The modern day DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) Camera is a complicated piece of kit.
Are you one of those photographers who has never taken taken it off 'Auto' or have you dared to try and now feel like you need a little help.  Or maybe you can work the controls but would like a better understanding of the basics to further improve your photography.  Our Camera Skills courses will expand throughout 2007 to encompass all sorts of subjects and we will have some 'advanced' courses too... but for starters we are offering the one basic course "Getting to Grips with your DSLR".  We are already taking bookings for this very practical short course, details of which follow:

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Course Cost:  £175
Duration: 1 day
Location: Bow Village Hall, Nr Crediton, Devon.
Group Size: Maximum of 12

The aim of this course is to introduce you to the basics of photography using your DSLR and then take you onto an understanding of some really useful techniques .  We'll do this through taking photographs and practicing what we learn.  The course is aimed at the complete beginner, those new to photography and folk who just want to learn how to take better photos.

The day begins with an introductory chat to find out what each delegate wants to learn and their levels of experience with photography.  You are invited to bring with you a sheet of paper with any questions you want answering and hand it to us at the start of the course, we'll be having a couple of Q&A sessions as the day unfolds.  Here is what we'll cover:

*  Anatomy of a DSLR, not just the knobs and buttons... exploring the functions and
    talking about how the camera works including a detailed look at the shutter and
    the aperture 'iris'.

*  Colour Temperature, White Balance and Colour Space
*  JPG vs Raw, image processing within the camera, Sharpness and Tone

*  Shutter speed
*  Aperture - The F Stop explained... why those strange numbers
*  ISO, the 'chip' sensitivity and noise
*  Exposure, understanding it thoroughly and getting it right.  Looking at Exposure Value
    (EV) tables to see the relationship between shutter speed and aperture

*  Metering modes.  Matrix, spot and centre weighted
*  Handheld Lightmeters, and how to use them.
*  Exposure compensation
*  Depth of Field, what it is and how to use it to our advantage

*  Modes of Operation - Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual
*  Composition, viewpoint and rule of thirds. How to take better photos

Lunch will be at the White Hart Hotel, 5 minutes walk from the village hall.  As it is Sunday we'll treat you to a roast dinner!  Lunch is on us but you need to buy your own drinks.
By the time you leave us you will have a good understanding of the basic fundamentals of photography and a sound understanding of light.  You'll be able to choose whether you want the background to be in focus or blurred next time you take a picture of your daughter in the garden and if her face looks dark against the bright sky you'll know how to fix it.  You'll also be able to see what makes a good photo and start framing your shots like a pro!