TPC knows you want to learn, and that you want to see positive results just as fast as you can turn a page or trip a shutter release button; we're here for those of you on the fast track. And if you want to take your time, feed the baby, hold down a 9-5, and study while relaxing in your free time, TPC can also accommodate those of you while sitting in your easy chair. We're here for you, not us. We already know photography and we know how to teach photography.

We start you in the most logical and productive manner, and progress you all the way through the professional methods and techniques required of a business person looking for a career. TPC teaches "Photographic Technique", which means you can own the most rudimentary of film-based or digital cameras and still be able to learn everything we have to offer. 35mm film-based cameras are available with both flash and a built-in zoom lens for as little as $25US (you can actually complete all but two of TPC's Assignments using only $5 disposable cameras). Digital camera technology has reduced the price of 1-2 Megapixel cameras to below the $150 mark. When you find your level of expertise surpasses that of your "training" camera, you can start considering an upgrade to your equipment arsenal.

If your main interests lean more toward the hobby of photography or that of a serious amateur, TPC can shift its teaching gears just as rapidly as you request. Many students start a Course thinking they want to be the world's greatest photographer of flowers, but after they shoot a few Assignments they realize that another field, such as Portraiture, better suits his or her interests. If you become enrolled in either of our Courses, we are kind and gentle with your first few Assignments. As you progress, we'll still be kind and gentle, as long as you keep applying what you have demonstrated in prior Assignments to every photo you submit for critique. Speaking of "kind and gentle", TPC never uses a negative word (oops!) when critiquing a student's work; every Assignment submission is considered to be the best the student or the situation could offer at the time. It is TPC's job to show you some options (either through words or digital editing changes and alterations) and alternate techniques to help you better understand and produce an improved product. We do not just "hand out" Certificates of Completion; you will need to apply your artisitc talents and skills learned from TPC to achieve photographic success.

If you are considering going Pro, you should, first, not only think about keeping yourself alive as a working photographer, but also to keep you recognized as a working photographer. Simply owning a camera and a few lenses will not get you many jobs, especially if you can't walk the walk and talk the talk; one bad job performance from inexperience can ruin your reputation in a matter of moments. TPC teaches you not only how to handle yourself, but the job, and the client as well.

TPC tries to provide insight into a student's strengths as well as areas that might need a better understanding or application through the writings and examples in TPC's Photographic Techniques, Books I & II. Even though both the Self-Study and Certificate of Completion Courses advertise a major concentration on Book I, we would be remise if we did not include everything, every technique, and every tip from both Books in making you the best photographer possible.