Portrait Photography: Essential Skills and Creative Approaches - Nottingham Trent University
Description
Most of us wish to be able to take great portraits of our family and friends, as well as be able to capture striking images of people and cultures when travelling. However, taking pictures of people can be a challenge, even for the most experienced photographer. This very practical course will therefore help you take your portraits to the next level, control the light to capture the best shot, and gain confidence as a photographer. During the course, you’ll be working with a professional model and learning how to edit your photos with Lightroom and Photoshop to create images with the wow factor. On this course, you will: • study the great photographers and dissect their images • learn about light and its behaviour - direction, intensity and quality • explore lighting on the move, and how to get the most from natural light and speedlights. • learn about composition and backgrounds • explore different approaches, including candid and corporate portraits. The course will suit photographers at all levels of skill and experience. You’ll find it helpful to have some knowledge of using your equipment in manual mode. This is not a purely technical workshop that endlessly discusses gear - instead, it’s a pragmatic, hands-on course in the art and science of portrait photography. What will I gain? By the end of the course, you’ll have an appreciation of the challenges and joys of photographing people. You’ll leave with images for your portfolio, and the technical skills and knowledge to continue taking great portraits. Level: Beginner Entry requirement: No portrait experience is required, though being able to work with your camera in manual mode will be useful. Where you'll learn: You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus. You’ll find full-size photography studios, equipped with backgrounds and Profoto lighting, and comprehensive Mac editing suites with software for photography editing including Adobe Creative Cloud. You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing. Here's what our previous attendees said: 'This course has given me lots of confidence and I look forward to using these skills in the future' 'I thoroughly enjoyed it! I wanted to learn a new skill having previously attended a photography short course at NTU before, and improve my portrait photography. I learnt loads of new skills, new ideas and have a fresh enthusiasm. I enjoyed the opportunity to photography models in a studio setting' BT 'A very enjoyable week. Many thanks to the tutor Paul for his patience. I learnt new skills in an area of photography I had no previous experience in, got an understanding of studios and flash lightling, built confidence to work with models and use lighting in the future.' JT 'I am definitely more confident with the idea of working with models now!' 'Very enjoyable, and the tutor Paul is very knowledgeable. Got new skills and improved my understanding of portraiture, really enjoyed the photography studio work' CH Tutor Profile: Louise Mills is a professional wedding and portrait photographer based in Nottingham, who shoots both in her studio and on location. Louise loves being behind the camera, taking those secret candid shots, orchestrating a shoot to create a mood and recording that once-in-a-lifetime moment. She has worked extensively photographing weddings, families, and couples, as well as models, business professionals, and those in the performing arts, to produce editorial and publicity images. Her past clients include Audi, Macmillan, RSVIP, Porsche, UNISON and Alea Casinos. She is also the owner and director of Going Digital, a nationwide photography educational company.
What's included in the price?
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus. Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course. You will also need to bring with you a DSRL camera, notebook, pen, and USB stick to save all your files and work. On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Duration
1 week
Cancellation policy
Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts
Maker
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Wheelchair users
- Hearing impaired
- Vision impaired
- Limited mobility
- Daytime (weekdays)
- UK Holiday
- Accommodation offered
- Public transport
- Residential
- Suitable for beginners
- Evenings
- Suitable for all abilities
- Long term / weekly / monthly
FAQs
For our week-long summer school courses, we offer single rooms in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Bookings are taken on a seven-night basis, from Saturday to Saturday.
The rooms are single occupancy, with a private bathroom.
You will be sent a link to book your accommodation once you have made your course booking through Craft Courses.
We offer accommodation during the summer only. We are unable to offer university accommodation during term time (for evening and weekend courses) but you'll find plenty of places to stay nearby, as we're located in the city centre.