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We used some battery powered lights either handheld or on a tripod to create different lighting effects.

Holding the light at different angles helps to change the picture that some natural light doesn’t offer.

We talked about Rembrandt Triangle.  A new technique to me that I’d never heard of which is something I’m going to explore over time in a bit of time

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One of my favourite and most interesting subjects throughout the course which I’d like to explore over the coming months

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Hi I’m David Hale.  I’m originally from Herefordshire but have lived in the Northeast for the last 22 years since leaving the RAF.  I currently work for BT/EE.

I bought my first DSLR camera in 2008 for my 40th Birthday and dabbled with a mish-mash of styles from wildlife to street photography.

I’ve now upgraded to a new Sony A7ii Mirrorless camera for Christmas and came across this course from a post on social media.

I’m looking to broaden my skills and knowledge and take my learning to the next level

Other Hobbies/Interests

Cycling
Getting away with our caravan
Ornithology

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Sony A7ii
Kit Lens - Sony 28-70
Sony Telephoto lens 55-200
Manfrotto 785B Tripod
Lowepro Slingshot SL250 AW III bag

I bought this camera in November 2022.  (My wife had a new Roland digital piano), and this was my side of the Christmas presents.  With the plan to get back into a past hobby and learn some more.  I spotted this photography course and my wife bought it for me as a Birthday present as my birthday’s on Christmas Eve.

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I have the user guide but it’s too bulky to carry around all the time.  I’ve now saved the URL on my mobile for easy reference.  As although I’ve learnt a lot about photography I now need learn about all the settings on my camera over the coming months

https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1450/v1/en/index.html

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Sony Alpha 7 II E-mount Camera with Full Frame Sensor

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Click to see our best offers
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24.3-megapixel 35mm full-frame Exmor™ CMOS sensor

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Lens Compatibility

Sony E-mount lenses

Sensor Type

35 mm

Sensor Type

35 mm full frame (35.8 x 23.9mm) Exmor™ CMOS sensor

Number Of Pixels (Effective)

24.3MP

ISO Sensitivity

ISO 50-25600

Battery Life (Still Images)

Up to 350 shots

Viewfinder Type

0.5"-type electronic viewfinder (color)

Monitor Type

3.0" type TFT LCD

What's in the Box
Power cord, Rechargeable Battery NP-FW50, AC Adaptor, Shoulder strap, Body cap, Accessory shoe cap, Eyepiece cup, Micro USB cable

Sony is committed not only to offering products, services and content that deliver exciting experiences but also to working towards our goal of a zero environmental footprint throughout our business activities. Learn more about Sony and the Environment

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Awards

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Sony Alpha 7 II E-mount Camera with Full Frame Sensor

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The α7 II is the world's first full-frame camera with 5-axis image stabilization and provides camera shake compensation for wide-ranging mountable lenses. Compact and refined for intuitive operation, it offers enhanced Fast Hybrid AF that delivers lightning-fast focusing, super-wide coverage and exceptionally effective tracking of fast-moving subjects.

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2023 Holiday Destination Part 1 Melbourne, Australia 

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2023 Holiday Destination Part 1 Melbourne, Australia 

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16th - 25th April 2023
Staying with relatives for 8 days

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Four Nights in The Conrad Hotel - Dubai
25th - 29th April 2023

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Fran Wilson
https://franwilsonphotography.picfair.com/

Sarah Farnsworth Photography
https://www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk/

Andrewoptics Instagram
https://instagram.com/andrewoptics?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

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I bought my first DSLR in 2008. I’d done bits of photography over the years and always interested but never seriously got into it until most recently.

I’m travelling to Australia and Dubai in 2023 and wanted to invest in a better/newer camera and after much deliberation opted for a new Sony A7ii.

I have done a few camera courses but not much in the last 10 years and it’s time for a refresher and get back into it a bit deeper with the newer technologies available.

I’ve played around with photo editing also but mostly self-taught and looking to expand some knowledge in this area to bring the best out of my pictures.

Below is a snippet of some of my favourite pictures take over the years.  Looking forward to improving what I learn.  I’m gonna revisit some of these scenes and redo them and compare

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1. What experience of photography do you have?
Dabbled with photography for many years. But my first DSLR camera was bought in 2008. I’ve got a wide variety of what I like to shoot.  Whatever catches my eye.

2. What do you want to get out of the course?
I’ve just invested in a new Mirrorless camera as I’m going on holiday to Australia and Dubai in April 2023 and looking to get as much out of my camera as possible

3. What photography equipment do you currently have?
Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera with Kit lens FE3.5-5.6/28-70 (whatever that means) and Telephoto Sony 4.5-6.3/55-210

Just also bought a Peak Design Shoulder strap.

