Learn to be a photographer's assistant

About this course

The course introduces commercial photographic practice across studio and location settings, including lighting, colour management and the workflow from image capture to delivery and storage. Participants practise setting up lighting, taking flash meter readings, creating custom white balances and shooting tethered to a computer. Teaching combines short talks, demonstrations, handouts and group practice, with individual support where needed. Practical work takes place in a photography studio and, weather permitting, the local environment. Digital workflow topics include preparing files for web and print and backing up images for long-term storage.

What you'll learn

• Set up and dismantle studio lighting safely
• Identify lighting modifiers and explain their purposes
• Take accurate flash meter exposure readings
• Create and select a custom white balance
• Capture images using a tethered camera setup
• Prepare, deliver and back up image files for web, print and long-term storage

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for photographers developing commercial practice rather than learning photography from the beginning. Participants are expected to be familiar with their camera’s manual controls and have basic computer skills. Learning combines group practice with demonstrations and individual support where needed.

• Not intended as an introductory photography course
• Requires familiarity with manual camera controls
• Includes group practice in studio and location settings

Before you go

• All necessary equipment is provided during class, including cameras, lenses, tripods, Profoto lighting, light meters, tethering cables and Apple laptops with Adobe Creative Cloud and Capture One.
• Participants may bring their own camera if they wish.
• Course materials are available through Google Classroom.