Asked to teach beginner digital photogra phy class

“I was asked by the director of a local art gallery that has a good regional draw. They have just started moving into offering classes this past year.

They offered one last fall for people way beyond the beginning stage. She said they had a lot of people who asked real general questions and apparently would take a beginner's class. They are people beyond school age (for the most part, anyhoo) that want to learn more and expand horizons.

It would most likely be a one-day, 3-hour type deal. As far as MY qualifications, I feel I could probably adequately handle a beginner's class. (Ya get beyond that and I pretty much know the rules and what to do, but have never had formal training, so feel like I might fail with the "tough" questions.)

Anyone have any resources that might be good or ideas on how to break down a class? Or book suggestions as references the "students" might want to get? Or websites?

I would guess I'd want to get my hands on as many digital cameras as I could before the class. Or... maybe have people send in their goals for the class and what their equipment is?? That sounds good.

I could think of hitting these subjects:
1. Getting acquainted with the features of your camera -- automatic settings; any zooms; setting up the menu items for the best photo possible (might be too complicated, say, white balance or setting focus area); type of "film" card used...... Other stuff?

2. Discuss how people want to use their cameras... family pictures, pets, hobbies, sports, landscapes, vacations...

3. Go take some pictures, looking at results as we go, to discuss how the photos looks and could technically be improved (alternately, do this within the next section)

4. Get on a computer, upload the photos explaining that process of card readers vs. camera cables (and this might be easier to look at photos here to explain how to improve... not sure if here or when shooting is better)

5. Questions, handouts, etc.

OK, ANY MORE IDEAS???”

“It sounds as though you have it under control.”

“Lizs....sounds like a great opportunity....and FUN!!!”

“Here are some websites to look at:

http://www.shortcourses.com/

http://www.schoolofphotography.com/digital.html”

“Hi Lizs,

How big is the class going to be? If it's not to large you could go over some of the features that a lot of folks overlook or are intimidated by...like the macro setting for closeups, exposure compensation situations like shooting from the shade in to the sun, how to use the self timer so they can be in the family photo too etc.
I'm pretty sure most digitals have all of these features in common....and probably some others I've forgotten to mention.”

“They said maybe around six people. Good ideas, all!”

“somethings I learned after I bought my first digital: what camera would be best for what situation.

example: my first digital was huge, way too big for hiking. It also wrote way too slow on CD. It interfered with me scrambling, hiking etc... same if you take a lot of pictures near water. I would probalby would a waterproof camera then. stuff like that... ya know


I guess you can add this to the no.2 of your ideas. You prolly already have, but I thought I post it just in case. :)”

“Where do we sign up?

A fellow on a local hiking board has a Canon 300D with what he calls "real sexy glass" ("L" lenses) and the scenery / landscape stuff he's posting is pretty incredible. He says it's the professional lenses. Anyway, I'm torn between wanting to take shots like that and knowing I don't care to stop and dauddle along the trail, which ya gotta do if you take photos.”

“lizs,
The class and your ideas sound like fun. I've had my digital for 5 years and never really learned to use it to it's potential. Good luck with your endeavor.

Tango...thanks for the sites. They look interesting. Thanks.
NJpacker”

“If you were closer I'd sign on. Like NJPacker, I have a Nikon that I've never mastered.

Good luck kiddo!”

“How can I register on-line?”

“Two thoughts:

The difference between the standard digital cameas with fix lenes and some of the new camera that you can swap lenses. You should emphasis cleaning and dust control because they can be worse to a digital camera then a film camera.

Second: Archiving. Show them different ways to archive and having a back up archive. I like to print out thumbnails when I make a CD. Homemade CD's do not last forever. They can wear down. Tell them the importance of making a back up CD and storing it away seperatly.”

“I would include something about image file sizes, image size and output-print vs monitor.

Something about white balance in the lab, not in the field. Also saturation and color.

Software for image processing.

Image database software.

Care and maintenance of digital cameras.

Batteries, battery life.

An odd fact, vertical format photos on a monitor seem a waste to me because of the physical constraint.

Web publishing, Webshots or other-the best thing since sliced bread.

Scanners. (Analog data to digital data)”

“Oh yes! Tell them not to drop them in the sand! $190”

“Ok, you guys are throwing out some stuff I DO NOT know!! eeeeeek! I don't print to CDs. I have burned photos to CDs, but nothing right off the camera.

Pathman, "Something about white balance in the lab, not in the field." Explain what you mean by that, if ya please.”

“I have found that getting the white and/or gray balance right in Adobe Elements solves 90% of the adjustment of a photo. It can be adjusted on my camera, but I am not sure how useful that is since you won't be looking at pictures on the camera LCD, you'll be seeing it on a monitor or printing. In your image software, Photoshop or whatever , you can adjust the gray and white balance. I do that first, and gives almost all of them good contrast and color. I want to start playing with the color saturation next. That seems to be lacking in my digital images.

One thing I am learning about my camera is that I don't like the auto settings very much. I seem to get overexposure, which is the hardest to fix. I also do not like the autofix in Photoshop Elements, it overdoes things.”

“lizs - I think you'll do great. Based on your input I went out and picked up "Shooting and Sharing You Digital Pictures For Dummies" book and learned so much more about what my camera and what my computer can do with pitcures.

I think you'll make a fine teacher.”

“I would guess I'd want to get my hands on as many digital cameras as I could before the class

Heh. You're overestimating the creativeness behind the marketing. Learn the theory behind the cameras, and the technology will be intuitive, unless you're dealing with bargain basement specials or expensive exotics.”

“I'm going to print this page just to reference what I "should" know. See what you started "teach". You'll do great lizs.”