Photographing people

Learn about portrait and documentary photography, studio and outside work and commercial possibilities. Please read the full course outline below before enrolling if you have an automatic or digital camera .

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Key course information

Dates
19/05/12 - 02/06/12

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Day(s)
Sat

Duration
3 weeks

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees ?
Full fee: £164NC

Venue
PS - Photography Studio

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Course code
VY624

Availability
This date is full

NC: No concessionary fees available as there is no government funding for this course.

This course is full

Occasionally places may become available. You can add yourself to the waiting list.

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Course outline

What is the course about?

The course covers practical and theoretical aspects of portraiture in photography. You will consider different approaches to photographing people, from the studio portrait to street and documentary photography. You will gain confidence in photographing people and develop your own approach while learning about lighting and the pose in various contexts.

What topics will we cover?

- Using camera manual settings to achieve more effective results
- Lighting in the studio and on location
- Natural lighting in the photo reportage and documentary
- How to relax your subject and deal with strangers in the street
- Legal and ethical issues in photographing people
- Informal and formal portraiture
- Social photography
- Considering how meaning is achieved and what a portrait can say in different contexts
- How composition and editing affect what you are saying
- The photo-diary and the portrait in storytelling.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Photograph people applying a variety of manual settings and lighting conditions
- Apply camera settings and lighting choices appropriately
- Photograph people with confidence and communicate with them appropriately, in formal and informal situations
- Produce creative and expressive portraits
- Analyse your own work and others’ constructively.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

You should have a basic knowledge of the workings of your camera (film or digital) including shutter speed and aperture settings. It is an advantage if you have completed a beginner’s course, but this is not a requirement.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information. You should be able to use numbers and be able to undertake simple measurements and calculations.

Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support in your English and Maths skills to help you to take part fully in this class.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The emphasis is on practical work using natural and artificial lighting, indoors and outdoors. We will look at slides and found photograph, and give feedback on each other’s work. There will be discussions and group work.

While demonstrations and illustrated lectures will guide, advice and teach you, you will benefit from a positive group dynamic where you can share your images and ideas in a supportive environment.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

If using film you will need to buy up to three rolls and pay for processing. Digital users will need to pay for prints from the memory card. Please bring a notebook (plain-paged A4) to collect images and write ideas as a visual diary and please bring your own SLR camera or equivalent to the class.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are a wide range of practical and theoretical photography courses at all levels. You can find them in the Photography section of the City Lit prospectus or the website.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:



Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00 

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00



To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Select another date / day / time

Dates Day(s) Time Duration Fees Snr Conc Code Availability
19/05/12 to
02/06/12		 Sat 10:30 - 16:30 3 weeks £164 £164 £164 VY624 Full » Select
18/07/12 to
20/07/12		 Wed-Fri 10:30 - 17:30 1 weeks £164 £164 £67 VY675 Available » Select
06/10/11 to
03/11/11		 Thu 10:30 - 13:30 5 weeks £134 £89 £63 VY658 Finished » Select
22/10/11 to
05/11/11		 Sat 10:30 - 16:30 3 weeks £164 £164 £164 VY622 Finished » Select
04/02/12 to
18/02/12		 Sat 10:30 - 16:30 3 weeks £164 £164 £164 VY623 Finished » Select
24/04/12 to
22/05/12		 Tue 14:00 - 17:00 5 weeks £134 £89 £63 VY766 Finished » Select

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Contact us

Visual arts

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:



Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00 

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00



To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

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