The 3 hour class is aimed particularly at beginners. No previous knowledge is assumed or required. Many participants have just bought their first SLR and often their first camera of any kind!

The 1 day workshops also start with the absolute basics before going in to more detail. There is also more time to put everything into practice.

Both classes start with absolute basics (some participants will have never held a DSLR before). If you already know quite a lot already you might find the classes too basic. To be frank Photographers sometimes think they know more (or less) than they actually do.

Do the <QUIZ> to find out.

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In addition to your camera and lens(es) don't forget to bring your memory card (2Gb minimum), fully charged camera battery and (if you have it) the instruction manual for your camera. Also bring a pen and paper. A tripod is not required for the classes.

Please remember that the classes take place outdoors so please wear appropriate clothing. Bring warm clothes in winter and bring an umbrella if it looks like showers. There is a small amount of walking so wear comfortable shoes. Also something you can kneel down in.

There are limited food options around Hyde Park on weekends so you might want to bring a packed lunch if you are doing the 1 day class.

Look at the model name of your camera (if you still have the box it's sometimes easier to find the model number there).

Most "Point and Shoot" compact cameras are designed to be very simple to use, however they lack direct control of functions such as shutter speeds and apertures.

To get full value out of one of the workshops you really need to use a camera with more control. I would be happy to lend you a suitable camera (a DSLR) if you would like to learn more about digital photography. You may well wish to buy that type of camera after you have done a course.

You would still get use out of your present camera for situations where you wanted a smaller camera to carry. Some of the subjects covered by the workshop would also be relevant to your compact cameras.

You can just bring 1 lens if you want to travel light. In which case bring the "standard lens" that you got with the camera e.g. 18-55mm (or you might have a 18-105, 18-135, 18-200 instead)*
*Note the numbers above are for most Canon, Nikon, Pentax or Sony DSLR's. (Also the Samsung NX series).

If you have an Olympus DSLR or "Pen" series or a Panasonic "G" Series the numbers for the "standard lens" will start at 14mm rather than 18mm. E.g. 14-42mm etc.

If you have a so called "Full Frame" camera e.g. the Canon 5D mkII bring your 24-105mm or similar.

Of course feel free to bring other lenses that you use often or that you would like to ask about.

I am happy to lend you a DSLR for the class at no charge - subject to availability. Please let me know in advance.

If you want to take the images home with you bring along an SD card (2GB minimum). Note: Sony Memory Sticks are NOT suitable.

On the day of the class Di sends out an email with links to online revision notes so that when you get home after the class you can do a review of what was covered. You can also print the notes out if you wish.

Please bring a pen and paper to make notes during the class. The very act of writing down the information yourself helps re enforce what you have learned.

Towards the end of the class I give you a laminated "Cheat Sheet" for you to keep in your bag as a reminder of the most important subjects covered.

Payment

Regarding payment you can do one of the following;

1. Pay in advance via PayPal (I will send you a payment request) using your Mastercard or Visa on the PayPal website.

2. Pay in advance by "Direct Deposit" - If you choose Direct Deposit our bank account details are:

BSB: 112-879
Account No. 056 687 041
Account Name: Andy Piggott Photography

3. Pay Cash on the day. Whichever is easiest for you.

Please note that Gift Certificates can only be paid for with PayPal or Direct Deposit.

If you cancel your booking more than 48 hours before a class there is no cancellation fee.

Cancellations less than 48 hours but more than 24 hours before a class are subject to a 50% cancellation fee.

We are unable to offer refunds (or re-bookings) on cancellations less than 24 hours before classes or for no-shows.

If you do reschedule more than once we may ask for a non-refundable deposit.

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Please note that the classes are conducted largely outdoors. Make sure you are dressed for the conditions. You will need to bring something warm for the cooler months. Also please bring an umbrella if there is rain forecast.

If the weather conditions are too bad e.g. steady rain or very windy the class may be postponed and I will send a text message to your mobile phone based on the Bureau of Metrology weather forecast at 6pm the day before the workshop.

In which case I will try to reschedule the class to suit the majority of students.

Please bear in mind that you don't need "good" weather to make good photographs.

To open Bureau of Metrology site <Click Here>

The classes are suitable for pretty much anyone 14 years and above. However if an attendee is under 16 years of age, I require a parent to drop the attendee off so I can meet the parent prior to the class.

If you are thinking of booking a class for your child please make sure that they are keen to take part as it is important that all participants are there by choice.

Most of the class takes part outdoors and of course there can be a fair amount of noise in the city. Hyde Park is often on the route of parades, demonstrations and tour groups. The bells of St Mary's Cathedral also ring out a fair volume especially during the peak of the wedding season! I do often find that I am shouting to be heard. We are indoors for about an hour and we can certainly arrange for you to sit close for that part of the class.

A number of hearing impaired people have done the classes and we have managed without too many problems. Feel free to call me on 0448 848 864 to discuss the issue.

If English is not your first language and you are worried that you might not be able to understand the classes please call me on 0448 848 864 so we can have a quick chat.

If you do a class and I say something that you do not understand please let me know and I will find another way to explain.

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If you are coming by train the meeting point (Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park) is a about 200m from St James station.

