Digital Photography – Essential Techniques

• History of photography
• Photographic genres
• Light and colour
• Digital camera controls
• Shutter, aperture and ISO control and relationship
• The lens, focal lengths, field of view, and uses
• Depth of field
• Focusing systems (manual and automatic)
• Metering and histograms
• Light and lighting
• Picture making components
• Colour temperature and white balance
• Exposure bracketing techniques
• Digital imaging, sensors, workflow and file formats
• DSLR and Mirrorless camera technology and comparisons
• A series of optional mid-session assignments to practise and consolidate new skills

• Week 1: Course introduction and overview. History of photography. Camera mechanics and mechanisms. Analogue vs. digital. Exploring light and light qualities.
• Week 2: Understanding camera modes. Exploring the shutter and creative shutter settings. Introduction to aperture and creative depth of field. An explanation of ISO sensitivity pros and cons. The exposure triangle.
• Week 3: Introduction to the lens. Lens types. Optical field of view. Focal length. Focal range. Slow vs. fast lenses. Manual vs. Auto focus pros and cons. Auto focus systems and modes.
• Week 4: Creative composition. Digital camera viewfinder and display information. Understanding extended camera controls. Orientating camera buttons, functions, and digital settings.
• Week 5: Understanding light metering. Metering options. Auto light metering vs. practical metering. Understanding and attaining consistent accurate exposure.
• Week 6: Introduction to digital sensors and how sensors work. Understanding how sensor work in conjunction with ISO settings. Understanding and gauging exposure using digital camera histogram information.
• Week 7: Light, colour, and colour temperature. Understanding white balance and greyscale. Introduction to bracketing and exposure.
• Week 8: Understanding digital imaging, digital file processing, and digital file formats. Picture making components. Digital workflow. Printing options.
• Week 9: Introduction to flash accessories and speed lights. Introduction to lens filters. Exploring essential photo accessories and tripods. Health and safety in the field.
• Week 10: Backing up and saving photo files. Simple post-production techniques. Black and white conversation. Pop quiz. Individual and group critique. Course re-cap.

Please note: Saturday sessions equate to two regular sessions.

At the end of the course you'll:

• Possess a solid foundation of understanding in camera control
• Have developed your appreciation of photography - past & present
• Gain a technical understanding of digital camera functions
• Develop knowledge, understanding, and creativity through a series of engaging practical exercises
• Possess improved artistic skills
• Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
• Have boosted creativity and imagination
• Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course

You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at academy@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed.

Will I be assessed?

No, there's no formal assessment. Between each session, you'll be provided immersive assignments to practise and consolidate new skills, techniques and knowledge. Mid-session assignments are purely optional but intended to assist in accelerating understanding and enjoyment.

As the course progresses, your tutor will measure your overall performance and offer essential guidance and feedback so you know how you're getting on.

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£375

Any additional costs

You’ll need to provide your own USB flash drive. This’ll incur an additional cost if you need to purchase one for the course. Please refer to the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

Course materials included in the price

Any additional materials and resources not listed below will be provided by AUB.

• A digital camera with access to full manual controls, this could be a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex), Mirrorless camera, or a Bridge camera
• A manual for your camera
• A tripod is useful (if you have one)
• Access to a computer between sessions to upload and save your photographs to USB memory device
• USB Flash Drive (we recommend minimum memory capacity of 2 GB)
• Notebook and pen/pencil for note taking