Ronald Leon Hale
Ronald Leon Hale
Photo credit goes to Doug Birkenheuer:
http://www.birkenheuerphotography.com/
Ronald Leon Hale is a professional photographer, director of photography, and creative director.
Ronald’s first camera was a point and shoot film camera he won as a prize in a class fundraiser in seventh grade. He immediately took an interest in the image making process. As a kid he used to set up portrait sessions in the back yard with frogs and turtles which he found around the farm where he grew up. His dad, having an interest in photography himself, recognized Ronald’s developing passion for the photographic medium and encouraged him to get his first SLR when he started high school.
Ronald studied photography at Lansing Community College and ever since has committed himself to the ongoing process of learning and expanding his skills. Being self-taught in all of the latest techniques, editing, and auteur styles, Ronald seeks to capture the majestic and sometimes haunting beauty of the world around him.
Ronald has freelanced throughout the Midwest region, photographing local celebrities, national and international fashion campaigns, film productions, and captivating portraits for professionals and individuals. With his camera always on-hand, Ronald not only does freelance work, but engages in fine art, journalism, digital manipulation, and transmedia creative projects. Collaboration has always been the key to his success, and through synthesizing visions, he has become a well-known indie photographer on the Chicago scene.
Ronald teaches group classes and individuals, offering instruction on both camera technique and software. Ronald exhibits passion in all that he does, and connects with others who are unique, electric, and hungry to create.
Call Digital Photo Academy at 1 877 372 2231. Lots of people seem to hang up if our welcome recording comes on instead of a live voice, but we promise to return your message within a day or two if you leave one with your name and number. It would be even better if you included your e mail address as well as the date and city of the class you are considering. If leaving a voice mail message is not your thing, please email us at DPAbooking@digitalphotoacademy.com or Richard@digitalphotoacademy.com.
Darwin Brown
Ron Hale was attentive to our individual needs. His answers were very responsive to the questions raised. I especially appreciated how he worked through some of the quirky camera confusion that arose and stayed with the issue till we got true resolution. As example, who knew my 24-105 RF lens had a third ring allowing exposure compensation to be dialed in while partially depressing the shutter? A classmate with a very similar kit did not have that ring on her lens. The nuances!
Sydney Naseef
I just bought the Rocky Nook pocket book, looking forward to jumping in as well! Thanks so much for sharing these additional options, Darwin!
And reiterating what Darwin said below– thank you again, Ron, for an awesome class. Really appreciate your insight and assistance as we worked to understand the ins and outs of our models!
Sydney Naseef
Darwin Brown
Ron,
Thanks again for the invaluable instruction provided in today’s class. It’s unbelievable how much photography has advanced since my days as high school yearbook photographer! Your patience and clarifying responses to our questions really helped us up the learning curve.
I was particularly glad for your recommendation to Rocky Nook for third party manuals. I’ve taken a look at the site and find the description for my Canon EOS R6 Mk II to be exactly what I need to continue to learn this sophisticated instrument. (Sydney will love it as well!)
That said, I stopped by Central Camera on the way home, only to have them closed five minutes before my arrival. Having already paid for parking, I walked around the corner to Barnes and Noble. There were some of references I found on their shelves. No particular recommendations, but thought you guys might find them of interest. Noteworthy in particular was the book on design (which I bought!)
All the best,
Darwin
Darwin Brown
Rocky Nook books:
Toula Ballas
Ron ran the class well, gave clear, helpful guidance, and was generous with his attention to each participant –particularly to me. Definitely came away with a better understanding of my camera.
The only downside (which I mentioned to Ron in class) is that the Chicago Cultural Center is a very echo-y building, so it was often difficult to hear him. Of course, it’s also a stunning building and a great place to photograph.
Thanks too for the video links. Look forward to checking those out.
Felicia T
I thoroughly enjoyed my private session learning how to use my Canon 5D. We met outside of Millenium Park and went over the basic concepts of photography. I learned a lot in that one session and he even had printed out copies of all the stuff we learned. I definitely got what I was looking for but wish I had more time with him. I am already applying what I learned to my workplace. Would recommend to anyone looking to take better photos!
