Photography Courses
Discussion
Having wasted films just tyring things I thought it might actually be cheaper to go on a course. I recenlty only just learnt how and when to use my circular polariser but it cost me more in developing than the filter itself!
Has anyone been on any photography courses?
I dont want one that teaches me how to switch the camera on and the basics but then again I dont want to everything to go straight over my head either.
Any recommendations for a short course? Just a day will be fine to start with.
Has anyone been on any photography courses?
I dont want one that teaches me how to switch the camera on and the basics but then again I dont want to everything to go straight over my head either.
Any recommendations for a short course? Just a day will be fine to start with.
www.luminous-landscape.com has some good articles on it 
Otherwise, how about looking at photos that you like, trying to work out how they were taken, and then trying to get similar shots yourself. Or look at your existing photos that you don't like, and work out why - then you can take better ones next time!
Works for me!
Once you've got the basics sorted (rule of 3rds, effect of changing shutter speed/aperture, how to get accurate exposure, how to bracket, how fast to shoot to avoid shake etc...) it's mainly down to composition and being in the right place at the right time (IMHO).
No course or book can do that for you, or tell you what you like to see in a photo, and most of the basics can be got off websites and by RTFM.
Otherwise, how about looking at photos that you like, trying to work out how they were taken, and then trying to get similar shots yourself. Or look at your existing photos that you don't like, and work out why - then you can take better ones next time!
Works for me!
Once you've got the basics sorted (rule of 3rds, effect of changing shutter speed/aperture, how to get accurate exposure, how to bracket, how fast to shoot to avoid shake etc...) it's mainly down to composition and being in the right place at the right time (IMHO).
No course or book can do that for you, or tell you what you like to see in a photo, and most of the basics can be got off websites and by RTFM.
You'd probably be shooting lots of film if you went on a course too.
I like to think that I've got the basics covered, and have a vague idea of what I'm doing, but I still only get a handful of shots that I like from each film, and in the case of "difficult" locations like Le Mans, I can get as few as 1 decent shot per 2 films!
One of the articles I posted the link to yesterday was by a pro who had a similar hit rate at motor races - and he's a pro!
Just get the 300D and get snapping!
I like to think that I've got the basics covered, and have a vague idea of what I'm doing, but I still only get a handful of shots that I like from each film, and in the case of "difficult" locations like Le Mans, I can get as few as 1 decent shot per 2 films!
One of the articles I posted the link to yesterday was by a pro who had a similar hit rate at motor races - and he's a pro!
Just get the 300D and get snapping!
My girlfriend recently went on a course and there was not too much picture taking, but more about how to get the best out of your camera, composing pictures, filters etc etc. Her piccys are miles better now, and it was only a course at a local nightschool costing about £60 for 12 weeks
T-J-K
T-J-K
the jiffle king said:
My girlfriend recently went on a course and there was not too much picture taking, but more about how to get the best out of your camera, composing pictures, filters etc etc. Her piccys are miles better now, and it was only a course at a local nightschool costing about £60 for 12 weeks
T-J-K
Thanks, thats the one for me. Loads of night school classes around here, bound to ba a photography one. I'll do one of them.
Try this guy
www.photoopportunity.co.uk/main.html
He did a one day course with just me. Most I've learnt about photography in one day (in fact I must go back for a refresher), covered basics, compostion and developing for me but tailored to your needs. Went out and took similar shots together.
I found been shown what to do and seeing the developed film and comparing the shots to a pro invaluable and my shots were instantly better.
www.photoopportunity.co.uk/main.html
He did a one day course with just me. Most I've learnt about photography in one day (in fact I must go back for a refresher), covered basics, compostion and developing for me but tailored to your needs. Went out and took similar shots together.
I found been shown what to do and seeing the developed film and comparing the shots to a pro invaluable and my shots were instantly better.
Hi Dusty
We had a quick chat at Pfest about photography - Don't give up on the 35mm just yet - if you do a course at a local college for example, you will probably be doing B/W developing. I used to spend more time in the dark room experimenting with different styles than I did taking picures. You can do lots of different effects in the darkroom
, although saying that, what it takes 2 hours in the darkroom would now take 2 minutes on Photoshop!
Definately have a look at a course - knowing stuff like Depth of Field etc is always useful.
Joely
We had a quick chat at Pfest about photography - Don't give up on the 35mm just yet - if you do a course at a local college for example, you will probably be doing B/W developing. I used to spend more time in the dark room experimenting with different styles than I did taking picures. You can do lots of different effects in the darkroom
, although saying that, what it takes 2 hours in the darkroom would now take 2 minutes on Photoshop! Definately have a look at a course - knowing stuff like Depth of Field etc is always useful.
Joely
Thanks Joely (and others).
I have seen an A level course at my local college which Im considering.
Its a bit much though, I only wanted a couple of days!
I have always fancied a go at the darkroom stuff but as you say Photoshop takes away the time element which suits my impatience!
Perhaps one day when I give up everything and live in a little country cottage I'll have time for to do my own developing.
I have seen an A level course at my local college which Im considering.
Its a bit much though, I only wanted a couple of days!
I have always fancied a go at the darkroom stuff but as you say Photoshop takes away the time element which suits my impatience!
Perhaps one day when I give up everything and live in a little country cottage I'll have time for to do my own developing.
You could try Experience Seminars
They have quite a veriety of courses, almost all lasting a single day. Some concentrate on technical aspects, others on composition.
Contrary to the original name ("EOS Experience") name most of them are not Canon EOS only. I went on a course to learn about the "advanced" features of a Canon I bought and it was certainly worthwhile. Comparing notes with other attendees was useful too.
They have quite a veriety of courses, almost all lasting a single day. Some concentrate on technical aspects, others on composition.
Contrary to the original name ("EOS Experience") name most of them are not Canon EOS only. I went on a course to learn about the "advanced" features of a Canon I bought and it was certainly worthwhile. Comparing notes with other attendees was useful too.
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