Photography - Lighting and Composition
About the course
This course will enable you to explore your camera’s full potential and to develop the skills necessary to use your camera creatively. It is designed for those who already have a working knowledge of their camera, and want hands-on support to further their skills in photography, learning new techniques and understanding how to take photographs in specific and difficult conditions.
It is an ideal follow-up for those who have attended the course Exploring your Camera, as it will enable you to build on your knowledge of camera functions and increase your personal skills.
You will be encouraged to explore experimental forms of photography as well as developing your own projects and ideas. You will complete the course with a thorough understanding of the principles of digital photography and a portfolio of work which you can use to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
NB If you are not familiar with using a DSLR’s manual controls, we recommend that you attend the Exploring Your Camera course first.
What will I study?
Learner hours: 17.5
Over 7 weeks, and through tailored exercises, you will explore key concepts in photography and develop a better understanding of how different types of cameras work.
It is an ideal follow-up for those who have attended the course Exploring your Camera, as it will enable you to build on your knowledge of camera functions and increase your personal skills.
You will be encouraged to explore experimental forms of photography as well as developing your own projects and ideas. You will complete the course with a thorough understanding of the principles of digital photography and a portfolio of work which you can use to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
NB If you are not familiar with using a DSLR’s manual controls, we recommend that you attend the Exploring Your Camera course first.
Teaching methods and course structure
| Week | Topic | Lesson aims |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | The Origins of Photography The basics - Aperture/ISO/Shutter speed | In this lesson we will look at the birth of photography and how, when and why it originated. We will then have a re-cap of the essential camera functions, i.e. aperture, shutter and ISO with the intention that everyone will learn how to shoot on manual mode. |
| Week 2 | Photographic Genres Introduction to studio photography | In the first half of the lesson we will look at the various photographic genres, documentary, street photography, nature, landscape, and portrait to give you inspiration for your own photography. There will then be an introduction to studio lighting. (Lessons 4, 5 & 6 are taking place in our fully equipped photographic studio). |
| Week 3 | Lenses Autofocus | In this lesson, we will learn about the various types of photographic lenses and how to use the lenses we have for maximum creative effect. There is a multiplicity of ways we are able to focus with our camera. We will learn those aspects of focusing which relate to your brand of camera, enabling you to focus faster and more effectively. |
| Week 4 | Lighting | In this lesson we will look at what is perhaps the most important aspect of photography. When we take a photo, we are essentially capturing light, and the way we approach this plays a huge part in how our images turn out. We will look at the different types of natural and artificial light and how it is possible to modify and control light for maximum effect. This will include working with natural daylight, reflectors and studio flash. |
| Week 5 | Portraiture | In this lesson you will learn how to take successful photographs of people. This will include formal portraiture, and also how to pose people naturally, to elicit character and emotion from your subjects, in more informal types of portraiture. |
| Week 6 | Composition Still life photography | In this lesson, you will learn the fundamentals of composition. There are a wide variety of approaches one can take but the underlying aim is for you to compose your photographs instinctively in order to obtain the effect you are looking for. After looking at the work of still life artists and photographers, you will create your own still life photograph in our photographic studio. |
| Week 7 | Recap Adobe Lightroom | Everyone will import a selection of their images into Adobe Lightroom. Here you will learn to resize, modify and export your images using the vast array of tools available in this program. We will also look at how to produce artistic black and white images. |
Where will I study?
Mode of delivery: Face to face
Our address is The School of Creative Arts, College Lane Campus, Hatfield, Herts AL10 9AB.
For Maps and Directions please visit our helpful ‘Where to Find Us’ page. Further details are sent by email when you have booked.
Materials
Please note; you will need to bring your own DSLR camera for this course as well as using university equipment.
Key Staff
Course Tutor(s)
Richard Treister
Booking deadlines
Bookings for all Creative Arts Short Courses will be reviewed two weeks before the start date of each course. This will allow the Short Course team to determine whether a course has met the minimum number of students needed for the class to run. If a class has failed to recruit, the class will be re-scheduled and you will be informed. Where relevant you will be offered an alternative class. If the course has met minimum numbers, bookings will stay open to the course start date or until it has met maximum numbers.
We encourage you to book early before the deadline to avoid disappointment.
Bookings for all short courses need to be made online through our online booking system, before a course commences. You cannot enroll or attend a class on the day the course starts, without prior arrangement.
Cancellations
If for any reason you change your mind about joining us after you have accepted the offer, you have a legal right to cancel your contract to study with us within 14 days. This cancellation period therefore ends at the end of 14 days after the day on which you accepted our offer. Find further details of our cancellation terms here.
How to apply?
| Start Date | End Date | Day | Time | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/06/2023 | 18/07/2023 | Tuesday | 19.00 - 21.30 | £235.00 | Apply online |
NB: If you are on a mobile device, turn to landscape to view the full table.
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 complete our short course enquiry form.
| Contact | |
|---|---|
| Nick Thomas, Short Course Coordinator, School of Creative Arts | ad-shortcourses@herts.ac.uk |