This course shows you how to take
better photographs with your digital camera based on practical picture taking.
It is intended for those who have a camera with manual controls, but have not
yet ventured away from the automatic or scene modes. Each day combines
classroom tuition with exercises to put your new knowledge into practice. You
will transfer your pictures on to a computer to review progress during the week
with helpful feedback, where appropriate.
You will need a camera that allows you to control
exposure. A digital SLR or a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera is ideal.
More advanced compact or bridge cameras are also suitable. A "point and shoot”
camera or your phone will not provide enough control to take advantage of this
course.
Suitable cameras will have references to
shutter-priority, aperture-priority and manual modes in the user guide. A good
indication is if there is a wheel on the top of the camera with the letters P,
A, S and M on it (P, Av, Tv and M for Canon and some other camera brands).
Please ask me via the summer school office if you're
still unsure.
Details
The primary goal of this course is to provide a solid
understanding and practical experience of how the most important settings of
your camera affect your photographs, without delving too deeply into
technicalities. You will learn how to control exposure, focus and other
available settings that will enable you to move beyond taking mere "snaps” to
create images with impact.
Each day, the tutor will explain some basic principles
and then set a task for students to complete. This will involve taking
photographs around the school and environs - putting into practice the
techniques discussed earlier. You'll be able to review your pictures on a
computer screen to evaluate what you've learned. Hints and tips for improvement
will be provided as appropriate.
We will also cover other areas of your camera's
operation, largely driven by the needs of the class. So, if you have any burning
questions or topics you'd like to be addressed, we should be able to provide
answers as the course progresses.
As the week progresses, we may well have time to
explore some more creative techniques to move your photography beyond the
simple recording of a scene.
By the end of the course, you will have had lots of
practice in using the more advanced modes of your camera to improve your
pictures.
Typical feedback from a previous student: "Course very well put together, Steve is very
knowledgeable and helpful. Mix of theory and practical worked very well.”
Equipment to bring
Students should bring along their own digital camera
(please check suitability as per the notes), complete with the associated
battery charger (and a spare battery, if you have one) and the cable for
connecting the camera to a computer. Make sure you have a fully-charged battery
and plenty of space on your memory card - ideally there should be no pictures
on it at the start of the course.
Marlborough equipment etc.
The college computers should provide
- A Windows environment
- Photoshop
- USB ports available for attaching cameras.
- A way of displaying my cameras' video output using the
whiteboard projector is required (composite and HDMI).
- Tutor system with projection onto whiteboard
(Leaf suite is ideal)
Steve Russell
About Steve
Steve Russell is a
keen photographer and educator with qualifications in Teaching in Further
Education. He has developed and delivered courses in photography and technology-related
subjects since 2005 and at Marlborough College Summer School since 2010. You
can find out more at his website https://steverussellphotography.co.uk/
