable to any digital equipment.
Robert O'Toole (Nikon expert)
Robert OToole is an award-winning professional photographer, a BBC/Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition award winner and the American Bald Eagle Foundation Photographer of the Year for 2008.
A full-time professional photographer and instructor for seven years, he has led photography workshop tours year-round across the US and internationally. He also hosts post-production image optimization workshops and has written tutorial CDs with new and unique Photoshop techniques.
Specializing in wildlife and nature, Robert is self-taught has been a serious photographer for more than 20 years. Currently he is based in California and Florida and uses a variety of top professional cameras and Sigma lenses. Previously Robert worked in the commercial field all around the globe, including Africa, Australasia, Europe, Eastern Europe and South America. Past clients include Quiksilver Inc, Billabong International, Liquid Energy Ltd, Action Sports Group, and Atoll Media Ltd.
Hal Schmitt (Canon expert)
Hal Schmitt is the Lead Instructor and Director of the Lepp Institute. Although relatively new to the industry, Hal instructs all levels of photography, in addition to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop as if he'd been shooting for decades. His workshops and photo tours are recognized around the world as incredible learning experiences.
As one recent student commented "Hal and Victoria bring a lot of top-flight instructors through The Institute, but I don't think any of those I've attended or read do quite the job that Hal does. He's not as cute as Tim Gray. He's not as verbose and chatty as Scott Kelby. He's only been into photography for a short time. But he understands teaching and students so thoroughly that he is seamless and getting better..."
Hal started his photography and digital imaging experience two short years ago when he, along with wife Victoria, purchased the Lepp Institute of Digital Imaging from Canon Explorer of Light George Lepp. With no formal training, owning no cameras, and heard to remark "Photoshop? What's that?" Hal hit the ground running and has not looked back. At the Institute he trained night and day with industry leading photographers, Photoshop gurus, and print masters until his skills were honed and ready. He began to instruct his own courses at the Institute in the fall of 2007 and has since taught over 1000 people and led more than twenty five major courses and photo tours. Although he teaches at all levels, everything is about the basics, "If your fundamentals are strong, you have a firm foundation upon which to rapidly build your skills."
Before picking up his first DSLR, Hal spent fourteen years as a decorated, combat veteran flying FA-18 Hornets and Super Hornets in the U.S. Navy. He was fortunate to fly over 2,000 hours and accumulate over 550 carrier arrested landings. As a two-time TOPGUN Instructor, Hal taught advanced strike fighter tactics at the Navy Fighter Weapons School for over five years. He often relates many of his current subjects to things he learned and taught at TOPGUN. Of course, most things now are "a bit slower and a lot less dangerous."
Hal is an expert in all aspects of the digital work flow from capture to final output. With a straightforward teaching style, Hal uses many real world, day to day examples to ensure his students master even the most complicated subjects. With practical instruction Hal follows a "lather, rinse, repeat" concept. That is students will always see a procedure demonstrated first, then work it step by step with Hal, and finally do it on their own. His style and flow have allowed countless students to advance from total beginner to advanced user in only a few days.
View more of Robert O'Toole's photographs at www.RobertOToolePhotography.com
Hal Schmitt at work. View more at www.leppphoto.com/Hal_Schmitt.htm
