Digital Camera Skills

A full-day, small group, workshop to get to know your camera and to learn better picture making skills. You?ll learn about shutter speeds, aperture, ISO, flash and setting your camera up for optimum quality. £50 per person – enquiries via my Contact Page

This workshop is suitable for all cameras, all ages and abilities. However, some cameras are so automated that all you can do is click to shoot; if you’re concerned about your cameras functions please email and I can advise.

The workshop starts in a town centre venue (to be arranged nearer to the date). There, you’ll learn practically about your own camera through group and 121 tuition. A typical ‘Digital Camera Skills’ workshop day will be planned similarly to this:

10.00 – Meet in town centre venue

10.15 – 11.30, The Digital Camera – introduction:

  • Camera/photo history.
  • Aperture – example of how it works; example prints to illustrate aperture effect on images and relationship with lens.
  • Shutter speed – example of how it works; example prints.
  • ISO – what used to be film speed but is now a gauge for sensitivity of photosensitive cell. Relate this to quality of image produced (grain/noise). Also show relationship between ISO, shutter speed and aperture.
  • Focus – practical examples of fast and slow shutter. Also classic and technical examples as postcard sized prints. Relationship to aperture. Auto or manual? Spot or average?
  • Lens quality and focal length, how it affects image – how it alters the image: practical example. Also use of classic and technical examples as postcard sized prints.
  • Exposure – importance of correct exposure. Using the camera’s viewer as a guide. Overcoming limitations of auto exposure. Spot vs average. Which exposure mode?

11.30 – 12.30, Prescriptive practical photography assignment to practice what has been learned: shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focus and exposure.

Participants paired up to review images. Evaluation.

12.30 – 1.00, Review of shoot:

Look at examples of participants images on their view screens

Look specifically for best practice and discuss where improvements can be made.

1.00 – 2.00, LUNCH

2.00 – 2.45, Setting up the camera for optimum quality:

  • Computer imaging software, recommendations including free or open source.
  • File types and size: jpeg (quality) tiff and raw
  • Colour balance (auto or manual)
  • Media card
  • Exposure – or the effects of underexposure correction on a computer

2.45 – 3.15, Picture making:

  • Holding the camera
  • Composition
  • Slow shutter – Self timer and using a support
  • Flash / fill-in
  • Vertical and horizontal

3.15 – 4.15, Practical photography assignment to practice what has been learned

4.15 – 4.45, Review of 2nd shoot

4.45 – 5.00, Q&A plus a summary of what has been learned – enquiries via my Contact Page