I had SO much fun taking the Get Out of Auto workshop with Hector. Went into the class not knowing anything about cameras, it was basically the first time I used the camera I had all day, and left feeling so much more confident with what I was doing. Looking forward to using the information I learned that day, and I think I found myself a new hobby.Also, the homework before the class was intimidating, but just give it a shot, it made the class much more enjoyable. I didnt spend much time on it unfortunately, and I still didnt know what the homework was taking about when I started the class, but I picked it all up after the first hour.

Let me begin by saying that I was signed up for this class against my will. Ive had a Canon for a while but was not taking photos (because I didnt know how to use my camera lol) My husband sent me an email with the class info and told me he signed me up because the reviews were really good.I was in Hectors Get Out Of Auto class. It was very educational, fun, easy and empowering. He taught us how not only use our cameras but also gave us tips and on how, where and where. He made sure that every single person was on the same page and understood how to use their camera, settings etc..(even though there were all different types of cameras). The class is fairly long 7am-5:30pm. But youll learn so much. Hes very professional yet very personal. Very warm personality, friendly and funny. You will not regret taking this class especially if you are a beginner. I had a fantastic time, learned a lot and at the end of the class we all became friends. I would love to take another class by Hector. Cant wait to see what hes got in sore next!***DONT FORGET TO PRACTICE WHAT YOUVE LEARNED!!!!

Couldn’t be happier with this workshop and highly recommended. I got a mirror-less camera about two months beforehand and had some time to read about Exposure and familiarise myself with the different settings. However, this workshop really took it to the next level in terms of understanding the different modes (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual) and when/how to best use them. Hector is also super fun and patient to explain everything in detail and answer any possible questions. I first thought the workshop was a little long for a beginner class, but honestly, time went by super quickly since it was so much fun to learn and practice the new stuff right away.

I had a great time and learned so much. We started with basics like how to hold the camera, worked through all of the settings available on the camera, and ended up shooting completely in manual mode...portraits, action shots, landscapes, you name it, Hector covered it! Great beginner class.

I have been what some may call a semi-professional iPhone photographer for a few years now....which means not much of a photographer at all. lol. I travel a lot and love taking pictures of landscapes during my travels. I have long thought about getting my feet wet in the real world of photography. It was an intimidating thought but I was honestly tired with the limitations of a phone camera, so I finally bit the bullet. A friend of my husbands suggested purchasing a Sony Alpha 6000 as a good starter camera, so I did. Only problem was, I had no freaking clue how to use it.Cue Hector and his class. I did some research and found Hector. I live in Ontario, so I was hoping to attend a class closer to home (he offers classes in Redlands and Temecula) but it was difficult getting the required amount of attendees to commit. I was tired of waiting, so I went to the San Pedro class. From start to finish, Hector was incredibly professional and responsible. His frequent communication will put the most anxious persons mind at ease. I let him know the equipment I was working with and he told me what I would need for the class. He didnt take payment from us until he received confirmation from the minimum amount of students (I believe its five) - and he confirms and reconfirms just to be sure.Yes, theres homework. And if you want to get the most out of the class, you will do it and take it seriously. Hector does his best to cover just about everything under the sun regarding your new camera. You will come out learning so much information, and if you havent done your homework, you may feel a little lost. Plus, youll hold everybody else back, so dont be that guy. I had a basic knowledge of the things Hector went over because I taught some of it myself by watching youtube videos and practicing. He does provide you with videos to watch on your own prior to to the class. Watch them! They really help you get a better understanding of how to work your camera.The class itself was jam packed with information. He provided us each with our very own binder with all the information we covered. A great reference tool for later when you find yourself forgetting some things. We did countless exercises and Hector was great at checking in with us to make sure we were getting it all. I really had such a great time learning about my camera and really feel like my understanding of photography has increased a great deal. You certainly get more than your moneys worth for this course.The day is long, so make sure to get some good rest the night before and come prepared. Be ready to have your mind blown with what your camera can do! Hector truly was an awesome teacher, and I couldnt have been happier with this workshop!

