Approaching storm 2000m, Pigment Print, 152cm x 152cm, 2012
Our modern DSLR cameras represent not a single device but numerous devices; cameras for everyone but no one in particular. To the beginner these possibilities are camouflaged, indeed imprisoned behind the illusion of being able to be ‘wherever you want to be’ while the reality is elsewhere. Camera manuals compound the problem because they are rarely written for anyone other than the initiated. Navigating the seemingly endless menus, flavours and purposes consumes endless hours and days. Confusion, which is usually an enriching and engaging past time, quickly becomes a nightmare in digital photography .
Over the many years I have presented an Introduction to Digital Photography course I have been surprised by who attends. While initially designed for those new to the world of photography, and specifically to the world of digital photography, many others attend including those who have been to some of my advanced workshops, in their words to “fill in the gaps’ in their understanding and interpretation. I would go further and reiterate the importance of learning from ‘first principles’ for the ability to feel confident of our position, hopes and achievements, that is ‘where we belong’. First principles also facilitate creative problem solving and the practical and efficient creation of solutions. We wouldn’t know where we were without them.
My Introduction to Digital Photography course trades on these processes, demystifying the confusing array of options, and uniting us with our cameras and related means of digital production. It also provides a comprehensive introduction to all my other courses, workshops and seminars.
Always a highlight of my year, the Introduction to Digital Photography course engages with the broadest demographic of any of my courses, thus revealing the extraordinary presence and purpose of photography in so many of our lives. I look forward to continuing the conversation each weekend.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I am just finishing my last semester at P.S.C Melbourne & I started the course with no computer skills & are now current with most adobe software
i bought a D 700 @ the start of the course & is still serving me well
but @ the start i basically had to sit in my armchair for hours at a time trying to understand it but know have a firm grasp on a DSLR .
I would like to personally recommend participating in as many of Les’ courses as you can.
Les’ understanding on both the technical and emotional level of image creation is surpassed only by his enthusiasm and dedication to share it.
Les is a most generous, sensitive teacher from whom I have learned a great deal.
By participating in Les’ courses, I have no hesitation whatsoever in saying that your image creation and expression through your images will develop immensely.
Julie Stephenson
I recently attended Les’ Beyond Basic Photography workshop and it exceeded all expectations. Les has forgotten more about photography and Photoshop than the rest of us mere mortals will ever know. I now understand why photographers like Peter Eastway and Christian Fletcher hold Les in such high esteem and I can’t recommend his lecture series highly enough.