MODULE 1: CAMERAS AND LENSES
• Introduction to the different types of SLR cameras and their uses
• Small, medium and large camera formats
• The SLR in depth
• Different camera functions and their uses
• What is the best camera to use
• Introducing different types of lenses and their uses
• Focal length explained
• What is a normal lens
• Lens Faults – Aberrations and distortion
• The telephoto lens
• What does MACRO mean
• Different types of specialty lenses
• Extension rings and their uses
• Filters
• How to care for your lenses and camera body
• How to pick the right lens for the job
MODULE 2: SHUTTER, APERTURE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP
• Shutter stop and? F/stop explained
• The aperture / shutter speed relationship
• Depth of field explained
• Sharpness
• What happens to the performance of the lens at various f/ stops
• Working with depth of field
• View cameras and the digital sensor
• How to select the correct aperture & shutter speed for the job
• Why use Aperture Priority
• Shutter Priority or Program Mode
• How to put it all together
MODULE 3: EXPOSURE AND METERING
• In-camera light meters
• What do light meters measure
• Different methods of metering.
• ISO and exposure compensation control.
• What is ISO and what does it do
• Metering colours
• Practical exposure methods.
• Same time same weather exposure
• Bracketing
MODULE 4: LIGHT AND COLOUR
• Colour Temperature – white balance settings
• Using a colour temperature metre
• RGB for printing quality
• Photographic filters
• Useful filters for digital photography
• Colour filtering for specific purposes
• Shadows and Highlights
• Black and white and other effects
MODULE 5: LIGHTING – DAYLIGHT AND ARTIFICIAL
• Lighting is everything
• The sun
• Colour
• The quality of light
• How to soften harsh light out of doors
• Lighting people and other small moveable objects outdoors
• Filling the shadows in full sunlight
• Backlighting
• Lighting objects
• How to achieve the daylight look inside using flash
• Bounce light
• Methods for portrait lighting
• Lighting men and women
MODULE 6: HOW TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS
• A mental shooting checklist
• What is important in the shot
• What am I trying to achieve
• Near enough is not good enough
• Think like a lens
• Making a portfolio
• How to develop a style of your own
MODULE 7: EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE
• SLR, medium format and large format
• What camera should I buy
• Do I buy or rent
• How many and which lenses do I need
• Can I use my old film lenses with digital cameras
• Where is the technology going
• Lighting equipment
• What do I really need
• Which brand should I buy
• Portability
• Second hand gear
• Computers and monitors overview
• The storage solution
• The computer tablet
• Photoshop CS3
MODULE 8: RETOUCHING, RESOLUTION AND PRINTING
• Photoshop basic overview
• Resolution and required dpi Working in
• Colour channels explained
• File formats Raw, Tiff, Jpg and Psd evaluated and explained
• Useful retouching tools
• Using Adjustment settings
• Levels and Curves
• Less is usually more
• Do your prints look like the file on screen -?calibration
MODULE 9: THE STUDIO
• How big a studio do I need
• Is daylight really necessary
• What colour do I paint the studio
• Poly boards and reflector and skrims an essential tool.
• Can I work from home
• The floor and ceiling height
• List of essential stuff
• Parking a must
• Hiring your studio
MODULE 10: HOW TO CONSTRUCT A PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO
• Look at other photographers work
• Look at the portfolios of stylists to get ideas
• Talk to photo agents
• Think about your presentation
• Business cards and website as marketing tools
MODULE 11: PHOTO AGENTS, PICTURE AGENCIES AND HOW TO GET WORK
• How to find a photo agent
• How photo agents work
• The photographer / agent relationship
• Fees and charges
• Be totally prepared for your interview, you only get one chance
• Photo libraries and picture agencies in a nutshell
• Fees and charges
• The copyright issue
• How to submit images
• Going it alone
• Befriend the art buyer
