Course description
Modern digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) have sophisticated metering systems that automatically calculate the correct exposure settings for each photo. However, there are many situations that make you take manual control of your camera. This course teaches you how to command your camera’s ‘mode’ dial and use its shutter speed, aperture and ‘sensitivity to light’ setting (ISO) to get the perfect shot. We examine the most important types of light and white balance (WB) and discuss lens structure, prime lenses and how to properly clean them.
The course uses demonstrations and visual aids to explain advanced concepts like bracketing, flash photography, hyperfocal distance and focal length. We delve into perspective and lay out the key features of ‘matrix’, ‘center-weighted’ and ‘spot’ metering. We then break down the process of resolving distractions or blemishes with Adobe Photoshop and show you how ‘bracketing’ can improve the photograph’s overall exposure.
This course suits anyone who would like to go beyond the automatic settings of their camera to employ advanced photographic techniques. We can help you to feel more confident snapping shots and this course may represent a stepping stone to a new career doing something you love. Digital photography draws on cutting-edge technology to tell visual stories and is a vibrant modern artform, a growing industry and a rewarding hobby - depending on how you use it. So sign up to earn a useful diploma and make the most of the future as it unfolds.
Upcoming start dates
Training content
Introduction to Digital Photography
Description: You will be introduced to the building blocks of digital photography starting with the history showing how the first images were captured through to looking at some of the most influential photographers along with the different types or styles of photography. You will then learn about the components of the digital camera and how they work, what the different controls do, how to compose your photos and how to store and manage them for later use.
- Learning Outcomes
- The History of Photography
- Photographic Styles
- The Rule Of Thirds
- The SLR
- Basic DSLR settings
- File Management
- Creative Commons
- Necessary Gear
- The Sensor & Mirrors Within
- Full Frame vs Crop Sensor
- Bits and Bytes
- Lesson Summary
Working with your camera
Description: This module will explain the function of each of the command modes found on most cameras. It also looks at the relationship between Shutter speed, Aperture and ISO and how to use them to get your optimum shot. Your will learn about the structure of lenses and what the different type of lenses are user for. You will also learn about light - how the eye and camera see it, the different types of light and why it needs to be balanced using the white balance function.
- Learning Outcomes
- Commanding the Mode Dial
- Lens structure and type
- Prime Lenses
- Cleaning your lenses
- Introduction to Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO
- White Balance
- Introduction to Light
- Lesson Summary
Introduction to Photoshop and Lightroom for Photographers
Description: This module will introduce you to Photoshop and Lightroom, how to navigate, manage images and set your basics preferences for using the apps. In Photoshop you will see how to identify when an image has been obviously photoshopped and how to make more subtle changes. In Lightroom you will learn how to create a catalogue and use the main modules to prepare you images for export the different media.
- Learning Outcomes
- Introduction To Software - Creative Cloud
- Opening Files in Photoshop
- The Photoshop Interface
- Panning and Zooming in Photoshop
- Image Obviously Photoshopped
- Photoshop - Managing Edit History
- Making subtle changes to enhance a photograph
- Introduction to Lightroom
- Creating Catalogues in Lightroom
- Lesson Summary
Digital Photography - First Assessment
Description: This module will test you on your knowledge of the modules in this first section- Introduction to Digital Photography- Working with your Camera- Introduction to Photoshop and Lightroom for Photographers
- Assessment: Digital Photography - First Assessment
Getting more our of your camera
Description: In this module you will learn more about light metering, and how to refine the balance between shutter speed, ISO and aperture to get the style of photo you want.
- Learning Outcomes
- A Closer Look At Exposure - Shutter Speeds
- A Closer Look At Exposure - ISO
- A Closer Look At Exposure - Aperture
- Introduction To Metering on a DSLR
- Introduction To Lens Filters
- Lens Filters - A Detailed Look
- Lesson Summary
Doing more with Photoshop
Description: This module covers post production techniques in Photoshop such as cropping and straightening photographs, removing small distractions, and using layers and layer masks.
- Learning Outcomes
- Basic Colour Selecting
- Using The Crop Tool
- Straightening Photographs
- Using Autofill with Content-Aware Crop
- Using The Spot Healing Brush
- Introduction to Layers:
- Layer Masks
- Lesson Summary
Refining Your Photographic Techniques
Description: In this module you will learn more about depth of field, depth of focus and hyperfocal distances to help you get the sharpness you want in your photos. You will also learn about flash photography and using the histogram to improve image exposure.
- Learning Outcomes
- Exposure - Mirror Lock-up and Bracketing
- Exposure - Flash Photography
- Exposure - Flash Photography Techniques
- Optics - Focal Length & Perspective
- Optics - Hyperfocal Distance
- Optics - Depth of Field & Circle Of Confusion
- How To Read Histograms
- Lesson Summary
Refining Your Photographs Using Photoshop
Description: This module covers post-production techniques in Photoshop such as cloning and removing large objects, as well as using Photoshop filters and selecting an appropriate file format for output.
- Learning Outcomes
- Using The Clone Stamp Tool
- Removing Larger Elements
- Photoshop Filters
- Photoshop File Formats
- Lesson Summary
Digital Photography - Second Assessment
Description: This module will test you on your knowledge of the modules in this first section- Getting more our of your Camera- Doing more with Photoshop- Refining your Photography Techniques- Refining your Photographs with Photoshop
- Assessment: Digital Photography - Second Assessment
Course assessment
- Assessment: Digital Photography - Final Assessment
Certification / Credits
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Discuss the history of photography and the impact of influential photographers
- Describe different photographic styles
- Lay out the function of the settings on a DSLR
- Explain the relationship between shutter, aperture and ISO
- Identify the different types of light, including flash, and their effects on a photograph
- Navigate the relationship between focal length, lens diameter and ‘f-stops’
- Define ‘perspective’ in relation to photography and outline the key features of ‘matrix’, ‘center-weighted’ and ‘spot’ metering
- Demonstrate the process of removing distractions or blemishes using Adobe Photoshop
- Explain how ‘bracketing’ can improve a photograph’s overall exposure
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