April 6 - May 18 (No class 4/20)
6 Session(s) on Wednesdays 7-10 pm.
Enrollment limit: 15 students.
In this six-week workshop, students will learn all the controls and functions on the camera, basic camera operation (including f-stop, shutter speed and ISO), and how to control the photograph’s final look. Discussions include composition and light, how to get the background in or out of focus, how to stop or blur motion, why to use one ISO over another, when to use a tripod, and how to use the camera’s light meter to provide the best exposure. Other topics covered include using the appropriate lens for a desired effect and the differences between wide-angle, normal, telephoto, zoom, macro and tilt-shift lenses.
Digital camera technology will be covered thoroughly, such as how to adjust the camera’s white balance, how to view and delete images, the difference between shooting RAW and JPEG, and how to transfer the image from the camera to a computer. The chemical and mechanical processes of shooting film will be explored as well, with a discussion pertaining to the advantages and disadvantages of film vs. digital. The goal is to provide each participant with the technical information needed to operate his or her film or digital camera properly, with the ability to shoot consistently in manual mode.
Students will work in both black-and-white and color while learning how to “see” in the chosen mode. Weekly assignments will be given followed by critiques during the next class session. Open to film users and students who own a DSLR camera. Digital shooters are encouraged to continue their studies by enrolling in Basic Photography II: Diving into Digital.
