If you’re a beginner or advanced amateur you will find this course useful and challenging.  Learn to view the world as one who “Sees” by being always “On” is an objective in these workshops.  If you are not really looking around you will miss many opportunities for creating great images. I prefer teaching in an organic way, for example, topics will pop-up depending on location or some sudden change in light.  Below is a list of fundamental topics and techniques you will learn with us.

The Camera

  • Professionals know their equipment inside and out.  The importance of this knowledge will be stressed again and again.  Don’t worry, it’s fun!
  • Light Meters – interpreting what it tells you, what it is”Seeing”, and how to expose creatively because of and in spite of it.  Someday you may never need it again.
  • ISO – choosing one subjectively and also for creativity and how it effects image quality.
  • The Histogram – the most useful feature on those wonderful little digital screens.  Learn how to read it at a glance and what it means for quality.
  • Shutter Speed – how to use for freezing and motion blur and how it relates to lenses.
  • Aperture – understanding Depth of Field and the relationship with lenses, using for subject isolation and sharper images.
  • Depth of Field Preview – your camera most likely has this button and you’ve never used it.  It is very useful.

The Tripod

  • Don’t overlook knowledge of this essential piece of kit.  Working it well or not can make or break a shoot.  Save time when it’s essential by not struggling with it.
  • Ball heads and how they can help you compose.
  • Picking one that works for your shooting style.
  • Blue Hour shooting tips and tricks.

 

Preparedness

  • It’s the difference between a professional and an amateur.
  • Know what kit to bring and what to leave at home.
  • You can shoot in most weather if you’re prepared.
  • Clothing and Footwear.
  • Must haves for your bag.
  • The usefulness of a good hat (with a visor of some kind).

 

The Light

  • Learn about colour temperature and its effects.
  • Deciding what is important in your image and exposing for it.
  • Using mixed light sources.
  • What is contrast range and why you need to know it.
  • Understanding the limits and capabilities of your camera.
  • Many exercises in Seeing the light.
  • Auto White Balance(AWB) the how and why of it.
  • Following reflections to their source, always fun and a great exercise in “seeing”.

 

Composition

  • Leading lines and how to see them.
  • Natural Framing.
  • Balancing Elements.
  • Symmetry and Patterns.
  • Rule of Thirds (Golden Mean)
  • Layering elements for depth.
  • Background searching.
  • Foreground framing.
  • Movement and how it is important in composing.
  • What to avoid – mergers and cut-offs.
  • Colour and Image balance when composing.