Ref: SWE38046
Trees have become Andrea’s passion and she loves to photograph them. During this course, she will encourage you to observe their structure, shape and form, and to look in detail at the various barks, autumn fruits and foliage around West Dean Gardens and Arboretum. As photographer for the book ‘At West Dean’, she is well equipped to guide the group around the specimens on the Estate in all seasons.
Students of all levels will be looking at creative composition and light, so the device that the images are captured on will be less important. You may use DSLRs, compact cameras or smartphones on this course.
During the first evening, there will be a look at, and discussion about, a selection of your own existing images. The tutor will show some of her own work and illustrate some creative ideas to whet the appetite for new techniques during the practical sessions ahead. She will continue this on Saturday evening.
The aim of the course will be for you to capture images in a way not previously explored, learn a new approach and come away with photographs and ideas for images that you would not have achieved previously.
Depending on the weather, the group may take advantage of the ‘golden hour’ by venturing out pre-breakfast for an outdoor photography session to capture first light and morning mist. There will be plenty of opportunity to continue during the day.
A tutorial photographing in close up will follow, and if the weather is inclement, there will be a covered area to work in and make creative arrangements using either natural light or lightboxes.
Between the photography sessions, in the Estate Board Room, you may download image files using the Adobe Creative Suite on the college’s computers or on your own laptops.
On Sunday, after a final practical session, there will be a critique when you will be invited to share your selected new images with the group and learn from Andrea’s editorial photographic experience in the publishing world.
Please bring:
A selection of six images you have already taken on a memory card or stick which should include at least one tree in the landscape and details such as foliage, bark and fruit. Minimum size: 1000 pixels along the longest side.
Own laptop if possible, PC or Apple Mac, and all necessary cables
Camera device (DSLR, compact cameras, smartphones with necessary cables/chargers)
Fully charged camera batteries and your charging units
Spare camera memory cards
Memory stick or hard drive Camera instruction manual if available
For DSLR camera-users, please bring any available compatible lenses, ranging from wide angle through to macro
Portable hard drive storage device (plus connecting leads) for DSLR camera users
You need to be prepared to walk outside, so please bring appropriate outdoor clothing, including warm comfortable clothes, waterproof outerwear and waterproof walking footwear
Pen or pencil and notebook
The majority of the time will be spent in the gardens with your camera, but you will also be able to download, discuss and edit images on desktop computers in the Estate Boardroom if you wish.
If you choose to use the college Adobe Photoshop Suite facilities, please bring a note of your own Adobe ID login. If you dont already have one, please register for a free account at [www.adobe.com] (www.adobe.com) prior to the course, and remember to bring the details with you.
Available from shop:
Available from tutor:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Saturday
Student registration: 9.45am
Course teaching: 10am - 5pm
Morning session: 10am - 1pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Sunday
Course teaching: 9am - 4pm
Morning session: 9am-1pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm*
Teaching finishes: 4pm
*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options
Andrea studied photography in the South of England. She started her commercial career by buying and selling cameras such as Leicas and Hasselblads, then worked with Dr Jane Goodall in Africa on wildlife projects. These experiences contributed to a diverse range of photographic skills. A spell with fine art photographer Bruce Rae in London sharpened her attention to the subtleties of light.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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