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DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY and DSLR CAMERA LESSONS
Palo Alto, CA 94306 (and nearby)

Learn to use that DSLR Camera

You’ve been taking snapshots for years with various point-and-shoot cameras or (shudder) even your cell phone. But now you have a great DSLR camera with all the bells and whistles and have no clue what to do with it. Or, you’ve had your DSLR for awhile and are less than satisfied with the results. You know how to set the dial to “Automatic” and push the button – just like you did with your point and shoot but that’s about it. Now what?

Reading the 200 page camera manual is of no help. It tells you what the buttons do, but not why you would want to do that or what benefits or detriments come along with those settings. It tells you how to display the menu, but not the meaning of the 80+ items in 3 levels of options or why one would want to use those options.

But, you want to move from just “Taking Pictures” to “Making Photographs” – which is why you got that camera in the first place.

I’m an award winning photographer with great teaching skills who can teach you how to “Escape the Green Box” (get off of the Auto setting) and really use your DSLR. My one-on-one classes are tailored to your skill level, your camera, and can be as shallow or in depth as you like. I can come to your place (nearby in the South Bay) or you can come to my place (Palo Alto).

I will tailor the Material based on how deep you want to go and even what things you want to concentrate on.

My Rate is $40/hr of instruction and you can bring up to 2 friends at no additonal cost. Lessons can be arranged in sessions of 1 to 3 hours duration each (2 hr minimum on first lesson). As a guide, for a novice covering all material to an in-depth level, will take about 6 to 8 total hours. However a light once over of the key points can be covered in 3 to 4 hours

If you complete the full course you will receive a PDF copy the course presentation material I use.

BELOW IS A LIST OF TOPICS WHICH CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE LESSONS.

General overview of Photography Basics
The Light Path from light source to memory card and what controls you have to shape it along the way:

• Light sources and Color Temperature
• Subject reflectivity
• Camera lens and what it does
• Camera shutter and what it does
• Camera Sensor and what it does
• Camera Processor and what it does
• The memory card

Your Camera controls:
• Picture Mode or Main Dial
• Other Wheels, dials and buttons
• How to control your, Shutter Speed, Aperture, Focus Pattern, ISO, WB, ISO,
• Metering Mode, Exposure Compensation, Exposure Shift, Drive Mode and Storage format


The things you have control over and when/why you should control them (rather than let the camera decide)
• Flash – When to use it and when to turn it off.
• White Balance – What it is, how to control it.
• ISO – What it does and what to watch out for (noise)
• Drive Mode – how to increase your odds of “getting the shot”
• Auto Focus – the various Auto Focus modes and situations where you would choose one over another – or even turn it off
• Focus point – Why is the fence in focus but Grandma is all blurry?
• Metering Mode – How the camera evaluates the scene and helping it choose the right method
• Jpg vs RAW – Overcome your fear of RAW. Learn what it is and why it is your friend.
• Other settings and terms explained (Color space, Contrast, Vibrance/Saturation, Sharpness, Etc)


The In’s and Out’s of exposure
• Exposure explained
• How your camera sensor deals with light and the “Gotcha” of the dynamic range limit of your sensor as well as how to over come it.
• 18% gray and why it may be the most important thing to know about your camera that most people don’t know
• Controlling exposure
• The trade off’s of your settings. What you get and lose as you make adjustments to

Aperture
Shutter Speed
ISO

Using your Camera’s Manual controls:
• What the main dial settings on your camera mean and when to use them
• When and why you should use exposure compensation and/or exposure shift
• Bracketing
• Your histogram – Understand what it is telling you and read it with confidence. Use it in the field while you still have a chance to shoot again.
• Depth of Field (DOF) and Hyper Focal Distance (Hyper Focal Point)
• How to convey a sense of motion in your images. Motion Blur or Motion Freezing.
• How different lighting and subject situations fool your camera and what to do about it
• Flash Exposure Compensation (including Fill Flash)

Artistic – Composition:
• What is it?
• Rule of thirds
• Balance
• Leading Lines
• Single Subject
• The Story
• Selective Focus
• Subject Separation
• 10 deadly sins of composition

Putting it all together
• 6 steps to use in the field.


Give me a try. If you’re not completely satisfied after the first hour, there will be no charge.

Thanks – Dan