Although it was a long day yesterday, I had fun learning the the features about what my camera can do and how to take picture. There was so many inputs to remember but now I have a better understanding of how things work. Hector was very professional. His way of teaching made it FUN and INTERESTING. Hes very passionate about photography. I think after yesterday’s class I’m better photographer now than I was before. Its a money well spent for such a small investment...taking the class was worth it. Thank you Hector.

Hector is an AMAZING instructor. He is very patient, informative and very fun! I would HIGHLY recommend this course for anyone that would like to know the proper way to use their camera. Even though the weather conditions were not how we all would have liked but we all battled the high winds togetherHeres a few suggestions for future students:1. When you receive the homework assignment, MAKE SURE YOU DO IT A FEW TIMES BEFORE CLASS! This will make things much easier for you.2. Regardless of weather forecast, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A WARM JACKET in your car...just in case!3. Dont be afraid to ask questions because Hector has all of the answers.4. Be ready to take LOTS of photos and have a great time!After the course, I went out and took pictures (because practice, practice, practice is the key) and I have a few photographer friends that were highly impressed with my photos. You will not be disappointed by taking this course with HECTOR THE GREAT!!! I cant wait to take the other courses with Hector!

After reading all the positive reviews about Hectors classes, I decided to sign up and boy, am I so glad I did! It was a long day out in the sun (bring your sunscreen!) but it allowed us plenty of time to understand manual settings and grasp how our cameras and lenses really work, learn a great deal of techniques and tips (there were many ah-ha! moments) and practice our newfound knowledge with hands-on shooting.I was a little nervous and intimidated at first, but there was no reason to be. Not only were all of us students beginners, Hector is also a super friendly, very knowledgeable instructor who repeated information for us and took the time to answer all of our questions. You can tell he has a genuine, deep passion for photography, and that is definitely what I want in an instructor.The day was exhausting- but thats a good thing. Hector was very thorough and kept us learning and shooting through different exposure and image quality settings all day. (Dont worry, there are plenty of bathroom breaks and a lunch break.)Whether you want to do this as a hobby or take the workshop as a first step in a photography career, you will be happy with the results. I went in there knowing next to nothing about my camera and came out feeling much more confident! After a little more practice on my own, I will definitely be ready to take more advanced classes in the future.

My 14 year old daughter and I took the get out of auto class together. Hector is a great teacher. He gave us some work before class so we could maximize our learning during the actual class. This was very helpful. Throughout the day, he patiently explained techniques as many times as we needed to understand and he gave us multiple opportunities to practice. We cant wait to practice what we learned. We feel so much more comfortable in using our camera!

I have been thinking of getting into photography for years, and finally took the plunge and bought a DSLR camera. I was trying to do reading and research on how to use it, and was getting more and more confused. I wanted a class where I could have the functions clearly explained to me, and Hector delivered! A very informative and interactive class, the perfect mixture of lecture and practice (I say this as a high school teacher). Hector is very knowledgable and helpful, and helps to put the use of the camera in easy to understand lessons.

Wow, Hectors Get out of Auto Class was fantastic. I see few people work as hard as Hector does. He is really passionate about teaching photography and he is so patient and kind with his students. Hector is an organized teacher with a lesson plan which he thoroughly explains and gives each student time and assistance in understanding the information and finding the settings on their own cameras. For the money, this is a great value. We spent an entire day at the park doing classroom time and practicing what we learned. I will be taking more classes with Hector to continue learning about photography. After this class I do feel much more confident in taking good pictures and I understand how to operate in Manual mode--which was completely foreign to me before the class. Thank you, Hector, for all you do for your students and for making photography affordable and accessible.

