Discover Digital SLR Photography

Have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, but no idea how to use it?... This beginner's photography course in Cairns spread over four evening classes and an afternoon field shoot, enables you to take control of your camera and create better images.

• When: Every second month.  See dates below
• Where: Freshwater QCWA Hall, Lot 1/253 Kamerunga Rd, Cairns
• Price: $395

More workshop info

The Discover Digital SLR Photography Course consists of four evening classes and a Sunday afternoon field-trip.

Evening classes consist of practical tuition, some theory and a review of assignment work - designed to help put everything learned into practice. An optional field shoot conducted during the course gives students practice outside the classroom, with tips and advice from a professional photographer. Spread over 4 weeks, the course allows you more time to develop your knowledge, to practice and to get tailored advice. Please note that for the July / Aug 2022 course, the fourth week and field shoot will be scheduled a week later than usual - ie. Tue 9 Aug evening and Sunday 14 Aug afternoon.

Student numbers are limited to a max of 6 students.

JULY / AUG 2022 COURSE  
Classes -          Tue 12, 19, 26 July and 9 Aug 2022,   7.00pm - 10.00pm
Field shoot -   Sun 14 Aug 2022,   3.30pm - 6.30pm

Week 1 - Introducing the Digital SLR:
Camera layout and functions, memory cards and image quality settings are explored.   Camera white balance is explained and we learn focus techniques.  We look at lenses, other equipment and camera accessories.

Week 2 - Exposure control - Part One:
ISO, Apertures and Shutter Speeds are all explained, and we delve into using Shutter Speed & Aperture Priority modes. We also cover ‘Depth of Field’ and how to use it achieve the image you're after.

Week 3 - Exposure control - Part Two:
Here we focus on shooting in Manual Exposure mode, as well as using histograms for obtaining well-exposed images, the various metering modes and how to apply exposure compensation.

Week 4 - Composition and Lighting:
Image composition and the ‘Rule of thirds’ is explained and we look at other compositional techniques to create compelling images. Lenses for composition and framing is also examined and we explore the use of natural light and flash photography.

Field Shoot
At the end of the final week we hold our location shoot to put what you’ve learned into practice and give you the opportunity to ask questions and get advice while ‘in the field’. We put ISO, F-stops and Shutter Speeds into practice; look at using tripods and filters; and learn location shooting tips and techniques.

Introduction to RAW image processing and Photoshop Elements 2022
After the completion of the course, there is also an optional 5th week, which covers an introduction to processing your raw images and editing them with Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022. For this course it will be on Tue 16 Aug from 7.00 - 10.00pm. The additional cost of this session is $75. This session can be booked and paid for direct through Cairns Photo Courses anytime during the course. Note: the running of this session is subject to minimum numbers.