Burwell School of Photography

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Edmonton, AB
Burwell School of Photography

Unparalleled Photographic Education Paul is an award winning professional photographer and contributing editor to Outdoor Photography Canada Magazine.

The Burwell School of Photography was founded by Paul Burwell in 2007 with the goal of providing unparalleled photography education. He recognized the need for hands-on, professionally taught photography courses that were available in the Edmonton area. Our classes consistently receive rave reviews and we have been busier than ever. Over the years we have expanded our course offerings and instructors and we are pleased to offer our largest ever selection of classes and workshops. Our classes and workshops are for everyone from the absolute beginner, aspiring amateur or even the seasoned professional. We strive to provide an experiential, down to earth learning environment with world class photographer instructors. Our instructors haven’t just taken a class on teaching photography, rather they are seasoned, nationally recognized professionals making a living from photography who have a passion for sharing their experience with their students. Photography is ultimately about vision. Our instructors will teach you both the technical and creative skills to develop your own style and vision of photography. Our classes and workshops feature a combination of classroom theory combined with a healthy does of hands-on learning. The majority of our courses are taught out of the Providence Conference Centre, located in a serene 20 acre treed setting, within the city in south west Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Our wildlife photography workshops are currently run out of Kalispell, Montana, USA.

04/23/2026

Burwell School of Photography -Introduction to Adobe Lightroom - https://mailchi.mp/bsop/newsletter-5856516

12/14/2025

Happy Holidays!

12/07/2025

"Winter Wonderland"

Photography Contest

The theme for this contest is "Winter Wonderland". You may interpret the theme in any creative way you like. The image or images you enter may be winter landscape photos or a still life of an interesting snow globe. You may submit urban images depicting kids playing, or winter sports like skiing, tobogganing, hockey or skating. Get out to one of the many events and festivals in Edmonton such as the "All Is Bright" festival, Festival of Trees, Kingsway Holiday Parade or Downtown Winterval. There are tons of opportunities to create great photographs and we want to inspire you to get out with your camera and create something special.

Photographers may enter a maximum of 5 images to the contest.
Only 2 images from a single photographer may be selected as a finalist in the contest.
Images that have been selected as finalists, honorable mentions or winners of past Burwell School contests are NOT ELIGIBLE.
Deadline For Entry - December 31st, 2025

Please click on the button below or visit our web site at www.bsop.ca and select the CONTEST page for instruction on how to enter the contest.

11/30/2025

Paul Burwell Memorial Scholarship
An award of $500 Sponsored by the Images Alberta Camera Club

Images Alberta Camera Club and the Burwell School of Photography are very pleased to have established a scholarship to encourage and support emerging photographic talent in Alberta. The IACC is a vibrant and active group of photographers and photo enthusiasts dedicated to creating images and sharing information. This intrepid group of photographers have generously sponsored a $500 scholarship to a deserving student of the Burwell School of Photography.
Qualifications

In order to be eligible to receive the scholarship, a student must be either:
currently enrolled as a Diploma Student at the Burwell School of Photography.
OR have completed their diploma within the past 3 years.
OR have completed a minimum of 5 classes at the Burwell School of Photography.
In order to receive the scholarship, a student must submit a portfolio with a minimum of 10 (ten) and a maximum of 30 (thirty) images along with a written statement. The written statement must include the applicant's full name, contact information and a short biography. The biography may include any relevant and/or interesting information about the applicant and must include information regarding the applicants photographic interests. The written statement may include the applicants history with photography, past experiences, future goals and ambitions, photographic interests, personal interests, favorite subject matter, affiliations with camera clubs or professional organizations, philosophies regarding photography and any other information that may be relevant.

Deadline for Applications is MARCH 1st, 2026

Visit www.bsop.ca for more details and to apply.

11/23/2025

Flash Photography

December 6th & 7th

Electronic flash is a very useful tool to enhance the lighting in low light photography or for creating dynamic light where it does not exist naturally. Whether you are shooting on location with speed lights or creating photos in the studio, the use of strobe lighting is an excellent means to create great images. Flash photography is also very technically challenging for the amateur photographer. There are a lot of different way that your speed lights can be used on camera or off camera. Studio strobes can be difficult to master without proper training.

Instructor Chris Stambaugh has been using flash in all its various forms for over thirty years to create his award-winning images. In this intensive weekend workshop, he will share his vast knowledge and teach you how to properly balance your on-camera flash with ambient light to create a more natural look to your candid photos. He will train you to use the advanced settings such as high-speed sync and read curtain sync for different effects.

