At the DFWBlogs Cocktail Event yesterday, I asked Mike how he would recommend learning the techniques of photography framing and composition (as he deals with photography professionally). After all, with a decent SLR, taking physically good picutures isn’t as difficult as it once was, but framing and composition is still a bit of a learned art.
He recommended Dallas Darkroom — “A Teaching Darkroom Featuring Enlarger and Studio Rental”. According to Mike, they even offered basic black & white darkroom training for just $5 (which is true).
It turns out that they offer many photography classes (not just the $5-darkroom training). And, confirming a hunch, most of them were more normally-priced ($150-$300 or so). At first, that was a bit of a let-down but I then realized that if you’re spending a kilobuck on a camera anyway, then an additional $150 to learn how to use it is Money Well Spent.
So, after I purchase an analog SLR (this spring sometime, hopefully), I’ll definitely take one of those classes as well (and, after briefly perusing the course descriptions, it looks like “Elements of Photography” would suit me well).
Actually Alex, I used to teach darkroom classes. (I was a fine arts / photography major in college.) Spent 16 years in the field. Let me know if you need any help.
Hey cool! The area in which I need most help, I think, is in composition and framing. Would that be something to ask you about?
Alex:
Composition isn’t difficult, but it does take practice. The basic guide is the Rule of 3rds. Using imaginary lines divide your image into 3rds, both vertically and horizontally. Where these lines cross are your points of interest. You’ll have four points and putting something interesting at one or two of the points is the key (not all four – that would be a centered and boring image). In a dark image the interest points might be bright, in a bright image the interest points might be dark…how you use the Rule of 3rds is artistic interpretation….Oh, Gee, I just gave away the secret of photography – sure hope the Kodak Police don’t come after me.
Michael/Dallas Darkroom