Advanced Composition - Complex Subjects

In this module we take you beyond basic composition methods.  We explore the Rule-of-Fifths, diagonal composition and circular composition; to help you make the most of every subject.  We also teach you how to take pictures where more than one subject type is present in the shot. 

Module 2 Lessons

Lesson 1: Rule-of-Fifths

Lesson 2: Software Cropping Tools

Lesson 3: Standard Print Sizes

Lesson 4: Composing Diagonal Subjects

Lesson 5: How Aspect Ratios affect Diagonal Composition

Lesson 6: Cropping Diagonal Subjects

Lesson 7: Composing Diagonal Subjects in Camera

Lesson 8: Composing Diagonal Subjects using the Golden Diagonal Guide

Lesson 9: Composing Combination Subjects

Lesson 10: Composing Circular Subjects

Lesson 11: Composing Circular Subjects in Camera

Lesson 12: Review of Advanced Composition

Professional Composition - Depth

One of the biggest differences between pictures taken by a pro and those taken by others is the professional's ability to create a sense of depth to their pictures.  In this module we teach you how use visual cues to make your pictures look 3-dimensional.

Module 3 Lessons

Lesson 1: Creating Depth in Your Photographs

Lesson 2: Using Size to Create Depth

Lesson 3: Using Converging Lines to Create Depth

Lesson 4: Guidelines for Converging Lines

Lesson 5: Using Overlapping Objects to Create Depth

Lesson 6: Using the S-Curve to Create Depth

Lesson 7: Using Light Variation to Create Depth

Lesson 8: Using Focus to Create Depth

Lesson 9: Depth-of-Field

Lesson 10: Lens Aperture

Lesson 11: Depth-of-Field Preview

Lesson 12: Program Shift

Lesson 13: Automatic Depth-of-Field

Lesson 14: Focus Modes

Lesson 15: Wide-Angle Lens

Lesson 16: Cropping Factor in Camera Sensors

Lesson 17: In-Camera Framing

Lesson 18: Further Examples of Depth and Framing

Lesson 19: Review of Depth and Framing

Professional Composition - Intrigue

In our final module on composition, we spark your creativity with a series of lessons designed to give you different ideas on how to approach your picture taking; ideas that will give your pictures a sense of mystery, intrigue and create interest for your audience.

Module 4 Lessons

Lesson 1: "Say, Cheese!" The Death of Interesting Photos

Lesson 2: Using Visual Contrast to Your Advantage

Lesson 3: Creating a Sense of Mystery

Lesson 4: Exploring Angles

Lesson 5: Exploring How Distance Can Add Interest

Lesson 6: The Detail Shot

Lesson 7: Review of Composition

Enhancement - Image Correction (Optional)

This module is for serious photographers, so why is it Module 5 and not Module 11?  If you are serious about the quality of your pictures, you'll need to "correct" your images before you enhance them.  In order to reinforce this, we have put these lessons before the Enhancement modules.

In addition, we introduce you to Panoramic Stitching and High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography; along with the camera features designed to help you with these techniques.

Module 5 Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Professional Enhancement

Lesson 2: Introduction to Digital File Formats

Lesson 3: The Neutral Setting on Your Camera

Lesson 4: Introduction to Image Correction

Lesson 5: Digital Noise

Lesson 6: ISO in a Digital World

Lesson 7: Corner Drop-Off or Vignetting

Lesson 8: Lens Distortion or Barrel Distortion

Lesson 9: Chromatic Aberration or Color Fringing

Lesson 10: The Keystone Effect

Lesson 11: Basic Color Theory

Lesson 12: What is Color Shift?

Lesson 13: White Balance in Your Camera

Lesson 14: Complete Image Correction

Lesson 15: Introduction to Panoramic Stitching

Lesson 16: The Exposure Lock Setting in Your Camera

Lesson 17: High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography

Lesson 18: Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) in Your Camera

Lesson 19: Multi-Shot Features in Your Camera

Color Enhancement

Every professional photographer adjusts their pictures after they are taken.  But the first adjustments most people reach for (including professionals) can truly ruin your pictures.

In this module we teach you several ways to enhance your pictures properly, the adjustments that are designed to work together, and foolproof ways to make your pictures jump off the screen.

