Secrets of Better Photography

About This Course

Secrets of Better Photography is a hands-on course for beginning and emerging photographers, as well as those transitioning from traditional to digital photography. You'll learn how to take better pictures by understanding how different types of cameras work, including SLRs, and getting to know each of the features your camera offers.

With each lesson you'll have an assignment to put the course work into your hands and throughout the class, you'll have the opportunity to have your images critiqued by your classmates and the teaching team. We'll cover digital equipment from point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLRs, lighting, compositional tips and tricks, as well as ways to work with people and pets for great portraits! You'll explore photojournalism, still-life photography, a few digital editing tools, as well as manual settings for dynamic exposure. With step-by-step explanations and lots of examples, you'll see how to take your camera out of automatic mode with terrific results. You may be surprised at what f/stops. aperture settings, and shutter speed can do for you! We'll explain terms like depth of field, and frozen action and show you how to use your camera to get shots like the pros.

After six short weeks, you'll see the difference in your photographer's eye, and your photos!
About The Instructor

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Beverly Schulz.

Beverly Schulz is a freelance photographer and a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography's Professional Photographer's program. She teaches a number of classes in digital photography and has more than 25 years of classroom instruction experience. Her writing and photography have been published in a number of magazines. She has traveled extensively and participated in onsite photography workshops as well as independent photo quests. In addition to teaching and photographic work, she provides consulting services for digital photographers and clients.

Syllabus

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

Week 1

Wednesday - Lesson 01

In this first lesson, you'll learn how to see the subject of each photograph—before you press the shutter button. This information will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the class.

Friday - Lesson 02

As we move to the technical side of photography, we'll take a look at the options available in camera equipment. Whether you have a point-and-shoot camera or the latest digital SLR, you'll gain a better understanding of the equipment and tools photographers use.

Week 2

Wednesday - Lesson 03

Returning to artistic elements in this lesson, you'll learn how to develop your photographer's eye and incorporate compositional guidelines as you take better pictures. This information will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the class.

Friday - Lesson 04

Light is the essence of photography. In this lesson, we'll explore how to control and use light to your advantage. You'll compare the advantages of natural light, available light, and artificial light and see when you'll want to use each to capture the special effects you're after. You'll also learn how to use the ISO and white balance settings on your camera to make the most of the light you have.

Week 3

Wednesday - Lesson 05

Today we'll explore the options for using your camera and other tools to get sharp, crisp images. Photography often requires compromise to accommodate conflicting priorities, and after this lesson, you'll be able to decide what's most important to you. Becoming aware of screen resolution, camera shake, stabilization, and focus options, as well as preprogrammed modes, will give you a variety of tools to put to work. You'll also see how to test your lenses and cameras and evaluate your equipment.

Friday - Lesson 06

Using manual exposure settings opens up a whole new world of professional and creative options. In this lesson, you'll begin an exploration of how to get the most out of your camera's features, starting with Aperture Priority and the control it gives you over depth of field. Whether you want to create an image with a soft background highlighting your subject or a far-reaching landscape shot with all the details in focus, controlling your aperture settings puts that power in your hands.

Week 4

Wednesday - Lesson 07

You'll see how to capture motion in this lesson as we continue the topic of manual exposure settings. Whether you want to freeze the action of fireworks or merge a waterfall into a velvety illusion, shutter speed is the key! Setting your shutter speed gives you the control you need to get the images you want, and it's easier than you might think. You'll have lots to practice with as you finish this lesson.

Friday - Lesson 08

In this lesson, you'll learn the tricks of portrait photography. Whether you're working professionally or just as the family photographer, these techniques will help you take better portraits. You'll see how to pose people so they'll look their best, when to use digital editing, and how various lighting techniques will help you create pleasing portraits.

Week 5

Wednesday - Lesson 09

Photographing children, pets, and groups is a challenge for even the most seasoned professional photographer. In this lesson, you'll learn some techniques and strategies to bring out the best in your pictures.

Friday - Lesson 10

Now that you know how your camera works and what you want to do, it's time to take a look at how to handle challenging situations. When the light is low or the subject just seems out of reach, you want to know how to get the shot! In today's lesson we'll focus on how to use your tools and knowledge to beat the challenges and come away with the pictures you're after.

Week 6

Wednesday - Lesson 11

Photojournalism is a fascinating field for photographers. This fast-paced world presents challenges of its own. In this lesson, you'll see how the pros handle this type of work. We'll also discuss how to get started in the field.

Friday - Lesson 12

Digital editing is a real bonus for photographers. In this lesson, you'll learn about the basic and artistic editing techniques available to all photographers, as well as some of the technical issues of digital photography.

Requirements

A digital or film camera, Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser. This class does not involve digital editing or other computer specific programs, so both Mac and Windows operating systems are welcome.