Photography: drawing with light

About this course

The course examines how photography can record light as line, shape, texture and colour. Participants experiment with long exposures, movement, shadow, reflective materials, abstraction and different light sources, including light painting. Camera settings such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO and white balance are explained through demonstrations and practical exercises. Teaching combines workshops, short lectures, tutorials, individual guidance and group discussions. Participants photograph images between sessions and upload them to Google Classroom for discussion and critique. Some assignments take place outside the studio.

What you'll learn

• Apply shutter speed, aperture, ISO and white balance when photographing with a digital camera
• Use composition, colour, light and shadow to construct photographic images
• Experiment with long exposures, movement and light-painting techniques
• Explore abstraction and alternative perspectives in photographic work
• Discuss visual languages and photographic work in group critiques

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for learners with some photography experience or basic knowledge of photographic technique. It involves experimentation, practical work, group discussion and critique, as well as photographing images between sessions.

• Not suitable for smartphone photography or fully automatic cameras
• Some assignments require walking approximately 500 metres outdoors
• Outdoor locations may not be fully wheelchair accessible, although adjustments may be possible

Before you go

• Participants may bring a camera if they have one. Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, tripods, lenses, speedlights and studio flash are available for use during class hours.
• A notebook and pen may be useful.
• A memory stick or portable hard drive may be useful for working with files on the studio's Apple Mac computers. PC-formatted hard drives can be read but not written to by Apple Macs.
• Course materials are shared through Google Classroom.
• Some assignments take place outdoors and involve walking approximately 500 metres. Locations may not be fully wheelchair accessible; adjustments may be possible if this affects participation.