The Complete Underwater Photographer Award
The Frogfish Photography course syllabus has been designed to cover all aspects of underwater photography and to improve your skills no matter what level you are now and whether you use a compact or DSLR camera setup. There will be both theory and practical sessions so that you can put your skills to the test. We will include lots of photographs to demonstrate ideas and techniques discussed in the course. The course has been designed so that you can sign up to individual units that interest you or you can sign up for the whole course. If you cannot make one of the dates listed – then do not worry, we will be able to reschedule.
Costs
As a special introductory rate for this new course you can sign up for the entire course and the cost will be just £350 and this will include your course materials, equipment hire for pool and open water training dives, 6 small prints for the portfolio competition, certificate and your best photos will be put up on the Frogfish Website.
*Units and pool sessions can be bought individually* – please call us for details. For those of you that have already taken the “Don’t know your aperture from your elbow” course we will deduct the cost you paid for this from the total course price.
*The 2 lighting units and pool session must be bought as a package together
Schedule
Saturday 13th February am: “Don’t know your aperture from your elbow?” - A basic insight into the terminology of photography, what it all means and how it works with your camera. It includes a short workshop where you can see how all the variables interact with each other.
Saturday 13th February pm: “ Getting Started - Effects of the Underwater Environment on Photography and How to Combat These Issues” -preparation, ideas on what to photograph, diving familiar sites, approaching your subject ,loss of light, loss of colour, visibility, particulates, depth, time, breathing, flash/strobes; filters, white balance, get close, safety first.
Friday 19th February: “Buoyancy – the key to great underwater photography” – pool session from 8-10pm at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Friday 26th February: “Basic Techniques – pool session with camera” – general shooting from 8-10pm at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Saturday 6th March: “Composition”: What makes a great underwater photo? Things to consider before pressing your shutter: Rule of thirds, bokeh, Snell’s window, macro, wide angle, lenses, animal interaction, divers as models, abstracts, curves and diagonals, negative Space, Background, Peak Action, Eye Contact - look at some winners.
Friday 12th March: “Composition Practical – pool session” from 8-10pm at the Manchester Aquatics Centre
Saturday 20th March am: “Lighting: Natural Light” – Snell’s window; half + half shots; cathedral light, rays – time of day, white balance, stay shallow, shoot up, silhouettes.
Saturday 20th March pm: “Lighting: Strobes and other artificial lights” – positioning of strobes, diffusers, home made solutions, divers holding lights (backlighting, wrecks, poor vis), backscatter, fill in flash.
Friday 26th March: “Pool session – lighting” from 8-10pm at the Manchester Aquatics Centre
Saturday 3rd April am: “Other useful tips” - Camera Care, packing, etiquette, entering competitions and protecting the environment
Saturday 3rd April pm: “Photoshop Editing” – how to improve your shots once you are on dry land.
TBA: “The complete Underwater Photographer Course Project” – open water dives (1 day at Capernwray for wide angle + 1 day Trefor Pier for Macro); evening picking best shots, submit portfolio & presentation evening