Module 6 Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Color Enhancement

Lesson 2: Color Saturation

Lesson 3: The Vibrancy Adjustment

Lesson 4: Reading Histograms

Lesson 5: The Brightness Adjustment

Lesson 6: The Contrast Adjustment

Lesson 7: The Brightness and Contrast Method

Lesson 8: Exposure Compensation on Your Camera

Lesson 9: The Exposure Adjustment (Software)

Lesson 10: The Black-Point Adjustment

Lesson 11: The Exposure and Black-Point Method

Lesson 12: The Levels Adjustment

Lesson 13: Highlight Recovery

Lesson 14: Advanced Levels Adjustments

Lesson 15: The Histogram in Your Camera

Lesson 16: Metering Modes in Your Camera

Lesson 17: The Warm and Cool Adjustment

Lesson 18: Tinting

Advanced Enhancement

Professionals go a step further than others when enhancing our pictures. We perform small, localized enhancements to draw attention to specific parts of the image (or hide distractions). 

In this module, you will learn the techniques pros use to glue the viewer's eyes to the subject of the picture.

Module 7 Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Localized Enhancement

Lesson 2: Automatic Image Enhancement

Lesson 3: Manual Image Enhancement (Painting)

Lesson 4: Assisted Image Enhancement

Lesson 5: Image Sharpening

Lesson 6: Blemish Removal

Lesson 7: Photo Finishing

Lesson 8: Review of Professional Enhancement

Lighting Principles and Methods

Whether you are taking pictures outside with natural light, shooting portraits in a studio or taking product shots for your website; the lighting principles are the same.

In this module you'll learn the different angles to light your subject so that it looks best.  You'll learn how to setup a product shot and a portrait, and how to use those same principles outside.

Module 8 Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Lighting Principles

Lesson 2: Red-Eye Causes and Prevention

Lesson 3: Fill Light

Lesson 4: Flash Compensation in Your Camera

Lesson 5: Diffusion of Light

Lesson 6: Light Boxes

Lesson 7: Studio Lighting

Lesson 8: Light Meters

Black & White Photography

Black & White Photography is completely different than color photography; from the lighting, to the subjects you choose, to the way you enhance your pictures.

In this specialty module, you will learn how to view the world in black and white, what makes makes a good black and white picture, and the techniques you need to capture and enhance your pictures, so you can get that timeless look.

Module 9 Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Black and White Photography

Lesson 2: The Differences between Color and Black & White

Lesson 3: Choosing Black and White Subjects

Lesson 4: The Zone Method of Exposure

Lesson 5: Color Filtering

Lesson 6: Modern Black & White Enhancement

Lesson 7: Creating Contrast

Lesson 8: Saturation for Black & White

Lesson 9: Tinting for Black & White

Lesson 10: Black & White Enhancement Example (Part1)

Lesson 11: Black & White Enhancement Example (Part 2)

Lesson 12: Black & White Enhancement Example (Part 3)

Lesson 13: Black & White Enhancement Example (Part 4)

Lesson 14: Black & White Enhancement Example (Part5)

Lesson 15: Dodge and Burn

Lesson 16: Lighting for Black & White Photography

Lesson 17: Review of Black & White Photography

Real-Estate Photography

In this second specialty module (intended for Real-Estate professionals), you'll learn how, with even a point-and-shoot camera, you can take pictures of real-estate that will truly sell.  From the setup all the way to enhancement, you'll learn how to set your listing apart from the crowd.

Module 10 Lessons

Lesson 1: Real-Estate Interiors

Lesson 2: Real-Estate Exteriors

Lesson 3: Real-Estate Image Correction

Lesson 4: Real-Estate Image Correction Example

Lesson 5: Real-Estate Advanced Enhancement

Motion Photography

In our third specialty module, you'll learn how to take pictures of moving subjects without a $20,000 lens.  You'll learn techniques that will capture moving subjects in ways that celebrate motion.  The techniques may take a bit of practice, but their are worth learning if you have children in sports or if you like streams and waterfalls.

Module 11 Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Motion Photography

Lesson 2: The Camera Pan Technique

Lesson 3: Soft Motion Photography

Lesson 4: Shutter-Priority Mode on Your Camera

Lesson 5: Last Curtain Flash on Your Camera