The city's Department of Probation is offering free photography classes around the city.

The department is offering three-month workshops to teach people everything from the history of photography to mastering technical skills.

The classes are not only for people who have had run-ins with the law.

The program's director says studies show community engagement, like learning news skills, actually prevents crimes.

Photography that came from the first workshop is now being displayed at a local publishing house in Dumbo until Oct. 7.