Images of France Course Information - Level 1 Beginners/Improvers
"remove the mystery, create the magic..."
Level 1 Course Overview
A nearby lake provides reflections of the surrounding landscape. Photo by Ian Goodier
Our aim is to provide an excellent foundation for the newcomer to digital photography or those who have been using a camera for quite some time but are not getting the best from it.
We want to take away the mysteries that hinder producing great photographs and create some magic as you learn to 'see' things in a new light.
We have had students with a wide range of experience on our courses and they have all gained valuable knowledge and confidence - without exception they have had a great time and have been extremely happy with the tuition and overall experience.
Graham riding by on a bike demonstrates the use of panning with a slow shutter speed, which is great for giving
a sense of speed and movement. Photo by Valerie Slagter
To begin with, we want to ensure that you have a good understanding of the technical aspects of exposure that are essential to achieving consistent results. Then we move on to using these controls in a more creative way.
After each tutorial session there is a practical exercise, which allows you to try things out for yourself and get a really good grasp of the techniques that have been explained.
We also go out on location shoots where you will be able to put together all that you have been learning, hopefully bringing back some strong images to the digital darkroom, where we use Photoshop Elements for managing and enhancing them.
A typical itinerary - Images of France Level 1
The course is run as a number of tutorials, discussions, assignments and practical exercises.
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On the first evening we have an introduction to the course, and a hands on computer session before getting to know each
other over aperitifs
- Day 2 starts with getting the most out of the camera controls and demonstrations of where things can go wrong and how to avoid them, with practical lessons to see the results. A special offsite assignment gives you the opportunity to get shooting and put some new techniques into action. Then we cover key technical theory which is reinforced with practical exercises
- On Day 3 we consider aspects of composition, before heading out on location to find and capture those qualities in one of the nearby medieval bastide towns. Then back to the studio to download onto the computers for review. Later we search for colour, texture, pattern and form, opening our eys to new opportunities for image making.
- On Day 4 we have a morning assignment in a nearby town, stopping on route to capture landscape and rural views. Then in the afternoon we learn some basic image manipulation in the digital darkroom before heading out again to capture the evening light in the landscape
- Day 5 sees the culmination of all your efforts as you select some of your best images and learn how to further enhance them and prepare them for printing. While the prints are being produced there is an opportunity to try using natural light for indoor portraiture and using flash and fill-in flash. Then in the evening we have a private exhibition of your work, with aperitifs
- On the last morning we review what we have covered and there's time for a final one to one with Graham before recording all your images onto DVD to take home with you, together with all the course notes
On the way back to Berty after photography in the French countryside
You will leave with new photographic skills that will take your future photography into a whole new dimension.
With comfortable accommodation in our adjacent gite, and excellent meals throughout, you can be sure of a very
enjoyable experience overall.
A portrait using natural light
The next level
If you have already attended our Level 1 course or feel that you have a good understanding of the use of your DSLR and are achieving consistently good exposure, then you are ready for the challenge of our Level 2 course, shooting in RAW mode and building on your skills to create stronger images in more varied situations. Read more Information on our Level 2 DSLR Course
00 33 565 31 49 72 or use our enquiry form