Whether you're just picking up a digital camera for the first time, have purchased or been given a new camera — or just want to brush up on the basics required to achieve good results — this beginners' photography course is for you. In small, practical classes held locally, I'll help you get the most out of your camera.
Don't worry about getting bogged down in theory. I am a working professional who has taught photography for more than twenty years. I'll show you what you need to know: what works, what doesn't, and why. You'll learn in a hands-on manner and be able to apply your knowledge immediately.
We'll discuss how apertures affect an image, and see the effects that various shutter speeds give us. The dawning of the digital age has also presented us with another way to control the end result — light-sensitive variable ISOs (formerly film speeds) — so we'll work with this innovation too.
Composition — how to frame the image in your viewfinder — is another important aspect of taking a good photo. We'll help improve your eye so it can tell the difference between what simply looks good and what will translate into a digital keeper.
There will also be demonstrations of how lighting influences the outcome, and when and how to use a flash.
Thought of buying new lenses or filters for your camera? We'll detail the ins and outs of what makes a good lens, what it can do, where to purchase it, and how to enhance it.
Once you've downloaded the photographic image onto your computer, learn how to tweak, alter and optimise it for those printers in the local shop. We discuss the Adobe software package Photoshop and some alternatives and highlight the steps required to crop the photo, adjust its colours, improve sharpness and ensure proper resolution.
Finally, we'll have an evening excursion to practice night photography on the city's harbour.
Courses are held throughout the year