Customer Reviews & Testimonials

All unsolicited reviews from real customers

 

See a complete list of courses

Paul Sanders—35-year industry veteran, fashion and advertising photographer in Milan and LA, clients from American Express to Xerox

Your method of teaching is BY FAR the clearest and most useful.

Your method of teaching is BY FAR the clearest and most useful I've come across to date. I've been using Lightroom since version 2 and recently upgraded to version 4. I've never felt comfortable with it and FINALLY have found a way to learn this stuff. :) Yeah I've got a couple of books, etc. They're almost useless by comparison. So thanks very much!

Fr. John Quinn, S.J.—Photography Instructor, Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA

Your courses are mandatory for all of my students.

I teach Digital Photography at a private high school...and...your Flash, Photoshop, and Lightroom courses are mandatory for all of my students. THANK YOU for the VERY significant contribution you are making to the world of Photography and Image Editing! P.S. The attached pic is from my last job...combat Chaplain in IRAQ with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division.

Michael Corsentino—Award Winning Photographer, Workshop Leader, and Author of the "Canon Speedlite Digital Field Guide"

Useful, real-world information without the usual fuff…Home run, Phil!

I just finished watching your speedlight class and I had to tell you how much I enjoyed it! As an instructor, I see a lot of this sort of material, and so much of it misses the mark. But yours offers useful, real-world information without the usual fluff. It's great to see such a clear and concise discussion. Home run Phil!

Robert Phillips, Sydney, Australia

One of the best investments I ever made in photography!

I already know this is one of the best investments I've made in photography! I am exactly the photographer you describe in the introduction; I've had Lightroom for a year or so but haven't "really" used it. My masters degree is in Instructional Technology, so I have a knowledge base from which to make some critical judgements. This course is superbly designed and presented. Thank you so much for the care you put into developing your course!

Mart Gray—Elba, Alabama

The most helpful...amateur-friendly, and reasonably priced I have ever seen!

I have been a serious amateur photographer for nearly 35 years. Bought books, gone to seminars, looked at TONS of stuff online. Your materials (free and purchased) are, hands down, the most helpful, the most reasonably priced and the most amateur-friendly I have ever seen! Keep at it!

Beth M., Olympia, Washington

The perfect balance between technical detail and simple explanation!

Your videos are fantastic—the perfect balance between technical detail and simple explanation. I especially appreciate your shopping tips and reviews of the various products that are available, as that can be pretty overwhelming. Thanks so much!

Stan Cram, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

WOW...Without question the best money I have spent all year!

WOW your tutorial on Lightroom was fantastic! I’ve been using the program for about 5 years now, purchased books, etc., but I've discovered so much more from your videos in the shortest period of time. I especially appreciated the introductory section on organizing your files. Thanks for connecting me to the full power aspects of Lightroom. My picture processing has really improved. Without question the best money I have spent all year.

Samit Desai, Auckland, New Zealand

You are a credit to the photography industry.

It was a pleasure to have purchased this course! I can confidently say that it was my money well spent. I am a newbie and have learnt quite a lot from your videos. They are quite practical and informative. I wish you would do more of these. You are a credit to the photography industry.

Felicia R., Medford, New York

Your service is impeccable. I love doing business with you!

Your service is impeccable. I love doing business with you! I will continue to recommend you.

Susan Martin, Ottawa Canada

You have saved me hundreds of dollars on books and classes!

Thank you! I have taken a few camera classes and came out as dumb and confused as ever. I am a visual person. Show me, and I get it. And you have done just that. You are easy to listen to, and right to the point. You have saved me hundreds of dollars on books and classes. I love the little tricks and tips on gadgets. I went out yesterday and shopped with confidence. Show me more, I can't wait.

Martin Sanderson, Carlisle, England

I learned more in 4 or 5 videos than in all the photography books I've read!

I've been a pro landscape photographer for around 5 years now and am moving into the portrait and wedding market. I soon realized that my knowledge of flash and how to best utilise it was pretty none existant. Until i came accross your videos! I've learned more in 4 or 5 videos than all the photography books i've read. Thanks, Phil, for advancing my photography in a matter of minutes which would normally have taken weeks!

Peter Collins, London, England

Amazing value for the money! ... A fast track to great portraits.

Phil, I really enjoyed the videos...amazing value for money and definitely a fast track route to taking great portraits! Thanks again, and best regards from London.

