Private Photography lessons for beginners & Improvers
SUGGESTED LESSONS
Beginners photography lessons are detailed below, or customise the lesson to your areas of development at no extra charge. For a beginner photography course combine the lessons, give yourself roughly 2 weeks in-between to get a little more photography experience and move on to the next lesson
Need a little help to understand how to use the basic controls of your camera?
Perhaps you’ve just started using your digital camera, or you’d like to re-familiarise yourself.
Result
An excellent understanding of what to use and when but without getting into the more complicated stuff.
With this knowledge you’ll be able to:
- Select the right camera mode for any given situation
- Correctly hold your camera for blur free photos and to avoid achy limbs
- Get more from your camera with many photo tips that only come after years of experience.
Before diving in, we’ll also check if your camera is set-up properly as you’ll be amazed the difference it can make!
We kick-off with a learning session followed by getting out there to put it all into practise – with full guidance and support.
Result
A good understanding of Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO and how they inter-relate.
With this knowledge you’ll be able to:
- Make better decisions than the camera – leading to improved photos + ability to use controls creatively to your own personal style.
- Understand how, when and where to use the various settings for traditional or creative use.
- Understand related terms such as depth of field, f-stops and hyperfocal distance (sounds fancy, but it’s not complicated, I promise!!)
Discover how your camera decides how bright or dark to make each photo.
Result
We’ll cover what conditions to look out for that often fool the camera and how to easily take control for the best results.
With this knowledge you’ll be able to:
- Use the Histogram for better quality photos in all conditions – beating the camera’s auto settings!
- Use White Balance for colour faithful to what’s in front of you.
- Use White Balance creatively
- Know why, when and where to save your photos as RAW or JPEG.
Overview
Why can two photographs of the same thing vary so wildly? Composition for some can be considered a formulaic science, black magic, a subtle art, or all of the above!
Understand how to best present your subject and truly consider what you see before taking that photo.
Format:
2 hours split between learning and putting it all into practice outdoors. A tripod and selection of filters will be available for your use during the lesson.
Result
You’ll have a good understanding and experience of using a Polarising filter, ND filters and tripod. These aids will help further enhance your images and will offer new creative options such as long exposures.
Learn how to get the best from your captured images with modest editing in Adobe Lightroom.
Format
This 2-3 hour session will be based behind a laptop and you’ll be encouraged to bring your own images to edit together.
Result
Ability to edit photos in a variety of styles and understand what’s achievable.
The concepts from all the previous lessons and your new editing skills will help develop your own style and enable you to produce images that shine!
Optional Extra
The lesson can be extended to include photo printing at home or via external print services – in particular how to ensure the print will reflect what you see on screen.
With this knowledge you’ll be able to:
- Import and catalogue your photos
- Understand the key features and controls
- Use a tried & tested workflow to guide you through the edit
- Take your photos from good to great.
What to bring on your lesson
You really only need just you and your camera! It can be any dedicated camera (I don’t yet teach ‘iPhoneography’ but may do in the near future) for your 1st lesson where we’ll get your camera set-up and show you the controls and what to use when for the best photos
What kind of camera will I need?
For most of the lessons you’ll need a camera that offers ‘creative’ or ‘manual’ modes e.g. Aperture Priority (AV or A), Shutter Priority (TV or S) or complete Manual Mode (M). It doesn’t matter if it’s a compact camera, bridge camera, DSLR camera or Mirrorless compact system camera (CSC). Basically if it’s a camera and not a phone, then you’re all set!! Oh, and don’t forget to charge the battery beforehand.
Anything Else?
A Spare battery can be handy just in case
A waterproof jacket / sun protection & water – depending on the forecast (check weather here)
Appropriate footwear for walking on uneven services (who knows where we’ll end up!?)
Feel free to bring an additional camera lens if you have more than 1
A tripod can be handy but isn’t essential. I will always bring mine for you to use where needed.
Lens filters (say what now??!) – if you’ve never heard of them / don’t have any – I will always bring mine as needed.
If you’re not sure or need to let me know of any special requirements – feel free to message me or call (number in the footer below).
About Me
I’m a professional photographer based in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex and I specialise in South England’s Landscapes & Seascapes. I enjoy teaching beginners & improvers how to get more from their camera and by doing so free them to use their creativity and enjoy photography to the max.