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Course Outline & Syllabus
Learn Photography,
Film & Digital
by Brian Ratty

This Basic Photography course is designed for any photographer just starting out. It contains 16 major lessons with over 60 tips and instructional points on using a film or digital camera. Additionally there are well over 70 pictures and graphics used as examples of both good and bad photographic technique. At the end of the course you can complete an optional exam that will help you better track your understanding of the techniques of Basic Photography.

There is one free sample lesson for this workshop. To access the remaining lessons you may obtain a user id and password by registering at Admissions.

This workshop was designed for the
beginner and amateur photographer.

This workshop contains video clips to help with your learning experience.  If you have a 'high speed internet connection'  and are using the 'Windows Media Player' click on the video cameras to play clips. Note the 'quality' of the clips are limited to the size of the downloaded files. 

Web, Video & Print		 View Video Clip
Workshop Introduction 
 (2 Mins. 17MB)
 Lesson 1

Warning: This seminar is copyrighted and intended for the personal use of the user. This workshop and/or it's information may not be used in any other public forum.

lesson1.gif (2060 bytes)
How the Camera Works (Lesson 2)

What's The Right Camera
Introduction To Lenses
How Modern Cameras Work 
Video Clip (3:30 Mins. 5.3 MB)
Print  PDF File 

f-Stops & Shutter Speeds (Lesson 3)

What Are F Stops
How The Shutter Work
Why Both Are Needed
Introduction To Exposure Control  
Video Clip (7:30 mins. file size 11.6 MB)
Print  PDF File 

Exposure Control (Lesson 4)

Using Your Cameras Meter
Media Speeds
Different Metering Situations 
      Video Clip (5:15 mins. file size 16.1 MB)
      Print  PDF File 

TTL LIght Meter (Lesson 5)

How Your Meter Works
Middle or 18% Gray
Four Shooting Modes
Video Clip (5 mins. file size 16.1 MB)
Print PDF File

Depth Of Field (Lesson 6)

How Depth Of Field Works
Compensation With Shutter Speeds
Selective Depth Of Field Examples
Using The Scale And Preview
Video Clip (5:30 mins. file szie 14.9MB)
Print PDF File

Film Media (Lesson 7)

Types of Film
Advantages of Different Films
Indoor / Outdoor Films
Caring for Films
Video Clip (5:35 mins. file size 42.6MB)
Print PDF File

Digital Media (Lesson 8) 

Removable Memory Cards
Types of Cards
How Much Memory is Enough?
The 'Formatting' Option
Video Clip (6:30 mins. file size 15.1MB)
Print PDF File

Media Speed & Color (Lesson 9)

Light Sensitivity is Expressed With ISO Numbers
Using Different ISO Ratings
Media Color is Expressed in K Settings
Color Temperature and Light
Video Clip (7:50 mins. file size 22.4MB)
Print PDF File

Lenses (Lesson 10)

Lens Focal Length
Lens Speed
Lens 'angle-of-view'
Lens Extenders
 Video Clip (7:30 mins. file size 37.9MB)
Print PDF File

Daylight Photography (Lesson 11)

To Write With Light
How to Use Light
Our Changing Sunlight
Shooting in Bright Sunlight
 Video Clip (5:05 mins. file size 26.1MB)
Print PDF File

Flash Photography (Lesson 12)

Creating Your Own Light
Flash, Types & Sizes
Exposure Controls
Flash Examples
 Video Clip (10:00 mins. file size 60.1MB)
Print PDF File

Filters (Lesson 13)

Using Color Filters
Skylight And UV Filters
The Polarizing Filter
Special Effects Filters  
 Video Clip (4:45 mins. file size 60.1MB)
Print PDF File

Steady Shooting (Lesson 14)

Holding The Camera
Shutter Speeds And Lenses
Tripod Use
Cable Releases
 Video Clip (6:00 mins. file size 60.1MB)
Print PDF File

Film vs. Digital (Lesson 15)

Comparing Three Images
Photographic Brightness Range
Applications For the Digital Media
Understanding the Limitations
 Video Clip (4:30 mins. file size 16.6MB)
Print PDF File

Photographic Pathways (Lesson 16)

Photographic Light
Photographic Design
The Path to the Perfect Picture
Video Clip (3:30 mins. file size 19 MB)
Print PDF File

Final Exam

30 Multiple Choice Questions