MON 27th JANUARY – MON 3rd March 2025
7pm -10pm ( 6 weeks, including one weekend afternoon session )
NQL HQ, GF 008, The Courtyard, Islington Mill, James St, M3 5HW
LOVE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS, AND WANT TO BE EVEN BETTER?
This course will take you on a journey to help you take the pictures that you want to take…
Join me in the Not Quite Light Studio 6 weekly lessons, starting on Monday 27th January 2025, and learn how better to see pictures, and then use your camera to capture your vision.
The key to taking successful photographs is to understand how we see the world, and what we want to say about it. This course is not just about the techniques of how you use the camera, it’s about understanding what you are seeing in the world around you, building confidence in your creative self, giving you strong foundations to always be in control of the pctures you want to capture.
Have you ever wondered why the picture doesn’t quite match what you saw with your own eyes? Did you ever wonder what tips and tricks photographers use to get perfect compositons and well exposed photographs?
Over 6 weeks, you will be taught how to see better pictures, and the techniques you will need to use your camera to realise your vision.
Each session will last 3 hours, giving ample time to explore the many aspects involved in succesfully taking photographs.
Suitbale for beginners, and those of you that would simply like to improve the photographs you already take…
WEEK ONE – We start with the basics, and explore the lighting techniques and compositions of the masters of painting and photography. This will give you an understanding of what makes a successful painting or photograph, and provide valuable insights you can use in your own work. Learn from the best!
WEEK TWO – Following on from week one, we will explore composition. How do we fill the frame, how do we decide what to include and exclude, and do we understand the rhythms and patterns of succesful composition?
To do this we’ll play with collage, using our creative selves to fill sheets of paper with colour and form. Then we’ll take what we’ve learned of how we see pattern and shape and apply it to how we see through the viewfinder or
screen of the camera.
WEEK THREE – We will discuss the mechanics of a picture, how to get a correct exposure using aperture, shutter speed and iso, and then how each of those components can be used creatively. We’ll go out onto the street and
see how these elements work practically. And dont worry, if you struggle with maths and numbers, you can ask all the questions you need. We’ll go at your pace.
WEEK FOUR – We’ll go out for a nightime photowalk, learning the techniques needed to work in low light. We’ll also do some painting with light using light wands to illuminate shadows.
This sesion will further help you get used to your camera, and how you make correct exposures.
WEEK FIVE – For this session we’ll meet on a weekend afternoon and go on a photowalk, practising the techniques we’ve learned so far, allowing you explore your creative repsonse to the world around you.
WEEK 6 -To finish the course we will look at basic processing techniques, and how to make the best of your photographs, using free to download software.
For this course you will need a DSLR, SLR ( film ) or smartphone, and a laptop that can be used for photo editing software.
During the course you will receive PDFs with information and course notes.
Tea and coffee are provided. Any questions email – notquitelight at gmail dot com
PREVIOUS STUDENTS SAY…
Charlotte, music producer – “Simon is incredibly relaxed and approachable, with no pretension,” Charlotte
shared. “He explained technical concepts in an accessible way and made sure every
question was answered.”
Sally G, mental health worker – “The NQL Night School has been a game-changer,” she explained. “Simon’s patient
guidance has helped me not only understand the fundamentals of photography but
also feel empowered to make artistic choices rather than relying on happy accidents.
It’s given me a sense of purpose and mindfulness during a tough time.”
Sophie H, architect – “Spending Monday evenings at the Not Quite Light studio has been an absolute delight. Simon has a wonderful way of breaking down the complexities of camera functionality and composition into concepts that are easy to understand and apply. His passion for photography made the course really engaging and the balance between theory and hands-on practice was perfect. Each session was really varied and delivered in a relaxed style of learning – a particular highlight was experimenting with long exposures and ‘painting with light’ on a photo walk. The relaxed and supportive learning environment made it a wonderful way to start the week, and I now feel more confident and purposeful in my photography.”
Photo by Sally G
BOOK NOW
Thanks to MUSE PLACES I’m able to offer 2 places for low income at £50, and 2 for local M3 residents at just £195.00 ( instead of £295 )
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR FULL PRICE, EARLY BIRD & LOCAL RESIDENTS
RESERVE NOW