I have had my camera for a couple of years with the intention of using it for travel and food photography. I purchased books, viewed online tutorials and even attended another class, they helped somewhat but never held my interest long enough for me to grasp what my camera could really do, instead I felt overwhelmed. I found Hectors class on Facebook and tried to sign up a couple of times but there communications issues with emails etc... I finally was able to sign up for the class on Saturday and I definitely feel more in control of my camera and all that its capable of. The class was organized and well planned and Hector was patient and methodical, by the end of the class we were all able to confidently manage the settings on our cameras and shoot pictures. I plan on seeking out photography groups to continue to hone my skills and I definitely recommend that anyone looking to conquer their fear of their camera settings sign up for this class. My only caveat is if you dont get a response to your initial inquiry try contacting him through Facebook or another way as I did not even find his emails in my spam, alas it remains a mystery : ) but I am now enjoying my newly honed skills! I look forward to my next vacation to really put them to the test! Thank you Hector!

Took this course in Long Beach this past weekend (3/11/17) and it was fantastic! I was hoping to learn a few things. However, I went home with SO much more knowledge and I can confidently go out and shoot in manual and get the photos that I want. Its amazing! What a gift. Do yourself a favor and book a course with Hector, you wont regret it!

I can honestly say that my experience in taking Hectors Get out of Auto Class exceeded my expectations, even after reading the reviews prior to taking this class.What I learned about using my camera, the teacher/student interactions, along with the interactions of the other students was well worth the cost and the time.If you are like I was looking for the right camera class that will teach you how to use your camera, then look no further Hectors class is the right one and you will not be sorry.

Ok, dont walk, run to Hectors class. If you are interested in learning how to really work your camera, I promise you, you will leave his class with what you need in order to do so. With the amount of time, effort and energy Hector puts into this class, I feel like I should have paid more. Its a long day, but it goes by so fast, and he gives you all the tools you need to make a jumpstart into photography (whether youre interested in it as a hobby or a career). I did a lot of research before I selected this class... reviews were one of the main reasons why I picked Hector, and now I know why his reviews are all so amazing. I am happy I now get to add to them!!

Went into the class as a novice, and left the class with a general understanding and skill set to take different types of photos in manual mode, aperture and shutter priority. Snacks and study manuals were provided, and learned everything from basic fundamentals- to physics- to taking photos in extreme conditions (weather, darkness etc.) The Long Beach No More Auto Mode workshop was a great investment! Hector really takes our education seriously-- imagine my surprise when we had a test at the end-- but l left with a deep appreciation for his passion and patience as we learn everything about our cameras and how to use them. I would recommend this class in the future to anyone who just got into photography or needs a good refresher on taking excellent shots in manual mode/A or P mode. Thanks again Hector

I was booked on the Get out of Auto Workshop as a Christmas present and was extremely excited at the prospect of learning more about using my Canon DSLR.I have used SLR and DSLR cameras for quite a while now, with my first SLR a couple of decades ago (film), and despite years and years of ownership, I was a complete novice. I lived in the Auto mode on my camera, and regardless of how many youtube videos I watched, the concepts never stayed fresh. This class made everything I had read or seen actually make sense.The course itself provided the right amount of theory mixed in with the right amount of practice to make learning the concepts of properly setting up your exposure. Where I had always struggled before was in how to leverage the aperture, ISO settings, and shutter speed correctly - and all of those concepts were addressed and taught in a way that really made sense to me. I cant wait to apply what I have learned in this class out in the wild on my next photo adventure.I was so impressed and enjoyed the class so much that I am hoping to attend again with my wife so that she can get comfortable behind the camera. I would happily recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about the proper way to take beautiful photographs, and Hector was a great teacher to learn from.

I had a great time learning about the functionality of my camera. Hector was very thorough and I left wanting to invest more time into photography. You reach a very strong comfort level using your dslr in its manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority settings. Highly recommended!

