Express Photography Boot Camp

Get up to speed before you take those Christmas Pictures!

By Jeff Cowell

First of all: This class is at an Intermediate level, or should only be considered by aggressive learners.  Others should look at my "Digital Photography for Beginners offerings".

A Two-Day "express" adventure in Learning and Experiencing Photography.

Read the details carefully!
Lunch and Dinner are provided both days.

This Boot Camp is designed to get you up and running over a 2-day intensive combination of classroom, and hands-on workshop experiences. In this series of classes and workshops you'll have a real hands-on experience in a variety of settings, along with a total of 12 hours of classroom work on the theories and techniques we'll use in the field.

We will start each day at 9:00 a.m., and break for lunch at noon.

Our second session will start at 1:00 p.m. and run through 4:00 p.m., when we will break for dinner.

At 5:00 p.m. we'll regroup and head out for 3 hours hands-on workshop time for you to work on the principals you've learned.

Please NOTE: this schedule is subject to minor changes depending on weather and classroom pace.

These Seminars are geared towards providing you with the basics of photography from the ground up as they relate to Digital and Film cameras. Because we're starting from the ground up doesn't mean this series is limited to beginners in any way. The amount of knowledge available through these Seminars goes well beyond basic photography and into intermediate and advanced topics. We'll do our classroom lessons in 3-hour segments with breaks and workshops to help keep everybody sane (ok, this assumes you're sane when you arrive). Depending on the weather we'll go out to practice what we've learned for 3 hours each evening.

Register Early - Space is strictly limited to assure close attention to your needs as a student.

Bring your camera, tripod, flash, reflectors and all those photographic gadgets you've been collecting. Please come prepared to take lots of notes in addition to the text book you'll receive. You'll also want to bring rain gear and dress in layers when we head out for our field trips. I recommend sturdy shoes (that will protect your feet and ankles on rough terrain), bug spray and maybe even sunscreen. Althoug we may stay in the city, there is always chance that we'll head out to the countryside. You will be responsible for transporting yourself to the locations where we shoot daily, but it's not uncommon for students to carpool with me or other students. If the weather is bad, we'll be doing our shooting in and around the classroom location.

Day 1 - Exposure & Composition

Exposure

The first step in learning photography is to understand exposure. In essence, we need to capture the right amount of light, for the right length of time, and at the right recording speed. Simple enough, yet complex enough to require of a full 3-hour lesson.

What you'll learn in this segment:

I'll lead you through basic photography to make sure you understand how to make a correct exposure. How to use your shutter speeds, f/stops (aperture), and ISO, in conjunction with the correct white balance, to create properly exposed images every time.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

• ISO - What it is and how to select the right setting.
• White Balance, understanding it and using it effectively.
• Setting the f/stop, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve the correct exposure.
• Taking great photographs in some of the worst conditions.
• How to come home from your vacation with photos that you'll want to share with everyone.
• Getting professional looking results with a basic camera.
• Buying the camera that best fits your needs and photographic interest.

Composition

Once you've learned to make a good exposure, you'll want to arrange your subject matter appropriately. That's what we commonly refer to as Composition, and that's what the 2nd classroom session of this day is all about.

What you'll learn in this segment:

I'll teach you how to compose your images in such a way that your viewers will be captivated, and you'll command their interest. We'll discuss ways of improving your images, so you can truly take them from being snapshots to being real photographs. Your friends will be waiting for you to come back from trips so they can see your photos, and they'll really enjoy seeing them. This segment is geared towards providing you with the concepts of composition, so you'll be able to effectively communicate your subject to your viewers (without you being there to guide them through your albums).

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

• Depth-of-Field - The first element of composition.
• Rule of Thirds - A place for everything and everything in it's place.
• Framing - Bring out the best of your subject while you focus your viewers' interest.
• Balance - Making sure your viewer feels comfortable looking at your photos.
• Mergers - Avoiding the ones you should, and creating the ones you need.
• Simplicity - Yeah, you know, that old principle... Keep it simple... /li>
• Perspective - Bringing your viewer into the scene you want them to experience.

Day 2 - The Camera, Flash, Light and Metering

The Camera

Now that you've got an understanding of how you want to compose your images and how to get the proper exposure, you need to get more familiar with the camera and all of it's parts.

What you'll learn in this segment:

We'll talk about all those buttons, wheels, switches and dials on your camera and lenses. Our goal here is to make sure you can take all your knowledge about Exposure and Composition, and bring it together quickly to create the photos you're after. We will discuss how to handle your camera correctly, so you'll capture the shots you want before they get away. We'll also talk about keeping your camera safe from harm, and functioning for a long time to come.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

• The Camera Body - Where things are located, and what they do.
• Function Dial - What's on it, and what it all means.
• Shutter Speed and F/Stop Controls. /li>
• ISO Settings.
• White Balance Settings.
• Shutter Release, Cable Release and Self-Timer.
• Hot Shoe and Flash connections.
• Depth of Field Preview.
• Auto-Focus Switch and focusing.
• LCD Display.
• Viewfinder.
• Lens / Lenses.
• Shutter functions.
• Handling the Camera.
• Using a Tripod.

Flash, Light, and Metering

Now that you know how to use your camera and compose your images and handle your camera well enough to get it all done; you need to know how to use the light you have, or supplement it with flash.

What you'll learn in this segment:

Getting the exposure you want with the available light, and how to use flash to illuminate your subject or to supplement the available light. We will also spend a good deal of time dealing with metering your light, to be sure you're going to get a proper exposure.

Here's some of the many topics we'll discuss:

• Measuring Light and Light Meters.
• Handling low light problems with flash.
• Reflecting your flash or the available light.
• Bouncing and diffusing flash.
• Adding color to your subject.
• Using filters to enhance your image.

File Management

Ok, so you've got all these great photos and you're saving them on your computer, now what?

The book includes a section on File Management. Although we do not cover this section in the classroom, it is valuable information for you to learn.

What you'll learn in this section:

Methods of managing your files so you can find them when you want them. Using those images for some of the many applications you have for your photos.

Here's some of the many topics covered:

• Handling images as they come from the camera.
• Storing images in a managed fashion on your computer.
• Protecting your images from damage or loss.
• Resizing your images for various applications.
• Emailing your images.
• Preparing your images to print.

Hey just wanted to say THANK YOU! I am learning so much and we have just been sitting here this morning talking about your class and just how knowledgeable you are! Looking forward to learning more...you are AWESOME!!! Lisa

Jeff, believe it or not, I really did learn a lot. I look forward to attending one of the photo excursions... elle

The last 5 weeks (were) a lot of fun. I always enjoy your banter and the text book was very well written and illustrated. We were a diverse group of students, each unique and interesting... Mary

...just fyi, and this is in no way a suck up........I thought the class was fantastic. I'm a true believer that a person can take amazing photographs with a modest camera if they know what they are doing, and you are proving me right. Thanks !!! Tena

I really enjoyed Friday's digital photography seminar and am looking forward to the field trip on Aug 31! I'm more motivated than ever to continue improving my knowledge, and am already working on upgrading my equipment... you'd be proud, it's a Canon. ;) Thanks again, see you in August! Michelle .