Learning to Shoot on Manual mode -3 Hour beginners photography course-ricwoods photography

We ran a another beginners photography course the other night and the emails we received over the next couple of days from inspired photographers highlighted we are on the money with the course .Its theory and practical in a 3 hr session at the studio in carrington.

All the students are guaranteed to be shooting on manual mode when they leave the studio or they can come to another course for FREE


We talk about, aperture,shutter speed,iso etc. Here Maree talks to Barbara about the focus points inside the viewfinder and how they can be changed

Its a casual visual approach to learning photography.We supply a QUICK REFERENCE FIELD GUIDE for the participants , a remoder of what theylearned when they leave the studio


We show participants how to throw the background out of focus for their portraits..

...and how to throw the foreground out of focus to lead the viewer to important aspects of a captured scene.


Brad Davies sent us a few images from his practise session with his children the next day...putting the theory into practise...well done.Cant wait to see more.

Download the 2012 PHOTOGRAPHY & LIGHTING COURSE BOOKLET here.The beginners course feeds into 13 other courses, including a weekend away.

Beginners Photography Course, the addiction begins at ric woods photography

We conducted another beginners photography course today.I still really enjoy the blank stares moving into smiles and nodding as these guys start shooting on manual and learn to see the way the camera sees.....Can you spot the intense focus on their faces?









maree and our newest staff member mike baker were on the scene to help participants naviget difficult camera menus...thanks guys

2012 Photography & Lighting Courses-ric woods photography

WOW!! Maree has put together a great 2012 for those wanting to learn more about photography & lighting. Click on the image below to download the 6 meg 22 page PDF.
Gift Vouchers are available and we cater to all levels from beginner to advanced.Natural light, on location photography or studio lighting....its all here. Call the studio to book on 02 4962 1066 0r email maree@ricwoods.com....SEE YOU SOON...
See our website here or check out the behind the scenes loo into the class by clicking on the links on this blog page here

Photography & Lighting Courses-Beginner to Advanced

We had another great group of passionate photographers at our latest photography workshop for beginners.

We do the theory in the first part of the evening and then we show the participants how their camera "SEES" the potential image using their own cameras

Various DSLRs make their way into the class and we work as a group to solve menu navigation



Maree is making the latest course guide for 2012...available SOON!!
Then book early to save your place
ric woods photography 02 4962 1066
maree@ricwoods.com

Begionners Photography Course-ric woods photography

We conducted another photography course last night.I must say that we were delighted to watch ALL the participants shooting their cameras on manual at the end of the 3 hour session.


Maree gave the introduction letting people know the style of photography we shoot at our studio and a bit about our beginnings.

We had a couple of strange heads to demonstrate ,focus,lens selection,aperture,camera shake and correct exposure.

I was shooting tethered to the computer using Nikon's Camera Control 2 ,this enables me to demonstrate not only composition,but,also the histogram and explain about exposure9 both under and over) This program also shows the focus point .I can show our students with a series of exposures how to drop the background out of focus using kit lenses.

Each participant puts the theory into action, this enables them to SEE the results in their own camera.The smiles were forth coming as I showed them on their histogram the blacks,whites and skin tones in their image.I make them over expose their images so they can see their over exposure warning or "blinking" image, then show them how to read a scene and some of the tricks of the trade.


The students were able to compare results and start to work as a group.Everyone was on their own though when the refreshments and Tim Tams were served....


Maree finished off the night by letting our students know that this course does not end here.We are available to answer questions by email and by phone if they get into trouble.Participants are invited to join another beginners class for free if they think they could use a refresher.That is our photography school guarantee...just come again at no cost.Maree also talked about our up coming "Create & Escape" This is a photography weekend away at a resort where people can join into as many or as few photography and lighting workshops as they choose.All meals ,tuition and accommodation is included.There are a couple of spaces left....Interested? Give us a call 02 4962 1066 or email to maree@ricwoods.com.

Jess one of our photography students-ric woods photography

Maree said."Did you see Jess in the back row" at a previous beginners photography course."I sure did" I said and the process begins. Maree and myself are passionate about making images, not only as a job, but as a way of life.
Maree makes the phone call to Jess and we set up a meeting to discuss styling.


(images have zero photoshop)
After a trip to spotlight we came home armed with sequins,wire flowers,beads etc and started to plan the shoot. Maree is taking her creative photographic,styling input. Her make up skills sell themselves to clients.We have the privilege of seeing this growth in our students abilities as they come through our courses.They are picking up the game for photography in Newcastle taking the next up from the "natural light" photographers. Watch out for them you old schoolers...the young guns are coming.

Well did Jess find her first modelling shoot enjoyable? She sure did and has signed up to do another up coming course.21 page PDF Course booklet download HERE

Beginners Photography Course-A Passionate Group-ric woods photography

WE had a great group last night for the 3 hour "beginners photography class". Passionate and enquiring,I'm sure we will see some of these faces in more of the classes maree has planned for the end of this year and into 2012. Download the course booklet HERE.

We teach the participant to shoot on MANUAL mode, taking control of their image making and making much better pictures CONSISTENTLY


As you can see from our "subjects" called David and Jenna, learn to "SEE what your Cameras Sees" with practical hands on demonstrations



Here maree is amongst the group( wearing red lips)

Participants reading their Histograms and over exposure warnings




Here I am explaining the exposure meter and histogram graphs


Talking about the 18% grey card explaining why your snow comes out grey on Auto mode.

After our refreshment break we were back to the practical exercises.What are they photographing in such a FRENZY ?


Well its our charming models, David and Jemma. ( below)
Here I have set up a scene in the studio so we can identify, blacks,whites and flesh tones in the camera histogram.Maree took the class through changing shutters speeds and showed them how the over exposure warning flashes when the image is over exposed.

During the 3 hour class we also showed how to get those professional looking portraits by dropping the background out of focus and why we don't use wide Angle lenses for portraiture

We look forward to the next beginners classes coming up on the Thursday night 6-9pm the 22nd Sept 2011 and Saturday the 29th Oct 2011 from 2-5pm

More information needed? email maree : maree@ricwoods.com or call the studio 02 4962 1066

BEGINNERS PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE -aug 2011-ric woods photography

We had a very bright class this last session, very few questions were asked during the course, and there were many nodding their heads as different aspects of the camera were covered.

Course notes make it easy to remember suggested starting camera settings for various photographic scenes.

We explain lens selection and using wide angle and telephoto lenses.

We talk about the image information available in camera

we talk about histograms and over exposure, with practical hands on exercises.

Our pre shoot check lists minimises mistakes during your photographic photo shoots

We explain the lens,iso,aperture and shutter speed relationship and teach participants to take control and shoot on manual mode.



Easy to follow course notes are designed for "visual" AND "text reading" learners

Our beginners course is designed to lead into other courses as skills are learned.The 21 page PDF course booklet download is HERE

Begineers DSLR Photography Course-ric woods photography

WE had a great crew for the latest beginner's photography course.Saw many puzzled faces in the beginning of the evening which turned to excitement at the end of the 3 hours. These small classes are great to have everything covered.Maree was hovering around helping people access menus etc.We don't like anyone to "fall down the cracks".
Maree is putting the 2012 photography and lighting book course booklet together as we "speak" download the 21 page pdf booklet for the rest of 2011 HERE.


We look forward to meeting you all soon....ric

Beginners Photography Course-week 1 ric woods photography

WE know, Visual people need visual examples...

Happy group...all survived week 1