What to Expect

Translating the magic of an artwork or exhibition into documentation isn’t an easy task. Led by professional artwork photographer and educator Chris Bowes, you’ll cover the techniques of capturing an artwork in its best light for use in catalogues, funding applications or websites, as well as how to photograph art in an exhibition context—all using your smartphone.

This workshop is suitable for beginners.
 

What to Bring

• A smartphone with the free Adobe Lightroom Mobile app installed.

• Your phone’s charger.

• An artwork you’d like to photograph.

• Water and a snack.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this workshop, students will understand:

• The principles of artwork documentation.

• How to set up a 2D or 3D artwork for documentation.

• How to compose engaging exhibition documentation images.

• How to achieve even illumination.

• Digital workflow for accurate images.

• Understanding your equipment and maximising quality.

• How to achieve accurate colours.

• How to use Adobe Lightroom Mobile to capture and edit images.

Running Time: 4 hrs

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

With most retail shopping now taking place online, good product photos can make or break a business. Product photos should not just show a buyer what the product is, but also convey the vibe and energy of a brand to their target audience, enticing them to buy. In this workshop you’ll learn how to create captivating product photos that go beyond simple e-commerce shots and begin to tell the story of your brand.

What you will learn:

• How to storyboard ideas for your photoshoot

• Using colour theory in your images

• Colour calibration and management

• Choosing props and backdrops for product photography

• Setting up a shot that captures the right vibe for your product

• Composition, perspective and camera settings for products

• How to use off camera flash and modifiers

• Editing tips for your final photos

What to bring:

• A digital camera and lens (85-105mm focal length is ideal)

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

• Some of your products (if you have them)

• Some product photos which inspire you

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Props and backgrounds

• Demo products

• Class notes

Running Time: 3 hours

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

Converting a three dimensional artwork to a two dimensional photograph can be tricky. However the experience of seeing the work in the flesh can be conveyed through a mix of technical and creative photographic approaches. In this class we will cover how to light and record three dimensional works, such as ceramics and sculpture, to ensure the spirit of the artwork remains intact in the reproduction.

What you will learn:

• The principles of artwork documentation

• How to use flash and create depth with light

• How to choose a background

• Traditional and contemporary approaches to photographing 3D artworks

• Digital workflow for accurate images

• Understanding your equipment and maximising sharpness

• How to calibrate images for accurate colours

• How to use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit your images

What to bring:

• A digital camera and lens 

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

• A small personal artwork (not essential)

• A laptop and charger with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop installed

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Demo artwork

• Class notes

Running Time: 3 hours

Knowledge Tier: Advanced

Transferring the magic of a painting or drawing into a photograph can be tricky business. Part technical exercise and part creative interpretation, Artwork Documentation requires the photographer to draw from a unique set of skills. In this class you’ll learn how to capture an artwork accurately using flash, and how to use editing software and calibration tools to faithfully reproduce the original work in an image.

What you will learn:

• The principles of artwork documentation

• How to use flash and different approaches to lighting (including cross polarisation)

• How to achieve perfectly even illumination

• Digital workflow for accurate images

• Understanding your equipment and maximising sharpness

• How to calibrate images for accurate colours

• How to use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit your images

What to bring:

• A digital camera and lens 

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

• A small personal artwork (not essential)

• A laptop and charger with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop installed

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Demo artwork

• Class notes

Running Time: 3 hrs

Knowledge Tier: Beginner

Have you always wanted to learn photography but been unsure where to start? Do you have a camera sitting in a cupboard, unsure what all those buttons are for? Our beginner’s photography workshop is perfect for those just starting out of their photographic journey. We’ll guide you through the first steps towards mastering your camera and taking amazing images.

What you will learn:

• How to properly hold a camera

• Basic camera terminology (and what all those buttons do!)

• Harnessing priority modes for more control without the confusion of full manual

• How to get blurry backgrounds with aperture

• How to freeze action with shutter speed

• How to adjust the brightness of your images

• How to review your photos and troubleshoot any issues

• How to creatively compose images

What to bring:

• A digital camera and lens 

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

What is provided:

• Props to photograph

• Class notes

Running Time: 3hrs

Knowledge Tier: Beginner

Lightroom is an incredibly powerful tool for editing photos, however for new users the software can be quite daunting. Lightroom does however offer an easy alternative to Photoshop when it comes to editing images once you unlock the softwares features. In this class we will cover the basic tools of the Develop module so you can extract the hidden potential of your photos.

