Module I
First, we find a common photography knowledge ground and lay down a good photography foundation.
We start with a quick overview of photography fundamentals - how to work with the camera and exposure triangle. All necessary groundwork upon which we can build an intermediate photography class.
We then upgrade our knowledge with advanced focusing techniques, in-camera effects and finis strong with properties of natural light important for photographers.
Photography Topics We Cover In First Course Module:
I.1 work with camera gear
I.1.a types of lenses and how to operate them
I.1.b different camera controls and modes/programs
I.1.c take care of your gear
I.2 quick overview of exposure triangle fundamentals
I.2.a exposure time and its effects on the final photograph (rules for focal length…)
I.2.b ISO and its effects on the final photograph (grain, dynamic range, sharpness…)
I.2.c aperture and its effects on the final photograph (DoF, diffraction, vignette, …)
I.3 advanced focusing
I.3.a back-button focus
I.3.b manual
I.3.c hyperfocal and distance relations
I.3.d creative effects (shallow, focus stacking, defocusing lights/firework, ...)
I.4 properties of natural light important for photography
I.4.a temperature and tint
I.4.b intensity
I.4.c direction
I.4.d hardness
I.4.e fall-off and inverse square law
I.5 practical exercises
I.6 in-person lecture with the instructor
Module II
In the second module, we build upon knowledge from the first module.
We learn how to control natural light and how to take it away. A moment when you are not at mercy of present light is a big step in your development as a photographer.
Finally, what was taken away has to be substituted. We take a deep dive into world of artificial light sources, their properties important for photography and how can we combine added light with existing ambient light for seamless photos or interesting creative effects.
Photography Topics We Cover In Second Course Module:
II.1 photography optical filters
II.1.a system vs. screw on
II.1.b Circular PoLarisying filters (CPL)
II.1.c Neutral Density filters (ND)
II.1.d Variable ND filters
II.1.e gradient ND filters
II.1.f special effects filters (starburst, mist, colour, light pollution...)
II.1.g other ways to chip off the intensity of the light
II.2 added light and its properties important for photography
II.2.a sources of added light (flashes, video lights, reflectors, ...)
II.2.b ambient/natural vs added
II.2.c combining vs contrasting
II.2.d light gel filters
II.2.e storytelling with light
II.4 practical exercises
II.5 in-person lecture with the instructor
Module III
Have you heard of rule-of-thirds? SURE! Golden ratio, spiral, S composition, diagonals... you surely know them all. Those are BIG 5 rules of composition everyone is talking about.
Here is a revelation. Although important stepping stone, they are not and should not be your final goal. On their own, they do not produce balanced and visually pleasing compositions. So we upgrade the BIG 5 with the IMPORTANT 5 that (almost) no one is talking about.
We also look into the different photography genre and rules/composition recommendations. How to pose individuals, couples and groups? All checked in module three of intermediate photography class.
The composition is FREE. Use it!
Photography Topics We Cover In Third Course Module:
III.1 the big 5 rules of composition
III.1.a rule of thirds composition
III.1.b golden ratio composition
III.1.c golden spiral composition
III.1.d S composition
III.1.e diagonals
III.1.f practical examples and guidelines
III.2 the important 5 rules of composition
III.2.a work it!
III.2.b focal length and size relationships
III.2.c colour and light, harmony and tension
III.2.d patterns, rule of odd numbers
III.2.e composition lines (leading, depth, horizontal, vertical...)
III.2.f triangles and diagonals
III.2.g COMBINE!
III.3 photography paradigmes
III.3.a posing models
III.3.b posing couples
III.3.c posing groups
III.3.d rules of various photography genre (landscape, wildlife, night, ...)
III.4 practical exercises
III.5 in-person lecture with the instructor
Module IV
Taking photos is only 1 step out of 3 (arguably 4) step process. We talk about another one in the last module of intermediate photography course.
It is photography post-production (the rest being pre-production and arguably distribution)!
Photo editing has always been a crucial part of a photographer's workflow. That has not changed in the digital age. We look into good practices so that you never loose your precious photographs, how to manage your libraries with DAM (Digital Asset Management) software and how to edit photographs.
We take a deep dive into Capture One. It is the one I recommend you to use and it is the one I use every day.
We will get stunning RAW development with Capture One and then get creative with Adobe Photoshop - the gold standard of everything related to visual digital arts.
Photography Topics We Cover In Fourth Course Module:
IV.1 overview of photography post-production
IV.1.a good old times? Analogue retouching, compositing... vs digital.
IV.1.b image formats (RAW, JPG, TIFF, PNG, DNG)
IV.1.c color spaces (sRGB, AdobeRGB …)
IV.2 managing your library
IV.2.a 3 Bs (Backup, Backup, Backup)
IV.2.b DAM (Digital Assets Manager)
IV.2.c import, culling, marking/keywording, track workflow...
IV.3 Capture One
IV.3.a basic RAW development
IV.3.b colour management and getting creative
IV.3.c local adjustments and retouching
IV.4 Photoshop
IV.4.a simulating optical photography filters
IV.4.b luminosity blending basics
IV.4.c compositing
IV.4.d SNR improvements (night/astrophotography, small sensors...)
IV.4.e automatic mergers (focus stack, panorama, HDR)
IV.5 Photography trade secrets
IV.6 in-person lecture with the instructor
IV.7 FINAL EXAM AND CERTIFICATION
