DESCRIPTION:

A very good “all rounder” course for beginners to intermediate/ advanced level photographers who wish to learn real life shooting skills to bring back much better photographs from their travels. Over 5100 travellers have done this course since its inception in 1991.

The course emphasises the need to be versatile in your photography - to be able to adapt your shooting style to suit varying conditions of a region or event. If its raining you learn to shoot macro and portraiture, if its classic landscapes, you may have to wait days for the perfect light, if its colourful people then go to Rajasthan or Peru.

Less is more... less clutter in desert regions means cleaner backdrops and strong composition, less heavy camera gear means you have more energy to explore Rome from first light to twilight. Less gear means freedom to mingle with the locals in Zanzibar and a light compact allows you to shoot unobtrusively. Conversely size matters! On a African wildlife photographic safari or polar bear shoot in Churchill, you need at least a 300mm lens (better still a longer telephoto) and a good SLR film or digital camera. If you are driving around Australia, you can put all your gear in a dustproof metal case and not worry about weight or the number of lenses...

 Every course participant gets custom tailored advice on their gear, what/where to buy, destination shooting tips, knowledge on cameras, lens, accessories and the best deals. Detailed notes give tips on etiquette, security, the best time to go, image storage, battery life, camera care, security issues and much more.

The Phototraveller course is a ‘hands on’ outdoors course, Its out there, using your camera, picking up camera handling technique as we shoot. We use a variety of great Sydney locations to give you a feel for diverse scenarios. Snapping boats and water at the Pier 4-8 wharf replicates a Greek holiday, nature and flowers in the Botanical gardens are good practice for shooting in Costa Rica, the tips on architecture photography at the Sydney Barracks can be transported to pictures in Versailles. The bustle of the Rocks markets emulates Covent Gardens and the Opera house give you skills in shooting

snow covered scenes in the polar regions.

Assignments throughout give you the skills set to successfully capture most regions of the world. We profile the world's most photogenic locations on the last evening....Antarctica, Himalaya, Asia, Burma, Mongolia, The Andes, Paris, London, Rome, Scotland, Turkey, Greece, Canada, Vietnam, Red Centre,

Namibia, South and East Africa to name but a few of the worlds most photogenic locations.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

• Learn how to use every feature on your film and/or digital camera to the full

• Get unbiased advice on what camera gear is best suited for your travel destination

• Hit the road with the right gear to suit you travelling style

• Get great shots of iconic Sydney locations and environments

• Covering an array of travel photography scenarios that you encounter when travelling Antarctica, Himalaya, Asia, Burma, Mongolia, The Andes, Paris, London , Rome, Scotland, Turkey, Greece, Vietnam, Red Centre, Namibia, Kenya, South Africa and more

• Learn low light and night photography techniques

• Small groups (12 persons maximum)

• Interactive, dynamic, fun. Real life shooting

• Free camera shopping service & ongoing technical support

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS:

• Overview of your  camera functions

• Suggested cameras and accessories

• Film verus digital

• Reportage style: capture ‘a day in Sydney’

• Direction of light / Creative composition

• Unusual viewpoints & tilting

• Lens and linear perspective /Depth of field

• Visual design / eliminating clutter

• Candid & locational portraiture

• Landscapes/seascapes

• Reflections

• Capturing motion

• White balance and filters

• ISO speed/ shutter speeds

• Colour cast

• Flash and ambient light

• Still life /macro

• Interiors and exteriors

• Balancing interior and exterior light

• Handling contrast and dynamic range

• Flash and ambient light / twilight and night shooting

• Night & low light photography in general

• Profiling the worlds most photogenic locations

COURSE SCHEDULE:

instructor(s):

Andrew Thomasson and/or Sarah Jenkins

Pre-requisite:

None

requirements:

• We recommend you have a digital compact and a digital DLSR camera such as the Canon 400, 450, D20, D30, D40 or Nikon D40X, D60, D80, D200, D300 (we also cater for Film cameras)

• At least one quality multi range lens such as a Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens, a Canon 17-85mm, or the twin kit lenses sold as a package with many Canon, Pentax, Nikon and Olympus DLSR cameras and ideally a prime lens such as a Nikon/Canon 50mm f1.8 (available for sale from us)

•  A wide angle 12-24mm is useful for landscapes. A 100-300mm (or more) for wildlife.

• Memory Card(s): We recommend at least a 1 GB card for each session of shooting

• Non essential – polarizing filter, external flash unit, tripod, bean bag.

• Charged camera battery and a spare if you have one

Next scheduled courses:

• Sunday 26 October 2008

course price & inclusions::

• AUD$290

• Instruction from professional photographer

• Detailed notes

• Camera, lens and accessory shopping service

• Free portraits and e-book

• Personal assessment and critique of your portfolio

• Custom tailored advice your destination