Joel Cruzada, Beaumont, California

Amazing! Your videos saved me a lot of time and money on equipment

Your tutorials are amazing! Your first three videos alone have already saved me a lot of time and money on equipment, and I know I would have saved even more had I started your video course earlier! I like the way you break everything down to bare essentials so anyone can just start shooting right away. And I mean the RIGHT WAY right away! I'll definitely be looking forward to more of your videos in the future. Keep up the fine work!

Robert B., Napa, California

I got a TON more out of these videos than I thought i would!

I got a TON more out of these videos than I thought I would! I was really happy to see that your video had a lot of great photography tips in addition to the flash topics. And you did a great job of explaining why the shutter controls the ambient and the aperture controls the subject. That was worth it to me right there. Thank you!

Alain Thimmesh, Bristol, England

Great...easy to understand...straight to point.

You provided a great learning tool. Easy to understand, straight to the point—and best of all you "show" exactly how to proceed. In less than one hour I got a complete overview of the benefits of this kind of shooting.

Bob Weidner, Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

The 'Four-Step Formula' was worth the price of the entire series!

That little segment has just turned on the light bulb for me!!! It's almost like it should be the very first flash tutorial anyone should ever watch. For me, those 4 steps are worth the price of the entire series. You are a natural teacher with a very easy to listen to style. Thank you!

Gina Johnson, Dubai, UAE

Tips and techniques I could use immediately... Money well spent!

These videos were outstanding! I learned so many tips and techniques that I can use immediately. Your teaching style and humor is greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed your behind the scenes camera shoot. I see the spaces in/outside my home in a new light. Now I have the confidence and know-how to actually shoot more head shots and portraits. Money well spent!

Gary Bonard, Chula Vista, CA

I learn more from your courses than from any other instructors!

Phil, I must say that your training has been the best! I have learned more from your courses than from any other instructors out there. Thanks and keep up the great training!

Graeme Holiday, London, UK

I thought I knew Lightroom...but you've completely changed how I work!

I've been using LR3 for nearly a year now and I thought I knew it pretty well, but I love your approach and the way you explain the many functions of the software. I've only watched the first four videos, but you've already completely changed the way I work. Really looking forward to seeing the test of the course. I've also signed up for the PS course too. Please keep the courses coming.

Sandy Holmquist, Alberta, Canada

This is the best class that I have ever taken online, and I’ve taken many!

I am just part way through your Lightroom training and I felt compelled to write to you immediately. This is the best class that I have ever taken online, and I’ve taken many. I have done the online Kelby training for two years, and I go to many of their seminars, but many of those are advanced classes, and nobody explains the Lightroom basics quite the way you do. Thank you!

Jon Vaughn—Santa Monica, California

I went from being stumped to processing photos almost overnight. Great job!

With your Lightroom course, I have been able to go from being stumped to processing photos almost overnight. Your organization is logical and easy to follow, and you manage to cover the essential stuff in a way I could absorb and understand quickly. Great Job!

Dave Canestrari, Aiken, South Carolina

I am sure glad I ordered this course...I am becoming a believer in Lightroom!

I just wanted to drop a line to let you know how much I have enjoyed and learned by watching your new Lightroom video course. I recently shot a wedding with an accompanying bridal shoot, so I have about 1500 images to process. Normally, I would be doing them in Photoshop, but I decided to take the plunge with Lightroom. I am sure glad I ordered this course, and have watched it first, before getting into the nitty-gritty. I am becoming a believer in Lightroom!

Carol Shearman, New South Wales, Australia

I have struggled with Lightroom since I bought it...but now I feel like a guru!

I can't believe how easy you have made Lightroom! I have struggled with it since I bought it, but now, I feel like a guru!

Geraldine Watson, Toronto, Canada - Membership Chair Toronto Camera Club

Always crystal clear…like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend

You always put in all the little bits and pieces, so that I'm never thinking, 'well, did he mean this, or did he mean that?' It's always crystal clear exactly what you meant. It's like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend and getting to ask all the questions that are tormenting you, and getting all the answers. I'm always thinking, 'So THAT'S how it works! THAT'S how to do it!

Jim Horne—Spennymoor, United Kingdom

I learned more in the last 3 days than in the last 18 months!

I purchased your 'Lightroom Made Easy' course and started using it straight away. Although I have been using Lightroom for about 18 months I didn't feel i was getting the best out of it. All that has changed now as your course is so easy to follow i think I have learnt more in the last 3 days than I have in the last 18 months. Can, wait to see what next course is, keep up the good work.

Bert Fedor, Birmingham, Alabama

Your tutorials are the best I have found in 12 years of using a camera!

