Anyone can buy a fancy digital camera nowadays. Whether they know how to use it is an entirely different story.

Jefferson State Community College wants to help new photographers learn that craft among others.

Other non-credit community classes offered by Jeff State include pharmacy technician certification preparation, paralegal professional, professional medical billing and coding, anger management, ACT preparation, Lego education and Microsoft Excel basics.

Officials want to emphasize the photography course, Jeff State director of community and corporate education Kay Potter said. She said if enough students register, this will be the program’s first photography class in Clanton. It has run similar classes in Birmingham on a regular basis.

“This class is perfect for the absolute beginner,” Potter said. “It’s for someone who has never taken a class before or someone who is currently self-taught in photography. It would also be good for people who have new cameras.”

Students will learn the basic operations and function of the digital SLR camera.

It will be offered on three Tuesday nights beginning Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Cost is $49 per person.

The next level photography class on the Clanton site is “Getting Better Photos,” an evening class that teaches quick tips and tricks to get strong personal photos.

“Students learn to evaluate their surroundings to find the best photo opportunities and easy ways to make every photo better,” Potter said.

That class begins March 11 at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $29 per person.

Jeff State will hold its Career Fair on Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The community can apply for the iCADEMY Prep program at the fair and find out if they meet the qualifications.

iCADEMY Prep is a free non-credit training program for dislocated workers in Chilton County. There are still several student spots available. The program lasts approximately 12 weeks.

Students who qualify for the program will benefit from the classes on basic work skills, Potter said.

The next level offers options that focus on careers in healthcare, manufacturing or welding.

The first three weeks involves basic work skills training, such as computer training. The second phase requires students to take either basic health care classes or basic manufacturing and welding classes.

This grant is funded by the US Department of Labor.

Examples of non-credit classes offered this year:

Pharmacy Technician Certification Prep Program – Tues/Thurs, April 6 – June 10. 6 – 9 pm. $999 (plus textbook)

Paralegal Professional – Mon/Wed, April 12 – June 21. 6:00 – 8:00 pm. $799 (plus textbook)-

Professional medical billing and coding, Thursdays, April 22 – Oct 14, 6 – 9 pm. $1,295 (plus textbook)

Anger Management, Tuesday, May 4, 9 am – noon, $29

ACT preparation, Tues/Thurs, May 25 – June 10, 5:30 – 8:30 pm. $149 (plus textbook)

Lego Education, Thursday, March 25 – April 22, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. $139

Microsoft Excel Basics 2003, Friday, Feb 19, 8:30 – 3:30, $129

Microsoft Excel Basics 2007, Friday, Feb 19, 8:30 – 3:30, $129 and Monday march 1 – 29, 6 pm – 8 pm. $129.