BKC Brooklyn Central

Brooklyn, United States

4.8

Closed now

20 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 718-362-2394
Website:
www.wearebkc.com
Address:
33 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY, 11201
b/t Water St & Plymouth St
DUMBO
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.2 miYork Street (F)
0.3 miHigh Street (A,C)
0.3 miSands Street
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Today

Today 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Brooklyn) 3:19 AM Thursday, June 19, 2025

Business hours

Monday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Brooklyn Central (BKC) is a photo, video, and creative education center located in the heart of the Dumbo neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Our basic philosophy is simple: cut the crap. We’re a school founded upon the idea of learning by doing, whether it’s hands-​on classes in studio lighting, learning to shoot stunning HD Video, or unleashing the potential of Lightroom or how to use your DSLR. Our smart and simple approach and awesome teachers will help you learn something new, build on your creativity, and expand your goals. The BKC staff of experienced educators, artists, and creative professionals is totally dedicated to providing you with smart, no-​nonsense instruction and creating an environment for everyday New Yorkers to learn a skill, confidently progress in your practice, or unearth a hidden talent. We keep classes at a price you can afford, 7 days a week, with plenty of nights and weekend sessions for working folks. Join a class at BKC and never stop learning. Find us on Instagram @brklyncentral.

History

Established in 2011.

BKC works in collaboration with the Rabbithole gallery to create a multifaceted underground art space, complete with artists-​in-​residence, photo studio rentals, monthly exhibitions and a full events calendar. Through this partnership, and by merging exhibition with education, we aim to expand the possibilities of artists and their creative efforts.

Rabbithole Projects is a contemporary art gallery, event space and photo studio located on the historic waterfront of the Dumbo art district in Brooklyn. Rabbithole also hosts a monthly film screening series and reading series.

Meet the Business Owner

Justin L.

Business Owner

For several years I’d worked as a co-​curator at a Brooklyn-​based gallery, working specifically in event production and artist development. Originally BKC was conceived as a way to connect artists and to help them learn and share skills, but over time we found that more and more of our students had an interest in photography – which is my background – and they wanted to learn more about their cameras and basic photography skills. Soon we became more focused on providing these skills to all crowds. A lot of people who come to BKC are working in an area that doesn’t permit much creative activity. We found that people are looking for more balance in their lives and I wanted to kickstart that process through education, inspiration, and learning by doing.

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20 reviews of BKC Brooklyn Central

