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From choosing the right lens to shooting an all night exposure, Guardian Australia photographer-at-large Mike Bowers will share the tips and tricks used in his trade to help lift your photography above the mundane. In this one-day course, you will learn the craft as Mike downloads over 30 years of knowledge collected over his award-winning career. Whether you’re a novice or know your way around the latest DSLR, there is something here for everyone. There’s also an exciting opportunity to undertake a photography assignment that could see your work on the Guardian website.
This course is for you if…
- You’re an enthusiastic amateur photographer who’s baffled or intimidated by the range of manual function and what they do
- You’re looking for ideas on how to use your DSLR more creatively, and how to produce the effects you want
- You have a keen interest in photography and want to improve your skills
- You aspire to work in the media or commercially as a photographer/photojournalist
PLEASE NOTE: You will be required to bring your DSLR camera with manual settings on the day. Plus additional lenses, tripods, cable releases etc. you wish to learn how to use properly, plus any pens/paper for note taking. A basic knowledge of the use of your camera is beneficial.
Course description
It’s easy to get lazy with a DSLR. Since the auto settings generally do a good job, it can be tempting to let your camera make all your creative decisions for you. But the manual settings are the gateway to a vast range of creative options and effects, as well as the best way to compensate for those conditions that even the most intelligent microprocessor can’t figure out.
This intensive one-day masterclass will demystify the manual world. As well as a jargon-free explanation of the full range of manual functions and settings, you’ll learn the effects each of them will have on your pictures, and the right circumstances in which to use them.
Mike will show you the ropes as he takes you through the streets of Surry Hills for some hands-on tutorial. At the end of the masterclass there will be an opportunity to undertake a photographic assignment. The assignment will be reviewed by Mike and be given feedback via email on the work. Depending on the quality of the work submitted after the class it will be considered to be run on the Guardian Australia website as an essay.
Topics covered on the day include:
- A brief history of photojournalism
- Shutter speed and its uses
- Aperture and depth of field – how to get sharper images and isolate details
- Setting ISO – how it effects image quality, and how to choose the right one
- Lens selection – what lens to use and when to use it
- Camera supports - how to stand, how to hold and cable releases
- Use of filters
- Care of your gear
- Packing for travel
- A working kit, what to pack, what to take and how to carry it
- Discussion about assignment to complete after the class
Tutor profile
Mike Bowers was the managing editor of photography for The Sun Herald and Sydney Morning Herald from 2001 – 2008 and the Director of Photography at the Global Mail until 2014. During his career he’s covered eight federal election campaigns and various conflicts in Cambodia, Kosovo, Bougainville, PNG and The Middle East. He is a multiple Walkley Award finalist and has won Nikon-Press Photographer of the year award and the 2012 Kennedy Award for Outstanding Photographic Essay. Mikes known to ABC-TV’s Insiders viewers for his regular “Talking Pictures” segment and is a regular contributor to Guardian Australia.
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Details
Location: Sydney
Date: Saturday 29 November, 2014
Times: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Location: The Cambridge Hotel, 212 Riley Street, Surry Hills
Price: $229 (includes GST, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16
Dress code: There is no dress code for masterclasses. However, please wear comfortable footwear as there will be walking involved.
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 7 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
