Here is an interesting quote from someone looking to enrol in my ‘Learn Photography’ course and unfortunately is it a sentiment I have heard too many time.

I have been offering these courses on occasion over the past 2 years and have over 100 people attend the ‘Learn Photography’ course and have run 5 of the ‘Learn Photoshop’ group classes. Attendees have come from all backgrounds; some have studied other short courses, some have never even discovered manual before and I have even had a few photographers starting out that want to formally run through what they have self-taught themselves. Unfortunately, those who have attended the WEA course over the past 5 years have given less than glowing reviews and really enjoyed the refreshing, real life spin I put on all the technical side of things.

The funny thing is after choosing photography in high school and opting for film studies as my sub major at Uni, I have also completed a WEA course. That was 15 years ago mind you and I am sure the course and instructors have changed significantly. I actually then ended up enrolling to study commercial photography and here I am today.

What I have gathered from all these avenues of education is that photography is complex and continuing. Even for the most skilled, there is something new to learn from someone else, even if it is simply a new way to achieve the same goal. It is for this reason I have chosen to structure the course I run with 2 important points in mind.

1. It is short – I know how hard it is to find time to do anything for myself so my aim is to keep it achievable for people. You can make anything happen to ensure you an attend for 3 or 4 sessions – Call in favours and make time appear out of no-where.

2. Keep it simple – cover the basics, make it easy to remember, use real life examples and visual scenarios to trigger your knowledge base when you actually come to use it.

I love it when I meet my groups for part 2 and they are singing my silly catch-phrase “little number, big hole, lots of light”… because it sticks in your head and therefore you already know it and will always remember it. (for those who wish for translation – that is aperture in a nutshell. One topic that always snagged me because it is a rule of opposites and way too easy to forget because it goes against logic. My theory is – if you remember this phrase you will know where to start and what impact those settings are going to have on making your photo lighter or darker. Easy!

For those keen to learn I am hosting my last ‘Learn Photography’ course of 2013 in October starting on the 16th. This one is unique as for the first time I am holding it during school hours, offering a creche and using a Community Centre in Wynn Vale so it is perfect for those North through to East of the city. There are only a few spots remaining so please email me if you wish to enrol.

October 2013

Part One – Wednesday October 16^th 12:30-2

Part Two – Wednesday October 23^rd 12:30-2

Part Three – Wednesday October 30^th 12:30-2

Part Four – Wednesday November 6^th 12:30-2

Jubilee Community House – Wynn Vale

Crèche available

 

I have also decided to only offer a maximum of 3 courses in 2014, the first being held in February. Please email me for full dates and details and you can find more info on what the course covers here. Funnily enough this course is already have full with people who couldn’t attend the October course and were waiting for the next course… so get in early and reserve your spot. I only take a max of 10 people so it remains small and comfortable for people to say “ummm… where do I find that button on my camera”

 

Last little note – for the first time I am offering 2 openings in January 2014 for one-on-one Photoshop tuition. 4 hours to yourself to cover what you wish. For those starting out I will cover my normal course structure and special requests, but for those who have already attended that or those familiar with the app and wanting to know more – this is perfect for you. There is only 1 left up for grabs and this must be held on a weekday during January to get this very special offer.

Here is some feedback from someone who has attended both courses

“I have owned my DSLR for almost 2 years and honestly had no idea how to really use it. I hadn’t taken it off auto. I wanted a DSLR so that I could take better photos of my children – and my photos were better, but I was still disappointed. I was so excited to hear about your Learn course – It seemed to be exactly what I was looking for, but I didn’t know where to find it – other than reading the manual (which I never got around to with 2 small children). Your Learn course was excellent! You explained everything in such a way that was so easy to understand, and being able to try things out as we went along really helped. The course has helped me to understand how to use my camera and I am much more confident when taking photos in manual. In fact – I haven’t taken my camera off manual since the course!

When I bought my DSLR I also got Photoshop Elements included – and had very little knowledge of how to use it also. I am more than impressed with how much I am now able to do after only the second session. Again, you have made everything so easy to understand and the notes have been such a great reference at home. I have had a chance to practice a bit more at home since the second session and am starting to feel much more confident with moving around Photoshop. I am so excited about being able to put everything I have learned at both courses in to practice – and I know that my children’s photo albums will look so much better next year!”

Have a wonderful long weekend folks – Anita