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Photography today is firmly established as both an art form and an essential tool in communication. If you already know how to operate your camera and are comfortable with your knowledge of most of its functions, this is the course you are looking for.
Whether you take photos for pleasure or want a career, Christine will teach you to get your camera off autopilot and get the most out of your Digital SLR. A quick grounding in the basics and legal issues is followed by practical use of your camera in a day shoot with a special subject and a night shoot in her own secret Gold Coast location.
You can expect homework every week followed by plenty of discussion about your own photos. Camera accessories, such as tripod, flash and extra lenses are an advantage. A creative and inspiring work environment that is very hands on. Learn how to put that “wow” factor into your digital photos.

Entry Requirements

Students of any age can participate – all you need to display is an enthusiasm for photography and the desire to learn. You must have an Digital SLR camera with memory card and knowledge of basic camera operation. Camera accessories such as tripod, flash and lenses are an advantage.

Student Instructions

Digital SLR camera. A pen and pad for note taking.

Topics

Learn how to use every feature on your DSLR. Learn about lenses, Shutters Aperture ISO and their relationships. Discover creative depth of field, Composition, Tips and Techniques, Lighting and Presentation.

Career Prospects

A stepping stone to a photography career, further studies or as an interest.

Delivery Style

Classroom based lessons and on locations shoots. One daytime shoot (will discuss with students time and day which suit). Casual and open discussions on all topics. Camera and creativity must always be present.

Outcomes

A better understanding of photography and your camera. The ability to change your snapshot into 1000 words. Your just a click away from learning how the professionals take an amazing pic after another.

A student quote . . . I enjoyed everything, the interaction between student and teacher is great. Locations shoots are awesome and it was comfortable to ask questions – G. Smyth

A student quote . . . What did I enjoy about the course? Everything! Christine was very informative and fun! The photo shoots were loads of fun as well. – H. Bray

If you need to learn all about your SLR or SLR-style camera, this is the course for you. You will learn all about basic photography theory, including operating the essential dials, knobs and buttons of your Digital Single lens Reflex (SLR) and SLR style cameras, and the effects you get by using them. Practical use of your camera is included, with three location shoots and a basic session on studio lighting.

Entry Requirements

Own a Digital SLR camera – SLR cameras have interchangeable lenses. They are the bigger, professional-looking cameras, with lots of features, functions and buttons. SLR ‘style’ cameras look similar, but are smaller and don’t have interchangeable lenses.Have basic computer knowledge for camera/computer connection and file downloading.

Student Instructions

Please bring your digital camera, your camera manual and a pen/paper for note taking.

Topics

This course teaches you all about your digital camera.
Week 1 Introduction to the Camera, its functions and accessories.

• Batteries – charging and use
• Memory cards – types, formatting
• Types of SLR cameras – pros and cons
• Holding your camera to minimise blurry images and correct orientation
• Functions (symbols & buttons) and their operation and purpose
• Menu Functions and selection

Week 2 Introduction to Exposure and Camera Settings

• How and when to use A, P, Av, Tv, M and B

Week 3 Downloading, Renaming and Software Options

• USB cables and USB card readers/writers
• File types -jpg, RAW, TIFF, PSD and others
• Metadata – what’s it mean?
• Renaming your files to something useful – Batch renaming.
• Common problems with your photos – their cause and remedies
• Software programmes (Picasa) and choices
• Composition – an introduction

Week 4 Principles of Colour/Light

• White Balance/colour temperature

Menu/symbols/settings

• Colour space (sRGB AdobeRGB)

Week 5 Practical application – Photoshoot (Location to be advised/discussed)

• Possible locations

-beach – early morning/sunrise (landscape/scenery/macro)
-Broadwater – day/sunset (landscape/scenery/people)
-Broadwater or Botanic Gardens – day (landscape/scenery/people/macro)

Week 6 Photo Shoot

• On Location (to be advised – see as per Week 5)

Week 7 Photo Shoot

• On Location (to be advised – see as per Week 5)

Week 8 Revision – settings for different subjects

• Review – Discussion on various camera settings to maximise results when photographing different subjects in different locations and lighting situations.

Delivery Style

Four-six classroom based lessons and two-four outdoor practical sessions. This will be discussed at the first class.

Outcomes

Students will have a better understanding of their camera, its controls and when to use them to obtain better images.

If you have any digital camera at all and your main concern is to be able to produce photos that continually blow people’s minds, this is the course for you.
It is not about your camera, but about what you and your camera can produce. It covers composition, shooting techniques, movement, lighting and style. You will learn the important skill of how to critique your own photos. It is very interactive with photographic homework every week – all aimed at instilling the right habits so you can consistently take photos that anyone would be proud to hang on their walls.

Entry Requirements

This course is not about your camera, but about what you and your camera can produce. You will need a camera you are familiar with and basic computer knowledge for camera/computer connection and file downloading and transmission via the Internet. Film camera users must be able to get their prints scanned for Internet transmission.

Student Instructions

You will need a camera, the ability to devote time outside the classroom for photography and a pen for prolific note-taking.

Topics

Comprehensive coverage of the three “Cs” – Composition, Creativity and Critiques of your own and fellow students’ photographs. A highly interactive series with students required to make good use of their cameras between lessons.

Career Prospects

Although this is a hobby course, it covers many basic skills required by those intending to become professional photographers and during and following this course you can produce photographs for an impressive portfolio.

Delivery Style

Classroom delivery with student’s photos displayed with an overhead projector.

