Introduction to Photography

 

Two Day Course

 

An Introduction to Digital Imaging - learning to use your camera in full manual mode.

 

This Level 1 course is largely practical, with explanation which demystifies the theory, the aim is to get you out and about, taking pictures to better understand how to use your camera and to help you to develop your creative skills when capturing images. You will learn primarily by reviewing photographs you have taken to simple briefs throughout the weekend.

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have learnt to:

- Craft your Images, rather then just being satisfied with what the camera gives you....
- Take well balanced and thoughtfully composed pictures
- Use Creative Exposures by playing with depth of field and shutter speed

 

The workshop is flexible to the needs of our students, however it is structured with the aims and objectives outlined below.

 

 

- getting to know your camera and lens: buttons, functions, menus, settings etc
- operating the camera in manual mode, i.e. the truth about exposure, f.stops, shutter speeds and ISO
- exploring how the aperture and shutter speed affect the image
- taking well balanced images using a few simple rules of Composition, considering colour and the elements of design

 

 

The course will run from 10 am - 5pm. over Saturday and Sunday. Please note, it is possible the course will over run to cover all the learning objectives for the day.

 

Please note that you will be asked to complete an exercise for home work on the Saturday evening, this work will be reviewed on Sunday morning to understand the difficulties you had with it and decide what else we need to work on for day 2.

 

You will need to bring your own camera and its instruction manual. Make sure your battery is charged, and you have backups or bring your charger too. Also make sure you have a clean memory card and spares, just in case you get carried away with your photos.

 

Because 70% of the course takes place outside it is essential you come dressed for the prevailing weather conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

 

Two day course

 

This particular Photography Course will consolidate the learning from the Level 1 course around using your camera in manual mode, with 70% practice / 30% theory, this includes reviewing photographs you have taken to the briefs given throughout the weekend.

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have:

- built on previous learning and knowledge of the camera's manual functions
- developed your understanding of what makes a well composed and balanced picture, knowing when to break the rules
- developed your understanding of how to create the Images you want, rather then putting up with what those the camera takes....
- learned to look for a story and edited your images to tell this story

 

The workshop is flexible to the needs of the students, however it is structured with aims and objectives outlined below:

 

1.   Bring creativity and excitement to your images by working on composition and design

      Consolidation of Level 1 work including:

·     Megapixels, Resolution, Print Size and File formats

·     Lenses (Focal Lengths, Macro, Prime & Zoom Lenses).

·     Manual and Autofocus (Focusing Points, Autofocus Lock, Single or Continuous  Focus).

·     Manual Exposure (ISO, Shutter Speeds, F/Stops and The Light Meter),

·     Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority and program.

·     Metering Modes.

·     Light (direction, Form and Quality)

 

2. You will be given several briefs and expected to use the skills you have learned to meet these by taking images in a way that begins to tell a story, rather than just taking pictures. You will be expected to use Creative Exposures, Composition and The Elements of Design. Your work will be critiqued by your trainer and feedback given.

 

3. There will be an introduction to Lighting for Portraits, flash versus natural light.

 

4. There will be an introduction to different styles of Photography such as Street Photography etc.

 

 

The course will run from 10 am - 5pm. over Saturday and Sunday. Please note, it is possible the course will over run to cover all the learning objectives for the day.

 

Please note that you will be asked to complete an exercise for home work on the Saturday evening, this work will be reviewed on Sunday morning to understand the difficulties you had with it and decide what else we need to work on for day 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

One day course

All participants need to be at intermediate or advanced level, having done at least the Introduction to Photography course or be well practiced in using their camera in full manual.

 

This is a very exciting and dynamic workshop that will help you hone your travel photography skills through practical assignments, visual presentation, discussions and critique.

 

We explore how professional photographers, plan and structure their work; tools and equipment that are used; the language of light; using composition and perspective creatively; people, places and landscape techniques; we will also look at landscape and urban photography, portraits and street photography.

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have:

- learnt to research or find 'the story' and be able to tell it in pictures
- developed your understanding of how to give a sense of place to your location
- developed your understanding of the rules of composition, so that you know when to break the rules and still get a fabulous shot
- learned more the creative use of Light, composition and perspective

The workshop is flexible to the needs of our students, however it is structured with the learning objectives outlined below.

- Build on previous learning and knowledge of the camera's manual functions
- Explore how professional photographers plan and structure their work
- Develop your learning of the tools and equipment that are used
- Develop your understanding of the impact and behaviour of light
- Understand the creative use of Light, Composition and Perspective
- Learn to research people, places and seasons, where to go and what to shoot
- Learn to move from and capture, Landscape to Urban, from Portrait to Street Photography

The course will run from 10am – 5.00pm. Please note, it is possible the course will over run to cover all learning objectives for the day.