4. What type of memory card does it take?
I have a 64GB MicroSD card.  Camera does wireless and NFC transfer so I don’t need a huge memory as I have 512GB memory on my IPhone

5. How do you charge and fit the battery?
Charged within the camera at present but plan to buy some extra batteries and mains charger

I’ve now bought a Battery Houser.  That hold two batteries and attaches to bottom of camera

6. Write about what you learnt in the lesson.
See the below tile

7. Find an image by another photographer that you like. Upload it to your Padlet.
I follow a few people on social media.  I’ve linked some below that room my eye.  This is something I’d like to expand on over the coming weeks.

Explain why you like the image.
How does it make you feel?
See Tiles

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Taken on IPhone13 Pro Max

I took this back in December 2022 whist on holiday.  It came like this by fluke as I’d only had the new iPhone a few days and not really worked out how to use the long exposures yet.

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Taken at Durham Gala in approx 2010
Sony A200

I play in Chester le street Salvation Army Band & Pittington Brass Band and always love taking obscure shots

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Milly the Labradoodle
Sony A7ii
Lightroom
One of the first photos I’ve taken with my new camera and edited in #lightroom

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An old picture from about 2009. I was taking part in the Great North Swim and camping beside the lake. No filters or editing here

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An old friend who’s amazing on the Keyboard
Taken approx 2010

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On a ghost tour in approx 2010

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Another photo taken by a friend but I’d like to learn how to do this

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Was out on a night shoot course in 2012. I’d like to learn more about #nightshoots with the tripod

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Metro over Willington Gut Viaduct Willington Quay

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I took this on my old Sony A200 about 12 years ago and would like to get into more long exposure photography

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A friend took this photo of me. I’d like to learn how he’s edited and made the photo black and white apart from the Jackets

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Even though I left the RAF twenty two years ago, I still look at every fast jet or helicopter that flies over.  I haven’t photographed much in recent years but it’s something I’d like to explore

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Session 1 - 17th January.      What did I learn?

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Session 1 - 17th January.      What did I learn?

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My first session at Houghall College

What did we talk and learn about

Set up all about your camera

Types of Batteries

Types of Memory Cards

File types - Raw/JPEG/DNG/Tiff. We’re going to be using Raw uncompressed as it gives best quality and versatility to edit the pictures

Editing Software - Lightroom App.  I’ve already used and played with LR before but looking into a subscription (only £4.99/m)

Camera Modes

1. Manual

2. Auto

3. Shutter Priority

4. Aperture Priority

5. Program - portrait/sport/landscape/etc

Using the viewfinder and how to focus using diopter dial

What can I see in my viewfinder

What do the front and rear dials do ? Found that they adjust the settings required for each shooting mode

White balance presets

Lenses and feature you might see on them. Both my lenses are fully Autofocus with Optical Steadyshot software

We also learnt how to safely change lenses and how to avoid getting dirt or dust into the lens by holding lens down whilst transferring etc

AF/MF (auto/manual focus)

Image stabilisation etc

Focal length

Standard lenses - normal viewpoint

For portraits etc/street photography

Telephoto lenses - landscaping/

Wide Angle - under 55mm

How to hold your camera  - Elbows in etc.  just like holding an SA80 Rifle

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Amazing capture of a Salmon on the fly

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I’m a keen cyclist and know how much this guy is enjoying that downhill bit as it took a lot of work to get to the top 

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DSLR cameras

Mirrorless cameras

Bridge cameras

Compact digital camera
Smartphone Cameras

Film cameras

Action cameras

360 cameras

Instant cameras

Medium format cameras

https://photographycourse.net/different-types-of-cameras/

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https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1450/v1/en/contents/TP0000556866.html

I’ve never really taken much notice of the inside of the viewfinder in the past and didn’t really understand what I could see.  But now I understand so much more than before

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“Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel.” Metropolitan Police

We had a really good discussion about this subject.  It’s something that I’ve never really considered before.

However, I’ve now learned to understand its always polite to ask for permission, to stop taking photographs of people if asked to do so and to be aware of other people around you.

What do you think about “street photography”? The term, the activity, the ethical implications and considerations.

I’d always considered taking photos in the street as normal.   I’ve always been cautious about the situation I’m taking whether it might annoy or offend someone and now have more of an understanding about legality and ethics of photography.

Copyright of photographs in the UK belongs to the person who created the image, the copyright lasts until 75 years after their death, when they move into the public domain. The only exclusion is if you are taking the photographs while working for a company. These rules vary around the world. You do not have to have a copyright notice or symbol attached to the images. Under UK law these rules apply to ALL images found on the internet, even ‘Orphan Works’ where the creator cannot be immediately identified.

