Introduction to Digital Photography & Adobe Photoshop

The Introduction to Digital Photography course is an intensive training programme designed for persons who have no prior knowledge in digital photography—however, some experience will be to your advantage.

The course is presented on a part time and full time basis and consists of 10 training sessions. The sessions deal with a host of topics, including the various functions of your Digital SLR camera, theoretical elements of how these settings affect your photographs, in-the-field practical training sessions, studio lighting as well as working with Adobe Photoshop.

The aim of the Photoshop aspect of the course is to provide the basic principles of working with digital images in the post-production phase using Adobe Photoshop. One of the advantages of digital photography is the virtually limitless possibilities in the post-production phase of producing photographs. We explore this!

The course objectives include learning how to use your Digital SLR camera in the manual mode, get a thorough under-standing of many other camera settings and gain valuable experience in various photography situations and conditions as well as working with images after production. The theoretical/classroom sessions are presented in Kensington and the in-the field training sessions take place at various locations (refer to the SYLABUS section for details).

What students say:

"I have learnt a lot and no longer have to take photos in auto. Learning how to take photos without flash was also great."
Melissa Haywood

"The course has lots of valuable practical work! Johnathan is always available and willing to share his knowledge."
Elsabe Oosthuizen

"Your course was excellent in every way and very professionally run."
Bentley Palmer

 

Digital Principles: Session 1, 2, 3 Aspects are covered in the first three classroom sessions: - The DSLR camera kit, lenses - Basic terms and principles - Camera RAW files - Manual mode, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority - Shutter speed , Aperture and f-stop, ISO - Metering modes, Auto Focus areas, Auto Focus modes - White Balance - Bracketing, Exposure compensation - Composition - Lighting techniques - Studio photographic principles	Working with Adobe Photoshop: Session 4, 6, 8 Aspects are covered during three classroom sessions: - Image size, Cropping and Straightening - How to make high contrast black and white photos - Retouching an image, cloning - Various other editing tools to enhance a photo - Editing images using spot healing brush, patch tool etc - Adding creative blurs to images - Selective colour adjustment - Making sepia photographs, overlays and blending layers - Adjustments RAW format files - Preparing images for print - HDR images
Night Time - Practical Training: Session 5 The session takes place at night at a location near, or in a built up, metropolitan area. During the session we deal with long exposures, motion blurs and other exposure challenges.	First Light - Practical Training: Session 7 The session usually takes place at the Nan Hua Buddhist Temple in Bronkhorstspruit. The temple is spectacular to photograph and ideas for photographing architecture is explored. To capture photographs in first light will mean to rise very early in the morning and it might be more convenient for you to stay at a guest house close by to facilitate an early start (accommodation not included in the price). We reserve the right to change the training venue.
Studio Photography - Practical Training: Session 9 Explore principles of photographing in studio and studio lighting. Portraiture photography with models in studio as well as photographing objects on a still life table and photo cube are the aspects dealt with during the session.	Conclusion & Show Portfolios: Session 10 During this session students showcase their work and as many as possible photos are discussed. Students receive a final assignment which needs to be completed and submitted within two weeks after the session.

DURATION
- 10 sessions
- +- 3 hours per session

ASSESSMENT
- To ensure that you master the course material, you will be required to complete 10 assignments.
- Assignments are evaluated and a proficiency certificate is awarded if a pass mark of 75% is achieved.

COURSE FEE
- The course fee per person is R 3 950

PAYMENT TERMS
- The full course fee can be paid on registration, or
- A R2000 deposit can be paid on registration and the balance is payable the day before the course commences.

12 to 48 MONTHS TO PAY
- We have an option where you can apply for credit and have up to 12 and 48 months to pay.
- Course fees as well as equipment and software purchase can be included in the finance amount.
- To apply for credit please contact us.
- We regret that credit is not available for self employed individuals.
- Applicants need to be permanently employed and receive an electronic salary payment.
- Standard banking terms and conditions for credit apply.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
- No photography experience is required. This is a beginners course.
- This Introduction to Digital Photography course is a skills based programme.
- The course is presented in English.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE COURSE
- Any brand of Digital SLR camera with an 18-55mm lens as a minimum requirement.
- An additional lens to cover a focal range of 55-200mm will be an advantage.
- A tripod is necessary to use for assignments and during some of the practical training sessions.
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, 9, 10 or Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3, CS4 or CS5 is required.
- You need to use your own laptop for the three Photoshop classroom sessions.

EQUIPMENT & SOFTWARE
- JASP is a Nikon exclusive dealer and we offer Digital SLR cameras & accessories at competitive prices.
- JASP supplies the Adobe Photoshop range of software at competitive prices. Visit our online store.
- Nikon cameras, camera accessories and Adobe Photoshop software can be bought from our online store, or visit our showroom.