If you are unfamiliar with the Lightroom ecosystem, it is recommended that you attend or Organising in Lightroom class before attending this one.

What you will learn:

• How to create an editing plan of attack

• How to create, add and use presets

• Adjusting white balance and colour

• How to convert and edit in black and white

• Adjusting exposure and contrast

• Sharpening and noise reduction

• Lens corrections and effects

• Using the transform tool for perspective correction

What to bring:

• A laptop and charger with Lightroom Classic installed

• Selection of 10 personal images to work with, imported into Lightroom

What is provided:

• Demo images

• Class notes

Running Time: 3hrs

Knowledge Tier: Beginner

Lightroom is an incredibly powerful tool for organising and cataloguing your photos, however for new users the software can be quite daunting. In this workshop we will cover techniques for how to manage your images within the lightroom ecosystem to make it easy to label and locate your favourite photos, whether you took them ten days or ten years ago.

What you will learn:

• How to streamline the import and export process

• Navigating Lightroom’s library module

• Making the most of lightroom collections and smart collections

• Using flagging and stars to rate images

• Using colours and keywords to label images

• Adding copyright and metadata to your photos

What to bring:

• A laptop and charger with Lightroom Classic installed

• Selection of 20 personal images to work with

What is provided:

• Demo images

• Class notes

Running Time: 3 hrs

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

Are you bored with taking traditional studio portraits? Mix things up with our Creative Studio Portraiture workshop and take your photos to the next level! You’ll learn how to work with gels to create colourful combinations of light, break the rules of ‘classic’ portraiture and how to manipulate light and shadow to create abstracted images.

What you will learn:

• How to use off camera flash and modifiers

• Using colour theory in your images

• How to use gels to create colour

• High key and low key lighting looks

• Rim lighting and silhouette techniques

• Unique approaches to composition and perspective

• Editing tips for your final photo

What to bring:

• A digital camera

• A ‘portrait’ lens (50mm-135mm)

• A ‘wide angle’ lens (12-24mm)

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

• Some portrait photos which inspire you

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Props and backgrounds

• Professional model

• Class notes

Running Time: 3 hrs

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

Once you’ve understood the basics, it’s time to delve a little deeper into your camera to unlock its full potential. In this workshop we’ll take off the training wheels and start to take more control of our camera settings. You’ll learn how to shoot in full manual (and the pro’s and con’s of doing so) as well as how to control your camera's focus more precisely.

What you will learn:

• How to calculate manual exposure

• How to balance manual exposure for different effects

• When and when not to use manual exposure

• How and why to adjust autofocus modes and focus area

• How to manually focus with absolute precision

• How to read a histogram and evaluate correct exposure

• How to use focal length to compress or stretch a scene

• Shooting in raw and the benefits of doing so

• More complex composition techniques and how to make unique images

What to bring:

• A digital camera and lens 

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

What is provided:

• Props to photograph

• Class notes

Running Time: 3hrs

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

Do you want to take photos that blow your friends' minds? Make the ordinary look extraordinary through abstract macro photography and see the world in a new light. From the kalaidescopic swirls in bubbles to the hidden stress patterns in plastics, this workshop will have to taking so many incredible images you won’t know which one to print and put on the wall!

What you will learn:

• Exposure and focusing for abstract macro

• How to capture colours in bubbles

• How to cross polarise plastic objects

• How to arrange paper and coloured light for interesting abstract images

• How to use off camera flash and modifiers

• Editing tips for your final photos

What to bring:

• A digital camera

• A ‘macro’ lens

• A charged camera battery (with at least one spare battery)

• A blank memory card

• A ‘speedlight’ style camera flash (if you have one)

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Props and backgrounds

• Class notes

Running Time: 3hrs

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

Still Life is one of the oldest genres of image making, dating back to a time when 17th century painters used objects, flowers and window light to show off their technical prowess. Often rich in symbolism, Still Life also makes a great photographic subject. In this workshop, we’ll look at some historical interpretations of still life as well as some more modern techniques to craft images that weave an enticing narrative.

What you will learn:

• How to storyboard ideas for your photoshoot

• Choosing props and backdrops for still life

• How to manipulate flash to mimic window or sunlight

• Composition, perspective and camera settings for still life

• How to use off camera flash and modifiers

• Editing tips for your final photos

What to bring:

• A digital camera and lens (85-105mm focal length is ideal)

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

• Some still life photos which inspire you

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Props and backgrounds

• Class notes

Running Time: 3hrs

Knowledge Tier: Advanced

Do you like to get up close and personal with creepy crawlies? Then join us on our Macro Photography in Nature class and see the natural world in a new light. From bugs and insects to flowers and plants, learn the techniques and creative considerations that go into macro photography, and well as how to deal with the (sometimes frustratingly uncooperative) natural world.

