If you’re sick of leaving your fancy digital camera in auto mode, check out Denver’s Chimpsy, a field trip–based photography school that’ll sharpen your skills in two hours. Geared toward beginners and intermediates, Chimpsy (an acronym for CHeck IMage Preview, referring to the tendency to immediately check just-taken digital photos) starts with an hourlong lesson on the camera’s anatomy and basic skills. Then, students canvass LoDo for stellar environmental photo ops—with hands-on instruction and gentle critiquing. By the end, you’ll be better acquainted with your Nikon and its potential—and never again default to point-and-shoot mode.

Try it: $125 per class, chimpsy.com.