A good topside photography course?

[ScubaDiva]

Can anyone recommend a good topside photography course?

I figure actually learning to use a camera properly on land will also help with the underwater stuff - and I'd like to do it just for fun anyway.

[TimIngmire]

There are lots out there bu what kind of thing are you thinking of? Getting to know your equipment? Lighting? Weddings - Landscape - Children etc etc

[ScubaDiva]

There are lots out there bu what kind of thing are you thinking of? Getting to know your equipment? Lighting? Weddings - Landscape - Children etc etc

Erm . . . anything that would fall into the photography for complete numpties category. I'd like to get to know my compact better and other sorts of equipment Also I think I prefer shooting nature/landscapes than people.

[DDT uk]

There is a huge variety of courses out there depending on what you want and how much time is at your disposal.

Some of the local adult ed colleges do some decent courses. There is no that much technically to photography (excluding the workings of cameras and lenses). What the evening courses do is getting you out there taking pictures to a brief which really helps.

There is then a host of landscape and wildlife photograhers running courses and workshop. Many of these tend to consist of a morning talk and then taking you to somewhere to getting the shots. The back of the photo magazines are full of adverts for these.

Personally I would go online to find a tutorial on depth of field and aperature variation and then the rule of thirds (composition). These are the basic essentials. Then look at going along to a local camera club (preferably of competition night) and get an idea of what others are taking.

If you do get to come away I am sure that Rob and I will be able to give you some "classes" on basic composition, settings and effects.

Daniel

[ScubaDiva]

Thanks Daniel I will do that. I also noticed that there is a northwest underwater photography club so I'm going to contact them.

Still crossing fingers for June - have had a PM back from the chap who's currently sunning himself in Dahab so am waiting for a reply to my reply.

(BTW - You've now put an image of the master photographers imparting their knowledge against the backdrop of a v. picturesque egyptian sunset! )

[DDT uk]

Thanks Daniel I will do that. I also noticed that there is a northwest underwater photography club so I'm going to contact them.

If memory serves me, Ken, who posted his shots today, is a member of the northwest group so he could be a good contact.

(BTW - You've now put an image of the master photographers imparting their knowledge against the backdrop of a v. picturesque egyptian sunset! )

Erm.....should be single, not plural. Rob is very good. Some of us suffer from a condition where the pixies interfere with their camera and turn cracking shots into garbage between the dive and the download.

D

[simonmort]

Some of us suffer from a condition where the pixies interfere with their camera and turn cracking shots into garbage between the dive and the download.

D

You suffer with this to then daniel, nice to know its not just me.
Roll on the blue
simon.

[browng]

You also might want to look at T189 - Digital photography: creating and sharing better images - Open University course
which a course on Digital Photography for topside. Search "T189" on Flickr for some of the results.

I took it last year and found it provided a good foundation, especially when carrying out critical assessment of your own and others' photos both from a technical and artistic point of view.

One of the other benefits is that you get a free copy of Photoshop Elements and a student discount on CS4

[Cussy]

I think you have a number of options. From what Gordon has shown from the OU course he did that is good.

If you want one-to-one these guys might be good: http://www.photographersonsafari.com/index.htm - this is who I did the Birds of Prey workshop with, so you might get tuition more applicable to nature/underwater

Maria Munn also runs good courses and again this would help with underwater (Photography Courses). Compact based and Maria understands the frustrations of just starting out.

There are then these guys: Photography Courses SLR & Compact Cameras. Course or Workshop. - no experience of them, but know they exist.
HTH,
Rob

[Cussy]

Also forgot this website: Digital Photography School - Digital Photography Tips for You

It's really good for advice and has 10 top tips on pretty much everything. Worth repeated visits.
Rob