Basic Camera Skills

Overview

Do you have a new camera but don't know how to take advantage of all its fancy features? Do you want to be able to take great photos on your phone? Or, maybe you need some dynamic images to add to your socials? This is a beginner's course that focuses on basic camera skills. No previous photographic experience is needed, and the most basic of cameras will be suitable. The primary aim is to familiarise you with your camera, help you explore the camera’s abilities, and take some great photos along the way! This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of flowering plant identification, using floras and keys. These are essential and valuable skills for all field and conservation ecologists. Students will get to know basic terminology in field botany and key characteristics of flowering plants, which are the largest and most diverse group in the plant kingdom.  

The course will provide the knowledge needed to identify the most frequently encountered British species from the common families. The focus will be on the development of practical identification skills and students will be encouraged to complete personal field trips and explore their local, natural environments.  

Programme

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.   

• UNIT 1: An Introduction & Basic Camera Differences.
• UNIT 2: Using Cameras & Phone Photography.  
• UNIT 3: Ways of Seeing.
• UNIT 4: Lens Basics & Course Summary. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Differentiate between different camera types.
2. Identify, select and use appropriate basic camera skills and methods to take well exposed photographs.

Assessments

1. Short blog post after using a feature on your camera 100 words (20%)
   Longer blog post how you have applied your photographic skills and knowledge 700 words (80%) 

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements. 

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.