Photography has progressed exponentially over the past century with the development of digital cameras, faster shutter speeds, and smiling. Capture the latest trends of emotional technology with this Groupon: for $55, you get a four-class DSLR photography package at Unique Photo in Fairfield (a $132 value). Students should provide their own DSLR camera, or they may rent one from the rentals department at a 50% daily discount.

Unique Photo's industry professionals marshal their experience to lead groups of about 15 aspiring shutterbugs to photographic proficiency, covering DSLR camera operations and advanced theories of composition. The first class of the course initiates novices in the basic differences between shooting digital images and snapping point-and-click pictures. Students will learn how to manipulate aperture and shutter speed for clear exposures, understand when and why to swap lenses, and how to keep unwanted fingers from the edge of pictures by disciplining them in front of their peers. Exposure and metering take center stage during the second class as initiates permanently strap core techniques to their photographic tool belts.

The third class trains the eye in the art of image composition by imparting lessons in the rule of thirds, perspective, and freezing time to capture unblurred images of Bigfoot. Finally, the newly added Art of Seeing session zooms out to take in strategies for improving overall photo quality. Students will build on the theoretical precepts learned in the previous session to seek out the balance of each image and fine-tune their artistic eye.