Basic photography courses in Sydney

[miss apple]

I'm a newbie to photography...well, a newbie to actually caring about decent photography ;) and I know nothing about focal lengths, white balance, ISO settings etc.

so I want to do a basic digital camera photography course.

I've looked at a few that Sydney Uni offer in their summer courses, and TAFE, but I'm concerned about the quality of the teachers (particularly at TAFE). I've seen this one online that looks ok http://www.focus10.com.au/courses/digital.php

It has a couple of classroom nights, plus a weekend trip to The Rocks to practice and take some pics for the final night (where they judge best pic etc)

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about Focus 10 as a company, whether the course sounds like it's worth the money, or if anyone has any other suggestions for basic digital photography courses (it would need to be for little snap happy cameras, not SLRs or anything)

[rancho]

with a few hours of reading online tutorials i can almost guarentee youll learn more than at one of those courses. so long as you can understand, but theres quite a few that will get you started.

[The Duke]

Here's some helpful free online tutorials

http://www.photonhead.com/
http://www.digicamhelp.com/index.php
http://www.inthemix.com.au/life/features/17864/
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/composition.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/takeit/greatoutdoors.mspx
http://www.deviantart.com/view/16449489/

The one area I want to learn at the moment (and one I can't find online tutorials/help for) is promo/profile photos- I have a few friends who are DJs/in bands, and I've tried a few photo sessions with them, but I've got no idea how to go about it, or what I should be saying/instructing to the people on the photos to do.

[Miliux]

check up

Australian Centre for Photography
it's in Paddington.

[legal-affairs]

The one area I want to learn at the moment (and one I can't find online tutorials/help for) is promo/profile photos- I have a few friends who are DJs/in bands, and I've tried a few photo sessions with them, but I've got no idea how to go about it, or what I should be saying/instructing to the people on the photos to do.
I'm not sure that's something you can learn other than by looking at lots and lots of photos that other people have taken that capture the sort of thing you are looking for, and taking lots and lots of photos - and then analysing how successful you've been.

[nettsu]

miss apple - have a look to see if tafe's offer intro to photography courses
or if there are camera clubs that run courses
give that a shot :)

[krafty_x]

Check out the Sydney Community College courses Apples. :)

The teachers are good, professional photographers with all the skills to help you learn the technical bit as well as providing inspiration.

It's also quite cheap. I was really satisfied with what I learnt.

They have a few different options but the intro coursse would be what your after to learn all about ISO, DOF, shutter speeds etc. Just makes taking photo's a bit less trial and error and more intuitive because you know what difference things will make.

k_x oxo

[miss apple]

They have a few different options but the intro coursse would be what your after to learn all about ISO, DOF, shutter speeds etc. Just makes taking photo's a bit less trial and error and more intuitive because you know what difference things will make.
that's exactly what I need k_x....something so I have some sort of an idea what will change when i change certain settings.

will check them out.

I'll also look at the online tutorials and see how far I can get.

thanks everyone for the suggestions :)

[beagle2]

I've been to a few of the community colleges courses (specifically Mosman) and they are really good to get you started. If you take the intro SLR course they usually make you practice with all different types of settings and explain what they mean, so you can see the results for yourself.

[The Duke]

I'm not sure that's something you can learn other than by looking at lots and lots of photos that other people have taken that capture the sort of thing you are looking for, and taking lots and lots of photos - and then analysing how successful you've been.

Yeah, that's what I've been trying to do so far. I've been searching up band websites and looking at their photos to get an idea. It would be great if I go along to someone else's photo session and watch how they do it.

I've done one photoshoot with a friend's band so far. It basically went like:
Me: "Well, let's get started. . ."
Long silence
Band members: "What do you want us to do?"
Me: "I've got no idea. . ."

I ended up taking 150 shots, and this was the only one that was half decent
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/747/img0269ng4.th.jpg (http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0269ng4.jpg)

[legal-affairs]

Yeah, that's what I've been trying to do so far. I've been searching up band websites and looking at their photos to get an idea. It would be great if I go along to someone else's photo session and watch how they do it.
Don't let the band ask you what you want them to do - ask the band what it is they are trying to say, and see if you can capture that.

Have a look at Mick Rock's work - he's a photographer I've always admired for this kind of stuff. Think props/instruments, think backgrounds, think facial expressions/body positions, think unusual perspectives - but also think about the music and who's going to want to use the photos. Colourful and wacky Frente-style props wouldn't work for a death metal outfit, for example.

[beagle2]

The one area I want to learn at the moment (and one I can't find online tutorials/help for) is promo/profile photos- I have a few friends who are DJs/in bands, and I've tried a few photo sessions with them, but I've got no idea how to go about it, or what I should be saying/instructing to the people on the photos to do.
Trying looking at some environmental portrait stuff - capturing people in their day to day environments. There's lots of info, books, etc, around. That should give you some ideas and ways to approach it.

[Qube]

miss apple / krafty x: I have done the "Digital 1" focus10 course with Andrew and the Sydney Community College B&W street shots course with Lynn Smith. Both were excellent courses - the classes were small enough for personal attention, and 90% of the time was spent actually wandering around taking photos and exchanging ideas and tips with the other course members. I recommend going with the Sydney Community College in Balmain, because it's loads cheaper than the focus 10 course. Both have highly-qualified and deeply passionate teachers.

photo guides online are fantastic too, but there is value in doing a course - it forces you to go out and shoot (trust me, even the most passionate photographer can have trouble getting motivated), and it lets you ask questions in the context of the camera gear you have.

[phunkdust]

You pretty much have to figure out a band's personality and image within 5 minutes of meeting them to determine the direction you need to take.