Step-by-step advice and 'hands-on' tasks with an award-winning Brighton photographer

My courses are aimed at aspiring photographers who want to get the most from their digital cameras and develop their creativity. There's no sitting around in a stuffy classroom with this ‘Hands-On’ practical approach, based on-location in Brighton's vibrant, highly photogenic Seafront and Lanes areas.

Students are taught skills and then put them into practice with a variety of ‘live’ tasks, utilising local colour such as cyclists, buskers, market traders, seagulls, amusements rides and more. Students are given 'Homework' to parctice skills learnt in the week, prior to the next session.

By the end of the course you will be a competent photographer, not afraid to go beyond the ‘AUTO’ button, inpired to take better pictures, and  I'll guarrantee you'll have  some fun along the way with other like-minded students!

Equipment (Not suitable for point and click Compacts)

Preferably a Digital SLR, Micro 4/3rds system or at least a good Super Zoom/Bridge camera* with Aperture, Shutter and Manual modes.  A tripod of some kind ideally. If you have a point and shoot you wont get the full benefit of this course. You should also know at least the basic operations of your camera, where the different modes are – even if you don’t currently use them yet!  You will need to be computer and web savvy, and know how to save files to your PC. You will also need Photoshop Elements or similar photo editing software if you are going onto the Part 2 course. 
* email the model number if in doubt.

Part 1: Week 1: Camera controls and what they do

Exploring the main camera functions and when to use them – Aperture, Shutter, Focus ( AF, AF Macro, Manual) Zoom ( optical and digital), flash options, timer, image resolution, battery, multi-shot mode, manual overrides to control depth of field and focus. Practical’s:

· Panning vs. static shots

· Slow exposures to create blur vs. short exposures to freeze subject.

· ASA/ ISO/ Colour Balance settings and what they do

· How to control what's in focus or blurred.

Week 2: Camera technique and compostion

 Putting skills learnt into practice on a roving shoot along the beachfront. Practical’s Include: 

· Auto vs Manual Focus control

· Experimenting with shutter speeds to create effects

· Use of Tripod/ Flash/ Fill-in Flash

· Use of Zoom / Wide-angle to frame your  shots.

Week 3: Pushing your creativity and choice of subject matter:

 Adding the creative element to skills learnt, with advice on developing creative style, including composition  rules and how to break them, the ‘Golden hour’ etc. Briefs will be given in differant locations, with a review of images captured afterwards.

· Framing a shot to maximum effect

· Exploring a subject from different angles.

· Creating  silhouettes

· Bracketing / continuous shooting modes

· Basic advice on Photo Shop, cropping and file saving

Part 2: The Digital Darkroom - Getting the most from your images

1/2 day Laptop based session with advice on how to get the most from your shots by use of cropping and Photoshop controls, from a selection of 2-3 images taken on the course so far, and will  Include:-

· Brightness/ Contrast/ White balance

· Levels/Curves/Hue/ Saturation

· Retouching/ Cropping/ Sizing/Saving formats 

· Special effects  e.g. Sepia/Posterise etc

· Uploading to on-line Labs

· Framing methods and showing work 

Course Dates:
Part 1— Hands-On Courses (3 weekends) 2012, Sat 10-12am:

Mar 24, 31 & Apr 7  (6 places left)                                   May 5, 12 & 19  (6 places left)

Jul 7, 14 & 21                                                                    Sep 1, 8 & 15

Part 2— Photo Editing Courses (1/2 day) 2012, Sat 10-1pm:

Jun 2              29 Sep

Prices & Bookings 

Part 1 £80       Part 2 £ 40      Parts 1 & 2  £100 (Save £20)

Courses are bookable on-line or just email me. Main courses are limited to 10, with a minimum of 3 students for a course to take place. Gift Vouchers are available in FREE personalised cards. Should you have any further questions please get in touch  davestreeter58@yahoo.co.uk  (01273) 723526 or 07803 743782 

"Thanks for a fantastic course, I really enjoyed it and learnt so much, it was all so practical I know I'm not going to forget it!  It’s really inspired me to get out and practice."

Hayley, Part 1 & 2 Graduate - Spring 2010