Larry
I had a great experience. I’m sure for Ron it was disappointing and strange that the others were a no show. But for me it was wonderful. Ron gave me a really solid foundational overview of good photographic practice including a very helpful overview of my camera. As a result, I feel more confident and have a better understanding about how to improve the quality of my photos.
He is an excellent teacher. I love learning from people, like him, who know their stuff inside and out.
Thank you for making this possible.
Peg Borgert
Ron did a great job.
Samantha
The workshop was a good experience
Mark Bonifield
It was a rough start due to the address issue. We probably lost 15 minutes. However, Ron was really good and did not rush out of there at 2:30. He was very accommodating.
The times were different than what it said when we signed up, but the change was communicated by email and that wasn’t an issue.
We enjoyed the experience.
Cecile Ducreux
Great workshop with the guidance and expertise of Ron ! Ron is very experienced in all aspects of photography… makes it clear and accessible. Learning a new way to approach street photography and depth of field! Thank you
Sara Davison
The class and Ron were great. I learned a lot and am excited to play with my camera.
Thanks for all of your help!
Sara
Brian Clabby
Ron was an excellent instructor, especially for beginners. He helped ensure the content was easy to understand and provided really great recommendations on how to use a camera without overcomplicating things. Really nice person, accommodating, and made sure to answer every question.
Marisa Bucolo
We had a great time in our class with Ron last week. He helped us understand better how to use a camera, how to take time staging and adjusting lighting to our photography needs. He was very knowledgeable and interactive, and managed to convey a ton of information in just 3 hours.
Robin
I enjoyed my class with Ron and learned a lot of forgotten info on ISO and apperature.
He is very knowledgeable.
I look forward to following both Digital Photo Academy groups on Facebook. It’s so nice to know other shutterbugs.
Patrick Masterson
Both of Ron’s classes were tremendously helpful — indeed, I’m glad I signed up for the first course on mastering the basics of your camera since I wasn’t using the one I was used to, so having a hands-on walk-through for that really helped me get familiar with my camera. I relearned a lot and felt a lot more comfortable messing around with the auto settings turned off during the following composition class, which was a lot of reminders I’d forgotten or just hadn’t thought about in a long time. While nothing I took ended up being especially satisfying to me upon further review, I got my footing back enough to keep practicing and turn out something better the more I shoot. Forever a work in progress.
I don’t know how the other guys felt about having things rescheduled from the church to Garfield Park Conservatory, but like Ron, I’m grateful we ended up there; in addition to simply being a pleasant place to walk around, the conservatory afforded more opportunities to shoot and get creative with framing, colors, shadow/light, angles, etc.; between that and Ron’s decision to print out a lot of what he was talking about in the first course when we were going over our cameras, I felt I came away with the best possible iteration of these classes. Talking with him about lenses and other more pointed equipment questions was also enlightening, and I had a lot to chew on coming away at the end of the afternoon.
Thank you again for setting things up and for allowing me to be part of these classes. It was a good way to spend a Saturday morning and, thanks to my brother, has inadvertently reinvigorated my long-dormant interest in photography.
Melissa B
Garfield Park Conservatory is an outstanding location and Ron taught me many helpful technical tips about using my camera & stylistic elements to consider while taking photos. Thank you, Ron!
Melissa B
Ron is an excellent instructor! He was very friendly and patient with all of the students and covered all of the important features on my digital camera. Ron provided and explained each concept with specific examples that were easy to understand and see. He also provided many tips about using the camera settings. I’m hoping he teaches a class at the conservatory so I can take another class with him.
Peter Bukowski
“I enjoyed the day and put several images on the Facebook page.”
-Peter Bukowski
Carina Yepez
“…I really learned a lot of useful tips. I would love to take another class at some point. “
Melinda
“Very pleased; Ron is a good instructor.
Feeling more confident that pix from The Great White continent will be fine.
Thank you.”
-Melinda