Digital Photography for Beginners

$400.00

Sign Up for a Photography Class with Giada Otten!

Course Title:Digital Photography for Beginners

πŸ“… Class Schedule:
August 12 – September 10
Tuesdays & Wednesdays

πŸ• Afternoon Session: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM β€” 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Address: ARTISANS OFF MAIN

310 EAST MAIN STREET, SUITE 1

BELLEVILLE, IL 62220

Master Your Camera & Create Like an Artist

Course Goal:

Unlock the power of your camera and bring your vision to life!

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this hands-on workshop covers the essentials of digital photography β€” from mastering manual settings and finally getting out of Auto Mode, to composition, lighting, and post-production tips.

β€’ What You'll Learn:

β€’ How to use your camera with confidence

β€’ Secrets to taking stunning portraits & landscapes

β€’ Editing basics to make your photos pop.

Course Format:

  • Structure:

    • Short video lesson (10–15 minutes)

    • Written breakdown

    • Practice assignment

    • Creative challenge

    • Optional feedback/critique

    Course Breakdown:

Module 1: Introduction to Digital Photography

  • How cameras work

  • Types of digital cameras

  • Basic camera anatomy

  • How this course will help you see differently

Module 2: Understanding Exposure

  • What is exposure?

  • The Exposure Triangle: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO

  • Manual Mode vs Auto

Module 3: Aperture (Depth of Field Mastery)

  • f-stops explained

  • Controlling background blur

  • Creative focus techniques

Module 4: Shutter Speed (Motion Control)

  • Freezing action vs. motion blur

  • Light painting

    Module 5: ISO (Mastering Light Sensitivity)

  • Low light photography

  • Noise vs. image quality

  • Creative grain

Module 6: Manual Mode Mastery

  • Putting it all together: Manual exposure

  • How to meter light

  • Exposure compensation

Module 7: Focus Control

  • Auto vs manual focus

  • Focus points & tracking

  • Creative blur and selective focus

Module 8: White Balance and Color Control

  • How lighting affects color

  • Using white balance creatively

  • Color temperature and mood

Module 9: Composition Fundamentals

  • Rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry

  • Framing and layering

  • Visual storytelling

Module 10:Light: The Photographer’s Paintbrush

  • Natural vs artificial light

  • Golden hour, shadows, and contrast

  • How to see and shape light

Module 11: Lenses and Perspective

  • Focal lengths explained

  • Wide vs telephoto

  • Choosing the right lens for your vision

Module 12: Creative Control & Final Project

  • How to develop your creative voice

  • Create a mini photo series using full manual settings

  • Critique and reflection

Course Outcome:

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Know how to use their camera in full manual mode

  • Understand how to control every creative aspect of image-making

  • Produce professional-level photographs that go beyond snapshots

  • Develop a unique visual voice and start building a personal style

Sign Up for a Photography Class with Giada Otten!

Course Title:Digital Photography for Beginners

πŸ“… Class Schedule:
August 12 – September 10
Tuesdays & Wednesdays

πŸ• Afternoon Session: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM β€” 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Address: ARTISANS OFF MAIN

310 EAST MAIN STREET, SUITE 1

BELLEVILLE, IL 62220

Master Your Camera & Create Like an Artist

Course Goal:

Unlock the power of your camera and bring your vision to life!

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this hands-on workshop covers the essentials of digital photography β€” from mastering manual settings and finally getting out of Auto Mode, to composition, lighting, and post-production tips.

β€’ What You'll Learn:

β€’ How to use your camera with confidence

β€’ Secrets to taking stunning portraits & landscapes

β€’ Editing basics to make your photos pop.

Course Format:

  • Structure:

    • Short video lesson (10–15 minutes)

    • Written breakdown

    • Practice assignment

    • Creative challenge

    • Optional feedback/critique

    Course Breakdown:

Module 1: Introduction to Digital Photography

  • How cameras work

  • Types of digital cameras

  • Basic camera anatomy

  • How this course will help you see differently

Module 2: Understanding Exposure

  • What is exposure?

  • The Exposure Triangle: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO

  • Manual Mode vs Auto

Module 3: Aperture (Depth of Field Mastery)

  • f-stops explained

  • Controlling background blur

  • Creative focus techniques

Module 4: Shutter Speed (Motion Control)

  • Freezing action vs. motion blur

  • Light painting

    Module 5: ISO (Mastering Light Sensitivity)

  • Low light photography

  • Noise vs. image quality

  • Creative grain

Module 6: Manual Mode Mastery

  • Putting it all together: Manual exposure

  • How to meter light

  • Exposure compensation

Module 7: Focus Control

  • Auto vs manual focus

  • Focus points & tracking

  • Creative blur and selective focus

Module 8: White Balance and Color Control

  • How lighting affects color

  • Using white balance creatively

  • Color temperature and mood

Module 9: Composition Fundamentals

  • Rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry

  • Framing and layering

  • Visual storytelling

Module 10:Light: The Photographer’s Paintbrush

  • Natural vs artificial light

  • Golden hour, shadows, and contrast

  • How to see and shape light

Module 11: Lenses and Perspective

  • Focal lengths explained

  • Wide vs telephoto

  • Choosing the right lens for your vision

Module 12: Creative Control & Final Project

  • How to develop your creative voice

  • Create a mini photo series using full manual settings

  • Critique and reflection

Course Outcome:

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Know how to use their camera in full manual mode

  • Understand how to control every creative aspect of image-making

  • Produce professional-level photographs that go beyond snapshots

  • Develop a unique visual voice and start building a personal style