13~17 year olds - Environmental Photography Summer School

About the course

Environmental Photography – How to take creative pictures of nature with a positive message

With the current concerns for nature and the environment of the planet, this photography course will help participants connect with the natural world through taking creative and exciting digital images.

On this course participants will learn to use a digital camera in a fun and creative way. The basics of taking digital pictures will be explored with demonstrations by the tutor along with some class based teaching and plenty of practical sessions to practice using a camera. We will look at genres of photography relating to the natural world by exploring well-known photographers work. This will help deepen the understanding of photography and how a camera works.

A mini project will be set which will involve photographing tree’s, fauna & flora and other natural things of interests on the University campus. These photographs will be made on location and also in the photography studio. This will include landscape photo’s, close up and still life photography and pictures of trees and any wild life, which might be seen. We will also look at portraiture photography in a natural environment. This will involve taking pictures of each other in a controlled way. The participants will learn about how to take creative pictures while caring and connecting with the natural world. Also looked at will be using various image software to enhance images. The created images will then be made into a final selection with a chosen theme and message.

Course outline

Day 1 - Classroom and outside on location

• Introduction to digital photography
• Set the course photography photography project
• How a digital camera works
• Exposure control
• Understanding relationship between ISO, F-stops & shutter speeds
• Depth of Field
• Practical exercise using DSLR camera’s

Day 2 - Classroom and outside on location

• Exposure control in detail
• How to get interesting creative images
• Menu functions & modes
• Practical workshop taking pictures of nature on the university campus grounds
• How to develop a positive message with images

Day 3 - Practical workshop outside on location

• Taking creative pictures of trees, plants and flowers
• Students to work on their projects
• Taking portrait pictures in a natural environment
• How to tell stories with images

Day 4 - Practical workshop outside on location

• How to take pictures of wild life
• Taking more creative pictures of nature for the students project
• How to choose your best pictures (editing your images)
• Introduction to using camera software on computers to enhance images

Day 5 - Classroom

• How to use image software to enhance your images
• How to print your images
• Putting student projects together
• Final presentation of student projects
• Tutor to give feedback on students images

Learning outcomes

• You will learn how to fully operate your digital camera and use the manual setting to get the correct exposure
• The fundamentals in photography will be covered: including understanding relationship between ISO, F-stops & shutter speeds to composition and depth of field
• We will compare different camera settings to understand best practice and look at how to deal with different light sources outdoors and indoors
• How to enhance and improve images using photographic software
• How to print images
• How to photograph certain elements of the nature in a creative and unique way
• Development of personal creativity

Course dates

Monday 15 August to Friday 19 August 2022, 09:30-15:30

Course cost 

£200

Contact us

If you wish to discuss this or any other creative art short course please contact the short course team on 01707 285327 or ad-shortcourses@herts.ac.uk

Important information

Times

Signing in is from 9.20am and 9.25am each day in the Art Gallery and the summer workshops will start at 9.30. We finish at 15.30pm. You will need to be picked up promptly at 15.30pm, again from the Art Gallery. Parents and carers, if you have any problems and think that you may be late, please let us know by calling 01707 285327.

Where to find us

For directions of the campus site, please follow the link below where you can download a map of the College Lane Campus:

https://www.herts.ac.uk/contact-us/where-to-find-us/college-lane-maps-and-directions

Drop Off/Collection

The drop off point is the Art Gallery, and you can find this by our wayfinding app here. We suggest you park in one the bays around the nearby Lindop Building for drop off. You can drop off anytime between 9.20am and 9.25am. Collection is promptly at 15.30. nb There is a strict 30-minute limit to free parking. If you are over this time, we suggest paying for a 1-hour car park ticket to avoid a fine from our external parking providers.

The Programme

We have an exciting programme of activities planned. You will find out more about art and design courses and you will be meet practising artists and designers.  Each group will have an assistant art tutor with them for the whole time you are here, and you will meet them on your first morning.  They can help you with any concerns you have while you are here.

Enrolment

Parents/Guardians: When registering, please enrol with your own details. There is a field on the enrolment paperwork where you can enter your son or daughter's name and age.

Emergency Contact

We need contact numbers so we can contact parents/carers at any time.  These details need to be confirmed on the form attached to the email. Should you need to contact us please phone the Short Course Office on 01707 285327. It is very important that we know in advance if you cannot for any reason be collected on time at the end of the day.

Clothing

Wear suitable and comfortable clothes as you may get messy and dirty (that is what art is all about!).  An overall, apron or large shirt would be ideal.

Food & Drink

You will need to bring your own packed lunch. Water will be available during breaks and lunchtime. 

Materials to bring along

All materials needed for all the summer schools will be provided by the University.

Medicine

If you need to bring any medication with you, please make sure it is clearly labelled with your child’s name and any instructions. These can be administered by us provided the medical permission form enclosed has been signed by a parent or carer and handed in on arrival on your first day.