School of Light would like to invite you on our journey of discovering & exploring the beautiful synergy between light and the camera in an intimate yet energetic environment. When passion is combined with the necessary know-hows, you will find yourself now not only seeing the moment, but also being able to capture it.
"Wherever there is light, one can photograph" Alfred Stieglitz.
This course is for the absolute beginner who wants to build a solid technical and practical foundation. We start at the very beginning and build up to encouraging you to see the world with new eyes and to capture it in your own style.
Our practical workshops include a skate-boarding sports practical, a landscape outing to Kalk Bay, light painting, Dutch Master still life with tungsten light, food and fashion photography. To get the most out of the course, we also provide various practical exercises to be completed outside of class time to build your portfolio.
COURSE INFORMATION
COURSE CONTENT
ENROL
*Please note that classes are limited to a maximum number of 5 students. Private lessons are available upon request.
Lesson 1:
Camera anatomy
Detailed instruction on all the functions of the camera, and how to achieve certain effects using your aperture and shutter speed.
Practical 1:
Movement practical
Technical Workshop Experimenting with apertures, shutter speeds & their effects
Putting the previous week's theory into practice with a sports practical
Lesson 2:
Visual literacy & Elements of the visual language of Photography
What makes a good photograph and how to take better photographs
Practical 2:
Landscape Practical in Kalk Bay
Lesson 3:
Measuring Exposure & Metering Modes, File Sizes, Colour Temperature & Light Painting Theory
Practical 3:
Light Painting class practical
*Additional specialist lesson
Fashion / Food Practical
Learn how to work with a professional model in natural lighting conditions with a focus on fashion and food photography.
*Additional specialist lesson
Lenses, Quality of light, Introduction to flash lighting
Including Focal lengths and their effects, what to look for when buying a lens, working with natural light vs. flash lighting and a quality of light demonstration.
*Additional specialist lessons are offered as a continuation of the basic course at an additional cost
This course is for you if you have a good knowledge of the basics of photography and want to step up to the next level. If you’ve done our beginners course, this would be the next step on your journey.
This course will allow you to hone your skills while building your confidence and your portfolio. We give you feedback throughout the course, always encouraging you to push the limits to reach your full potential as a photographer. At the end of the course you will be able to share your photographs in an exhibition showcasing all student work.
COURSE INFORMATION
COURSE CONTENT
ENROL
10 Sessions, incl. 4 x practical workshops, and an exhibition
Please note that course days are subject to change due to public holidays.
Lesson 1:
Basic Lighting Characteristics
Basic Principles of flash equipment
Basic Studio lighting using a single light source with light shaping tools & reflectors.
Lesson 2:
Still life practical using flash equipment
Lesson 3:
Portrait practical using flash equipment
Lesson 4:
On-camera flash Theory
How to effectively use your on-camera flash
Lesson 5:
Food Photography theory & shooting tethered *
Lesson 6:
Food Photography practical on location*
You will put into practice your knowledge of using on-camera flash effectively and balancing tricky lighting situations.
Lesson 7:
Basic introduction to Lightroom
Lesson 8:
Environmental Portrait using off-camera flash
Lesson 9:
Final assessment session & hand-in
Lesson 10: Exhibition.
* Please note that course content are subject to change due to availability of external lecturers.
If the word ‘Photoshop’ strikes you with fear and or confusion, this course is the right one for you! We start at the absolute basics and also include tips, tricks and tools used in the industry to master editing your photos.
The course is extremely practical and de-mystifies the daunting world of image editing. You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to make great photos look even better.
COURSE INFORMATION
COURSE CONTENT
ENROL
3 x 2hour personalised Sessions
Please fill in your particulars, select the course you would like to attend and 'like' our Facebook page (scroll down till the end). We will get back to you on payment details and course availability.
The next natural step on your journey would be to join us for our Intermediate course (link to intermediate course). This is the spaces where you’ll grow your confidence and your portfolio. You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned in the Basic Course. You can also join us for a Landscape Worksop or start assisting professional photographer. Remember to keep shooting and please share them with us on our Facebook page / Twitter
You will need a Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera. Depending on your budget and how far you would like to take your photography will determine your buy. If you would like to take up photography as a career, a professional DSLR is advisable, otherwise you can look at the entry-level or mid-range level DSLR’s. Ask your nearest photo dealer to show you the options available in your price range and once you have decided on a model, shop around to find the best deal.
