Having a great subject to photograph is half the battle, the other half is knowing how to photograph it. Our tours put you in front of the first, our classes teach you the second.
We understand that photography can be a highly conceptual art form, but photography theory is a long road to taking better pictures. We understand that you have to be taking better pictures the day the tour starts, so our classes focus on hands-on learning that gets you results right away.
We also understand that different participant have different photography interests. Therefore, what might be really useful for one person to learn, might not be for another. Our group discussions provide information useful to everyone, then each participant’s individual interests and questions are addressed by the instructor on the field. This means that whether you’re into digital photography or film, black & white or color, landscapes or people shots, we will help you get better photographs from day one.
Finally, the type of camera you have will limit the amount of manipulation you can achieve. For that reason, when we were thinking of listing the topics of instruction our classes cover, we decided it was worthy to break the list into two sections; one applicable to point and shoot as well as more sophisticated SLR cameras and another applicable only to SLR cameras.
While the techniques and concepts that apply to the more professional cameras will be good information to have by point-and-shoot camera owners and will become useful if and when they decide to upgrade, they will not be able to put said techniques and concepts into practice with their point-and-shoot cameras.
Point-and-shoot & SLR pertinent topics
- intro to photography theory and photography terms.
- understanding your camera and its functions
- how to achieve the best results with the equipment you already have
- learning about camera accessories
- understanding what makes good composition
- understanding EV “exposure values”
- understanding WB “white balance”
- understanding ISO (or your camera’s sensitivity to light)
- understanding depth-of-field
- window light still life
- flash and fill light
- understanding digital cameras’ histograms
- portrait photography principles
- landscape photography principles
- night photography
- close-up photography
- journalistic photography
- art photography
- manipulating digital images
- matting and framing prints
- determining the equipment needed to fit your specific interests
- learning about accessories
SLR pertinent topics
- learning to use manual exposure to get the shot you envision
- understanding shutter speed
- understanding aperture
- filters and when to use them
- understanding and using light meters
- bracketing your exposures when and why
- understanding and using the zone system for more accurate exposures
- hyperfocus for landscape photography
