Reading the Instruction Manual

So, today I opened the instruction booklet for my point in shoot for the FIRST time. I learned so much! I had no idea that my camera was capable of doing so many things that my SLR can do. I can't wait to try some of the new things I've learned. The timer allows me to take up to 10 shots on timer! I never knew! I can also change the "face" focus to a center focusing point, where I can then lock it on the iris of my subject's eye before composing the shot. \

It's amazing how much one can learn from reading the instruction booklet. I'll learn even more once I practice the instructions. Hopefully we'll all learn new and helpful things about our cameras.

I've set up a Shutterfly site for our class. It's an easy place for all of us to post our "homework" assignments and add comments each week. I'll use this blog for comments and thoughts, but use the shutterfly site for photo posting and comments regarding class.

Our first assignment will be a self-portrait using your timer. This will help us all get acquainted AND get to know our camera. More about this assignment on our first night of class.

http://fishersphotographyclass.shutterfly.com/

Class Outline

I'm looking forward to our photography class. This will be a hands-on, active participation class with weekly "homework" assignments. Each week, we'll all post a favorite shot or two of the assignment, and then be able to view each other's and post comments to help us all improve our skills.

ambient window light with a reflector on the right side

outdoors, not posed

Alaska - taken with a pocket, point & shoot digital camera

Alaska - taken with a pocket, point & shoot digital camera

Assumptions: I'm assuming that everyone knows how to turn your camera on (wink, giggle softly), take pictures in the icon modes (face, landscape, runner....), and get your pictures from the camera to the computer. IF NOT, it's fine, we'll just need to have a VERY basics class beforehand.

We'll spend the first night getting to know your camera. Bring your camera and the instruction book (if you can find it). If you have two cameras and want to learn about both, feel free to bring both. I have a small point-in-shoot that I love to carry in my purse, and then an SLR, which is bulky to carry around all of the time. We'll learn about the different settings and general capabilities of your camera.

For the following weeks, we'll focus on:

• Depth of Field (Aperture) and Focus


• Time Values (Motion and Freezing Motion)


• Portraits, 1 person Light (Ambient, Flash, Reflectors, Outdoors)


• Portraits, 2 people, groups


• Photo Journalism (telling a story through pictures)


• Landscape/Nature


• Computer editing, printing options, mounting portraits.

This would give us a total of 8 weeks. I would really love to know specifics of what everyone wants to learn, so please post any feedback to help sway the direction of our class. If you need to learn about something everyone else already knows, we can set up a one-on-one time to go over anything that would not apply to the whole group. Friends and neighbors are welcome to join us! Please check back frequently to know where we're meeting each week (we'll be "on location" as weather permits, except our first class which will be held at the church).