DESCRIPTION:

The mark of a true portrait photographer is a the ability to consistently produce high quality images... getting control of light is a combination of experience, expertise, instinct.... and that is what this course is all about. Its showing you different types of portraiture.....from candid to formal, reportage to environmental, how to shoot babies, children, families, groups, friends....and to develop your style... whether this is creative and experimental, stylised or formal, shoot from the hip or paparazzi style, outdoors or in the controlled environment of a studio.
 

Photographing people in all walks of life is hugely popular yet it is usually done poorly. We train you to recognise the quality and direction of the light, to implement creative composition, to understand poses, backdrops, lens perspective, colour cast, to make your subject relax, to look for unusual locations, to come up ,with new ideas, angles, viewpoints...  to shoot for dramatic impact or to flatter your subject with a dreamy ethereal quality to the image.

The Focus 10 portraiture course taught both in Sydney and Melbourne will impart a high level of proficiency to the serious amateur photographer or to someone considering a career in portrait photography and to shoot at a professional level.
It assumes a proficiency in digital camera handling and technical knowledge. Ideally you will have completed our Digital 1 course or be able to demonstrate a similar level of competency. You will be given a number of assignments to complete which will be assessed, graded and awards given. The group will be limited to a maximum of 10 people for a highly personalised training experience.

You will move up several notches learning how to shoot high quality portrait images, quality studio and outdoor portraiture and fine arts portrait photography.  We also also look at the camera gear section with a ‘horses for courses’ approach depending on the type of portraiture work.  Your instructors are professional portrait and wedding photographers and you can draw upon that accumulated knowledge throughout.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

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

• Knowledge on the best camera/lens combinations for portraiture work

• Get unbiased advice on what camera gear is best suited for your needs and budget

• Your eye will be trained to recognise the quality and direction of light

• Advanced tips on setting up portrait shots

• How to create a mini portrait studio in your own home

• How to shoot weddings and corporate

• Fast track your technical and artistic skills

• Get great shots of unusual, evocative Sydney and Melbourne locations

• Small groups (10 persons maximum)

• Interactive, dynamic, exacting, challenging

• Dinner night and awards

• Souvenir portraits and e-album

• A professional portfolio and certificate of achievement

• Free camera shopping service & ongoing technical support

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS:

• Advanced digital SLR camera functions

• 35mm film and medium format film cameras

• Choice of lenses, accessories and props

• Accessories, props, reflectors

• Body positioning/ eyes / noses /hands

• Exposure bracketing, compensation and ISO

• Channels & parameters, colour temperature

• Creative use of depth of field

• Black and white portraiture

• Reportage, documentary formal, candid, environmental, stylised, point n’ shoot & studio

• Photographing babies, children, adults, groups
  weddings, corporate, fashion

• Skin tones, reflections, white balance 

• Unusual viewpoints & tilting / lens and linear perspective

• High contrast / colour harmony / blurring / freezing of motion / conveying movement

• Unusual locations, attractive suitable clothes, interesting accessories

• Planning: weather, location, time of day/season

• Getting your models, make up/ hairstyles

• Operation of external flash unit, rear/2nd curtain synch flash

• Night portraits / use of fast prime lenses

• Model releases, technicalities, copyright

• Brief post production coverage including, iphoto and Photoshop

COURSE SCHEDULE:

instructor(s):

Andrew Thomasson with photographic assistants

Pre-requisite:

Digital 1 course (or equivalent) or a sound grasp of photography - (an email test can be provided if you are unsure)

requirements:

• DSLR or film camera such as a Canon EOS D40, D400, Nikon D80, D200, Nikon F100, Mamiya 645 etc

• At least 2 quality lens such as a Nikkor 85mm or a Canon 24-70mm and other prime lenses

• We strongly recommend a 50mm f1.4 or 1.8 prime lens and/or a 85mm f1.8 prime lens

• Memory Card(s) We recommend at least a 1 GB card for each 4 hour workshop

• Any camera accessories - such as a tripod, polarizing filter

• Charged camera battery and a spare if you have one

Next scheduled courses:

• Thursday, 3 July 2008

course price & inclusions::

• AUD$495

• Instruction from professional photographers

• Detailed notes

• Camera, lens and accessory shopping service

• Best category awards

• Free portraits

• Personal assessment and critique of your portfolio

• Graduation certificate