Took Hectors Getting Out Of Auto Mode class, and It was exhilarating to learn about the composition of a complicated piece of equipment and everything was made easier with his guidance into Shutter Speed, Apertures, ISO, WB etc.,. Hector was caring, patient and knowledgeable. I hope to practice enough and take his other classes. If better photography is your goal, here is your man. I highly recommend his classes.

I took the April 29 workshop in San Diego. Awesome!, I learnt that my camera has many more functions than just shooting in automatic. Now is to me to review Hectors handhoud and practice, practice and more practice. Thanks. Armando

I had a blast taking Hectors class! He really opened my eyes to what my camera can do for me. He covers everything you have been wanting to learn about your camera including what equipment to buy and what all those modes actually mean! Hector also teaches all the information in a way that is relatable and easy to grasp - he even gives you a how-to binder of everything he taught that day. Thanks to the small class sizes, he is able to really help everyone individually and answer all questions along he way. I also really enjoyed meeting all the great people in class as well. I would highly recommend anyone new to the DSLR world to take his classes, youll thank yourself later :)

If you are looking for an amazingly comprehensive photography class that will teach you to use your camera to take amazing pictures, look no further! I decided to take Hectors class based on all of the 5 start reviews he has and the class TOTALLY lived up to all those stars! Hector is a great teacher and I was so impressed with his ability to take something that he knows backwards and forwards, and break it down into steps, hands on activities and explanations that help even the most novice of photographers learn. Hector is very laid back and makes the day so much fun and educational. By the end of the day I felt like I knew my camera and had the skills to be able to take a great picture! I am so excited to practice my new skills and continue improving my photographs, armed with all of the amazing tools, tricks, tips and skills that Hector was able to teach me. I was a little nervous when I recieved my pre-homework for this class and was not sure if I would do well in the class. The homework is very minimal BUT helped me to better understand the concepts that were taught during the day. Hector takes the time to show you how everything works on your camera and HOW those buttons will help you take great pictures. I dont have a bad thing to say about this class, it was flat out AWESOME!! Thank you Hector!!!

I took DSLR workshop in San Pedro June 11, 2016 with Hector Gonzales. I got my DSLR camera few months ago, but I was shooting with Auto Mode only, because understanding the buttons was overwhelming. After spending a day with Hector, I feel very different about photography and understanding, how the camera works. Hector is an amazing photographer and an amazing instructor. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone, who wants to learn about photography and take it to the next level. Thank you Hector for your time, knowledge and sharing your passion for photography with us.

I took Hectors get out of auto workshop because I bought a new dslr camera and knew nothing about it. I was hoping to gain basic knowledge of how the camera works (besides auto mode) in a fun friendly environment. I picked Hectors class based on the reviews I read and I was not disappointed. Hector was patient, knowledgeable, funny but most importantly, passionate about photography. He made the class fun and interesting but informative at the same time. I would HIGHLY recommend this class if you are looking to learn how to use a DSLR camera and get out of auto mode.

Great class to take if you want learn more about flash photography. Hector always does a great job at explaining the class.

WOW! Where to even begin? I just took Hectors class this Saturday and was blown away! I did not know what to expect out of a full day photography class, and walked away SO excited and much more knowledgable about my camera! Hector is so passionate about photography, which transfers to his students! He could answer every question about every camera, regardless of the brand. During the wonderful day together, we learned ALL about the best ways to use our cameras, the three most important rules (take the class to learn!), lighting, and other great tips and tricks! Hector is so kind and a great teacher for anyone at any level! I am so grateful to have been able to learn from Hector and look forward to being able to take a class from him soon!

I recently (Temecula May 1, 2016) took Hectors class, get out of Auto Mode, and was not only thrilled but completely amazed with what I learned. Hector has a gift of teaching to all different levels and learning styles. He doesnt simply show you the buttons on your DSLR but allows you to take pride in discovering, while thinking for yourself, how they work and why. His interactive techniques were extremely well planned, organized, and at times had a fun comical edge, only adding to a beautiful relaxing day. Needless to say, I would highly recommend Hectors class and can proudly say, from now on it is Manual Mode!

