Category: Archive

Would you like to use photography to tell a story or help a cause? Have you got a pet project that you’d like to make happen? Add depth and meaning to what you shoot.

“Documentary photography” usually describes longer-term, multi-image projects that tell the story of something significant or provide a record of everyday life in a consistent and relatively true-to-life style.

“Contemporary” photography has a similar approach, but may use more stylised images, and importantly explores issues affecting society.

The course runs over 5 consecutive Thursdays from 6:30 pm–8:30 pm.

Field trip will take place on Saturday 23 May from 10am–4:30pm.

What I’ll learn

While there is no formal qualification, provided that you engage with the full course experience, you will benefit in several ways; a different appreciation for photography generally, a deeper understanding of this particular genre, practical skills to tackle a variety of projects, a number of images to add to your personal portfolio, a wider network of peers to support you in the future.

How I’ll learn

Through a combination of exploration, conversation, practical assignments and field work, this short course will help you understand the key elements of project-based, documentary or contemporary photography, develop skills to perform it well, build your confidence, and make progress in your personal projects.

Entry Requirements

Documentary/ Contemporary Photography is for anyone interested in the genre, regardless of experience.

 You will find you get more from the course if you have a digital camera with manual controls and you are already familiar with the essentials of using this.

Booking information:

https://www.activatelearning.ac.uk/courses/photography/documentary-contemporary-photography

Street Photography [S] [13+]
Saturday 13 March 2021
09:30-16:00, £45
Tutor: Graham Wilson

“Well planned and paced day.”

Whether you want to document your own town or village, improve your travel photography, have new ideas for your family album, or you are a fan of the fast-growing art of street photography and want to try your hand at it, this whole day workshop will open your eyes to new possibilities all around you.

Street photography ranges from its purest form of candid images of people in their environment, through more formal but ad hoc portraits, capturing the details of a place that make it more memorable, to some aspects of architectural and landscape photography.

The group will spend most of the day walking around Woodstock (whatever the weather!), tackling a number of straightforward but informative tasks, reconvening for a chance to share experiences, short ‘tutorials’, and briefing for the next activity.  The tutor will help you refine your images over the day, but also be on hand to help answer more general technical questions.

You will need to bring your own advanced digital camera (e.g. DSLRs, mirrorless, and Bridge cameras) and be reasonably familiar with using it as the emphasis will be on taking photos rather than instruction in camera controls. The workshop is not suitable for ‘point and shoot’ digital cameras or mobile devices.

Please be aware that you will be walking around Woodstock, and that the workshop will go ahead whatever the weather, so please dress appropriately. You will also need to provide your own refreshments (or buy them locally) during the day.

More details of the Marlborough School Community Education Photography Classes can be found here: https://www.marlborough.oxon.sch.uk/4788/photography

The booking/enrolment details are here: https://www.marlborough.oxon.sch.uk/733/enrolment-and-booking

Do you want to capture more of life around you? Would you like to be a bolder photographer? See the world around you with different eyes!

“Street photography, also sometimes called candid photography, is photography conducted for art or enquiry that features unmediated chance encounters and random incidents within public places.”

Wikipedia

The course runs over five consecutive Thursdays from 6:30–8:30pm.

Field trip will take place on Saturday 14 December from 10am–4:30pm.

You can develop your interest in photography further through a range of creative and practical photography courses at Banbury and Bicester College. Browse the full list to get inspired.

What I’ll learn

While there is no formal qualification, provided that you engage with the full course experience, you will benefit in several ways; a different appreciation for photography generally, a deeper understanding of this particular genre, practical skills to tackle a variety of projects, a number of images to add to your personal portfolio, a wider network of peers to support you in the future.

How I’ll learn

Through a combination of exploration, conversation, practical assignments and field work, this short course will help you understand the key elements of street photography, develop skills to perform it well, build your confidence, and refine your personal style.

How I’ll be assessed

There are no formal assessments on this course.

Entry Requirements

Street Photography is for anyone interested in the genre, regardless of experience.  

You will find you get more from the course if you have a digital camera with manual controls and you are already familiar with the essentials of using this.