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I took my first class at this little gem of a photo school right in the heart of Dumbo last Thursday evening and I had such a great experience! Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Justin, the founder of BKC, and was able to learn more about what it offered, but had no need to take a class there because I didn’t have a camera to use (although BKC does rent cameras to those who are interested).
Just recently, I finally got a new camera, and with all of its knobs, buttons, and settings, I thought that it would be great to learn more about how they worked, and remembered BKC. I sent them an email inquiring about attending one of their classes, and after getting a speedy response, I was attending my very first class that evening.
The class that I took was the Crash Course DSLR course with Kathy Rugh and she was awesome! Not only did she know her stuff, but she was also engaging, super friendly, patient, and willing to answer any of our questions, while managing to keep the pace of the class going like a pro. I also loved that the class size was really small, so we could get one-​on-​one attention when we finally started testing out what we’d learned.
This class definitely packed a lot of info into the three hours we were there and we learned about how shutter speed, high or low ISO, and aperture size can all affect the outcome of a photo, amongst other things. She also went over what many of the knobs and buttons on the cameras were and what those pesky letters on the main dial represent. After taking this class, I can’t imagine how others use these cameras without taking a course first, because there’s just so much to learn!
Kathy also set up various photo and lighting stations so that we could put what we learned to test and see what our photos would look like on different settings, which I enjoyed because if we had a question or if something in the photo didn’t turn out how we expected, we had Kathy there to answer our questions.
So if you just got a new camera or have a camera just sitting there gathering dust because you’re not sure how to use it, I definitely recommend taking a class at here at BKC. The classes are small, the teachers know what they’re talking about, and I now feel more confident and can’t wait to take my camera out and shoot as many photos as I can.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
I took the Field Guide I which was a really great intro class to shooting with DSLRs. We were a group of 5 participants which was awesome to being able to ask a lot of questions. The explanations were made extremely intuitive and there was always a link between «that’s what it is from a technical perspective and that’s how you translate that in the story you want to tell with you photo». Also the location of BKC is perfect to go outside and shoot really great NYC shots. Definitely will take another class.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I took the Field 1 class today with Alan and it was such agreat class. Really learned the basics of my camera. Great space, class and business. Thanks again.
Place rating: 5
New Orleans, LA
I took the Family & Kids portrait class.
The class was excellent. It was well structured — we went through what makes good/​bad group photos, we took our own photos outside, manipulated light and diffusers inside, and got a lot of one on one instruction.
I’ve been using a canon T3i and T5 for almost a year, and after 3 hours with BKC understood my features and settings so so much more.
Our instructor Justin, was thorough and patient and had great insight to give us direction depending on our personal interests.
I would go back to BKC to take other courses on photography and camera — it’s the kind of place for beginners and more advanced, as they can tailor information to you.
Place rating: 5
Astoria, Queens, NY
I took the Field Guide I: The Camera with Alan — it was excellent. He is a very good teacher who is patient and really explains camera basics in an accessible manner. I went in not knowing anything, I came out knowing how to navigate around my camera and excited about what I can do with my new knowledge. I highly recommend this class.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
Last week I wrote about a disappointing experience I had with the DSL crash course I took at BKC. I was very impressed by the owner’s response, Justin Lin, when he expressed concern about my experience and offered a one-​on-​one class with him at no charge.
I took that class today and it was wonderful — it was both a bit of ‘book knowledge’ and a lot of ‘in the field’ learning. I walked away with the knowledge I needed to feel comfortable with my camera and to start shooting and trying things out. What I didn’t get in the original class — which came from each module being built on one another — I now got. Justin was thorough, patient and excellent at breaking it all down.
Thank you, Justin, for such an excellent learning experience and for turning things around, both for my learning and from the perspective of being such a responsive business.
Place rating: 3
Brooklyn, NY
Took Digital Photography class level I. The semester is 9 weeks (one weekend off due to a holiday) so cost was for 8 weeks; class was every Saturday 10am-​noon. By week 4 half of the class stopped attending. The teacher who taught this class was very sweet, patient, clearly knows what she’s doing…
I signed up for this class because I live in the neighborhood; so convenience was key. If I didn’t live in the neighborhood; I’d def sign up at a different workshop where it’s cheaper and the teachers are just as good… I signed up a week late; the cost was under $ 320.00
A con for me was the price and weak syllabus (I think after the 3rd week; after learning the components of exposure, it became a lot less technical and more about class discussions on what we ‘liked’ and ‘didn’t like’ about each others photographs (which for me was a waste of time).
Another con was having to make copies of our weekly assignments, another $ 8-​$ 20 /​week) depending how many photographs you want to bring in. Would be nice if they could offer a copy station students can use… having to go to Brooklyn Heights from Dumbo in the dead of winter wasn’t fun; neither was doing the homework in subzero temperature… In hindsight, I would have signed up in Spring or Summer (I’m not sure if rates change by season)…
I did finally get a grip on Aperture, Focal Points, F stops, etc but for the price I don’t think I learned a lot but going to these workshops are helpful because it forces you to shoot because you’re given assignments. I do have to say grasping how to use a camera properly is fairly complicated and despite how many people tried to teach me (and my bf is a photojournalist) I never got a handle on it until I took a photography class.
Place rating: 5
Jersey City, NJ
This BKC class was #awesome! The knoweldge of the instructors was nothing short of wow! These young men really know what they’re doing. There were so many different cameras in the room yet they were able to assist everyone and stay on par. The walk outside in DUMBO to shoot in daylight was fun. As a beginner I was impressed with how good my photos came out. As a result of taking this class the quality of the photos I take as well as knowledge of my camera & photography in general have increased! Looking forward to the next session! I’m definitely eyeing their «iPhoneography» class! ;-)
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