This is a 2 person business consisting of me Andy Piggott and my LOVELY wife Di. Your email enquires are answered by Di (with my input as required).

My first camera was an Olympus Trip 35 bought 30 years ago which I still have.
I have been a professional photographer since 1981.
I operated a professional colour darkroom for 8 years specialising in the Cibachrome process.
Stepping out of the dark in 1997 I have been staring at photos on monitors for over a decade. I went fully digital in 2003 (though I still remember how to load film).

My photographs have been published in Australia, U.K. USA and Asia. They have been featured in photography magazines, airline in-flight magazines, photographic "how to" books, travel brochures, calendars and advertising.

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If you are completely new to photography but you think you would like to become a professional photographer eventually, the 1 day class will teach you basics that all photographers need to know.

Of course you will have to do a lot more in both terms of learning and practice before you consider charging for your photography.

If you already know the basics and you want to take the next step towards a career in photography you should look at longer duration vocational courses.

The courses run by Ultimo TAFE are highly recommended but it is very hard to get a place.

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The classes that I run are basically outdoor concentrating on available light. During the 1 day workshop we discuss using flash and I will give you tips on bounce flash. If no one is interested in flash photography I sometimes skip it so make sure you let me know that you want me to cover it.

If your main interest is indoor photography (for example product photography) I suggest that you contact Gary Ede. Gary runs a series of lighting classes. <Studio Lighting>

You may have a small business and want to photograph your range of product for catalogues and your website.
Note that the classes that I run are based mainly on outdoor photography.
It is possible to do a lot using available light and reflectors. For this you will need to know the fundamentals of photography. The 1 Day Class would give you the basic knowledge required.

If you intend photography a lot of products and often you will need to work with introduced light (preferably studio flash). The classes I run do NOT cover studio work. See details above for Gary Ede's lighting classes.

Bear in mind that to get a result that looks professional takes a good deal of effort and some extra equipment. Glass and silverware are notoriously difficult.

I used to teach Photoshop but now I concentrate solely on the photography.

A couple of people in the industry whose opinion I respect have recommended Thomas Kayser. I have never met him myself but he sounds good. His mobile no. is 0410400423 and his email address is tkayser@tpg.com.au.

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When choosing a digital SLR remember the lens is the most important part of any camera. DSLRs come with a variety of lenses of varying quality. If you are working to a budget get the best lens you can afford and then put it on to any camera that will work with it.

At the DSLR entry level the Canon 600D (or older 550D), Pentax Pentax K-r, Nikon D5100 (or older D5000) and Sony A390 are all terrific cameras and will do a great job as long as you buy them with a decent lens. Remember the lens is the most important part of any camera, unfortunately manufactures sometimes cut corners on "kit" lenses to keep prices down.

If you have a bigger budget you might want to look at the Nikon D7000 and the Canon 60D. These "mid-range" models are built to be a bit more robust. Some features that are buried in menus on cheaper models have their own dedicated buttons. Once you have done one of the workshops you may find that it is worth paying the extra for the quick access to some of the more advanced features.

There is a newer style of interchangeable lens cameras which have abandoned prisms and mirrors (the "reflex" in single lens reflex) in favour of electronic finders and screens. The designers can now make smaller models with this more direct light path. Importantly these cameras have the same large size sensors as DSLRs. It is a rapidly developing sector of the market and will become more and more important.

Interestingly there is still no universally accepted name for this type of camera. Consequently you might see them described as any of the following:

Unfortunately there are a number of disadvantages. Smaller sensors are inherently more noisy and some pretty heavy-handed noise reduction takes place. This is made worse by having stupidly high megapixels. e.g. 14mp on a sensor smaller than your little fingernail is the insanity of marketing overriding design.

DSLRs purchased from authorised dealers usually only have official warranties for the country of purchase.

Currently lens warranties tend to be International, so it is relatively safe to buy lenses from overseas suppliers.

If you go to an Australia Camera Store you will have the personal service and backup. You may sometimes get an extended warranty but you will have to check. The products will have come through the official Australian Importers e.g. Canon Australia, Nikon Australia etc.

An alternative would be a store like D-D Photographics in North Sydney, they are "parallel importers" who can be cheaper and will offer their own warranty.

Online options include DWI, CitiWide and Digital Rev which can be found via eBay.
I have recently bought lenses through cameralensesdirect.com which were very cheap and gave a 2 year warranty.

Note that goods shipped from overseas valued at over $1000 may attract GST and a processing fee from Australian Customs.
All this is subject to change so check details and confirm warranty conditions before purchasing.

Please note that tripods are NOT required for either of the classes.

Advice on choosing a tripod.

If you intend doing a lot of landscape photography a good tripod is pretty much essential (especially in low light).

I suggest that you buy the heaviest tripod that you are prepared to carry. A flimsy model is really only useful as an extra set of hands to hold the camera as you run around the other side of the camera and say "cheese". On the other side of the coin a tripod is totally useless if it weighs so much that you never take it with you.
You can save weight without sacrificing stability by buying a carbon fibre tripod however these are a lot more expensive.

I would recommend Manfrotto as a brand. Take a look at the 190 it is solidly made -I have had one for over 25 years and it's still going strong. They are not particularly cheap but if you are going to use a tripod regularly it is a worthwhile investment.