Finding a Digital, Single-Lens Reflex Photography Class in Your Community

I've owned my Nikon D40 Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera for just over a month now, but I still have a lot to learn about the technical aspects of digital SLR photography. For the past several weeks I've been searching for local photography classes, workshops and seminars that would help me learn more about the technical side of my new camera. I want to learn how all the features work and what all the buttons mean in a hands-on type setting - beyond what the manual tells me.

Some of the options for digital SLR photography classes I've considered are:

Community College: There are a couple community colleges in my area that offer photography classes. However, with the rising cost of tuition these classes would cost between $350 and $900 for a semester of classes. Not only was the cost prohibitive, but the schedule of classes were not convenient for me and my full-time job.

Community / Adult Education: Local school districts offer a variety of Community or Adult Education classes ranging from arts and crafts to technology. Unfortunately the photography classes that are offered were geared toward the beginner photographer with a point-and-shoot digital camera.

Photography Clubs and Associations: There are a couple photography clubs in the area that offer daylong workshops about specific areas of photography. This was the closest match for my needs as a new owner of a Nikon D40 - but unfortunately the classes were only offered during the day while I was at work. The prices were reasonable in the $50-$199 price range and would be beneficial for the novice photographer.

Camera Stores: There's a local camera store near my office that offers periodic workshops for their customers. This is definitely something I will keep an eye on, but right now they don't have any classes to fit my needs. The price is right at about $20 per class and the topic range is extensive ranging from general photography to specific lessons for software like Adobe Photoshop.

Private Tutor: This is the option I finally decided on. I got in touch with a recent college graduate who majored in photography and art history and has since started a professional photography business. She's just starting out in her business and is willing to take on a student to bring in some extra income. Because she majored in photography in college, she has a strong background in the technical aspect of digital SLR photography. Even though I knew this student personally, I'm sure if you contacted your local college or university you could find a student willing to give you private lessons too.

Sometimes just reading the manual isn't enough when you are learning the technical aspects of digital SLR photography. No matter how many good books you read or website tutorials you browse there is always something more you can learn with hands-on training and practice.

The options I've listed here might give you an idea of where you can look for your learning needs. Or maybe you have experience with other types of classes, workshops or lessons for photography. Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments section.