Focal Point - About Us

Focal Point - The Visual Arts Learning Centre is dedicated to providing the highest quality education to those individuals wishing to develop their skills in the art and science of photography.

Focal Point is dedicated to providing the highest quality photographic instruction available. With over 35+ years of experience, we have guided thousands of satisfied students on the road to becoming better photographers, and have established ourselves as Vancouver’s contemporary leader in photographic education. We are an accredited institution with the PCTIA, and we are members of several nationally recognized photographic organizations including the PPOC and the PPABC. Focal Point focuses its instruction only on the visual art medium of photography and unlike a structured academic environment, all of our studios and darkrooms double as classrooms creating the atmosphere of a professional photographer’s workplace.

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, home of the 2010 winter Olympics. Focal Point is on the western tip of a peninsula dividing the Fraser River and Georgia Straight; in West Point Grey village. We are three blocks from the UBC (University of British Columbia) campus and six blocks from Pacific Spirit Park, a wilderness park with lots of hiking and biking trails.

Vancouver has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world and is a destination for many international conferences and events, including the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements in 1976 and the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication (Expo 86). The 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics will be held in Vancouver and nearby Whistler, a mountain town 125 km north of the city. There are many nearby beaches lining the nearby neighbourhood of Kitsalano with a breathtaking view of downtown Vancouver; and the UBC bus route is right on our street!

Why choose us?

Wide Choice of Programs
Our outstanding program of creative photography courses and workshops offer a choice to fit the skill levels of virtually anybody who owns a camera.

Involved in Photographic Education for over Thirty Four Years
Focal Point has been involved in the education of beginners, hobbyists, keen amateurs and professionals since 1973 with thousands of satisfied students passing through our doors.

Courses Taught by Working Professionals
The courses at Focal Point are all taught by working professionals who share their experience and on the job knowledge of photography to help you get the most out of your camera. Even our administrators and course advisors are or have been working professionals.

Enjoy both the Technical and Creative Aspects of Photography
The courses we offer help make photography more fun and give you the skills to take the kind of photographs you'll be happy to show your friends, put in your portfolio, hang on your walls or sell to a prospective client.

Courses Held in Working Studios and Darkrooms
Unlike the traditional, structured classroom approach to instruction, our classes are offered in real-life studios and darkrooms which double as classrooms, creating for the student the creative atmosphere of a real working photographic studio. Our facilities also feature an extensive gallery of work by our instructors and students plus a large collection of antique cameras and photographic memorabilia.

Practical Hands-on Training
Shooting sessions are complemented by active discussions and critiques between students and instructor.

Small Class Size
Classes are kept small, maintaining a good student/instructor ratio.

Competitively Priced Courses
Our courses are all competitively priced to ensure that you receive the best value for your money.

Conveniently Scheduled Times
Courses are scheduled at various times during the day and evening as well as the weekends.

Discounts
Register early, before "official" registration times and receive a discount. "Bring a friend" and receive a discount as well. At Focal Point our commitment is to provide the most comprehensive, quality photographic courses designed to fit the experience and interest of virtually any photographer. A fun, social, informative and stimulating atmosphere, combined with our working professional instructors ensures that Focal Point is the best place to heighten your enjoyment and creativity as a photographer no matter what your level of expertise. Stop by Focal Point and take a tour of our facilities, see the display of the latest works by our instructors and students and take a look at our antique collection. Better yet, sign up for a course! But don't wait too long as class sizes are small and they fill quickly.

Full Time Diploma and Part Time Certificate Programs
Introduced in the Fall of 1998, Focal Point has offered its full time diploma and part time certificate programs. As we enter our next year of the Full Time Program the excitement that fills our school with energy cannot be ignored by anyone that enters.

Private Lessons and Custom Courses
At Focal Point, we can design custom or private courses to meet the specific requirements of individuals, industry, corporate or special interest groups.

Program Advisors
Talk to our program advisors who are experienced photographers themselves, to help you find just the right course for your interest and level of experience.

Equipment Rentals
Don't have a camera but still want to take a course? Focal Point has cameras for rent to students from 35mm to 4x5 view cameras, for in class use. Need a darkroom or a studio? Rent ours! Special rates available for our students.

4474 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver British Columbia
V6R 2H9
Tel: 604-224-3636
Toll Free: 1 877 224 3636
info@focalpoint.bc.ca

Photographs on this page © Grant Harder, Alex Waterhouse-Hayward, Robyn Humphreys, Shawn Taylor