Manual DSLR Photography 101 + 201 for Teens (Self Paced Version)
What's included
10 pre-recorded lessons
10 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentProjects
2-4 hours per week. Photography is learned by taking photos, not just thinking about them! The goal is to learn the skills we are exploring intuitively and easily, through lots of experience and photos. To that goal, I have carefully designed projects to help learners practice and solidify the skills we explore. It's important to explore these projects with patience and creativity, with time to really process and integrate the information. Projects in this class should take at least a couple hours, so wait until you have a day with some nice creative space or time over a few days. In live classes, students have 6 days. I recommend taking at least 4 times as many photos as you need to submit in the final set.Assessment
Learner progress is assessed through participation: responding to reflections and posting their project photos. Constructive and supportive individual feedback will be shared.Letter Grade
Class is not usually graded, but I can offer a grade if needed for your schooling system based on effort and participation upon request, simply message me within 3 days of the end of class.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 12
Beginner - Intermediate Level
🔐 This class is the self paced version of the first class in the series of Manual DSLR Photography for Teens classes. You can view the class series here: https://outschool.com/saved-classes/c456d7ae-ea21-48fe-93fd-b750640362aa 🖇️Prerequisite: None Learners who thrive in this class range from those who have just gotten their cameras, to those who have explored manual mode on their own and want a structure to make sure they're thinking about it all correctly. 📷 The class starts with understanding the foundation of all photography: light! Learning to take photographs manually -- by adjusting the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO -- is a classical way of studying photography. This approach empowers students to learn how to "see" the light in a particular scene, and create an image through complete control of the mechanics of the camera. In the second portion of the class, students will continue to develop their eye for light while learning about composition and various styles of photography. In the final three weeks, students will work on preparing, photographing, and selecting images for the final project on a topic of their own choosing, integrating the skills they have learned throughout the course. ✴️ As a self paced class, learners can work through the material at a time and pace that is convenient for them. ✴️ The course consists of 8 projects (including a final project that should be approximately twice as much effort). ✴️ Each project builds on the next, so the class is highly technical and targeted at the beginning in order to introduce the skills. It becomes increasingly more project and process based as it moves into the more advanced topics. ✴️ The 101 level projects are: camera settings, content/subject matter, and composition. ✴️ The 201 level projects are: night photography, portrait photography, street photography, black & white photography, and the final project. Further details on the projects can be found in the syllabus outlined below. ✴️ Each project is supported by lesson material to scaffold understand and prepare students to learn through experience taking photos. This includes one or more of the following: ▪️ an article to read ▪️ a recorded video demonstration or explanation to watch ▪️ a handout to reference while photographing ▪️ example photographs to study and draw inspiration from ▪️ an online activity to practice targeted skills ▪️ project planning processes to complete ▪️ discussion questions related to the lesson ideas to respond to ✴️ Students should expect to spend about 20-40mins reviewing and engaging with the classroom material for each project, and 30mins - 2hrs, mostly depending on interest level, taking photos to complete the project. I recommend spending 5-10 days with each project's material + photo taking to get enough processing and practice time depending how much time students have to take photos each day.
Learning Goals
- Understand the Camera: Learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO affect exposure and the appearance of the photograph, and work towards using these settings to make technically sound and creatively compelling photographs.
- Explore Targeted Photography Projects: For each lesson, applying the ideas explored in the lesson through the most important part of learning photography: taking lots of photos!
Syllabus
3 Units
10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksUnit 1: Manual DSLR Photography 101
Lesson 1:
Welcome & Foundation Camera Settings
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Troubleshooting + Focus Settings
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Composition
1 assignment
Unit 2: Manual DSLR Photography 201
Lesson 4:
Night Photography
1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
External Resources Details:
Wordwall is used for concept practice, no sign in is required.
Padlet is used for resource collecting and sharing, no sign in is required.
Google Drive is used for project planning, no sign in is required.
Pinterest is used for project inspiration and examples, no sign in is required.
International Center for Photography Artist Info Pages and PBS are used for resource sharing, no sign in is required.
Youtube is used for resource sharing, no sign in is required.
Pre-Requisites
🖇️ Prerequisite: None
Learners who thrive in this class range from those who have just gotten their cameras, to those who have explored manual mode on their own and want a structure to make sure they're thinking about it all correctly.
Supply List
All learners will need: #1 A DSLR camera and lens, or other camera with a manual exposure mode to adjust the settings for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. (Make sure you have a memory card and battery + charger, too!) #2 The means to upload the photos to a computer, tablet, or cellphone with an internet connection and web browser. For example, with a cable for the camera or a memory card reader. Please make sure your learner can upload photos to the device prior to class, so they are ready to complete your projects and focus on learning how to use their camera. If you are unsure if your camera has a manual exposure mode, you can check the camera instruction manual, or feel free to message me! A film SLR camera could also be used, but the photos must be scanned to digital files, and with developing time learners would have less time to complete the projects each week. Many introductory DSLR cameras are available for relatively low cost used or new. Examples: - Nikon D3400 or D3500 - Nikon D5500 or D5600 - Nikon D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500 - Canon Rebel T8i / 350D - Canon Rebel T7 / 2000D - Canon Rebel T6 / 1300D - Canon Rebel SL3 / 250D - Canon Rebel T100v/ 4000D (Canon camera with lowest recommended retail price) A few old edition options that are still great to get started with learning manual mode on a budget: - Nikon D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300 (old versions of D3500) - Nikon D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300 (old versions of D5600) - Nikon D70s, D70, D80, D90 (old versions of D7000) - Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D60 (old versions of D3000 and D5000 series) - any older Canon Rebel
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Fine/Studio Arts from Wittenberg University
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Wittenberg University
I hold a BA in Studio Art/Photography and Psychology, and am trained both as a photographer and as a Montessori assistant teacher. As an educator I have experience teaching children pre-K through high school.
Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$25
weekly or $250 for all content10 pre-recorded lessons
10 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 180 learners
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Ages: 13-18