1. Basic knowledge about DSLR cameras

(+ a short introduction on the history of photography).

2. Basic lens studies:

• We will learn about the general features and properties of lenses, for example different perspectives which can be produced by using different focal length
• Types of lenses
• We will learn what the lens is responsible for and what it can do.
• Lens speed, potential and limits, capacity, differences in price
• Cleaning and care

3. Aperture, ISO, shutter speed and light metering:

• …… are the parameters we use to control how much light reaches the sensor

4. Short or long shutter speed

• What is meant by motion blur?
• How do I gather light?
• How do I freeze an object in motion?
• How can I get motion blur of a moving object or subject in my image?

5. The depth of field, how to use it well?

• We aim to be able to control and use conciously blurring and sharpness in our images

6. Composition of the image

• The rules of composition are easy, it’s just about being aware of them.  So here you will learn about the most important of those rules.
• How do you learn to “see” pictures? Where does inspiration come from? Be surprised!

1st and 2nd day (total: 13 hours)

Morning:

Hotel Nixe Palace,Palma

9.00/9.30 – ca. 13.30/14.30 Theory (including 30 min break)

1 hour lunch break

Afternoon:

Outdoor Practice – time & place to be confirmed depending on the season / weather

3rd day (7 hours)

Approximately 5 hours practical application, putting new skills into practice while outdoors (time and place to be confirmed according to the season and weather).
We will finish taking photographs by lunchtime, which will be spent in a small restaurant or cafetería close by, in order to comment on and evaluate our photos in comfort – approx 2 hours.

Please note:

we care about quality not quantity

so we will concentrate on every single photo. Our aim is to put theory into practice and to experience joy when doing so. You will see that it is not as difficult as you think to implement these new skills and that from now on, you will be taking good pictures not just snapshots.

Important:

to practise means using what we have learned: without competition and without pressure to perform vis a vis the results. We will evaluate the pictures but we will not compare them. All participants are here to learn and to improve.
At this stage (if not earlier) there will be time to discuss individual questions and look at the different models of cameras in more detail.

Please bear in mind this is an intensive course. If you would prefer to do  a course at your own speed, please ask about private tuition.

Prices for private lessons:

What do we do if the weather turns nasty?

In seemingly bad weather, unexpectedly powerful pictures can be taken

The theoretical part of the course is absolutely independent of wethaer conditions because it takes place inside the hotel.
But even for the practical part clouds and storms cannot hold us back. On the contrary, some of the best photos have been taken in weather like that.
Unfortunately if it is raining too heavily we will not be able to go outside due to technical problems which may affect our techniqual equipment.
We will do our best to enjoy the wonderful landscapes that this dream island Majorca has to offer. But if we cannot go outside, we will decide as a group whether:
• we postpone the excursión or
• whether we organize a mediterranean session inside – you will be surprised at what is possible!