Photography
It is “seeing” a picture that really counts, not what equipment you choose to accomplish its capture.
A colleague was frequently asked by aspiring photographers, “What is the best camera to use to get great photographs?”
“F8 and be there!” was his biting response. You’re always going to miss that great image if you haven’t got a camera, but even with a humble Box Brownie you are streets ahead of the guy with nothing.
Whilst using a wide range of equipment over the years, one of my constant companions has always been a Nikon. Why? Well, they are built to very high standards and just go on working, whatever is thrown at them. Admittedly I’ve broken a few over the years, but no camera can survive being shot or dropped from a helicopter.
Starting with a Nikon F Photomic FTn and F-36 Motor Drive in 1970, through the F2, F3, F4 and F5 range of film cameras to my first digital Nikon, a D100, I’ve used or owned a large part of the range of Nikon equipment. Today, I’m using the latest Nikon D3s and D300 cameras, along with the new Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR, the Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G VR lenses and the Nikon LS8000 Coolscan for film scanning, all of which I find outstanding.
But remember, that is purely my personal preference. All the major manufacturers offer superb equipment; the skill is in knowing how to use it to achieve your goals.
Photography Training
We have established that the kit you use is not particularly important, but you really need to know how to get the best from it, don’t you?
There are a huge number of magazines and on-line sites devoted to this subject, but they mostly assume a level of knowledge and skills that you may well not possess. Para-phrasing the words of that great cook, Mrs Beaton, before you start to cook rabbit pie you first need to catch your rabbit.
Similarly, with my courses, I assume that we are starting at the very beginning and only modify that approach when it becomes obvious that the aspiring photographer knows what they are doing, or when I am asked to cover specific areas.
A great many businesses try to teach aspiring photographers everything; it’s not possible, nor is it necessary. I can teach you all you really ‘need’ to know in a day or so, to enable you to look at the world with a different perspective, to learn how to progress beyond the basics with your camera and to understand how to set up a basic digital workflow - the key to success with the huge volume of data that you will soon generate.
Ironically, it was all much easier in the days of film, although much more expensive.
Nikon D300
Nikon D3s
Nikon F5
Nikon FTn & F-36
Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR
Nikon ED LS8000
The courses
I assume nothing about your level of skills; we can start from the basics of choosing a suitable camera and setting it up, right through to honing and polishing your creative skills.
I can help you to view the familiar in a different light and change the way you undertake relatively common jobs so that your shots start to become exciting and distinctive.
Courses generally run over a weekend, either one or two days depending on your requirements, and all media, food and refreshments are included in the price of £300 per day. If required, accommodation can be found for you.
Photo Training
