What you'll learn
Learn digital photography with our photography short courses in Sydney.
Photography can feel like a complicated hobby. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a beautiful camera, but not knowing how to get the best from it. If you are a beginner photographer and you want to master the manual capabilities of your DSLR or Mirrorless camera as a hobby, for work or to build a new career then our foundational photography course will help you get started. We aim to deliver a fun, user-friendly and practical beginners photography course that demystifies the functions of your camera first so you can focus on the scene you want to capture.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this beginners photography course, you should be able to:
- Use their DSLR Cameras manually with skill and confidence
- Identify the standard functions and features of a DSLR Camera
- Understand Aperture, Depth of Field and Shutter and Motion
- Use the appropriate metering and exposure systems to correctly expose their image
- Identify difficult lighting situations that result in incorrect exposures
- Understand the basic principle of the Photographic Triangle
- Select the appropriate ISO, Resolution, and White Balance settings
- Understanding the physical equipment important to a photographer
- The composition dimension of photography – what looks good in a frame and why
Course content
What will be covered in this photography course?
Introduction: camera anatomy & settings
- How a mirrorless camera and DSLR work
- Main features of most cameras
- Modes of your camera and how they work: Manual Mode, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter Priority Mode
- File types: RAW vs JPEG
Exposure, focus & depth of field
- The Exposure Triangle: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed
- Focusing – Manual, Auto, Focus Points, Single/Continuous
- Depth of Field (DoF) Control – Aperture Priority, Distance, Lens, DoF Preview
- Shutter Speed and Movement
White balance & colour
- White Balance
- ISO and image quality
- The Histogram – Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude
- Contrast and Tonal Range
Light & metering
- The Light Meter – Correct, Under and Over Exposure
- Metering Systems – Matrix, Centre Weighted, Partial, Spot
- Situations that give inaccurate light readings and how to problem solve
- Direction of Light
Composition
- Rule of thirds
- Leading lines
- Perspective & angle
- Backgrounds
Equipment
- How to build your camera kit
- Tripods
- General camera care
Please note that individual teaching styles vary – there is scope for some flexibility and your tutor may prioritise particular content listed above dependent on the class needs. If there is anything specific you would like covered please ask your tutor at the beginning of class.
Intended audience
Who is this photography course for?
This course is for participants with any digital camera that has the capability of shooting in manual mode (DSLR and Mirrorless cameras). This is not suitable for compact 'point & shoot' cameras or smartphones.
Course venue
2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)
Course materials
What to bring to class
- DSLR Manual Camera + lens
- Camera manual (manual is important as different cameras have slightly different ways of operating the controls, you will need to locate these with your tutors help)
- Tripod or monopod for outdoor shoots (Optional)
- Notepad & pen or tablet
Course testimonials
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Amy said: Our small group was perfect, we all had an opportunity to ask questions and still got through the course content. The content was well presented and easy to follow. Rick our tutor was warm and fun, his experience and passion for photography have inspired me to want to learn more. I will be back for the next level!
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Chong Eng said: This course has given me the confidence to shoot in manual mode.
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Jane said: The theory and technical side of photography were explained very clearly and the exercises between classes were helpful for understanding these concepts. I particularly enjoyed putting these into practice on the day and night excursions. It was a very enjoyable class that helped me to understand a lot of the settings on my camera much better and gave me confidence to get off Automatic.
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Sandy said: The excellent course covered all the basics that I needed and the tutor was wonderful and getting it across so I understood.
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Katrina said: I mostly enjoyed the learning environment. I thought the course was structured in a way that allowed me to learn quite complex things very easily, and I understood things that I thought would take me a long while to get. Overall I'm walking away very confident in the basic understanding of photography.
Course tutors
Irena Conomos
Stephen Cooper
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
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Classes Online Courses
<p>Learn digital photography with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/audio-video-photography/photography">photography short courses</a> in Sydney.</p>
<p>Photography can
...<p>Learn digital photography with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/audio-video-photography/photography">photography short courses</a> in Sydney.</p>
<p>Photography can
...If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Photography Course for Beginners
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Photography Course for Beginners
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