This summer, make your photography skills sizzle with a UCLA Extension photography course. Taught by professional art and commercial photographers, these courses will move you from taking pictures to making pictures.

UCLA Extension photography course

Intermediate Digital Photography focuses on gaining control of all photographic variables while attempting creative assignments. Content includes use of manual controls, defining a point of view, emphasizing figure versus ground, storytelling, portraits, capture and processing of .RAW image files, Photoshop for photographers and more. Led by award-winning commercial photographer George Simian. Tuesdays, 7-10 p.m., July 22-Aug. 26, and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, July 26 & Aug. 23; 1010 Westwood Blvd., in Los Angeles' Westwood Village. $625.

Advanced Photographic Lighting Techniques explores the creation and control of artificial light in the context of professional photography, including the use of strobe and hot lights, multiple light sources, mixing strobe and ambient light, creating color and adding motion to still images. Led by award-winning commercial photographer George Simian. Thursdays, 7-10 p.m., July 24-Aug. 21, 1010 Westwood Blvd. Room 310, and Sundays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Aug. 3-17, McCadden Space, 1041 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. $475.

New course! Introduction to Portraiture is designed as a practical, hands-on introductory lab course. Led by internationally exhibited photographer and visual artist Clover Leary, M.F.A., CalArts. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m., Aug. 9-Sept. 13; 1010 Westwood Blvd. Room 415. $325.

Summer Quarter at UCLA Extension begins June 21; enrollment is underway now. For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or call 310-206-1422. Visit www.uclaextension.edu/visualarts for complete course descriptions and to enroll online.