Six weeks of practical, theoretical and technical insight into photographic desires: an introduction for enthusiastic beginners

WHEN: Sunday afternoons 4-6pm, 3 January - 7 February 2010

WHERE: Venue to be confirmed. Probably a bar in Collingwood or Fitzroy...

COST: $165; $125 concession [click here to go to payments page]

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

• A digital camera, better if capable of RAW file capture, ideally a DSLR
• Access to a computer, ideally a laptop that can be brought to the venue

 SUN 3 JAN

WEEK 1: Technical introduction

• The obscure camera - the black box behind the screen and buttons
• Getting Exposure - the triangle of shutter speed, aperture, ISO. Don't get clipped: reading histograms
• Camera settings: auto, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual
• Where do pixels come from? How the computer makes pictures
• File formats: RAW vs JPEG
• Practical exercise: motion blur VS depth of field
• Assignment: take at least one photograph every day for the duration

 SUN 10 JAN

WEEK 2: Post capture processing

• Working with highlights and shadows - reading histograms, adjusting levels and curves
• Adjusting colour - white balancing, RGB colour
• Workflow and file formats - master and derivatives
• RAW file processing
• Intro to Photoshop
• Outcomes - preparing digital images for screen, internet or print

SUN 17 JAN (Midsumma Carnival Day: meet at venue)

WEEK 3: Taking pictures

• Capture metaphysics: the decisive moment
• Negotiating with subjects
• Legal frameworks and practical realities
• Spend time at midsumma carnival taking photographs

SUN 24 JAN

WEEK 4: lighting and processing consolidation

• Practical Processing: hands on workshop processing participant photographs
• Flashing: using on camera flash, bouncing and diffusing
• Tripod, long exposures,
• Intro to studio lighting

SUN 31 JAN

WEEK 5: making the scene

• Show and tell: review of student work
• Sunday scene cruise - Libation, Sircuit, Glasshouse and Neverwhere

SUN 7 FEB

WEEK 6: PRIDE MARCH

• Vibrant community event

ALLEYKAT

This short course is presented by Alison Bennett, aka alleykat. In addition to her critically acclaimed exhibition practice as a photomedia visual artist, her coverage of the Melbourne queer party and performance scene has distinguished her as one of the most empathetic and original scene photographers working in Melbourne today. A passionate educator working at both university and TAFE institutions, Alison has infected hundreds with her enthusiasm for the magic of digital imaging and photography.