I will be leading a small group from our church and our curriculum will be your "Lightroom Made Easy". Every member will be required to purchase the video course in order to particpate in this 10-week course. I have decided that your tutorials are the best I have found in my 12 years of using a camera!

Ron Lofgren, Del Cerro, California

I learned more in the first 5 lessons than in my full college class on Photoshop!

You have a great series of lessons. It covers everything that a photographer needs to know about Photoshop for 90% of the situations they will have. I learned more in the first five lessons than I did in a full semester college class on Photoshop! And that class met 6 hours a week for 16 weeks! I wish I had taken this training instead.

Robin Tully, Australia

I feel so empowered now...you made it so easy for me...brilliant!

I bought Photoshop CS5 extended, but when I loaded it, I thought there is no way I can use this. But you have made it so easy for me! I just can't believe I'm using it. I'm working my way through video 4 and 5, and I'm so excited at what i can do already, it's just brilliant. I can't thank you enough Phil. I feel just so empowered now. I'm a happy man.

Todd Ward, Edmond, Oklahoma

The first four modules alone are worth the price of the course

The first four modules alone are worth the price of the course! A great advantage I see is breaking the course into short modules. Most training videos are an hour long and hard to go back and review. But with yours, when I have a few minutes, I can take one module. Later when I am doing post-processing and want to perform something in one of the modules, it takes no time to go back, review the material, and then proceed.

Robert Baker, Napa, California

I learned important stuff I didn't know I was missing. Great value for the price!

I am pretty decent at photo retouching, but now that I have seen the videos, I must say, I learned a lot more than I expected to! I appreciate the chance to learn a lot of important stuff that I didn't even know I was missing. This is a great value for the price.

Scott Wright, Wichita, Kansas

Three other courses disappointed me …now I realize how simple it is!

I purchased your tutorial several months ago but delayed watching it as I felt it would be like having wisdom teeth pulled! Boy was I wrong! I had previously tried Adobe's tutorials, plus another course, and even a class, and all three disappointed me. So I gave you a try, and I am glad I did! You are presenting the material in a clear and concise way. Your approach is logical and to the point. I just finished watching the lesson on curves and now I realize how simple it is! Thanks so much for taking the time to put these lessons together.

Jim McNeill, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

The first time in seven years...that Layers finally made sense!

I just wanted to drop you a quick note about how much I have enjoyed the video tutorials, and more importantly, how much I have gotten out of them. Your PhotoShop course was the first time in almost 7 years of playing with photo editing software that layers finally made sense! That, alone, would have been worth the purchase. You sir, are a first rate instructor. I instruct electronics repair for a living in the Royal Canadian Navy and know how challenging it can be to get some points across. You succeed in spades!

Vinny Ciro, Long Island, New York

Excellent and well worth the cost!

I just finished your 'Photoshop Basics for Photographers' course. It was excellent and well worth the cost. I personally use Paint Shop Pro by Corel and found that 99% of the features and techniques in your videos are directly applicable. This is the second video course I have purchased from you. The first was your "Portraits with Flashes" course. I would highly recommend both to all photographers who are still learning and want to improve their technique overall.

Andie Parton, Dundas, Canada

It feels like you're right here with me...and it all works! And I get it!

Phil, YOU WERE SO WHAT I NEEDED!!!! I started taking pictures 4 years ago and welcome any and all help. So I signed up, got your portrait videos, then the basic Photoshop training videos, and love them! It really does feel like you're right here with me, specially when I practice on my own photos and it all works! And I get it! Thank you so much, Phil

Ed Haskell, Rhode Island, USA

Really impressed...you describe not just what to do, but why to do it.

I'm really impressed with your tutorials. I have tried dozens of other authors' works in the past year and all of them have a fatal flaw. Your work always provides the complete path from start to finish. And you don't just tell the student what to do, but describe why to do it, thus making the steps memorable. This takes takes real talent. You may refer prospects to me if they are tired of wasting money and want to speak to someone who has bought your products and found them to be exceptionally useful.

Bruce Neill, Queensland, Australia

I cannot recommend your video tutorials highly enough!

I have watched other online videos and have found most to be very difficult to keep up with, or they make it difficult to see tool selections, or the tutor speaks at a hundred miles an hour. I find you speak clearly, with an easy voice, and your tutorials are methodical and very easy to follow. I cannot believe how much has fallen into place in the short time I've had access to your video lessons. I cannot recommend your video tutorials highly enough

Geo Mathew, Bakersfield, CA

You are the best photography instructor out there!

You are the best photography instructor out there! I'm sure there are lots of knowledgeable professionals out there, but you have a way of explaining things that just works for me.