DSLR Short Courses
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Presented by Competitive Cameras
This series of classes was developed by the owners of Competitive Cameras in conjunction with photographer and instructor Peter Poulides. Peter has been shooting professionally for almost 30 years and will be teaching this series of classes. Learn more about him here. Peter will be working with a camera tethered to a computer and projector so you can see what he’s shooting and follow along with camera settings. To see what past students have to say about the classes, check the Reviews page.
These are stand-alone classes which together form a series of steps to take you from a beginner’s introduction through a fuller understanding of how to use your camera to consistently take great photos. You can sign up for any or all of the classes. The cost is $50 per person. Each class is 2 ½ hours long. Advance registration and payment is required. Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 8.
The classes are geared toward Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras, but would be appropriate for non reflex, high quality cameras that offer manual controls, such as the Canon G series, Lumix LX, Ricoh GX, etc.
Once you’ve made your selections, proceed to checkout and you will be taken to a secure PayPal site to enter your credit card information. You do not need a PayPal account. If you do have a PayPal account you can choose to pay with a credit card or log in to you PayPal account and use other funding methods.
Important: During checkout you’ll be asked to agree to the terms and conditions. Please be sure to read this carefully for information about cancellations and refunds. If you have any questions before you sign up, please use the contact page.
Q: How will I know if a class makes or not?
A: If a class doesn’t make and has to be canceled, you will receive an email the night before the scheduled class date.
Q: How late can I sign up for a class?
A: As long as the class doesn’t show as “sold out”, you can register and pay up to two hours before the starting time of the class.
Competitive Cameras Presents: DSLR-1 Short Course
DSLR 1
The Basics: Getting started
This class is for beginners. Highly recommended for those new to digital photography or if you just stepped up to a DSLR from a compact camera. You will learn the basics, get comfortable with your camera and understand how to improve your photos so you and others can enjoy them.
Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 8.
- Your new collection of stuff: batteries, chargers, cables, memory cards, readers, lenses, caps and hoods.
- Camera menus & setting the basics: file size, quality, JPG, RAW, TIFF, white balance and ISO
- Camera concepts: shutter speeds and f-stops, plus a little depth of field.
- Metering modes: does your camera know what exposure you want?
- Focusing modes: if it’s called auto focus, why do some photos still turn out blurry?
- Built in flash: when to just say no!
- Composition & perspective: a few basic tips to add interest and energy to your photos
Competitive Cameras Presents: DSLR-2 Short Course
DSLR 2
Taking Control: A deeper understanding of exposure, focus, and how to use them creatively.
Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 8.
- Review: exactly what is an f-stop anyway?
- Depth of field: controlling it is one of the best reasons to own a DSLR!
- Motion blur: using slow shutter speeds as a creative tool
- Your camera: going deeper into menus and options, customizing buttons and dials to suite your style
- Metering & exposure control: bracketing, exposure compensation, reading a histogram
- Using your spotmeter: getting good exposures in tricky situations by changing metering patterns
- Focusing modes: choosing the mode that works with you instead of getting in your way
- Dust & cleaning: when to worry about sensor dust, how to find it, and how to get rid of it.
- Composition: rules and breaking them, finding out what works and what you like
Competitive Cameras Presents: DSLR-3 Short Course
DSLR 3
Beyond the Basics: Technology, creativity and flash.
Maximum number of students is 20, minimum number to make a class is 8.
- ISO and noise: when to worry about it, why some noise can be a good thing
- P*: the hidden Program mode that allows quick, creative control.
- Lenses: creativity vs practicality (and cost!). We’ll look at everything from fisheye to long telephoto and how to select lenses as creative tools.
- Lens issues: dealing with lens distortion, flare and other problems.
- Lighting: finding it vs. bringing it with you
- Working with off camera flash: professional quality lighting with a small, lightweight kit
- Support/stability: tripods, monopods, clamps, beanbags, stance, leaning & breathing
- Going wide: shooting and processing panoramas, one of the coolest techniques in digital photography
- Going deep: High Dynamic Range (HDR), what it is and when to use it.