Basic Digital Photography
Learn about your Digital SLR (DSLR) camera and how to shoot images in the manual modes resulting in better photographs. Topics include: Understanding DSLR features and functions; Understanding Exposure; Understanding Focusing and Depth of Field; and Understanding Composition and Elements of Visual Design and learning how to see like a photographer. There will be shooting homework between sessions. The session will consist of lecture as well as photo critiques.
Basic Digital Photography I Homework Option - When purchasing Basic Digital Photography I, if you would like to add the Homework Option, please register for the homework activity as well.
The key components to taking great photographs are knowing how to use your camera in manual mode, understanding the principals of composition and the elements of visual design, seeing like a photographer, and practicing taking photographs. This add-on option to the class is designed to help you put into practice all of the things that yo will learn in class. You will be given shooting assignments each week (4 assignments: weeks 2-5) specific to that week's class material. The instructor will then review your work and provide positive and constructive feedback to help you take your work up another notch. The critiques are provided via video and can be downloaded for reviewing as many times as you like. The instructor will be available to answer questions via email. The best way to improve your photography is to learn from photos that worked well, and from photos that did not work so well.
Lecture Series - Portrait Photography
- In this lecture, you will learn the key elements for taking interesting portrait photographs whether it be family or friends, or a stranger on the street. We will talk about camera gear, camera and exposure settings, focusing techniques, the importance of light and shadow, and the components of a simple studio setup. Most of the presentation will be centered around images that use natural light, not requiring any type of sophisticated lighting, and will cover informal, environmental, and group portraits too. This lecture will benefit any level photographer with any type of camera including a smartphone camera, but it is primarily geared to DSLR and mirrorless camera users who can adjust exposure setting on their camera.
Lecture Series - Architecture Photography
In this lecture we will discuss the challenges of taking great photographs of buildings and how to overcome those challenges. Topics include camera gear and settings; how to deal with distortion; how to take photos that are not boring; the keys to successful shots; the best times to shoot; interesting subjects; and much more. This lecture will benefit any level photographer with any type of camera including a smartphone camera, but it is primarily geared to DSLR and mirrorless camera users who can adjust exposure setting on their camera.