Plymouth College of Art - 5 Week DSLR Photography Online (Jan 2021)

This creative and informative photography course will guide learners through a series of lessons that teach basic key elements in photography such as camera anatomy, composition, taking manual control of your camera, using lighting, and processing and printing your images.

By the end of the course, you will be familiar with shooting in full manual mode, downloading and saving files effectively, editing basically using post processing software for basic editing. You will also be developing basic lighting skills and learn to be more creative with your photography.

Lessons will be taught online and are interactive. Each lesson will use live demonstration, lectures and slide shows. Classes will use Google Meet to demonstrate software and allow participants to speak with the tutor and each other. Google classroom will be used as a means of communication outside of class. Information will be shared using google drive.

Each week your tutor will give a full live demonstration that will be recorded so that learners can refer back to after the lesson has finished. There will be a discussion at the end of each class and time for students to try the techniques demonstrated in class and ask questions.

Each week a task will be set and class members will receive a digital worksheet. By the end of the course the worksheets form a complete ebook along with the body of work that you create.

A critique of students' work will take place at the beginning of each lesson so that members of the class can share work, ideas, and your tutor can monitor and help with your progress.

Location: This workshop will be taught solely online via Google Meet

Start Time: 18:00

End Time: 20.00?

Start Date: 20/01/2021

End Date: 17/02/2021

Day: Wednesday

Fee: £150

Course Content

Week 1

Course introduction. Using Google suite and apps. Getting started. Dslr basic anatomy. How a camera works. Introduction to composition. Quick start guide.

Worksheet 1: Composition exercise.

Week 2

Transferring images onto a computer. Editing options. Giving your photographs a professional look. Printing options. Photoshop alternatives.

Worksheet 2: Photographing and processing a landscape photograph.

Week 3

How to use Shutter and Aperture Priority to produce long exposures. Painting with light. Depth of Field

Worksheet 3. Create a long exposure image using a torch or light source.

Worksheet 4. Create a portrait photograph using Aperture Priority.

Week 4

Focus Modes. Focusing on stationary objects, tracking moving subjects. How to land your focus and increase focus accuracy in your photographs.

Worksheet 5: Using focus modes to lock focus on a moving subject and create a panning effect.

Week 5

Taking control of your camera. Using manual Mode, 3 principles of exposure, stops and f stops.

Worksheet 6: 35mm challenge.

What skills will I need?

Learners who are complete beginners. Photographers who have been taking photographs a while but would like to take more professional images. Individuals that have been using analogue equipment but would like to explore digital photography. Hobbyists who would like to progress their craft further. Photographers who wish to refresh their skills and knowledge.

Different budgets and abilities are considered in the planning. Great photography can be completed at home.

Equipment and Materials?

• Laptop or Desktop computer (tablets WILL NOT suffice.)
• Adequate internet connection*
• Google account for Google Meet/Classroom access
• All handouts to be supplied electronically by lecturer
• A working and up to date copy of Adobe Photoshop
• DSLR or camera with manual settings.

On-site Activities Update

In order to ensure the safety of our staff, students and visitors we have decided not to reopen our college facilities to our Short Course cohort in the Autumn term. This means that there will be no on-site teaching available for Short Courses at this time. Following an intensive period of development, we have launched our new online Short Courses delivered by expert tutors.

We can't wait to welcome you to our online arts community. If you have any questions please dont hesitate to contact us at shortcourses@pca.ac.uk.

Please note that all courses are subject to student numbers and will only run if sufficient numbers are achieved. Plymouth College of Art reserves the right to cancel a course if insufficient student numbers are recruited.

*Internet connection - In order for you to receive the best possible experience for this online course your internet connection must be fast enough for you to clearly watch demonstrations by the tutor. Unfortunately, Plymouth College of Art is not liable for any refunds if you are experiencing any technical difficulties due to your own internet connection not working effectively.

Smart Citizens

Interested in digital design? Open to all abil­i­ties, groups and ages, check out Fab Lab Plymouth's FREE Smart Citizens cours­es here www.fablabplymouth.org/events