Beginner Photography Class TWO
Learn the art of photo composition
Four weekly classes plus an instructor-led outing
If you are familiar with how your camera works and looking to take the next step in your creative journey, then it is time to check out Beginner Photography TWO. Building on the skills taught in Beginner ONE, this class goes deeper into the creative application of using your camera. There’s more to taking great photos than adjusting settings and pressing the shutter button.
To take creative photos, you must learn to see creatively and know how to express your vision with the camera. That involves first recognizing the visual elements of inspiration (light, color, gesture) when they arise, and then deciding how to arrange them within the frame. Seeing beyond the snapshot and learning how to capture photos that express your artistic side is what this class is all about.
Looking at something isn’t the same as seeing it. This session begins the process of opening your artistic eye by observing how habitual ways of looking interferes with the discovery of creative potential that is all around you. Learning how to see mindfully brings you closer to the moment and allows you to connect with more presence and authenticity.
Light is everything. The influence it has on the appearance of an object is profound and should be considered every time you raise the camera. This session introduces you to the various natural light conditions you will encounter and explores how to use them in creative ways that communicate the feeling or expression you want in your photo.
Every object or scene can be said to possess aspects of design, such as line, shape, color, texture, etc. Like light, these elements have expressive qualities that influence how others receive a photo. Think of them as visual ingredients. The focus of this session is learning how to recognize these qualities and how they affect the appearance of your photos.
Merely having subject matter in the frame isn’t enough; you must also consider how they are arranged within the picture space. This session looks at composition and teaches you how to shape or compose a photograph that best communicates the subject or theme, rather than relying on rules of composition that often lead to predictable images.
In-class, at home, together
In addition to the course material, you will receive a set of composition and visual exercises that relate to the material covered to practice at your convenience. After completing the four weekly in-class sessions at our location in Upper Arlington, you will participate in an off-site outing led by the instructor and put everything into practice — that equals 8-hours of instruction.
And, if you have been through Beginner Photography ONE, then you know that you can continue your learning with regular student-only photo walks and occasional day-trip outings at no cost. Learn more about outings and view the current calendar here.
Need to learn how to use your camera?
Check out Beginner Photography ONE
Small class sizes encourage interaction between students and the instructor, allowing for the clarification and discussion of the material. Learning composition is easier with conversation. Integration with the Beginner Photography ONE material is seamless and shows you how to connect the technical to the creative side of your camera.
As part of our commitment to helping you learn photography, becoming a Shutterbug student entitles you to participate in student-only photo walks and day-trip outings to help strengthen your understanding and retention of the material.
We’ve done the note-taking for you, so there’s no need to remember or write everything down. You will get a complete copy of the class material for all four weekly sessions along with exercises to help you practice the topics covered.
We understand learning photography can be challenging. If for any reason, after taking any scheduled instruction you would like to take the class again, feel free to come back through—it’s on us! No matter how much time has passed, if you want to sit in on any future same in-class session, you can join us again at no additional charge.