More details on the Leica Akademie North America 2012 program

I mentioned the new Leica Akademie North America program for 2012 few days ago. Here is some more information on the different classes:

Allendale, NJ (October 24, 2011) – Following a highly successful 2011 debut, Leica Camera, Inc. is pleased to announce the Leica Akademie North America 2012 schedule with increased programming. Beginning on January 20, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA and concluding on August 25, 2012 in San Francisco, CA, a priceless series of 38 photographic lectures, workshops and hands-on experiential learning days will again travel to dedicated Leica aficionados throughout 16 cities in the United States and Canada. New workshops including Leica Destinations, Two Day Street Photography, Leica M9 Owners and Available Light join the popular Leica Weekends, Leica Compact Camera Photography, Leica Black and White Photography and Leica Digital-M Experience programs.

“We are excited to continue offering participants the opportunity to capture the decisive moment with a Leica in hand,” said Christian Erhardt, Vice President of Marketing at Leica Camera, Inc. “Thanks to the popularity of the Akademie and invaluable customer feedback, we are pleased to announce an expanded range of workshops designed to cover an even broader spectrum of topics, increase the enjoyment of photography and deepen photographic knowledge.”

Following in the footsteps of the original German Akademie’s storied tradition dating back to 1934, the Leica Akademie North American was introduced in 2011 to outstanding success. Throughout the initial four months of programming, the Akademie brought the Leica experience to hundreds of participants with such high demand that additional workshops were added in Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

Open to experienced as well as entry level photographers, these experiential workshops are the premiere learning resource for Leica Users. In addition to the benefits of small class sizes and real world shooting situations, each participant will have access to experienced Leica instructors as well as a selection of guest photographers who will provide coaching and inspiration through the sharing of their images, techniques and insights. The North American Leica Akademie 2012 includes eight distinctive programs highlighting the full range of the Leica portfolio.

Leica Weekends: Premier Leica Akademie Events – These intensive and exciting weekends cover the essentials of Leica photography in two full days of hands-on learning. Held in five destination cities across North America, each workshop is led by a knowledgeable Leica instructor as well as a featured Leica photographer. From rangefinder basics to advanced techniques, this workshop is custom tailored to each host city and is the perfect opportunity to have a priceless weekend of learning, inspiration and camaraderie in the company of fellow Leica enthusiasts. Program cities include Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Las Vegas, NV, Palm Springs, CA and Toronto, Canada. The Leica Weekend Program costs $495 with each participant receiving a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica M product from any North American Leica Dealer.

Leica Destinations: All Inclusive Multi-Day Photography Experiences – The new Leica Destinations workshops combine fine food and exquisite accommodations with immersive photography experiences. Participants capture must see spots and off the beaten path local favorites while expanding their photographic knowledge in exclusive, real world shooting situations. The intimate workshops allow discerning photographers the opportunity to discover a new angle on travel while capturing brilliant images.

The first Leica Destinations program takes place in Big Sur/ Monterey, CA from April 23-26, 2012. Throughout the workshop, participants discover locations such as the Monterey Wharf and Harbor, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and the beautiful village and shops of “Carmel by the Sea.” Accommodations for the weekend are provided at the historic Casa Munras Resort and Spa. The cost for this event is $1,6995.95 with each attendee receiving a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica M product from any North American Leica Dealer.

The Leica Digital-M Experience: Spend a Day with the Masterpiece – This full day, hands-on experiential workshop is designed for those new to digital rangefinder photography or prospective M camera owners wanting to “test drive” the highly sought-after Leica M9. With a professional Leica Akademie instructor leading the session, the workshop serves as a comprehensive introduction to the incomparable M9 and its exquisite Leica M lenses. Additionally, participants will benefit from a two hour field trial, invaluable instruction on how to get the most out of Leica M9 files and instruction on basic Lightroom workflow. The Leica Digital-M Experience is $199 per participant with all attendees receiving a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica M product from any North American Leica Dealer.

The Leica M9 Owners Workshop: A Practical Session Designed for Owners of the Leica M9 – Specifically designed for current owners, this unique workshop allows users to shoot with their camera and lens while learning skills to enhance their M9 experience. Learn from fellow M9 owners as well as a knowledgeable Leica Akademie instructor who is available to share tips, working methods and shooting techniques. The fluid nature of this workshop encourages group discussion, focusing on areas of interest or improvement, ensuring participants get the most out of their time. Putting theory into practice, attendees gain expert advice during real world shooting situations to expand skills, working technique and confidence. The workshop also includes the opportunity to review images as a group and explore post-production methods in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. The cost for attending this event is $199 with each participant receiving a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica M product from any North American Leica Dealer.

Leica Street Photography: Two Day Workshop! – This two-day program distills the essence of iconic M-System street photography, which dates back to the flagship line’s introduction in 1954. The schedule of events is designed to provide inspiration to experienced M photographers and a solid introduction to the history and techniques that helped establish the esteemed photographic genre. The workshop goes beyond the theory of street photography and pushes participants to try new techniques. A new two-day format allows for multiple shooting opportunities and feedback from a Leica Akademie instructor as well as a featured guest photographer. The cost for attending this event is $349 with each participant receiving a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica M product from any North American Leica Dealer.

Leica Digital Black and White Photography: See the World in Black and White – This one-of-a-kind workshop encourages participants to explore the fascinating monochromic world of black and white photography by pre-visualizing scenes in black and white as well as exploring new ways of seeing. Participants will gain a more profound understanding of lighting, texture, contrast and tonal gradation. The program incorporates a class lecture and real world shooting experience utilizing the Leica M9 or X1 cameras and focuses on capturing images and processing with the easiest workflow. The cost for attending this event is $249 with each participant receiving a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica M product from any North American Leica Dealer.

Leica Available Light Workshops – A hands-on, shooting intensive experience, this workshop provides a foundation to understanding and controlling all types of available light from natural, ambient outdoor to low indoor light and explores topics such as overcoming the unique obstacles involved in night photography. Timed to provide a variety of shooting situations, the workshop spans an afternoon and evening and challenges participants to apply techniques discussed in the classroom presentation. Key stops allow attendees to test their skills in a variety of lighting situations. As the light drops, the workshop focuses on night photography during the hour and a half before and after sunset. By the program’s conclusion, participants have gained increased awareness and sensitivity to the direction and quality of light and the technical steps required to capture their vision. The cost for attending this event is $249 with each participant receiving a $150 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica M product from any North American Leica Dealer.

Leica Compact Camera Photography: Getting the Most from your Leica Compact Camera – Leica’s portfolio of compact camera is heralded for its outstanding image quality, superior optical performance and sleek design. Aimed at everyone from beginners to experienced shooters, this workshop enables participants to get the most out of these outstanding cameras by exploring their powerful potential. Leica instructors will be on hand to explain complex concepts, review the cameras’ exposure modes, scene modes and manual settings as well as answer any questions. The cost for this event is $149 per person. The cost for attending this event is $150 with each participant receiving a $50 voucher that can be used toward the purchase of a brand new serial numbered Leica product from any North American Leica Dealer.

For additional information and to sign up, please visit www.leicaakademie.com.