BKC is awesome. Small classes, excellent instructors, reasonable prices, cool vibe. I have taken both the full-​length classes, as well as seminars on flash and portrait photography. I can see Justin manages the school extremely well — there is a consistent teaching style that starts with theory and ends with plenty of practice. Each class, I feel a door is opened, and I go home excited to test what I’ve learned. My only complaint would be adding more classes, as you could take most of BKC’s classes in about a year.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I really can’t recommend BKC Brooklyn Central enough. Taking courses there is what inspired me to write my first review on Unilocal.What makes BKC such an awesome place is that it not only has a variety of fun and informative classes, but is extremely helpful to photographers of all levels, whether you are an experienced shooter looking to hone your skills in a certain area or a beginner learning how to use your DSLR. I was in the latter category, buying a DSLR a while ago but never being able to take full advantage of it because I was too lazy to learn it. I found out about classes here because of Living Social and signed up for the Field Guide I class taught by Charles. Charles is awesome! He’s an engaging and knowledgeable teacher that really makes the class and learning photography fun and accessible. The Field Guide I class was five hours and yet I attentively listened the entire time, which is an amazing feat since I have ADHD (literally). I’ve also taken the Quick and Dirty Portraits course which was a lot of fun and was also taught by Charles. I enthusiastically endorse BKC Brooklyn Central and am looking forward to taking more classes with them.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
This place is great. I have taken a variety of the $ 5 Friday classes in photography and a few full price classes such as the DIY print making class.
I always get a lot out of the classes and it is a great value for the price. The instructors are knowledgeable and very accessible. They take time to answer questions and are adaptable to everyone’s level of skill.
The classes are usually pretty small and there is time for individualized attention. I will definitely continue signing up for classes here.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
I was able to use my Living Social gift at this site, the teacher student ratio is great maybe 8 to 1, was a fantastic crash course and enabled me to take my studio photography to another level. If you are on the fence about signing up don’t worry, its great. The location is cool, hidden and provides a fantastic setting. Thanks for being in business.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
Superb instruction in last Sunday’s 6 hour Field Guide I: The Camera!
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
I came to Brooklyn Central for a book binding workshop. The experience was great as we were a small group and the teacher took the time to go one on one making sure everyone was in the same page. We learned several bookbinding techniques and supplies were given to work at home. The course was understandable and the environment very appealing to work in. People are very friendly and easy going!
Place rating: 5
Eugene, OR
The DIY Printmaking workshop here is awesome! I’ve taken a number of similar hands-​on classes across the city, and this was really one of the best I’ve had. Caitlin was a flexible and fun instructor, and the workshop was *well-​designed*: in three hours it gave us a lot of knowledge, a lot of hands-​on time, and some cool samples to take home with us. I loved the space (it’s kind of hard to find, know that you should enter on the basement level), I liked the small class size, and Caitlin was great about answering all our questions. I’ve taken other workshops where I have left feeling like I will never actually try the skill again, but I had the opposite feeling after the printmaking class – I’m full of ideas of how to use my new mad skills.
Definitely going to come back for some photography classes here, too!
Place rating: 5
Jersey City, NJ
This photography school is as good as it gets, folks.
You would be hard pressed to find a superior spot to be schooled in the fundamentals that you will need to know, at this price. I have taken workshops at several other local outfits, and the quality of the education here is *unmistakably* better. Excellent location in the heart of DUMBO near Brooklyn Bridge Park, knowledgeable and charismatic instructors who are well regarded professionals in the field, very cool studio space that classes are taught in, easy to use web registration, fun newsletter/​events, and extremely accommodating customer service when you need a little extra help. I learned how to get so much more out of my camera gear after taking a class here, that I immediately signed up for more. The teachers all spend an incredible amount of time trying to specifically address each students individual learning objectives. They truly care about helping you to raise the volume of your own inner voice. The courses range from those better suited to the beginner to those that even a seasoned and experienced user would find worthwhile. The curricula are practical, but still include plenty of material to inspire. I also learned a lot from the diverse students taking classes with me in the intimate seminar setting. But what I like most about this group is that they cover what they need to, but also find time to emphasize the aspects that remind us of why we are choosing to make the art in the first place.
Tip: Check out their promotional $ 5 Friday classes!
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I just took the «The Hand-​made Book» class with Caitlin Wheeler — It was awesome! Caitlin is a well versed, informative, fun and sweet instructor. We received thorough direction accompanied by a detailed instruction manual. Within the class we made 3 different books that we were able to take away with us.
I actually had no idea what I was going to Brooklyn Creative to do… I just said I’d go with my new roommate. I’M SO GLAD I WENT! These books are perfect for gift giving and even better for someone who’s constantly jotting things down — like myself. The love the idea of being able to make my own notebooks! I can’t wait to go back to learn how to make more!
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I took the «run and gun» flash class with Charles today, and it was amazing. I think I learned more in three hours here than in a semester-​long college photography course — and for a tiny fraction of the cost. He shared pragmatic tips, took questions patiently and provided opportunities for hands-​on practice.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I’ve been playing around with my DSLR for a couple years, learning what I could from online forums and experimenting — kind of my preferred way to learn in general –and it was time for some real knowledge. I’ve taken two classes, and they’ve both been really helpful. The first class was their Street Photography, and the second class was Lighting for The Studio. What makes this such a great place to learn is the mix of technical fundamentals and artistic principles. You shoot in real situations, you talk, and you can ask whatever questions you want. Critically important tidbit: the instructor challenges you to learn by asking questions while they’re teaching. It’s not just a one-​way broadcast lecture. Place just has a good vibe, too. The staff like what they do. They’re good at it. It’s affordable and they make it fun.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I just finished the Digital Photography I 8-​week class. I can’t say enough good things about it. I had recently gotten a digital SLR as a gift and had no experience using it whatsoever, except on fully automatic. Charles, the instructor, taught us all the basics of the manual functions in really simple terms. We got off to a good start, and we were able to take some really good photos from the very beginning. Then, we learned a new skill each week that we were able to perfect using the homework assignments as a guide. Once we had mastered one skill, we moved on again until we were finally taking great black & white photos. The entire class ended with a small student show right in the gallery.
Charles is a great, experienced and patient teacher. He was always available during the week to answer questions about the assignments by email. Photography can be complicated and he never skipped a beat if someone in the class was having trouble. Justin, the founder of the school, was also always around and helped coordinate the final show. You can tell that these guys are really engaged with the students and want to see us succeed. True professionals. I’ve already started the next 8-​week session of Digital Photography II and can’t wait to start learning color and flash photography.