As if I don’t talk enough about my photography I thought you should have fair warning that the chatter is about to increase.  And if my first few lessons on the Photocourse are anything to go by that chatter could be loud, long and on occasion a little dull to those not interested in photography.  I make no apology for that – after all it’s my blog and I’ll bleat if I want to!

These two guys are our teachers – First, James and then Dave.  Both quiet types who bring very different perspectives to the course.  James is more your artist – a guy committed to showcasing photographic art (he runs a gallery) and Dave is more the geek – he works in a photography shop although about to switch jobs at the National Archives working on their photographic and video library.  I’m actually sure that James is a geek too and Dave is an artist but I’m working on first impressions here. Whatever their photographic leanings what’s clear is that they both love to teach photography.

I am liking their quiet, unassuming and deeply thoughtful approach.  No razzamataz, look at me I’m the teacher here.  Rather more about let’s talk about how the camera works and what it can do for you.  They’ve forced us (even threatening us with superglue) to switch our cameras to manual.  Yup, no auto settings with these boys they are from the hard knocks photography school.  Master your camera and ditch those stabilisers.

Even for one that uses manual a lot, I’ve come to realise how much I didn’t know despite all my reading and self tutoring.  For once I get the numbers and how to get the exposure bang on without relying on photo editing to rescue me.  And it’s not even that hard.    I still in a little fear of my shutter speed settings but I’m sure that they’ll have some other secrets to put me out of my misery with that.

Take these photos as case in point.  These were my first exercise on Saturday’s photo field trip.

In the past I would have ended up with James and Dave in shadow.  All that bright light coming from the window behind would be baffling me and my camera and it would do it’s own thing.  Not any more.  I’ve now wrestled control back from my camera and able to get some clear and bright shots.  Already I feel less freakish and calmer.