Course Outline

Session 1 – Introduction, Camera controls and functions, Basic techniques

In the first session, we will explore the camera and lens. You will learn how to set up your camera to take those photos you want to take.  You will find out how to use your settings for great family portraits, and how to use your settings for effects like stopped motion, or soft focus, and more. You will be using your camera throughout the session.

Workshop 1 

The workshop is a combination of presentations and hands-on experience. We will continue to explore camera and lens settings, and you will learn how to use the camera more efficiently.  There will be indoor and outdoor practice.  And we will also learn about how to upload, view and share photos.  Any images you have submitted from the assignment can be shown for review.

Session 2 

We will finish camera basics in this session with a look at how to be sure you have gotten the exposure you wanted, and how to be sure your focus is where you want it to be.  We will explore the camera tools that give you greater control over your final images. Any images you have submitted from the assignment can be shown for review.

Workshop 2

This is a special workshop given by Peter Chapple, a professional photographer and expert in lighting.  There will be plenty of hands-on experience as you learn about lighting and posing people for portraits.  You will explore using different types of lighting: Flash, Light Boxes, available light, window light, and outdoor light.

Session 3

With the technical knowledge you have acquired over the past sessions and workshops, you are now ready to explore the artistic side of photography.  You will learn about composition, visual elements, art and gestalt principles, and more as we will look at what makes a good photograph, and why.  Any images you have submitted from the assignment can be shown for review.

Session 4

There are many types of photography which we call genres, such as Street, Nature, Sports, Landscape.  Each genre concerns a specific type of subject, and each has its own challenges.

Experienced members of the Melbourne Camera Club will share images within their chosen genre and explain what they do and how they do it. This is a good opportunity to expand your interest in photography into new areas and challenges. Any images you have submitted from the assignment can be shown for review.

Workshop 3 

General Outdoor Photography Workshop.  We will meet for an outdoor workshop where you will be able to use your new camera skills and knowledge to make photographs.  We will suggest some photographic and artistic challenges for you as well as provide assistance when you need it.

Week 5
Tuesday 4 March 2025

Session 5 

During this final session, we will look at the photographs you have made over the course and specially at the General Outdoor Workshop. We will have a Q&A to answer any questions you may still have about using your camera. We will demonstrate how to process your images using free PC and MAC photography processing software.  We will complete the course with an overview of the Melbourne Camera Club’s facilities, future courses, and membership benefits.