Welcome to PhotoTrainer®. I am Tom Upton, commercial photographer, in Silicon Valley, thus Man half CMOS. PhotoTrainer is not for everybody.
For 20 years of five star reviews I have been introducing folks to their nice cameras; proper and telephone derivatives, with resounding Success. 👌 I teach manual Mode and the code of the instrument. Learn to practice Photography within your real camera's 8 functions, in person, from a seasoned Pro. 😃
04/06/2026
A little bonus for anyone wanting to grow their skills this spring:
The Photographic Composition Class (April 11th) is currently offered at a discounted price of $190.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to join — this is it.
https://phototrainer.com/photographic-composition/
“One doesn’t stop seeing. One doesn’t stop framing. It doesn’t turn off and turn on. It’s on all the time.”
— Annie Leibovitz
04/03/2026
You love photography and know in the back of your mind you are not getting all out of your nice camera that it can do. Maybe there is some technique missing as well…Your camera is waiting for you!
04/02/2026
'Nuff said...
04/01/2026
Mom! Need Bail Money...
OK I did not shoot this. First week of college my son sent this to his MOM, Not me. ~A family classic. Chip of the old block.
Happy April Foist everyone!!
03/31/2026
“The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.”— Elliott Erwitt
03/30/2026
You are finally traveling and bringing your nice camera along. Yet, the photos leave a bit to be desired…not sure why, the camera was expensive enough…and it should be doing more. Could YOU could be doing more? ~T
#ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟᴘʜᴏᴛᴏɢʀᴀᴘʜʏ
03/29/2026
'52 Caddie, Series 62. iPhone11 or 6, maybe. Noise handling in the newer iPhones is greatly improved. Even Lr wasn't much help here, but the shadow slider did. It was a tango between exposure and shadows. But hey when the moment hits, "the best camera is..." ~Tommy
"It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head.”
— Henri Cartier-Bresson
03/27/2026
A sequence of low tide wave movement at sunset Moss Landing State Beach. I often say all things happen in waves...scroll back n forth...Not sure why I did not shoot video. What fo you think? ~T
03/26/2026
Shot with the iPhone 16 pro at 2am from my bedroom window. Night Mode is so good that it is seeing light reflecting off the ground from a nearby streetlamp; so the lower right side of the tree has some rimlight!
03/25/2026
Asia in short-light. Single beauty dish on white. Short light can change the face shape, add emotion and intrigue. Are you an actor, aspiring to live on the stage under the lights. Is your lighting language up to speed with your Drama or Improv skills? When was the last time you picked up your nice camera to shoot a friend? ...2 spots left... ~TEU
I created PhotoTrainer® for those of us who respond best to personal attention. Now you can learn from a real live seasoned pro. What a concept.
You want more than our cell phone has to offer. You are tired of being numbed with You Tubtorials. Photography is the People's Art. Learn the beauty and art camera practice in the context of your camera's best features, Focus, Exposure, and Lenswork.
Sign up now, you want this!
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |