The date was set for Saturday just gone. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very good, dull and drizzly, but the session still went ahead. There were eleven of us beginners who met in a hotel just out of the centre of Leeds. We had a master class in Exposure, learning about ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture, before heading outside to put in to practice what we'd just learnt.
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Afterwards, we headed in to the centre of Leeds to learn, and have a go at, Composition. Our first task was to look at Camera Angle and take photos from other angles other than head height. There were some good subjects in City Square, though you had to be quick before they flew off.
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These birds were more obliging, metal sculptures which were on, what I think is, the front of the Norwich Union building.
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Next, we headed off through Leeds towards the new Trinity Leeds shopping centre. Here, our aim was to use a technique whereby you frame objects within other objects. These were my attempts.
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Finally, our last task was looking at The Rule of Thirds, positioning the subject off centre.
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I was pleased that I managed some photos without having my camera set on automatic, though I have to say that I did feel quite conspicuous taking photos in the centre of Leeds and in the shopping centre.
The session was supposed to last for three and a half hours, but it ran over by half an hour. I was never going to learn everything in this time, but it's given me a start, and I now feel a bit more confident about taking my camera off the automatic setting and having a go myself.
Great photos. Joe is the master photographer in our house and he's slowly teaching me how to use his SLR - but when he starts talking about ISO, F stops, shutter speeds and white balance I still get quite confused. Sounds like they taught a lot in just a morning.
ReplyDeleteIt can get very confusing, can't it? They covered all the basics and a bit more besides, it was a good session for a complete beginner like me. It's just a case of working on it now. Mick bought me a book for my birthday so I'm really going to give it a good go as I'd like to learn more.
DeleteLooks as though you learned a lot Jo, especially like the photo of the sculpture and the one of the bus! Have fun not on automatic!!
ReplyDeleteI certainly came away knowing more than when I went, so something must have gone in. I think my favourite is the second pigeon photo.
DeleteJudging by the photos it looks like you had a worthwhile day. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a worthwhile beginners session, I just hope that I can improve now with what I've learnt.
DeleteTotally brilliant. I love photography (though I'm sure you can tell, I'm no expert). I think your 'rule of thirds' photos were a great success. Putting the subject slightly off centre adds so much interest, in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteJill x
I can see how it adds interest. I must try and apply what I learnt now when I'm taking photos.
DeleteLovely photo's.
ReplyDeleteI'm very much a point and click person when it comes to taking photographs and always use the auto setting. My hubby is the one for taking what I call arty farty piccies, unusual subjects at jaunty angles!
It sounds a really helpful course and one which will stay with you when taking all your photos, and its money well spent if you have enjoyed yourself.
x
I can see now how photos can be more interesting if taken from a jaunty angle, so I think your hubby has got the right idea. I did enjoy the course and I'm really pleased I booked.
DeleteYour photos look great to me Jo. Tony gets down on the pavement sometimes to get a different shot. I can be walking along chatting and when I turn round he's crouched down somewhere !
ReplyDeleteI think Tony must definitely have a photographers eye. I don't know how many times you'd catch me crouched down to take a photo, I don't think my back would stand for it.
DeleteGreat photos - it looks as if you had a really interesting day. I particularly like the first shot of the pigeon!!!! Jx
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting and I came away knowing more than when I went, so I think it was successful. I enjoyed taking photos of the pigeons.
DeleteAll I can say is that it comes with time and your own aesthetic eye. You'll learn a lot from doing and realising what does and doesn't look good, but it takes time :) Good photos!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Tash from vintagepretty.org
I think it's a case of putting what I learnt in to practice now. I intend to get out more with my camera and play around. As you say, it will take time to realise what works and what doesn't, but I won't know that until I give it a go.
DeleteYour photos are fabulous, Jo. The pigeons are amazing! :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was just pleased that I managed to take some on the manual setting instead of automatic. I loved taking the photos of the pigeons, there's so many of them in City Square.
DeleteBrilliant idea taking a class, my mom told me that I should too, I wonder if that means she thinks I take bad pictures? :)
ReplyDeleteI love your photography, I especially like the Pigeon one that has a fuzzy back ground but a perfect bird, and then the one through the fence... gorgeous. I'm going to remember the off center thing as well!
Much love to you Jo and I Hope you have a great week,
Tammy
I've been looking for a regular photography class to attend since I got my camera, but I can't find one in my area. When I saw this one off session come up on Groupon, I jumped at it. It was well worth it, I just hope I can remember everything I learnt.
