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05/11/2006 07:36:00 AM · #1 |
My grandmother dobbed me into holding a talk where I can teach some cwa ladies how to take better pics and about their cameras... thing is I don't know what to teach >.<
Anybody got some ideas for me it would be greatly appreciated. |
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05/11/2006 07:42:03 AM · #2 |
| framing is a good place to start. lighting is another. those two things alone can put someone on a better path. no why the hell can't I figure them out;) |
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05/11/2006 07:51:09 AM · #3 |
You might also go through some general basics about their cameras. Things like what the different modes do, and when to use them. Since they all probably have different stuff maybe just a really general overview like the Flower mode, the Person mode, and the Mountain mode. Also teach about things like fill flash, esepcially in bright sunlight outdoors maybe how to turn the flash on, off and auto.
Ask some questions and find out if there is anything they want to know, and what they generally like to shoot, and go from there!
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05/11/2006 07:55:54 AM · #4 |
easy things like use natural light better, ie: shoot away from the sun, so you don't get silhouettes, use fill flash if they have it, zoom closer to subject, cut out unncesssary garbage from frame, ect.
when to use landscape mode, (ie. through windows on trips, ect)
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05/11/2006 08:21:07 AM · #5 |
| Pick a topic such as still life or whatever, have them shoot and then offer advice on how to do it better, first ya need to know their skill level and what cameras they own before you know what direction to go in..Before the first class have them fill out a sheet explaining what it is they hope to learn in your classes. |
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05/11/2006 08:29:11 AM · #6 |
[$0.02 on]
If you are going to have a slide show, you might want to show a few progressions of the same shot.
1) Here is the âaverageâ snapshot (with some clutter, centered subject, from eye level)
2) Move in closer to remove the clutter.
3) Shift the subject to follow the rule of thirds.
4) Adjust the perspective (get low, move higher, etc.)
With the conclusion that just by moving a bit closer, careful framing, and the right perspective they change a snapshot into a photograph
[/$0.02 off]
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05/11/2006 08:37:54 AM · #7 |
I did a 4-week course recently... part of week one involved a digital projector, spending about an hour looking at famous photos and discussing what made them so good.
bfox2 has it spot on... that's also exactly what was covered in week one.
I didn't devise the course, I was hired to teach to an existing format but it seemed to work pretty well.
I did also take half a dozen digital cameras with me, so we could do some practical hands on work... is that an option for you? Otherwise it's challenging to keep a long talk interesting.
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05/11/2006 08:58:26 AM · #8 |
Quite so. Often, the biggest challenge is to maintain a direction and have it punctuated properly.
I teach lots of different kinds of classes, although they are mostly English oriented, I have taught a few other things.
One important thing I picked up when taking the courses on how to teach was that the mind seems to have an attention span turnover of around 20 minutes.
If you can find a way to punctuate your course at 20 minute intervals, you should find your audience much more interested.
In one hour, you could teach or discuss 3 small points.
It doesn't have to be a huge shift, just distinct enough that it doesn't all mash together. This will also do wonders for your own direction.
Message edited by author 2006-05-11 08:59:42. |
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05/11/2006 09:16:24 AM · #9 |
Some good ideas here. I have a LOT of experience at teaching photography, and I'd be happy to help with input. However, we need to know a few things:
1. Is it a single presentation (you stand in front of a group for x amount of time and talk to them)?
2. If so, how long is it?
3. Is it a series of classes?
4. If so, how many and how long?
5. How many attendees can you expect?
6. Can you expect them to have cameras?
For some reason, when I read your initial post I had in mind a "club" of women your mom's age that meet weekly or monthly and have someone in to give them a "talk" on something interesting. My mother does one of these, the "Wednesday Club", and I've talked to them a few times over the years.
If that's how it is, the P3wiz's approach is very useful, combined perhaps with bfox's if the time is there.
Robt.