You can book onto our courses at any time! Note that courses are structured over terms or seven weeks, and you will only be allowed to join up for a new course. PLEASE make sure that there is space available on the specific course before paying your deposit.
First National Bank
Acc. name: School of Light
Acc. no: 62655399915
Acc. type: Cheque
Branch code: 250655
Reference: your name & surname
We will wait until we have received our minimum amount of enrollments for a specific course and then send all the students on the enrollment list an email to let them know they can proceed with paying the deposit to secure their spot. We will not give your spot away if you have enrolled with all your details for a specific course.
Not at all! The Instructors on our beginner’s courses take it very slow. Students are encouraged to ask lots of questions and we like to keep the classes to a maximum of 12 students to ensure individual attention.
Yes! One of the great things about School Of Light is the amazing friendships and relationships that develop during the course. We encourage hanging out after workshops or going for coffee to discuss the work etc.
Under normal circumstances there are a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 13 people per course. If there are not at least 7 people enrolled in the course, we will cancel the course. In the unlikely event that this happens, you will be notified in advance and receive a full refund if you have already paid.
During our current climate we have a maximum of 5 people per class for your safety. Sanitisation and safety protocols will be followed.
Refunds will only be given to a student who notifies School of Light within 2 weeks before commencement of a course.
If you enrol for a course and cannot attend for any reason, please contact us to let us know. We will then book you in to the next available course (with a small admin fee). Alternatively, you can get a friend / family member to take over your booking, please let us know if you decide to take this option.
We know that unforeseen things happen and our lecturers are happy to schedule a catch-up session at R550 per lesson. This will take place at an arranged location and at a pre-arranged time.
In some cases we may arrange for the Instructor to be at class 10 minutes before the time to show you what was done the previous week. We do however encourage you strongly to make the classes priority as they are all really important :-)
We have 2 or 3 instructors that are all specialists in certain genres of photography. We usually have a maximum of 3 lecturers per course to give students a nice variety of different strengths and skill. As most of our Instructors have other full-time day jobs, sometimes they are unable to attend a class and we will arrange cover for that specific class by another lecturer. We try to keep this to a minimum and when possible your lecturer will give you ample notice and information on the lecturer who will cover his/her class.
If you get sick and you feel well enough it would be great if you could still attend the class. This will allow you not to get too far behind for when you feel better.
If you are really too sick to attend the class, we would advise you to read through the lesson and perhaps write down some things that you don’t understand and ask the lecturer at the end of the following class.
• The deposit and balance of payment for the course is non-refundable and payment in full is due upon commencement of the course. Refunds will only be given to a student who notifies School of Light within 2 weeks before commencement of a course in order to fill your spot. If you enrolled for a course and cannot attend for any reason, please contact us to let us know. We will then book you in to the next available course (with a small admin fee). Alternatively, you can get a friend / family member to take over your booking, please let us know if you decide to take this option.
• No refunds are allowed once the course has commenced.
• If the student cannot finish the course for any reason, payment will not be refunded.
• A minimum amount of student enrolments are required before commencement of a specific course.
• Photographs taken by the students attending the course may be used without the student’s consent for any promotional material, including website publishing.
• Deposit is only valid for the specific course booked for and can not be transferred to following courses.
• Students are expected to be at class 5 minutes before commencement and classes start promptly at 7pm. Any time lost due to late arrival will not be made up by the lecturer.
• If there are less than 5 people able to attend the opening of the student exhibition, or the student work isn’t handed in on time, the exhibition will be postponed or cancelled at the lecturer’s discretion.
• If all your work is not handed in on the 2nd last class (the class before the exhibition), you will unfortunately not be able to participate in the exhibition.
• The exhibition prints will be chosen and edited according to the discretion of Mareli Esterhuizen and whatever is handed in on the final lesson will be considered for exhibition purposes.
