Exploring Digital Photography
Tutor: Sam Bland
This two-day workshop will provide you with a working knowledge of digital photography, how to use your camera and basic photoediting software. Creative and technical possibilities are explored within a supportive environment, enabling you to acquire the skills to be confident photographers. You will need a camera with manual functions (see below for guidelines).
You need a camera with manual functions, see below for more info.
About the tutor
Sam is a freelance photographer with more than 15 years’ experience. He has recently completed an MA in Photojournalism at London College of Communication (www.samueljbland.com).
Camera guidelines
Camera guidelines
- Ideally, buy an SLR (digital if you want digital, film if you want film). SLRs are best if you want to really explore, or even just experiment with photography. There are non-SLR compact digital cameras nowadays that take very good quality pictures but certain key features are limited and therefore limit the photographers capacity to be more creative. Having said that many ex-students have completed the course with a compact and been very happy to continue using their compact cameras.
- Canon and Nikon are the safest bets. Not because they are necessarily better, but because they are the biggest companies and therefore have a much wider range of lenses, accessories and equipment on the market (this is particularly true if you are interested in exploring the second-hand market).
- Try some out in a shop. The most important things are whether you like it, and whether the way it works makes sense. I personally find the menu system in Canon cameras to be extremely user friendly. All the digital SLR manufacturers - Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus, etc - make cameras that produce very good pictures and, to be honest, all have pretty similar features. Most important is whether you like how it feels in your hand, it's not too heavy or fiddly and if the menu system etc seems to make sense. So go to a shop and ask to play around with a few, and pick the one that 'feels' best (and you can afford!). If you really like the Sony, get the Sony. Photography isn't as much fun if you don't like your camera.
Testimonials
I now feel more in control of my camera and ready to make the most of it. Before, I felt guilty for having a cool camera and not knowing how to use it. Now I don't feel like such a fraud! Linda
More confident using manual mode to get much more out of SLR. Sam is a very enthusiastic & knowledgable teacher, and was very approachable & willing to help. Emma
Forced me to be more creative & think of new ideas. Looking at other people's work was also really helpful. Fiona
I loved the workshop. Sam tailored the course to everyones needs and answered all questions so everyone could understand. Michelle
It's encouraged me to engage more and creatively with my environment. I feel more able to play with my ideas now. Jennie
Made me realise photography is about the emotional as well as visual. Dawn
I feel I have explored my creative side more and am more comfortable with the technical aspects of a camera. Matt
Tutor was very clear to understand and structure of course was excellent. Sam
Much happier sharing my life with my beautiful DSLR. Edwina