Some questions to think about:

Are we allowed to take photographs wherever we want?

Do we need consent and / or permission to photograph people?

Do we need consent and / or permission to publish a photograph of a person?

Who owns the copyright to the photograph?

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We spent 30 minutes around the college reception taking some pics in Manual mode with ISO400 F5.6 and adjusting the aperture to get a feel of what we can do with our camera

This ceiling lamp was then tweaked in LightRoom App to give the picture more vibrancy

Sony A7ii

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Granddaughter’s deliberations over which pudding to have

iPhone 13 Pro Max

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1. What does the Aperture control?

Aperture is a hole in the lens that controls how much light gets into your camera.  Aperture controls the size of the lens opening. Also known as the f-stop, aperture value is measured in what’s known as an “f-number.” The lower the f-number, the wider the aperture.

2. What does the Shutter control?

Shutter speed is how long a camera’s shutter stays open for each capture.

3. What does the ISO control?

ISO is how sensitive camera sensors are to light. ISO initially just measured film sensitivity. In digital photography, it measures how sensitive a camera’s sensors are when taking a given image.

Take some photographs that demonstrate:

1. Shallow depth of field
A shallow depth of field refers to an effect where very little of the image is in focus.

2. Deep Depth of Field
A deep depth of field is a larger area in focus, as it keeps more of the image sharp and clear. It is sometimes referred to a large depth of field. Because it has a larger field of view in focus, deep depths of field are best for landscapes. In order to capture such sharpness, a narrow aperture should be used.

3. Fast Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is exactly what it sounds like – the speed at which the shutter of the camera closes. A fast shutter speed creates a shorter exposure.

4. Slow Shutter Speed
Slow shutter speeds allow more light into the camera, which makes a slow shutter speed great for nighttime or low light conditions. At these slow speeds, you will need a tripod to avoid camera shake or a blurred image. You can also use a slow shutter speed to create images with blurred movement, like ocean waves that appear as a mist.

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Answer these questions in your Padlet

1. What is composition?

Put simply, composition is how the elements of a photo are arranged. A composition can me made up of many different elements, or only a few. It's how the artist puts those things within a frame that help a photograph become more or less interesting to the viewer.

A good photograph will take many different parts and combine them into an aesthetically pleasing whole. Composition is how an artist tells a story within the confines of a single frame.

2. Name some of the rules of composition?

Elements of composition are: patterns, texture, symmetry, asymmetry, depth of field, lines, curves, frames, contrast, color, viewpoint, depth, negative space, filled space, foreground, background, visual tension, shapes. Use one or more of these elements to create a composition that works for your image

Take some photographs to demonstrate at least 3 rules of composition

Upload them to your Padlet

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ISO800
148mm
f5.6
1/2000s

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ISO400
229mm
f6.3
1/1000s

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ISO400
82mm
f10
1/320s

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ISO800
315mm
f6.3
1/320s

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ISO400
207mm
f14
1/100s

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ISO800
82mm
f22
1/6s

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ISO25600
48mm
f5.6
1/1000s

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ISO200
207mm
f7.1
1/125s

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My Favourite Theme. Taken by Jeff Brown who did my weddings photos 

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1. Edit images that you have taken over the last few weeks and upload the before and after images to your Padlet.
Describe how you edited the images and why.

I’ve used a few apps in the past.  The iPhone photos app is a great starter.  I’ve tried loads of the free Apps but came across Lightroom before the college course and used the free one but not used it enough to justify paying a monthly subscription for the app (£4.99) which I’ve now done to enhance my photos.

2. Submit your favourite image here and a photographer from another photographer that you like.
In the comments explain why you chose both images.
Explain how you edited your own image and why.

Jeff Brown.  One of my favourite photographers.  From the Northeast.  He’s ex-Royal Navy photographer.  And since my wedding we’ve kept in contact and I’ve followed his career progression with interest.

You will present both images in Next weeks class.

Take screenshots to show some of the before and after stages of your editing ad upload them to your Padlet

(See the two pictures of the Angel of the North)

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Identify the hazards – look for slip and trip hazards around the location or photo studio. Decide who might be harmed and how – look at who comes onto the location or photo studio, and whether they are at risk. Consider the risks and decide if precautions already being taken are enough, or if more needs to be done.

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In the past I’ve played with the different camera modes to get different shots but never really used the camera in the past in a manual mode.  Now that I’ve got a much better knowledge away from Auto, I’m starting to enjoy the benefits of not using auto on my camera.

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International Staff Band of the Salvation Army

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Took my new camera along to the ISB visit to Chester Le Street in November.  This photo has been published in SA Band World monthly magazine, which was before I considered this photography course.  I’m mainly looking to improve my skills for travel and memories and see where it takes me

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Meet Milly our lovely 12 year old Labradoodle.  She rarely looks at the camera and had to tape a doggie treat to the lens to get her to look at the camera.