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05/11/2006 10:11:25 AM · #10 |
Don't forget to bring pictures! People who take pictures like to look at pictures!
Can you ask them to bring pictures, too? Maybe some they like the best and some of their "problem" images? Could spur discussion at the end of a session and give them something to share with each other....especially if they're the Wednesday Club-type of group.
Think about giving them something to take home, too. If, for example, you do discuss the "flower, portrait and mountain" settings, you could give them a one-page sheet that summarizes those. PCMagazine had a two-page spread on the topic recently and I'm sure they can be found online ready-made.
Smile.
Talk slower than you think you have to.
Talk clearly and do an "audio check" at the beginning. (Can everyone hear me alright?)
Tell them something about why you love photography.
Have fun! (That's what they're all there for, if you're not having fun, they're not having fun.)
Smile.
=) |
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05/11/2006 10:18:32 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Some good ideas here. I have a LOT of experience at teaching photography, and I'd be happy to help with input. However, we need to know a few things:
1. Is it a single presentation (you stand in front of a group for x amount of time and talk to them)?
2. If so, how long is it?
3. Is it a series of classes?
4. If so, how many and how long?
5. How many attendees can you expect?
6. Can you expect them to have cameras?
For some reason, when I read your initial post I had in mind a "club" of women your mom's age that meet weekly or monthly and have someone in to give them a "talk" on something interesting. My mother does one of these, the "Wednesday Club", and I've talked to them a few times over the years.
If that's how it is, the P3wiz's approach is very useful, combined perhaps with bfox's if the time is there.
Robt. |
Is just a one day thing for an hour or two I think.. and their old ladies >.< Im going to have soo much fun.. lol they all have cameras apparently |
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05/11/2006 11:13:30 AM · #12 |
Macro mode. Amazing how many people have no idea what that little flower button on their camera does.
Message edited by author 2006-05-11 11:13:51.
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05/11/2006 11:16:23 AM · #13 |
| I think one of the biggest problems for point and shooters is the overuse of on camera flashes. You could talk about how to get a shot without one..i.e. disable it, hold the camera really steady. etc. |
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05/11/2006 12:08:56 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by xXxscarletxXx:
My grandmother dobbed me into holding a talk where I can teach some cwa ladies how to take better pics and about their cameras... thing is I don't know what to teach >.<
Anybody got some ideas for me it would be greatly appreciated. |
One little thing....."rule of thirds". My mom is 68 and had no idea what 'rule of thirds' meant when I mentioned it while we were talking one time.
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05/11/2006 12:13:16 PM · #15 |
| The evils of using on-camera flash. |
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05/11/2006 12:35:34 PM · #16 |
Who says it can't be fun!
Get a single light source, and go to your local university to see if any of the young beefcakes want to model for a few hours in boxer briefs...
All kinds of stuff that could be studied in that context... Start with the basics of light and how it creates shadows....
heh. I wouldn't go watch, but you might have as much fun with the old ladies as I probably would with a bunch of guys learning photography with a bikini model...
Oh hangon, scratch that... the ladies will probably just giggle and laugh, whereas the guys will probably learn absolutely nothing about photography, cameras and babes and bikinis and... sorry, what were we getting distracted about again? ;) |
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05/11/2006 12:40:42 PM · #17 |
| If time permits and you have the resources, you may want to give a quick little PS demo with a couple "before and after" examples. Most probably wouldn't do it themselves, but maybe one or two will become interested enough to try it. |
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05/11/2006 12:41:06 PM · #18 |
Whatever you decide to teach them, bring examples to show them.
It is always very useful to show what it is you mean when you are teaching, be it photography, languages or whatever.
This is how you take a group photo, this is how you do not take one.
Message edited by author 2006-05-11 12:41:51.
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05/12/2006 12:20:13 AM · #19 |
Thanks guys, God love yas!!
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05/12/2006 12:22:09 AM · #20 |
| Think you should talk about takin' hot self portraits! ;-) |
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