Course Requirements

• The student will be expected to provide a camera (film or digital) and sufficient digital media or film to make at least 24 exposures per class session.
• For maximum benefit, the student should bring a camera that has adjustable focus, aperture and shutter speed.
• If the student uses film, he/she will be responsible for having the film developed after each class in time to bring the prints to the next class session.
• If the student uses a digital camera he/she will be expected to bring either printed images (at least 3 ½” x 5” in size  or a CD, media card or thumb drive containing the images to the next class session.

    Class Size & Length

• Class size will be limited to no more than ten students in order to provide individualized attention to each student.
  A minimum of 3 students is required for the class to “make.”

• The course consists of six sessions of approximately 2 – 2 1/2 hours each, plus an optional self-graded “open book” final exam. You cannot fail the test or the class! The classes usually meet on consecutive Monday or Tuesday evenings – subject to change depending upon student or instrutor schedules. Optional additional “field trip sessions” may be included.

     Learning Goals

• Evaluation of student skill levels by testing and critique of existing work. (Non-graded)

• The Basics of Good Composition

• The 3 Exposure Control Factors: ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed, how they interrelate and how to manipulate them to achieve desired results.

• How an Adjustable Camera Works

• Guidance to each student on using their specific camera.

• Seeing & Using Light – the photographer’s “paint.”

• Workflow: Introduction to Post-processing, image organizing and archiving.

• Advice on software, cameras and accessories

• Introduction to Portrait Photography

• Self-graded Final Exam (optional, but required for Certificate.)

     Instructional Methods and Delivery Formats Utilized

• Classes will consist of various combinations of lecture, demonstration, question/ answer and guided student performance and will utilize the instructor’s own curriculum developed over many years of experience.
• PowerPoint will be utilized to teach and demonstrate specific concepts, and to display the student’s and instructor’s work for illustration.

• Learning Support, Materials and Resources Provided

• The student will be provided with various written instructional materials explaining specific concepts and techniques. A list of Bibliographic recommendations will be provided for further student study.

• Advice on purchasing cameras and accessories.

• Sources for purchasing equipment and accessories at discounted prices.

    Course Outline

    (Subject to change based upon assessment of initial student skill levels and student goals.)

• Evaluation of student skill levels by testing and critique of existing work. (Non-graded)

• The Basics of Good Composition

• The 3 Exposure Control Factors: ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed

• How the 3 Factors interrelate and how to manipulate them to achieve desired results.

• How an Adjustable Camera Works

• Selective Focus and Depth of Field Manipulation

• Lens bokeh

• Using fill-flash

• Understanding histograms

• Introduction to HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography

• Guidance to each student on using their specific camera.

• Seeing & Using Light – the photographer’s “paint.”

• Workflow: Introduction to Post-processing, image organizing and archiving.

• Advice on software, cameras and accessories

• Introduction to Portrait Photography with live demonstration using a model

• Introduction to Lightroom

• Open Book, Self-Graded Final Exam (optional, but required for Diploma.)

    Requirements For Satisfactory Completion of Course of Study & Awarding of Diploma

   Student attainment of learning outcomes and satisfactory completion of the course of study will be demonstrated by achieving a score of 70 or above on  an  optional, open book, self-graded, comprehensive final exam, upon which a Diploma will be awarded.