Next Train — by Isaac Ferguson, Spring 2013

This course is an introduction to photographic imaging including the digital workflow, how to use a digital camera to capture images, use photo editing software to manage, process and edit digital files, and prepare digital files for print and other outputs.

This course will help the students become well rounded in the fundamentals of digital photography. Four areas of instruction will be emphasized: How cameras work, how composition works, how exposure and lighting works, how to use photo editing software. Students will also learn how to mount photos for presentation.

Students will, generally, receive basic instruction, demonstration, and see samples of the desired outcomes, at the beginning of each period.  They will shoot assignments off campus and outside class time, based on what they are learning. Perhaps the most useful part of classroom instruction will be reviewing student work for each photo assignment. They will see what makes a successful photo and what does not.

At the end of this course, students will:

• Know how to use various features of the digital camera to have creative control of your photographs.
• Be able to decide what type of lighting to use in a given situation to produce optimum results.
• See how photographic composition can make or break a photograph.
• Understand how to use photo editing software to improve the overall appearance of images.

• Access to a digital camera is essential! (Both Compact Digital Cameras or SLR Digital cameras are acceptable) *
• An SD Card and Card Reader

*The class has several digital cameras that students may check out. But with the size of each photography class between 35 and 40 students, that is a very small number!