Once you have learned to use your flash on-camera, you will then learn to use it off-camera to create directional lighting that can enhance a dull scene, light a portrait or illuminate an image in complete or near darkness. To complete your training in flash photography, students will learn to use studio strobes to create great portraits. A variety of studio flash equipment and accessories such as umbrellas, soft boxes, diffusors and reflectors will be provided for your use. Practical hands-on exercises where students will use their own equipment or equipment provided by the instructor will be given along with informative demonstrations to help you understand the concepts covered in this excellent course.

You can demystify flash photography in only two days with the Burwell School of Photography.

11/16/2025

Digital Camera Fundamentals

November 29th & 30th

Our Digital Camera Fundamentals Photography Class truly is for all levels.. This class is primarily aimed at photographers who have just started using an advanced Digital Camera (DSLR or Mirror-less camera with manual controls and interchangeable lenses) who would like to learn more about their camera and its features and functions. However, it is not only for beginners; experienced photographers attend who learn things they never imagined. They learn how to create better photographs and how to create them in ways that they never fully understood. New photographers need not worry about difficult concepts going over their heads; they will gain an excellent understanding of camera controls. Advanced photographers will get a refresher on the basics and often come away with a new way of thinking about camera setting to achieve a particular style or "look" to their photos.

The two day weekend workshop will go over the most important controls and settings to give you command of your camera and create images with excellent technical quality so you never need to "fix" anything in editing. Emphasis is given to the three main factors by which technical quality is judged - exposure, sharpness and white balance (color). Intermediate and advanced functions and techniques are studied so you can make the proper adjustments to create great photos of landscapes, portraits, candid, action, pets, wildlife or whatever genre you are most interested in.

Students will also learn how the amazing technology in their camera actually works. This gives you the knowledge and ability to truly understand why you are setting your camera in certain ways and how to make adjustment to make each scene look the best it possible can every time you take a picture. Digital Camera Fundamentals is the recommended prerequisite for any of our intermediate or advanced classes. Once you take this class, you will be ready to take your photography to the next level!

11/04/2025

Congratulations to Kim Stainger for being a finalist in our Summer In The City photo contest for her image "St Albert’s Farmers Market "

" St Albert has the largest Farmers Market in Alberta every summer. The numbers of people get bigger and bigger every year. You can find everything your heart desires for sale in the market."

11/02/2025

All Is Bright Winter Festival

Volunteer Photographers Wanted

The Burwell School of Photography is excited to partner again with the 124th street Business Association to provide volunteer photographers for the All Is Bright Winter Festival. Students of the Burwell School have been photographing this wonderful event for the past four years, providing the festival with a visual record of the festival that they may use for publicity and social media, while offering our community of talented amateur photographers a chance to hone their skills and fun at the same time.

On Saturday, November 15th between 4:00 and 8:00 PM, 124th street closes to host this event. The festival features live entertainment, street performers illuminated art installations, cultural exhibits, activities, food, beverages and more. It is always a family friendly, super fun outdoor evening.

Volunteers would be expected to provide their own transportation and photography equipment. They would also be required to arrive 30 to 60 minutes prior to the start of the event to register at the volunteer center and become oriented with the festival site and activities. Volunteers are generally provided with warm beverages and a place to warm up if the temperatures are low. Photographers are asked to crop and edit their photos within a a few days after the festival and provide the highest resolution digital images possible within this time frame.

Please visit our web site www.bsop.ca for more information or to register.

10/30/2025

Congratulations to Julie Cork for being a finalist in our Summer In The City photo contest for her image "City Hall "
" I wanted to experiment with some symmetry and I knew the fountains downtown offered a great location. We were blessed with cotton candy skies as the sun started to set."

10/26/2025

Becoming a Travel Photography

Sunday November 2nd

Award winning travel photographer Yasser Alaa Mobarek will be delivering an inspiring and informative discussion on travel photographer from his home in Alexandria, Egypt. Yasser has travelled the world and brings his expertise and unique perspective on photography in this amazing online presentation. If you are considering travel photography as a part of your professional portfolio or just want to make your next vacation photos better than ever, then you don't want to miss this.

Please visit our web site www.bsop.ca for more information.

Address

3005 119 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
T6J5R5

Telephone

+17806691261

Website

https://www.bsop.ca/

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