Edited the second picture using #Lightroom, cropped and sharpened up the image with a warmer colour

ISO600
28mm
f4.5
1/15s
27/01/2023

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I travel past this iconic sculpture every day on my commute to work both in the car and at times when I cycle past.  She changes every time I pass.  Here I’ve taken a picture at Dusk about 16:15pm.  The after is on Lightroom to give it a bit more flavour

ISO400
F6.3
1/1000s
04/02/2023

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https://www.facebook.com/JeffBrownThePhotographersMentor

Jeff was my wedding photographer back in 2014 and we’ve always remained as friends on social media.  He’s an ex Royal Navy photographer and a passion for rural photography and mentoring

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https://www.facebook.com/scottythephotographer

A photographer with my taste of coastal shots.  Sunrise, Sunsets, long aperture shots

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First attempt

ISO25600
64mm
f5.6
1/8000s

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Second attempt using varied exposure/shutter speed and ISO

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My final shot.  Edited on Lightroom.  One of my favourite photos taken during the course so far !!

ISO25600
70mm
f5.6
1/2000s

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ISO400
163mm
f5.6
1/1000s

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This is a Facebook group I’ve recently joined that was set up by a work colleague that I’ve know for about 15 years but never knew he was a photographer.

We plan to have so cai evening out and around Newcastle with our cameras and discuss over a coffee

https://m.facebook.com/groups/338312747118070/?ref=share

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https://www.facebook.com/Furrtography

Another photography group I follow for ideas as I’ve had some work colleagues who would like some portrait photos of their pets.

Maybe something I could get into in more detail

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We talked about different famous photographers.  Some I’d heard of and some never.  Henri Cartier-Besson was a new one on my list to read up on.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson?wprov=sfti1

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Even the Twycross zoo Chimpanzees know who David Bailey is

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bailey?wprov=sfti1

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_selfie_copyright_dispute?wprov=sfti1

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ISO100
70mm
f22
10s

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ISO80
30mm
f22
30s

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ISO50
32mm
f22
28s

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I’m still stunned and confused that you can’t see the person holding the light.  Amazing - gonna have fun with Grandchildren this summer

ISO100
30mm
f22
25s

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How to Use Depth of Field in Photography - Explained

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How to Use Depth of Field in Photography - Explained

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Same photo but taken through #Lightroom

I used Lightroom to make the Blackwall darker and the lamp more of a focal point to enhance the composition

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Three main types

Rembrandt - Example The Nightwatch

Butterfly or Panoramic - gives a shadow under the chin

Split/Side

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Lighting using various rigs and a selfie with my Mirrorless !! Not so easy !!

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What is Flash Lighting?
Strobe lighting is used for either built-in flash units or many external rigs
Eg.
Umbrellas
Softboxes
Flashlights with different shields to direct the light

Why use flash lights?
To improve the quality of the shots etc

Types of Flash lighting

On-Camera
Off-Camera
Portable flashes
Studio flashes

Types of power- Battery is most versatile and portable but mains powered is also optional for more powerful scenes

Flash normally lasts between 1/3000s - 1/10000s

Firing methods
Wireless/Bluetooth
Camera mounted timers
Power cord
Mobile phone trigger etc

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Learner Name - David Hale
Centre - Houghall College Durham
Qualification- Photography Level 1

I hereby confirm this is all my own work
08/02/2023

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Manfrotto Modo Maxi 785B

My Tripod review.

Great to capture clear photos or smooth video footage when you attach your compatible digital camera or camcorder to the Manfrotto Modo Maxi 785B. You can record images from a variety of angles — a joystick-style grip lets you easily tilt 90° to the left, right, or forward, or pan a full 360° to catch the action all around you. And the tripod extends from about seven inches to nearly five feet with its center column extended, so it's easy to shoot from the height perspective of your choice.

Product highlights:

supports digital cameras and camcorders weighing up to 2.2 lbs.

minimum height: 6-15/16"

maximum height: 59-1/4"

ball head and joystick-style grip for positioning camera

photo mode allows free movement on any axis

video mode keeps panning movements level to the horizon

three selectable leg angles: 23°, 45°, 80°

tilts up to 90° in three directions

rotates up to 360° for panoramic shooting

adjustable center column for easy height extension

quick-release plate attaches camera to tripod

weight: 2.2 lbs.

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This is something I have to be aware of every working day as I work in a desk based job.

Making sure my seat is adjusted, my monitors are at the correct height.  I work with a clear desk policy and consider others working around me.