Photo Courses Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway

3 day Intermediate Digital Photographic course based in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, South West Scotland.

Learn how to create better photographs, with your digital camera, from a lifelong professional photographer. You will be based in a working studio using all the equipment and facilities, along with shooting at local locations. You will be encouraged to be more creative in your approach to the work. The emphasis will be on how to get the most out of your digital camera using natural and artificial lights. Students will spend time using Photoshop and learning in depth adjustments, corrections and enhancement.

You will be staying at Bank House Bed and Breakfast, where the course will be based in the studio on the ground floor. There will be a maximum of 6 students per course to ensure full attention at all times. With 5 or 6 students additional help will be on hand. The cost is a special offer for 2010 at £330 per student per 3 day course plus B&B accommodation. (Dinner is not provided but there are a choice of restaurants near by). Please see www.bankhousethornhill.co.uk for details. The course will be available to non residents but priority will be given to students staying at Bank House. No smoking or pets in the house. Card payment not available.

Day One

9 am Welcome and introduction

11 am Coffee. Portrait demo.
Students shoot a portrait, putting into practice what they have learnt.
1 pm Break for light lunch. ( provided )
2 pm Location ( dependent upon weather ) outside location or an interior.
4 pm Return to the studio Introduction to the computers. Download the days shots, file and store.

While on location you are asked to collect props for a small studio still life shot on day 2 ( alternatively bring props with you or can select from our props cupboard )

Day Two

9 am Studio Classroom, Recap. Aperture combined with Shutter Speed, how to use these creatively. Resolution. File types. Computers, access your files, open photographs in Photoshop and introduction to Tools, Adjustments, Cropping and Saving.
11 am Coffee, Re cap. White Balance and demo with studio lights on a small still life. All students then shoot a still life using their chosen props and studio lights having a choice of Flash,Tungsten or a combination of both to learn how to balance the different lights for correct exposure. Students shoot one by one while the others work on their computers.
1 pm Break for light lunch ( provided ).
2 pm Continue in studio until all students have shot and downloaded onto their computer. Work on your new shots and Save to Folder. Explanation and examples of project for tomorrow morning.

Day Three

9 am Local location shooting for project.
11 am Coffee. Download shots. Tools for cutting out along with Clone and Rubber.
Work on project
1 pm Break for light Lunch ( provided )
2 pm Continue with project.
3 pm Use of Type on photographs and how to prepare shots for Print.
3.30 approx. Q and A session. Each student print an A4 of favourite shot and Burn your work onto a CD to take home.

Location shoots are dependent on the weather and the timetable may have to be changed accordingly. It is advised that students take their own notes although some handouts will be available.