NB DETAILS IN PREPARATION

Short course in portrait photography which I was asked to run for Activate Learning in Banbury at very short notice.

• Wk 1 – Single light source – candles/desklamps in the studio
• Wk 2 – Flash/speedlights – in the studio
• Wk 3 – Environmental portraits – in the pottery
• Wk 4 – Studio strobes – with Tara and Amiya models – in the studio

This five-week intermediate Digital Photography course is great for people who already have some knowledge of digital photography and who are already using their camera off auto.

Discover the secrets of successful portraiture, or those special moments for the family album.

Gain confidence in photographing people through practical work indoors and out, teaching you invaluable skills in lighting, composition and poses, to produce a beautiful portrait portfolio. 

Our Digital Photography: Portrait course is for those wishing to learn how to take flattering portraits of friends and family using the full potential of camera and lenses in any lighting situation.

Learn how to create beautiful portraits with the minimum of gear. We limit the course to a maximum of 8 students to enable the tutor to help everyone individually.

To get the most out of our Digital Photography: Portrait course, it is recommended that you have some knowledge of depth of field, motion capture and ISO setting.

What I’ll learn

You will develop a better understanding of how light affects a portrait and how to make the most of any situation. You will be inspired to use the full potential of your camera and lenses.

Learn how to create beautiful photos with the minimum of gear. We limit the course to a maximum of 8 students to enable the tutor to help everyone individually.

• Would you like to bring some fun into your photography?
• Discover how to create pictures that wow your friends?
• Expand your creativity and gain confidence with your kit?

This one-day exploratorium will consist of twelve wicked stations where groups of two or three photographers will get to play with all kinds of props to take some really different images.  Earth, Air, Fire (don’t tell H&S), and Water will feature, along with some glass, steel, antiques, toys and big boots.  Help each other to take the kind of pictures that you never imagined you’d be shooting.  In the process, you will test your handling of the camera, maybe get just a little wet, and have a good laugh!  There will be a photography tutor in the background who will try to answer your questions throughout the day!
All that you will need to provide is your own “advanced digital camera” (of which you should know the basic controls), clothes that allow you to roll about a little, lots of enthusiasm, and a mind to experiment…
(*) By “advanced digital camera” we include DSLRs, mirrorless, and Bridge cameras, but not “point and shoot” ones.

More details of the Marlborough School Community Education Photography Classes can be found here: https://www.marlborough.oxon.sch.uk/4788/photography

The booking/enrolment details are here: https://www.marlborough.oxon.sch.uk/733/enrolment-and-booking

Street Photography [S] [13+]
Saturday 10 October 2020
09:30-16:00, £45
Tutor: Graham Wilson

“Well planned and paced day.”

Whether you want to document your own town or village, improve your travel photography, have new ideas for your family album, or you are a fan of the fast-growing art of street photography and want to try your hand at it, this whole day workshop will open your eyes to new possibilities all around you.

Street photography ranges from its purest form of candid images of people in their environment, through more formal but ad hoc portraits, capturing the details of a place that make it more memorable, to some aspects of architectural and landscape photography.

The group will spend most of the day walking around Woodstock (whatever the weather!), tackling a number of straightforward but informative tasks, reconvening for a chance to share experiences, short ‘tutorials’, and briefing for the next activity.  The tutor will help you refine your images over the day, but also be on hand to help answer more general technical questions.

You will need to bring your own advanced digital camera (e.g. DSLRs, mirrorless, and Bridge cameras) and be reasonably familiar with using it as the emphasis will be on taking photos rather than instruction in camera controls. The workshop is not suitable for ‘point and shoot’ digital cameras or mobile devices.

Please be aware that you will be walking around Woodstock, and that the workshop will go ahead whatever the weather, so please dress appropriately. You will also need to provide your own refreshments (or buy them locally) during the day.

More details of the Marlborough School Community Education Photography Classes can be found here: https://www.marlborough.oxon.sch.uk/4788/photography

The booking/enrolment details are here: https://www.marlborough.oxon.sch.uk/733/enrolment-and-booking