DeleteI did a few months at college doing photography, but it was mostly about portrait which was not my thing. I like your photos and it is great that you took it off the automatic setting. I have (sadly) been using the automatic setting more and more since I left the college (2/3 years ago) and hate the results - the camera seems to focus on a blade of grass in front of the actual subject, so am trying to be brave and take off the 'auto' setting - even sometimes the autofocus too!! Definitely need a refresher course - I do have books, but never enough time to read them.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to find a course to attend so that I could learn more. I have a book which Mick bought me for my birthday, I do think you can learn so much from books, but there's nothing better than someone actually showing you how to do something or where you're going wrong.
DeleteI went on a beginner's course although mine lasted several weeks. Going out and using the knowledge is good fun, but I haven't much confidence in city shots where there are lots of people. Therefore, I was interested in your shot looking down through a window and capturing interesting shots of people that way. Now to find that sort of location in my own city and try that! Hope the weather improves for all our outdoor activities, Jo!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been successful in finding a longer course in my area, but I'm still looking. I was really self concious using my camera in such a busy location, but I have to say that no one batted an eyelid. I think that's a sign of the world we live in now, everyone so busy and no time to look around them, I bet no one even noticed me. We could definitely do with some better weather, I think most of my photos would have looked so much better with a nice blue sky.
DeleteWell done Jo and once we move I must see if I can get some tuition with my camera as I still use it on automatic. the pics of Leeds made me so homesick, that I'd love to be moving there instead of staying here in Oz, but of course we can't. Keep snapping and take care.
ReplyDeleteThe session was great for showing the basics, but I'd love to get on an actual course so that I could learn more. I don't go in to Leeds very often at all these days, I used to work there but there's really no need for me to visit very often now.
DeleteWhat fun! I wish I'd seen this offer. I think you've taken some great pictures here and I love seeing Leeds in the rain as the wet roads reflect the traffic and car lights so nicely. I usually leave my camera on auto when I'm out and about as if I'm too busy faffing with settings I miss something the kids are doing! Don't feel self conscious taking photos, I bet no-one was looking. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was great trying to put in to practice what we'd been taught. I've never used the camera on manual before so it was all new to me, I won't be scared to keep trying with it now either. I don't think anyone gave me a second glance, it was just a bit weird taking photos in such a crowded place.
DeleteLooks like a really great beginner course. I'm currently trying to come to terms with the world of manual DSLR photography. There is so much to learn! Love your pics!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. There is so much to learn so this session was really good to start me off, I think it would have taken me much longer to work things out had I been learning from a book. It's always much easier if there's someone to show you. Good luck with your own DSLR photography.
DeleteIt's all about play when you get a new camera. Going out and taking lots of pics on different settings (making a note of which one you used as you go) then studying them when you get home to see what worked and what didn't. I spent ages just walking round the garden and the park taking shots of anything that didn't move out of the way quick enough. You'll soon get the hang of it and the course will of helped alot too, At least you can delete the not so good ones unlike paying for a film to be developed and finding you have a whole load of feet. Good luck and happy snapping.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I'm itching to get out and about with my camera now that I've been on the course, but it's never stopped raining since, typical. I suppose the more I use the camera and try diffferent settings, the quicker I'll get used to it and work out how to use it. Digital photography is great for novices like me, I definitely delete more photos than I keep.
DeleteHi Jo
ReplyDeleteNot visited your blog before, Just left a message re photo's. Having looked at the rest of your blog just realised you have a Cavalier King Charles. Thats something else we have in common. I have three a blenheim a black & tan and as of last Friday a Tri colour. I find them very easy dogs to get on with others may just think I'm a little bonkers (which may well be true).
What a coincidence. Archie is our first family dog and we all love him to bits. I did a lot of research before getting him, I didn't know much about Cavaliers, but the breed seemed to tick all the right boxes. They're such beautiful dogs, such a sweet nature and so loving. I can understand you having three, everyone who knows Cavaliers said that once you get one, you'll end up with more. I've resisted so far, but you never know.
DeleteWell done you, those photos are great. Love the bike and the last pigeon one.
ReplyDeleteYou have some good basic knowledge now and I'm sure you'll just get better and better. Will Archie be obliging as a model?!
Lisa x
Thank you. It was a good course to learn the basics, but I'll have to put it all in to practice now. Mick bought me a book for my birthday, so I intend to have a good read of that, which I'm sure will help too. Archie has a mind of his own and won't sit still if he doesn't want to, so I think I need to learn the best settings for dogs on the move.
DeleteI've thought about going on a course too - they do quite a few in various locations such as Nostell Priory but so far I haven't taken the plunge!
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't need a beginners course like me though. I've noticed another session being advertised on Groupon recently for photographers with a bit more knowledge. It was to take more scenic shots, and another one for night photography. I'd like to get on a weekly course where I can build a little more knowledge up slowly, it seems to go in better that way.
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