DSLR 101 Class

I have been asked by a few people to do a class like this again So just in time for your holiday photo taking here is a chance to learn about your DSLR camera, how it works, and how to use it to get the types of photos you are looking for.

The class will be 4 hours long with water and beverages provided. This class will be a lot of fun and help you to understand how your camera operates and how to better get the types of pictures that you are wanting to.

The location for the class will be at my studio space in Rancho Cordova off of Sunrise and 50. I will send the address to all participants directly.

Topics of instruction and course outline:

Orientation - We will start off with an overview and orientation of the DSLR camera. We will discuss the "Top 10 features/functions of every DSLR", how to hold a DSLR when shooting for better results. Lens filters, do you need them? Where should you invest your photo dollars for the best results as well as some techniques for getting better focus

ISO - During this section of the instruction we will discuss and demonstrate the pros/cons of ISO 100 -1600+. Part of the instruction will include a practical demonstration using the student’s camera.

Aperture - During this portion of the instruction we will cover aperture and f-stops, what they are and why they matter. During the hands on practical exercise we will demonstrate effects of shooting at f1.8 through f22 apertures on depth of field and how distance to subject really plays a role in getting the results you are looking for.

Shutter Speed - During this portion of the instruction we will explore shutter speeds and how to best select the one that is best for the types of shooting you are doing. For the hands on demonstrate we will explore and see the effects of shutter speeds from 1 sec to 1/8,000 of a second and how they affect the photo.

Lighting - During this portion of the instruction we will discuss the importance of lighting and how to optimize the lighting for better/best results. We will cover existing or natural light as well as using flash or strobes to light the subject.

Composition - For this portion of the class we will cover some simple rules/laws of good composition for more pleasing photos and how you can make a good photo great.

Questions and Answers - This will be an open forum for me to take some questions from the group and wrap up.

This class is suitable for students of all skill levels that are looking to learn more about any or all of these topics as well as generally take the quality of their photos to the next level. Students attending this class should have at least a basic understanding of their camera and its basic functions so they can at a minimum turn it on and take a photo. Each student needs to bring their camera, battery, memory card, and user’s guide or manual to the class.
The class will be 4 hours with water and soft drinks provided by me.