What you will learn:

• Focusing techniques for macro photography

• The advantages of flash and flash diffusers

• How to correct expose your subject and background

• How to create captivating compositions

• Tips to find and approach creepy crawlies

What to bring: 

• A digital camera

• A ‘macro’ lens

• A charged camera battery (with at least one spare battery)

• A blank memory card

• A ‘speedlight’ style camera flash, ring flash or macro flash

What is provided: 

• DIY-style speedlight flash diffuser

• Class notes

Running Time: 6 hrs including lunch break

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

Nothing quite beats the spectacular look of a person photographed under studio lighting. The studio gives the photographer ultimate control over how to position their lights and model to achieve an infinite number of looks - from dark and moody character portraits to bright and quirky headshots. In this class we’ll cover the theory of lighting a human subject with studio flash and finish the session with a practical shoot of a professional model.

What you will learn:

• How to storyboard ideas for your photoshoot

• Camera settings for flash photography

• How to use off camera flash and modifiers

• Lighting theory such as ratios and light quality

• Colour calibration and management

• How to position lights to create shape and depth

• The classic three point lighting setup

• How to take portraits against different backgrounds

• How to shoot headshots, torso and full body portraits

• Composition, perspective and camera settings for portraits

• Editing tips for your final photo

What to bring:

• A digital camera

• A ‘portrait’ lens (50-135mm)

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

• Some portrait photos which inspire you

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Props and backgrounds

• Professional model

• Class notes

Running Time: 4 hrs

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

With most retail shopping now taking place online, good product photos can make or break a business. Product photos should not just show a buyer what the product is, but also convey the vibe and energy of a brand to their target audience, enticing them to buy. In this workshop you’ll learn how to create captivating product photos that go beyond simple e-commerce shots and begin to tell the story of your brand.

What you will learn:

• How to storyboard ideas for your photoshoot

• Using colour theory in your images

• Colour calibration and management

• Choosing props and backdrops for product photography

• Setting up a shot that captures the right vibe for your product

• Composition, perspective and camera settings for products

• How to use off camera flash and modifiers

• Editing tips for your final photos

What to bring:

• A digital camera and lens (85-105mm focal length is ideal)

• A charged camera battery (with a spare one recommended)

• A blank memory card

• Some of your products (if you have them)

• Some product photos which inspire you

What is provided:

• Lighting equipment

• Props and backgrounds

• Demo products

• Class notes

Running Time: 3 hrs

Knowledge Tier: Intermediate

In this fun photography workshop we will take a trip back in time to learn about the cyanotype process, a method of making images that was invented almost 200 years ago. Cyanotypes are known for being a simple and forgiving introduction to alternative photographic processes, making them perfect for beginners. Their unique blue appearance makes for eye-catching images.


What you will learn:

• How to mix the cyanotype chemistry

• How to apply the chemistry to paper

• How to choose the right paper

• How to create and expose a digital negative

• How to create and expose a photogram

• How to develop and dry your exposed print

• How to troubleshoot any issues that may arise

What to bring:

• A digital image to convert to a negative (we’ll get you to send this to us before the class)

• Some materials for photograms (pressed flowers, lace and other objects that lay flat are a good choice)

• Old clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty

What is provided:

• Your digital image on a transparency sheet

• Cyanotype chemistry

• Paper

• OH&S materials

• Class notes

The classic ‘pack shot’, a photo of a product on clean background, is one of the staples of an online retail business. Often these images need to be taken regularly as stock is updated, and need to kept consistent so that a photo taken today looks the same as one taken a year ago. In this session of Night School, we’ll talk about how to do this kind of image with the bare minimum of equipment - an available light source, like a window or even the room lights, and a camera (even your smartphone will do).

Students will learn how to light and expose a pack shot using available light and some tips for keeping things consistent between your shoots.

In this Night School session we will talk about one of the simplest alternative photographic processes - chemigrams. Chemigrams are a type of image created by manipulating the chemistry of analogue photographic materials, rather than using light. Although chemigrams use silver gelatin paper, they can also be made outside of the darkroom, making them an ideal process to try at home.

Students of this session will learn how to create and develop chemigrams, and have an opportunity to create some themselves.