The Basic Photography Course Syllabus & Requirements

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The Camera

You will need a camera (Digital or film) that preferably has manual focus. It should have manual settings such as for metering and exposure.

You will need a lens such as the short zoom lens that comes on newer cameras or the standard 50mm lens that comes with the older cameras or.

The camera need not be an expensive or new 'state of the art' camera, in fact most of the older models will do fine. Most (but not all) new cameras can also be used if they have a manual or 'creative' setting.

If in doubt ask your local camera dealer about your particular camera's features.

Later on in the course you may benefit from a separate flashgun, again these are fully explained during the course so you need not get one until you need it.

Module 1: Contents

Introduction

Lesson 1

The Camera

Lesson 2

The Compact Camera
The 35mm Range finder
The 35mm Single Lens Reflex
Advanced Photo System
The Twin Lens Reflex
The Medium Format SLR Camera
Large Format
Digital Cameras
Panoramic Cameras

Lesson 3

Film and Digital Sensitivity
Sensitivity Measurement
Shutter Speed
The Aperture
The Light Meter
Adjusting the Exposure

Lesson 4

SLR Info Displays
Digital Image Settings
Digital Storage
Reading the Film Box
Loading the Film
Loading APS Film
Rewinding the Film

Lesson 5

Holding the Camera
Viewfinders and Viewscreens
Focusing

Lesson 6

Introduction to Composition
Filling the Frame
Avoid Clutter
Avoiding Timewasting
Summary

Projects 1

Module 2: Contents

Lesson 7

Combining Shutter Speeds with Apertures

Lesson 8

Knowing Your Subject
Selecting a Shutter Speed
Capturing a Moving Subject
Panning a moving Subject
Slow Shutter Speeds and the Tripod
Remote Releases

Lesson 9

Lesson 9
Selecting an Aperture
Depth of field scales
Estimating depth of field
Depth of Field Calculator
The Depth of Field Preview
Using Zone focusing
Hyperfocal focusing
Using Shallow depth of field
Maximising depth of field
Summary

Lesson 10 Lenses

Focal Length
Lens Characteristics
Lens Perspectives
The Standard Lens
The Wide Angle Lens
The Telephoto Lens
Fixed Focal Length Lenses
Zoom Lenses
Specialist Lenses

Module 2 Projects

Module 3: Contents

Lesson 11

Introduction
Rules of Composition
The Rule of Thirds

Lesson 12

The Subject
Framing the Subject

Lesson 13

Planning the Photograph
Choosing the Format
Reading the Photograph
Choosing the Viewpoint

Lesson 14

Maximising the Foreground
Isolating Detail
Using Lines
Patterns and Textures
Color for Impact
Adding Scale

Lesson 15

Lighting
Direction of Sunlight
Early Morning Light
Midday Sunlight
Late Evening Sunlight
Overcast Lighting
Summary

Module 3 Projects

Module 4: Contents

Lesson 16

Introduction
How Flash Works
Flash Power
Built-in Flash
External Flash Guns
Flash and Shutter Speeds
Flash and the Aperture
Manual Flash Exposure
Automatic Flash Exposure
Dedicated Flash
Flash Test Indicator
Choosing a Flashgun

Lesson 17

Bounced Flash
Fill-in Flash
Freezing Movement with Flash
Front and Rear Curtain Sync

Lesson 18

Light and the Camera Meter
Lighting Angles
The Hand Held Meter
SLR Cameras with
Center Weighted/Multizone Meters
Partial and Spot Metering
Identifying Shades
Bracketing the Exposure
Changing the ISO

Lesson 19

Camera Exposure Modes
Advanced Exposure Modes
Subject Exposure Modes
Choosing an Exposure Mode
Exposure Compensation
Other Exposure Tools
Shooting Modes
Module Summary

Module 4 Projects

Module 5: Contents

Lesson 20

Media: Digital
Introduction
Digital Sensor Construction
Digital Image Resolution
Image File Formats
Digital Sensor Size
Digital Sensor Speed

Media: Film
Film Construction
Black & White Film
Color Negative Film
Color Reversal Film
Film Size

ISO Speeds - Film and Sensor Sensitivity
Choosing Slow ISO Film Speed
(Slow 0 - 64 ISO)
Medium 100 - 200 ISO
Fast 400 - 1000 ISO
Sensitivity and Exposure
Using Black & White Film
Using Color Print Film
Using Color Slide Film

Lesson 21

Light and Color
Digital Color Balance

Lesson 22

Filters
UV and Skylight Filters
Polarising Filters
Warm Tone Filters
Color Correction Filters
Black and White Contrast Filters
Graduated Filters
Special Effects Filters

Lesson 23

Close up Attachments
Close Up Filters
Extension Tubes
Close Up Bellows
Reversing Rings
Macro Lens

Lesson 24

Camera Support
The Tripod
The Monopod
>Beanbags and G clamps
Remote Release Systems

Lesson 25

Night Photography
Equipment
How to Expose for the Night
Reciprocity Law Failure
Exposure Bracketing
Using Movement
Using Flash
Special Effects at Night
Adding the Moon
Shooting Fireworks

Lesson 26

The Photo Essay
The Theme
Music Photo Essay Example

Lesson 27

Equipment Care
Lens Hood
Camera Bags
Module 5 Summary

Project 5

Course Summary