workshops
I have put together a series of lessons & workshops catered to people who have recently taken up photography or wish to extend their knowledge in photography. These sessions need not be attended in sequence and are not be tied together in any way, meaning to say you can come for only one session should only require that particular lesson.
A good example of this would be those who already know the basics of digital photography but would like to learn B&W film photography, then they would only need to opt for session five. The reason I’m doing this is to cater to more people of differing levels of competence.
Take a look at the various sessions and e-mail at ervine@ervinelin.com me if you and your friends are interested in any of the sessions.
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Schedule
As the sessions are modular, the schedule for the lessons is very flexible depending on the student’s schedules. Each session should last between 4-6 hours with only 2-4 students per class.
Venue
All lessons will be conducted at 6A Lim Tua Tow Road (Along Upper Serangoon Road)
Fees
$150/pax/session (2 people)
$125/pax/session (3-4 people)
Pre-Requisites
Students are to bring their own DSLR cameras (or film camera in the case of session five). If the students do not have access to one, I can loan one to them for the session (subject to availability).
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Session One – Introduction to Photography I
In this day in age, it is very easy to get a “technically correct” photograph because of all the inbuilt automation in today’s cameras. Session one explores these technicalities, then moves on to one of the most important aspects of photography, composition. At the end of the session, basic camera operations will also be taught in preparation for the upcoming field trip.
Introduction to Photography
Types of Photography
- Focus on Travel, Landscape & Street Photography
Types of Cameras
- The Different Formats
- Digital or Film
Camera Terminologies
- Gear Talk
- Technique Talk
- Geek Talk
Breaking Down a Scene
What to Look out for?
- Shape, Pattern, Form, Tone, Texture, Colour
- Perspective, Depth & Scale
Compositional Guidelines
- Visual Weight
- Rule of Thirds
- Symmetry versus Asymmetry
- Leading the Eye
- Framing
Lens Selection
Basic Metering
A, S, P modes
Focusing
Focus Lock
Focus Modes
Field Trip – Chinatown
During the first field trip, students will first be taught general camera handling but more importantly, it is an exercise to train one’s eye. To seek out “photographable” subjects within an infinitely complex world and then to use compositional guidelines discussed to produce aesthetically pleasing photographs. Students will not be burdened with other technicalities such as exposure just yet as these will be taught during the next session
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Session Two – Introduction to Photography II
While most of the time a camera will produce a technically decent image at the press of a shutter, it is up to the photographer to “instruct” the camera how to take a particular image. As composition has already been covered, the perplexing yet simple subject of exposure will be discussed in detail during this session. Students will also be taught on how to “read” light and understand how it’s qualities can greatly affect a photograph.
Available Light Photography
Qualities of Light
- Direct & Indirect Light
- Direction of Light
- Colour of Light
- Artificial Light
Exposure – The Three Way See-Saw
Why Can’t the Camera Capture Everything I See?
- Dynamic Range/ Film Latitude
The Three Corners of the Exposure See-Saw
- ISO and its Effects
- Aperture and its Effects
- Shutter Speed and its Effects
- A “Stop” of Light
- What is an “Accurate” Exposure
Advanced Metering
Determining Exposure Settings
- The Sunny 16 Rule
- Using the Camera’s in-built Meter & Histogram
- Matrix, Centre Weighted, Spot Metering
- Exposure Locking
- Using an External Meter
- The Zone System in Brief
Thought Processes
Decisions to be made
- Before Focusing
- Compositional Decisions
- Post Exposure Troubleshooting
Field Trip – Little India
The second field trip allows students to utilise knowledge from both theoretical sessions. Students are encouraged to open their eyes to see the effect light has on their subjects as well as vigorously practice the various metering methods and at the same time be more thorough in their thought processes before pressing the trigger.
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Session Three – Photoshop Basics
Now that the students have a basic understanding of all the photographic concepts, the next step is to teach them how to organise and subsequently bring out the most from their images in Adobe Photoshop.
Organising Digital Photographs
Using Adobe Bridge
- Understanding Cache
- Rating, Flagging & Filtering
- Renaming & Other Automated Functions
Photoshop Fundementals
Basic Photoshop Terminologies
- Concept of Layers
- Adjustment Layers
- Selections & Masks
- Photoshop Tools
- Navigation
- Useful Shortcuts
Understanding your Digital Photo
- File Formats
- Pixel Dimension, Print Size & Resolution
- Bit Depth
- Colour Modes
- Sending for Print
Basic Corrections
Dodging & Burning Techniques
- Why Dodge & Burn?
- Best Ways to Dodge & Burn
Colour Corrections
- Fixing White Balance Problems
- Converting Image to B&W
- Image Toning
Dust (and Object) Removal
- Healing Brushes & Stamp Tool
Making Selections
Tools to Make Selections
- Marquee Tools
- Pen Tool
- Extract Filter & Manual Methods
Hands-on Session
Students will be asked to bring in photographs from their previous two field trips and select a few to edit in photoshop. Using the techniques taught they should be able to bring out the most from their images without destroying the original integrity (both aesthetic and technical) of the image.
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Session Four – Flash Photography
Session four focuses on flash photography, starting with the basic onboard flash all the way up to the use of studio strobes in a studio environment.
Flash Photography Basics
When to use Flash?
- Balancing Available Light
- Overpowering Available Light
- Create Specific Effects
- To Freeze Motion
- To Achieve Deeper Depth-of-Field
Using Onboard and Offboard Flash
Controlling the Flash
- Bouncing Light
- Balancing Available Light
- Using More than One Offboard Flash
Using Studio Strobes
- Safety
- Synchronisation Methods
- Maximum Sync Speed
- Using a Flash Meter
- Using Light Modifiers
- Direction of Light
- Managing Reflections
Basic Product Photography
Lighting for Products
- Controlling Reflections
- Faking Reflections
Controlling Depth-of-Field
Basic Portrait Photography
Lighting for Portraits
- Typical Setups
- Exploring More Options
Lighting Dissection
Learning from Past Examples
Hands-on Session
The hands-on session will be carried out in the studio where students will be asked to either photograph one another or an object that they bring. The style of lighting will be dictated on the fly and the students will be asked to setup the lighting according to whatever is agreed upon. After which the students will be asked to process the images in photoshop.
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Session Five – Traditional B&W Photography
Session five is dedicated to film lovers. With knowledge from the first 3 sessions, a student can opt to learn traditional B&W photography instead of learning Photoshop. The session starts with a re-cap on the zone system followed by a field trip (or studio session) whereby students will be using B&W film to capture their images. Back in the studio, the students will develop their own B&W negatives and subsequently print them in a darkroom.
The Zone System Revisited
- Learning to Read Zones
- Leaning to Place Subjects in Zones
- Expose for Shadows, Develop for Highlights
- Understanding Film Latitude
- Film Latitude in the Digital Age
Choosing a Film
- Characteristics of most commonly used B&W film
Field Trip or Studio Session
- Using the Zone System in the Field
Basic Film Developing
- Loading Film into Developing Tank in the Dark
- Safety
- Selection of Chemicals to Use
- Mixing of Chemicals
- Temperature Control
- Developing Sequence and Tips
Evaluating Developed Roll of Film
- Exposure Problems
- Development Problems
- Contrast
- Sharpness
- Digital Contact Sheets
Basic B&W Printing
- Safety
- Chemical Preparation
- Paper Selection
- Working with the Enlarger
- Grain Focusing
- Multi-grade Paper
- Dodging & Burning
Scanning B&W Negatives
- Why scan B&W negatives?
- Fastest way to “scan” B&W negatives
- My Scanning Workflow
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