ShutterHostby Craig Turnbull Photography
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4 hoursLevel 1 · no experience neededMax 8 people

Beginners Photography

Take your camera off auto in one morning. We cover the settings that matter, then practise them together on location until they click.

See dates and bookFrom $149
A teacher explaining camera settings to a beginners class gathered with their cameras in a leafy garden

Curriculum

What we cover in 4 hours

The curriculum is a general guide to what we cover. Timings shift a little with the group, the light and the location.

  1. 0:00 to 0:30

    Know your camera

    Holding it steady, the dials and buttons that matter, shooting modes, and setting it up for the day.

  2. 0:30 to 1:30

    The exposure triangle

    Aperture, shutter speed and ISO: what each one does to your photo, and how they trade off.

  3. 1:30 to 2:15

    Semi-automatic modes

    Aperture priority (A/Av) and shutter priority (S/Tv) explained, then your first assignment: capturing motion in S/Tv.

  4. 2:15 to 3:00

    Landscapes and portraits

    Using A/Av for landscapes, portraits and other subjects that aren't moving.

  5. 3:00 to 3:45

    Composition, light and a guided shoot

    Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and reading the direction and quality of light, then a guided shoot using everything so far, with one-on-one help.

  6. 3:45 to 4:00

    Review and next steps

    Look back at your shots, a cheat sheet to take home, and what to practise next.

Who it's for

  • You have a camera and mostly shoot on auto
  • You want to understand settings, not memorise them
  • Any brand of camera, mirrorless or DSLR

What to bring

  • Camera, charged battery and a spare
  • Empty memory card
  • Water, hat and comfortable shoes
  • Your camera's manual or app, if handy

Where it runs

  • City Botanic Gardens

Borrow Sony gear

Sony camera bodies and lenses can be borrowed for the duration of any class, workshop, tour or one-to-one session, subject to availability, with at least 7 days' notice. Tripods can also be supplied for the session at no cost. Ask to borrow gear

Upcoming Beginners Photography dates

  • NOV
    21
    Sat
    Beginners classSold out

    Tailored One-to-One Photography Tuition

    1:00pm to 3:00pm · The Garden Room Cafe, 1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane City, QLD

    $250See on Sony Scene(opens Sony Scene)
  • NOV
    28
    Sat
    Beginners class

    Brisbane Beginners Photography: Get Off Auto in One Session - Beginners Session

    8:30am to 12:30pm · Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, 155 Alice St, Brisbane City, QLD

    $149Book on Sony Scene(opens Sony Scene)

What comes next

Ready for more? These build on what you'll learn here.

Intermediate PhotographyNight Cityscapes