ASTANA – A Nikon School opened Dec. 8 to spread the culture of photography in the capital.
“Nikon School is an educational project of Nikon and unique among camera makers, designed for those who already enjoy and are interested in single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras,” Nikon marketing expert Zarina Plotnikova, of Almaty, told The Astana Times in an interview for this story.
The official Nikon office in Kazakhstan opened in 2012. Plotnikova has been working for the company for the last two years, although she has been fond of photography for quite some time.
“My first camera was the Nikon D90 back in 2005. In 2014, it just happened that I started working for the really interesting international company as a marketer,” she added.
Nikon School offers various courses from three to 30 hours for photographers of different levels and knowledge. The school will also offer cameras for the duration of the courses for those who don’t yet own one.
“The basic course is about the basics of photography; it is a 10-lesson course, three hours each, usually two or three times a week. We have day and evening groups combining both the theoretical and practical parts,” she said.
The basic course is 38,000 tenge (US$115); other classes, including advanced lessons, cost up to 45,000 tenge (US$136). Retirees and children from 15 years old from foster homes are eligible for the courses free of charge.
“Nikon is striving to take care of all those wishing to upgrade their skills in photography or find a new hobby and diversify their leisure and that is why the Almaty and Astana schools offer the free courses for retirees and children from foster homes,” said Plotnikova.
The Almaty school has produced 120 photographers in just 18 months.
“The Nikon School opened over 30 years ago in England, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic countries, the U.S., Australia and many other countries. In spring last year, the Nikon School opened in Almaty. The teaching methodology is based on constant contact with every team member of the Nikon School. All of our teachers are professional photographers,” said Plotnikova.
The opening took place at the co-working spot inside Astana Mall, where Nikon in Kazakhstan head Dinara Ibrayeva unveiled some of the plans for the next year and the instructors had the chance to become acquainted with the first students. Social media journalist and photographer Maxim Rozhin will be the chief instructor for the branch.
Anyone interested in learning the art of photography may sign up for the course by phoning +7 701 530 26 66 or registering at wwww.nikonschool.kz. The school is located on the 10th floor of Alma-Ata business centre, Imanov Street.
