A Newbie needs direction

labbad

As a newbie I have a question which I’m hoping ye will be able to give me some direction on.

I am looking at photography courses at the Waterford College of Further Education (used to be CTI) in Parnell St. Waterford, starting in September.
There is a choice of two and I can’t decide which to apply for,

1. Basic Digital Photo Imaging
“This course provides a practical introduction to the skills and knowledge of basic digital photography. Exploring the techniques and creative potential of the medium it is designed for the amateur/hobbyist photographer. The course aims to enable candidates to gain an overall awareness of camera handling techniques such as composition and viewpoint in order to control and make purposeful creative photographic images. There will be an introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Studio Lighting Techniques.”

2 Introduction to Photoshop Basics
“This course is suitable for basic computer users who wish to learn the basics of Photoshop to edit and manipulate digital images using varied Photoshop techniques. In this digital age with easy access to a varied range of technologies, more and more people are turning to the use of digital media. The advantages are many in that ease of use and affordability make digital photography the way forward.”

I am pushing hard at becoming an auld fellow and have been taking photos all my life, so would have the basics.

However I’ve recently upgraded from compacts to my first DSLR a Canon 400D which is brilliant if a little complicated. My first choice would be Basic Digital Photo Imaging but am afraid that it would be too basic.

Introduction to Photoshop Basics would also be important to me, I have Photoshop Elements to play around with and need some instruction in this also but feel this should come second; I would like to be able to take reasonable photos first.

Have any of you attended these courses, your thoughts on them would be much appreciated.

Freddie59

labbad wrote: »

As a newbie I have a question which I’m hoping ye will be able to give me some direction on.

I am looking at photography courses at the Waterford College of Further Education (used to be CTI) in Parnell St. Waterford, starting in September.
There is a choice of two and I can’t decide which to apply for,

1. Basic Digital Photo Imaging
“This course provides a practical introduction to the skills and knowledge of basic digital photography. Exploring the techniques and creative potential of the medium it is designed for the amateur/hobbyist photographer. The course aims to enable candidates to gain an overall awareness of camera handling techniques such as composition and viewpoint in order to control and make purposeful creative photographic images. There will be an introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Studio Lighting Techniques.”

2 Introduction to Photoshop Basics
“This course is suitable for basic computer users who wish to learn the basics of Photoshop to edit and manipulate digital images using varied Photoshop techniques. In this digital age with easy access to a varied range of technologies, more and more people are turning to the use of digital media. The advantages are many in that ease of use and affordability make digital photography the way forward.”

I am pushing hard at becoming an auld fellow and have been taking photos all my life, so would have the basics.

However I’ve recently upgraded from compacts to my first DSLR a Canon 400D which is brilliant if a little complicated. My first choice would be Basic Digital Photo Imaging but am afraid that it would be too basic.

Introduction to Photoshop Basics would also be important to me, I have Photoshop Elements to play around with and need some instruction in this also but feel this should come second; I would like to be able to take reasonable photos first.

Have any of you attended these courses, your thoughts on them would be much appreciated.

I was looking to do something similar, (bought a 450D in April) but I don't think these are the courses. The Photoshop one looks like it's more of a basic ECDL with a little bit of PS thrown in (which you'll probably know anyway).

Same with the digital imaging one. The Manual one looks OK though.

labbad

Thanks Freddie 59 for your reply you've lost me when you talk about the "manual one" can you expand on that for me.
Still it my be an interest for a few weeks

Calina

Hi.

I find that a lot of digital photography for beginners type courses are more tailored for compact users. I am not sure if that is the case here.

I am not absolutely clear on what you want to get out of the course. The second one seems to me to be more Photoshop oriented; I don't know if this is what you want; if you wish to concentrate on non-technology driven aspects of photography such as composition I am wondering if you might not be better off with a course through your local camera club.

You seem to me to be based in or around Waterford. What I would recommend is that you also go along to the next WD based meet or make yourself known to the Waterford/south east crew and see if you can hook up with them. They're a little wild but also feature one of the best photographers you can hook up with from the point of view of brainpicking and gear borrowing.


If PHotoshop is your interest, second one looks to be more in your line.

kensutz

I wouldn't go near either course. Look up the City & Guilds in WIT starting in September.

labbad

Hi Calina thank you for your help.

I am not sure what I want myself, I was hoping people who may have attended previous or similar courses would give their feedback on what they got out of them or wheather they found them any good.

I found the Waterford Club on the web but it seemed a while since it was updated this is normal for summer time so with long winter evenings setting in maybe there will be movement again, I registered on the website so I might hear something back before too long.

I am interested in Photoshop but as a backup to taking reasonably good photographs which would be my first ambition (maybe I should just focus on Photoshop ha ha).

kensutz I looked at the City and Guilds course starting in Sept but they want €775 for same not but WIT have night classes starting in Sept as well for €175 must find out more about that. Also I'm starting a full time course in WIT so I don't want anything to heavy as it will take me all I can do to keep up with the full time course.
Freddie 59, Calina, and kensutz thank you for your replies and contributions

AnimalRights

And thank you for the blue ink!

labbad

Your more than welcome AnimalRights What do you think of the green

AnimalRights

patriotic!

trishw78

I've done the City & Guilds course, what I would say about it is that you need to carry your camera everywhere and be constantly taking shots but that goes for any photography course you do.

The City & Guilds will teach you everything the cti course will teach you and more, you learn an appreciation for the history, and you'll probably learn to like the different types and styles. It's well worth the money as well.

Hope that's more useful.

labbad

Thanks Trishw78 it would be ideal but a little bit rich for me at the moment However your description would suggest its the way to go for the future