Outcomes

Take photos of which you can be proud, photos that impress others, photos that provoke discussion by viewers and photos that people are prepared to buy. If you only think you enjoy photography now, when you finish this course you should know you enjoy it.

A student quote . . . I enjoyed the opportunity to apply learning and get feedback. I would like to say thank you, this course has given me a new perspective and helped me through a difficult personal experience. I enjoyed the challenge of learning a creative skill. – name withheld – name withheld

A student quote . . . Don, you must be so proud of me now.......I have enrolled into Bachelor of Communication at Grrifith Uni, and I am studying News and Magazine Photography major, and Communication and Media major! Your class inspired me so much and made me want to study more and more seriously. I used to be a writer in Japan, but I have never thought I can do that sort of job in English. However, you made me realise that I can express myself by photo-journalism, because your class was so inspiring and fun, and taught us a joy of photography. I really appreciate it, Don. – Yoko L

What happens after you have taken your digital photos? Your job starts with getting your images out of the camera, organising them, resizing them plus minor adjustments and corrections and finally printing and sharing your photos using Google Picasa 3.

Entry Requirements

Basic computer knowledge is required. You will need access at home to a PC or Mac computer and download Picasa3. The teacher will supply full instructions on this at the first lesson.

Student Instructions

Bring along a pen for note taking.

Topics

A complete grounding in Picasa3, showing its capabilities including:

• efficient image filing.
• Improving your images by cropping, straightening, removing redeye, and many other rapid changes.
• E-mailing and publishing your images in many different ways.

Other software you can use to widen your horizons.
Tips on selling and/or entering the industry
Many other small and large things to add to your photographic experience

Career Prospects

Successful professional photographers need to know most of the subject discussed in this course. They need to know a lot more as well. But this boot camp is aptly named – it is a way to project yourself further and faster along your photographic timeline. Not interested in a professional career? Imagine the positive effect of knowing the right way to get a far better result from your efforts.

Presentation

Classroom delivery on TAFE computers or you can bring along your own notebook PCs, or Mac.

Outcomes

If you think you enjoy photography now, this course will take you to a whole new dimension. It builds a perfect base for anyone who wants to be able to concentrate on managing their great photos.

Continuation of How to take Great Photos course. Students must have completed a course on How to take Great Photos.This course runs along the same lines of instruction reinforced with practical experience and intensive tutor and peer critiques. It concentrates on increasing the photographer’s knowledge of specific items in a digital camera’s technical capabilities as well as general photographic techniques gained during many lifetimes of photography.

Entry Requirements

Students MUST have completed How to take Great Photos. This course has the same requirements of basic computer knowledge for camera/computer connection and file downloading and transmission via the Internet.

Student Instructions

Student must have a SLR or SLR-type digital camera and its manual, a tripod and flash. If in doubt about the camera, interested parties should talk with the instructor prior to booking. Digital emphasis precludes the inclusion of film cameras.

Topics

Evening One of this course covers generalities in shooting techniques as well as specific ways to take advantage of your camera’s features. Then it homes in on a particular theme, exploring ways to extend your view and listing suggestions from successful photographers on how to get the best results in different circumstances. Following classes will consist of intensive critiques and the introduction of new themes and further exercises.

Career Prospects

Although this is a hobby course, it covers many basic skills required by those intending to become professional photographers and during and following this course you will produce photographs for an impressive portfolio.

Delivery Style

Classroom delivery with student’s photos displayed with an overhead projector.

Outcomes

Extend yourself beyond having the advantage of being comfortable with composition to being comfortable with your camera and using its extended capabilities, to add to your results and complement your creativity. Move further along the path to working with the capabilities of a professional.

A student quote . . . Don was not only a fountain of knowledge but helped to create a fun, well organised, educational environment. His classes were comprehensive and inspirational to the point I signed up for the advanced class half way through the first course. Don is a great tutor and expert in his field. Anyone interested in photography should definitely sign up for his class. I have learnt a lot and cannot wait to apply that knowledge into practice soon. – Ewa S

This course teaches you all about operating your digital camera. Compact Digital Cameras are smaller than SLR’s and do NOT have inter-changeable lenses. They are limited in their choice of operating modes and functions/features. Usually designed to be carried around in pocket/handbag for convenience.

Entry Requirements

Basic computer knowledge for camera/computer connection and file downloading

Student Instructions

please bring your digital camera and your camera manual

Topics

This course teaches you all about your digital camera.
Week 1 Introduction to Camera and Functions

• Batteries – charging and use
• Memory cards – types, formatting
• Holding your camera
• Functions (symbols & buttons), presets and their operation
• Menu Functions and selection

Week 2 Downloading to your computer and renaming files

• USB cables and USB card readers/writers
• File types -jpg, TIFF, PSD
• Renaming your files to something useful. Batch renaming.
• Common problems with your photos – their cause and remedies
• Software programmes and choices
• Composition – an introduction

Week 3 Location Shoot (Daytime)

• Meet at Rosser Park to put into practice everything we’ve covered

Week 4 Intro to Photo editing

• Demonstration of basic tools and most used features
• Resizing
• Cropping
• Removing adding
• Giving your photos a bit of ‘zap’
• emailing and burning to CD

Delivery Style

three classroom based lessons and one outdoor practical session. This will be discussed at the first class. This teacher photographs models for a living – some of his work may be used as visual examples during the course.

Outcomes

Students will have a better understanding of their camera, its controls and when to use them to obtain better images.