Advanced Photography Course for Digital SLR-owners
Not sure what an SLR camera is? Give us a call or click here.
We take the mystery and guesswork out of photography, and show you how to master your digital SLR or mirrorless camera in any situation. Get plenty of hands-on practice with your own camera - we even read your instruction manual for you before you come, and tailor your cheat cards to the best functions of your actual camera model. With tiny groups of just 6 new people, you'll get lots of personal attention.
Full-day $390 for a 1-year pass
or just $350 for 2 or more people
Californian Sierra Nevada at dusk
We show you how to shoot in a range of situations:
Go from this bland photo...
... to this by using a flash off the camera. Taken a few seconds later, with no Photoshop
We show you how to:
- Compose beautiful photos
- Get the most out of the "manual" modes of the camera: Av, Tv and M (or A, S and M)
- See light and colour like a camera, and how to see in black-and-white
- Choose your focus for moving and stationary subjects
- Go beyond your camera's limitations with computational photography
- Change perspective in photos
- Use blur and movement in your photos
- Use a range of accessories, including filters, macro lenses, extension tubes, off-camera flashes, reflectors.
- Shoot to make computer editing easier.
Get impossible images with computational photography - sunrise at Nudgee, Brisbane
Isabella swinging in the local park, Brisbane
Each course includes:
Lighting gels for your flash included
We keep classes small - up to six new people per course so everyone gets personal attention, but booking is essential.
* Our two basic courses are "Capturing Joy" and "Travel and Landscape Photography". They lay the foundation for this Advanced DSLR photography course. See "What do I need to know already" below to work out if you would benefit from coming on the basic courses first.
What kind of camera do I need? A digital SLR, 'mirrorless' (also known as a 'compact system camera') or one of a few advanced compact cameras including the Canon G series and Panasonic LX-series. Please be aware, though, that compact cameras offer a narrower range of settings. You'll still be able to learn lots, but you'll have less scope to change how your photos will look.If your passion is landscape photography, these restrictions aren't too serious, so please come along. But if you want to learn to take great action and low-light photos, you probably need an SLR or top-end mirrorless camera. This page explains the differences in the types of photo you can get with a compact camera and an SLR. If you're not sure, please give us a call - we're here to help.
When and where are the workshops? This page lists the details of each workshop including their times, dates, venues, directions, parking details, and wheelchair accessibility. Workshops last 9 hours (a fresh sandwich lunch is provided, as well as snacks, fruit and cakes), and run from late morning into the evening so that we can practice a range of effects for sunset photography.
What do I need to know already? We recommend that you come on our basic courses "Capturing Joy" and "Travel and Landscape Photography" before joining the advanced course. The basic courses lay the foundations for getting great photos without the jargon, and we offer discounts for booking all three courses together. But if you're already confident with lenses, shutter speeds, composition and the brightness control for your camera, you won't need to have come on the basic courses first.
If you're not sure, please give us a call - that's what we're here for. Remember we also offer a money-back guarantee on our courses if you think you've booked the wrong one.
How technical does it get? We promise to explain all the necessary jargon in plain English. There is no maths, and no advanced computer knowledge necessary for this course.
What's not covered? Basic composition and shutter speeds (these are introduced on our basic courses), editing images on your computer (although we do show you how to shoot to make editing easier).
What should I bring? Your camera with fresh batteries and enough space on a memory card to take at least 200 photos; any accessories you use (e.g. lenses, flashes, tripod, close-up equipment, filters); a selection of up to six photos for feedback - either prints or on a memory stick; your laptop if you wish; and your camera's instruction manual (we won't leave you to hunt for answers alone, but it's a useful reference for some of the obscure custom functions on the camera).
Dean who? Dean Holland brings 20 years' experience in photography, and 15 years' experience and a PhD in adult learning. He's an author in 3 books related to adult learning, and has run hundreds of workshops in 7 countries in 2 languages. Dean has two gorgeous daughters. You will be seeing lots of photos of them!