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Camera Basics

Want to learn the basic elements of camera control? This course teaches you how to be in command of your camera to take better photographs!



Course synopsis: Camera Basics

Camera Basics

Camera Basics is a beginners guide to photography and is ideal for both beginners and those wishing to refresh their previous camera knowledge, whether you have a film or digital SLR camera. This jargon-free camera skills course will enable you to fully understand your 35mm film or digital SLR camera, and learn how to use photographic techniques creatively. We will demystify light meters and exposure readings, aperture and shutter speed controls, depth of field, film and ISO rating, and loading and unloading of film. You will cover all the basics of manual camera control and you will learn how to use these techniques to your advantage. In addition we will explore the rules and theories of composition, and you will undertake practical exercises so you can experiment with your new skills in a supportive environment.


Aim of the course: Camera Basics

By the end of the course you will be able to use a digital or 35mm film SLR camera competently and understand how to use photographic techniques to achieve creative affects. You will be able to identify good composition and be able to apply those principles to your own photographs.


Course Modules

35mm SLR Camera (Module 101) Show Details Show Details
  • Types of cameras
  • How cameras work
  • Manual camera controls
  • Camera techniques

Objectives of the Module
This module will enable you to use a 35mm SLR or rangefinder camera competently. You will understand how to take great photographs instead of hit and miss shots and use the full functionality of your camera instead of always switching the dial to the green square (or auto function). This includes manual exposure reading, knowing what shutter and aperture controls to use for a given photograph, manual focusing and choice of lenses. Students will also understand what film ISO to buy and/or use. You will also learn how to manipulate the camera to produce varied photographic effects.

Practical Exercise
Shoot one roll of film following exercises in handouts.

Assessing Film and Composition (Module 102) Show Details Show Details
  • Assessing Negatives
  • Composition

Objectives of the Module
In this module you will learn how to assess film, learning what makes under, correct and over exposed negatives. You will also learn techniques to alter image quality through exposure control. You will assess negatives/images from Practical Exercises in module 101. In addition you will learn the compositional differences between how we perceive our surroundings and how our cameras and films record images. This includes seeing better pictures, framing the image, composition and visual selection and perception of depth.

Practical Exercise
Evaluating Negatives from Module 101 Slide presentation on other photographers work and discussion on composition Shoot one roll of film following exercises in handouts.

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Course Dates

Evening Courses
Reference Session Day Dates Time Availability
These courses are very popular and are scheduled subject to demand.
We only need three people to run them, so if you are interested in enroling
please call us on 020 7793 0000 to arrange possible dates.
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Progression Routes

Camera Basics is part of our Level 1 photography courses. You may also wish to go on to learn how to make the most out of your photographs by learning to do your own printing on our Darkroom Introduction or Darkroom Basics or enhancing your pictures in our Digital Image Manipulation course. Camera Basics prepares students for independent camera and darkroom use, providing the basic camera skills necessary to progress to our Level 2 camera courses such as Travel Photography or Camera Techniques. Although this basic course in cameras covers some of the same elements as the Creative Photography or Creative Digital Photography courses, many students attend this course as a taster before moving on to study photography intensely on the longer Creative Photography courses.
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Please make sure you have read our Course Terms & Conditions