Hector is amazing. I took his workshop about 4 years ago and my photography improved by leaps and bounds. And I just took it again to review what I had learned and what fill in the blanks for things Id either never mastered or forgotten. Hector did not disappoint! He knows his craft - and thats just the beginning. In our class of 7 people, we learned about every button and dial on our camera quickly and simply. Digital Cameras Demystified!Even though people can take great pictures on their phones and on Auto Mode on their SLRs, its extremely liberating to learn whats possible once you have the skills. With practice, its now about creativity and self-expression.I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who has a DSLR or is considering getting one. Its a shame to have a camera that can do amazing things and not be able to take advantage of it. The workshop is worth every penny. Go for it!!

I had been wanting to learn how to use my Cannon Rebel T3 in Manual Mode and wanted a hands on class VS. an online class ..I found Hectors class by searching the internet for a photography class in my area Temecula. Took the pt. 1 Class Getting out of Auto Mode .. and it was awesome. Hector took all the fear out of switching from Auto to Manual. He Has a Simple way of explaining how to use aperature, shutter speed and ISO and teaching you how each manual mode works. He brings a binder with all the information he teaches in class and sends each student home with their own binder. There were 8 people in class (his max.).. and we all got his hands on attention and help throughout the class .. and we all pitched in to help one another. It was a full day of information and hands on teaching. Hector was very friendly and welcoming and very easy to understand and work with. I asked him on lunch break how long it would take before I would be totally out of Auto Mode and he said the end of this class .. and sure enough .. Im out of Auto Mode ! .. Im looking forward to practicing and getting better with time and cant wait to take another of Hectors classes in the near future. Thanks so Much Hector for making the day such a pleasure to learn.. no less in a beautiful location too ! Everyone that took this class had a great time ...

Hector, Magnifico!! If you want to learn how to use a camera Hector is the man. A teacher and a gentelman who takes the time individually on every lesson we are working on. I did not expect how he takes so much time for every person and never misses a name and never misses a beat. He demands you learn or he wont leave you alone, and he knows when you do not know...I want to take his session on night photography sometime in the future. I wouldnt consider anyone but Hector. I highly recommend him if you want to learn about your camera. Hes a great resource. JW

If I could give this class 6 stars, I would! This was one of the best photography investments Ive made since I purchased my camera. I loved every minute and learned more than I could have hoped to! From the moment I signed up for the class, Hector communicated with me about my camera, the pre-course work, etc. Then, on the day of the class, I got so much more from the class than I could have expected. There were so many basic skills taught in a manner which made them understandable and enjoyable ...the class was actually FUN! I walked away feeling like I could be confident taking photos in many situations (and not just in the ONE mode I knew how to use). I learned all the buttons on the camera and Im beyond excited to start playing around with my new knowledge. Im grateful for the expert learnings, the easy way Hector presented it and that it was so enjoyable and understandable.

This class is truly fantastic!For years I have been saying I should take a class to learn how to use my Canon Rebel DSLR camera other than in auto mode. My husband signed my up for Hectors Get out of auto mode and it couldnt have been better.You will receive some homework before the class that forces you to look at all your camera buttons and play around with them. The class itself is 10+ hours long (so prepare yourself for a long day) and you will get a binder with everything you learned that day.Hector goes over all the basic photography terms, best practices, equipment and your goals of taking the class.After reviewing all the physical buttons on your camera he explains each function in detail and makes you practice. The class is very hands on so you can see the effect of different settings on your own camera and learn from it.You will go through all options of your camera until you graduate to shooting in manual.Hector is amazing and it shows that he loves photography and teaching alike. He has the day perfectly planned out and created a great manual that you get to take home. He also answers any questions that you have and makes sure he has the right props so you can practice!Dont waste your time or money on other classes, as tempting as the Groupon photography classes might sound. You will just end up taking Hectors class anyway :)