Classes are held on location within the Dandenong Ranges where you will the perfect backdrop for Portraiture Photography, Macro opportunities, Landscapes and Fauna if we are lucky. Be sure to bring your own Analogue or Digital Camera/Tripod/Film 200-400 ISO, comfortable clothing and Walking Shoes. There will be a Canon 10D 6.3 MegaPixel Camera for Rent at $20 an hour. N.B. *Insurance Claim to be filled in. Cost - Per Person $45 P.H OR 2-4 People- $35 Per Person P.H

Classes Available:-

 

What the classes cover:-

Aperture - Have you ever heard the word Aperture or F-Stop and wondered what it all means? Then this is the class for you. Aperture is the eye within your camera that can be made smaller or larger and in doing so can not only make your image brighter or darker but can affect your focal range. I am sure you have all seen a photo where everything in the foreground is sharp but the background is unrecognizable or an image of a wonderful landscape and everything for miles is sharply focused....this is Aperture. How to achieve these effects and the effect of the Aperture is all carefully balanced and in knowing and understanding what it is and what it does will allow you greater control over your final image. As we cover the use of Aperture we will also touch upon Shutter Speed, these go hand in hand, not knowing these two key camera functions is the difference between a 'Snap Shot' and real Photography.

Film - Film in any camera will decide your outcome regardless of your knowledge of Shutter Speed, White Balance or Aperture. The film speed you choose greatly impacts your images when all is said and done. We cover the basics regarding Film Speed or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and explore optional uses for Film Speed to add grain to images. If you want a picture perfect image, sharp in every respect, you have to know what you are shooting, when you are shooting it and under what lighting conditions to achieve the sharpness you desire. If on the other hand you want to make your images grainy/grungy you will want to know how to add grain to your images and doing all of this lies in your knowledge of Film Speed.

Portraiture - The use of an angle can alter the appearance of an image from the real to the surreal. If you have 5 people Photographing one item at the same time, every photo will be different.......why....because we all see life from a unique angle.In tranquil surroundings amongst tree ferns with Puffing Billy rattling in the distance, we will explore Portraiture Photography. How to capture the light in your models eyes, how to soften the background and draw the viewers eye to what it is you want them to see in your work. We suggest you bring a friend to act as your model or pair up with others interested and make a group booking. As the area is very private, nude or semi-nude Photography is a possibility dependant on your model.

Macro - True Macro Photography is created using Extension tubes and the use of Fiber Optic Lighting in studios, unless of course you have a Tripod and a relatively good lens. Macro Photography is rather broad in definition and can simply be an image of a flower up as close as you can get with a conventional camera. In recent years l have explored using a Magnifying glass void of curvature on the outer extremities and had wonderful success but you don't need to go this far to create an amazing picture.The best way to learn is to Photograph Flora and what better place than the Dandenong Ranges where a vast array of Flora will be found. We will cover not only how to achieve a Macro image but also lighting techniques to enhance your image, and Adobe Photo Shop advice for those of you with the software.

Digital -Have you ever considered the differences between Digital and conventional Film Camera's? Do you know what Film Speed is and how to use it to enhance your images. Digital Photography is fast replacing Film, but is it better? Have you ever heard of White Balance or got photos back and wondered why what you saw when you shot it, is NOT what you see with the final prints? With the Digital camera, Photographers can change Film Speed from frame to frame and adjust the White Balance of an image instantly.

White Balance Explained - All light sources contribute to the outcome color in your image. Fluro lights can make people green, shade can make them blue, street lights turn people orange and the list goes on. Understanding the light you are in or use will greatly alter and improve your Photographs. White Balance on your camera allows you to program your camera to 'know' what light you are in so it can counteract it and give true color.

Film Speed Explained - Film speed varies from 50-3200 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and more, and knowing what those numbers means will make and break an image. Bright days are great for 200-400, overcast days 800 and night-time 3200. The Digital camera allows you to change from 100 in one photo and 3200 the very next, unlike conventional Film Camera's where you have to use the entire roll before changing Film Speeds. E.G. If you use a 200ISO at night time and hand hold the camera your images will be blurry and grainy, if you use a 3200ISO and place your camera on a tripod your final print is perfect.

Lighting -How do l light my subjects? Why is it that when l photograph people on sunny days that they are dark? Why is my flash so bright that my photos of people look terrible? It's all to do with Lighting. In Photography, as you will learn, lighting has everything to do with it and without the right lighting, the right amount and the right location you are headed for disaster. We will learn about Fill Flash, Reflective Lighting (Bouncing Light), Cutters, Spot, Flash and the secrets to lighting. A great many Photographers use Ambient Lighting, daylight, for their subjects and in most cases that is all you will ever need....but if you are interested in Studio Photography you will need to know so much more. Together we will have fun learning about Lighting and explore options using Reflectors. Lighting is the one thing that alot of Photographers get wrong and yet it is so simple once you have the right person to teach you.