 

You will need to bring your own camera and its instruction manual. Make sure your battery is charged, and you have backups or bring your charger too. Also make sure you have a clean memory card and spares, just in case you get carried away taking photographs.

Because 70% of the course takes place outside it is essential you come dressed for the prevailing weather conditions.

 

Price is £90 for return participants, otherwise £100.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use of Light in Photography

One day course

All participants need to be at intermediate or advanced level, having done at least the Introduction to Photography course or be well practiced in using their camera in full manual.

This very practical course will help you to take your portraits to the next level, to learn to control the light for the best portrait shot and gain confidence as a photographer.

 

Although the camera and how we use it is of great importance in photography, the way our subjects are lit will make or break any photograph we take, so whether using natural light or studio light, it is important that we learn about its impact on our subjects and how to use it creatively in our images.

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have learnt to:

 

- see where the light is within the image to be captured, understand its quality and direction
- understand the impact of light on the image being taken
- use simple techniques to use in everyday photography, so that you can manage the impact of light to give the image that you want

 

 

The workshop is flexible to the needs of our students, however it is structured with the learning objectives outlined below

 

- build on previous learning and knowledge of the camera's manual functions
- Learn about the joys and challenges of photographing people
- learn about light, its behaviour (direction, intensity and quality)
- develop an understanding of the use of natural light versus artificial light
- develop an understanding of how to compose a well balanced image
- develop an understanding of the use of flash
- An introduction to studio lighting for portraits

Price is £90 for return participants, otherwise £100.

The course will run from 10 am - 5pm. Please note, it is possible the course will over run to cover all the learning objectives for the day.

 

You will need to bring your own camera and its instruction manual. Make sure your battery is charged, and you have backups or bring your charger too. Also make sure you have a clean memory card and spares, just in case you get carried away taking photographs.

 

 

 

ONE-TO-ONE TUITION

 

One to One Tuition is aimed at anyone who owns a digital SLR camera and wants to maximise its potential.

The tuition is tailored to suit your level, from complete beginner to professional.

Why One to One rather than doing a course?

The content is decided by you and delivered at a pace to suit your level and prior knowledge. You will get 100% of the tutors attention and won't be held back by a class.

 

Or, you might simply want to refresh your memory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Composition - Classic composition, the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, the golden spiral, the golden triangle and simplicity. And finally how and when to break the rules!

 

Creativity - movement, depth of field and playing with exposure to make your own image.

 

Elements of design such as texture, colour form and pattern.

 

These are possible topics that will help you gain a better understanding of your camera and unleash your creativity:

 

- Buttons, functions, menus, settings etc.

 

- Operating the camera in manual mode

 

- Light meter and metering modes

 

- The sensor, sensor sizes and covering area

 

- Creative use of depth of field

 

- Practical exercise exploring how the aperture & Shutter speed
affect the image

 

- How to operate your lens, and how avoid distortions

 

- Focal length, Angle of View & Perspective

 

- Lens impact on Depth of Field

 

- White Balance [W.B.] and Colour theory

 

- Advantages of shooting RAW

 

- Post production using Aperture or Photoshop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Photography

 

Single Evening Session

Night photography has an attraction all its own. 

 

Photographers can capture some of the most stunning and visually exciting images to be had - a city skyline, lamp posts on a dark and deserted street, capturing the trails left by speeding cars.

Throughout our courses we emphasise the importance of light when capturing your image. Taking photographs at night is a lot simpler to achieve then one might think. The results can be stunning and strange effects are easy to master.

 

Learning Outcomes

- to capture night time images without the use of flash
- to be able to use flash at night
- to capture creative images and paint using light

 

The workshop is flexible to the needs of our students, however it is structured with the aims and objectives outlined below

 

- To build on previous learning and knowledge of the camera's manual functions
- How to capture the image you want by making planned changes to aperture and shutter speed
- How changing the aperture and shutter speed effects the expression of light in the image, this includes the capture of moving lights and painting with light
- Use of flash at night

You will need to bring your own camera and its instruction manual. Make sure your battery is charged, and you have backups or bring your charger too. Also make sure you have a clean memory card and spares, just in case you get carried away taking photographs. If you have a tripod, please bring it, if not let me know in advance so that I can bring one along.

The course will only run 2 or 3 times per year. Usually held on Saturday evenings, 6pm-9.30 pm, when the Christmas lights are up and the Christmas Markets on, this is towards the end of November or early December.

 

Maximum of 6 participants per tutor, all must have attended the Introduction to Photography or be able to use the camera in full manual mode.

 

Places will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. As places are very limited and the course is short, places won’t be held if payment isn't made at the point of booking.

 

Cost will be £60.

 

It will be very cold and may also be wet, please come dressed to stay warm and dry.