Brisbane Beginners Photography: Get Off Auto in One Session

Take your camera off auto in one morning. This small-group class covers the settings that really matter, then we practise them together on location until they click. You'll leave understanding your camera, not just memorising it.

What you'll experience

• The exposure triangle, explained. Aperture, shutter speed and ISO: what each one does to your photo, and how they trade off.
• Semi-automatic modes. Aperture priority (A/Av) and shutter priority (S/Tv), with a hands-on assignment capturing motion.
• Composition and light. Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and reading the direction and quality of light.
• A guided shoot with one-on-one help. Put everything into practice in the Gardens, with your host beside you.

Who it's for

• You have a camera and mostly shoot on auto
• Have you just purchased a new camera?
• Going on a trip?
• You want to understand settings, not memorise them
• Any brand of camera is welcome, mirrorless or DSLR

Run sheet

1. 0:00 to 0:30: Know your camera: holding it steady, the dials that matter and shooting modes
2. 0:30 to 1:30: The exposure triangle: aperture, shutter speed and ISO
3. 1:30 to 2:15: Semi-automatic modes, then your first assignment capturing motion in S/Tv
4. 2:15 to 3:00: Using A/Av for landscapes, portraits and still subjects
5. 3:00 to 3:45: Composition, light and a guided shoot with one-on-one help
6. 3:45 to 4:00: Review your shots, take home a cheat sheet and plan what to practise next

The run sheet is a general guide. Timings shift a little with the group, the light and the location.

Your host

Craig Turnbull is a Brisbane commercial, event and travel photographer who has been teaching workshops since 2017 and became a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate in 2018. His classes are practical: you spend the time out with your camera, not looking at slides. See his work.

"Craig is not intimidating at all which allowed us to ask questions freely and learn at an easy pace." (Leah S., past participant)

The class runs outdoors. If the weather makes it unsafe, we'll reschedule and let all registered attendees know by email.

• Camera setup and customisation
• Lens selection
• Camera settings explained
• Exposure Triangle
• Composition
• Settings and techniques for capturing still and moving subjects

• Your camera
•  A fully charged battery and a spare 
• An empty memory card 
• Water 
• Hat and comfortable shoes 
• Sony camera bodies and lenses can be borrowed for the class, subject to availability, with at least 7 days' notice.