photography tuition

Have a new dSLR? Not sure how to use it? Want to take it off "automatic" and explore its other settings (even use it in "manual" mode!)?

I am offering 1-to-1 tution in the Bristol area.

Don't worry about feeling like an idiot - we all had to start somewhere. I can be as basic as you need and will try and not to be patronising.

If you are a complete beginner, I can teach you the basics to get you going. You can then come back for more lessons and we can build on what you have done already. Or we can "wing it" and I can tailor the session to fit your needs.

Using a camera

Digital SLRs

An SLR camera, whether digital or film, can be quite daunting when compared to a basic point and shoot camera. Just a few of the things I can take you through :

• How to hold your camera to help avoid camera shake.
• What the functions do (Fully automatic, "Program", Shutter/Aperture priority and so on) and when to use which.
• What ISO, aperture, shutter speed means and how they affect your photos.
• How to adjust ISO, aperture and shutter speed to obtain various effects.
• Advice on equipment, what you should have, what you could do with and what you don't really need.
• When and when not to use a flash, and how to try and improve your on camera flash.
• File formats - RAW vs JPEG.

Methods

When you know your way around your camera, we can look at the artist side of making photos. Some of the things we will look at are:

• Composition - learn its rules, then learn when to break those rules.
• Depth of field - when, where and how to utilise it.

"Strobist" flash techniques

"Strobist" and "Strobism" are terms coined by and brought to the forefront by professional photographer David Hobby. This, in its most basic form, refers to using your small flashgun that normally sits on top of your camera, off of the camera to get more professional, and different, results.

 

Post production

I will go through editing of images to get the best from them.  Some of the things we can look at are:

• File formats to use.
• File structure and storage.
• Setting levels (contrast & brightness).
• Cropping images.
• Cloning of blemishes and unwanted bits & pieces.

 

Photographing pets

Tips on photoghraphing your furry friends!

 

Photographing people

Tips on photographing people:

• Posing.
• Candid photos.
• Lighting (out and indoors/studio).

 

In the studio

Using a professional studio for the first time can be very daunting. I can take you through the following (and more):

• Studio etiquette.
• How to treat, look after and use lighting equipment.
• Lighting models.
• Lighting products.
• Lighting products for eBay.
• Setting up your own basic home studio.

 

Working with models

Maybe it's something you just want to try, or you need a to work with a model for promotional photos for example. Having worked with numerous models, I can advise on:

• Deciding on the "type" of model - fashion, lifestyle and so on (not all models are suitable for all "looks").
• Searching for and hiring a model.
• Etiquette and how to behave around a model.
• Lighting the model (may require studio lessons as above).

 

Camera make

I use, and as a result am mostly familiar with, Canon EOS cameras. However, whilst I may not be familiar with the deepest settings of a Nikon SLR for example, the basic principles are the same no matter what brand camera you use, so do not let the fact you use a different camera put you off.

 

Cost

I am still developing these lessons, so for the first few people the cost will be only £10* an hour, but this will rise!

Studio lessons will incur an extra fee for studio hire of around £20* per hour.

Lessons requiring a model will incur an extra hourly charge for the model's services. This can range from £10 to £50 per hour depending upon the model, your budget and the type of shoot undertaken.

Post production lessons may require the separate purchase of editing software such as Photoshop (around £600), Photoshop Elements (mainly used for editing RAW images - costs up to £200), Paintshop Pro (recommended for the non professional, around £60). There are free alternatives such as The GIMP for image editing, and the software bundled with your camera for RAW image processing (if you are not sure what RAW is, this is explained during lessons).

Certain locations outside of the Bristol area may incur travel expenses.

* Subject to change, and may vary on your needs.

 

Interested? Get in touch with your requirements for more information.