Digital Photography for Beginners (HE09N80A)

Course overview

Starting with a brief history of photography, what it was and what it is now, you will gain a rounded understanding of how photography is used and how you can use your camera effectively and creatively. Your learning will be predominantly hands on, exploring and gaining technical understanding of your own camera and how you can use it to produce photographs that give voice to your creativity.

Where Sixth Form Centre, Heathfield Community College, Cade St. Old Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 8RJ.

When Thursday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm from 7th October 2021 until 9th December 2021 for 8 weeks.

No classes: 21st October (School open evening) 28th October (Half Term)

This is an in-person course. In the event of restrictions being reintroduced and if the class is remaining in the venue, you will be informed of further safety measures. If the lessons cannot take place because the tutor has to isolate or in the event of government imposed restrictions or lockdowns, every effort will be made to reschedule the missed classes. If it is not possible to continue the course in the venue it will be continued online.

Cost The full fee is £108.00. The concessionary fee is £55.00.


Additional Costs
Please contact the office for details. Later in the course you will need to have some of your photographs printed. You may also choose to purchase additional lenses and subject specific software for your computer. To avoid unnecessary cost please do not purchase any materials or textbooks until you are certain that your course will run. Course decisions are normally made a week prior to the course start date. Course decisions are normally made a week prior to the course start date.

During the course

Specific Covid Considerations:

To ensure Safe Practice during practical sessions:

• Class numbers are reduced to allow students to space apart.
• Students should work at separate tables or desks.
• Hand sanitiser will be available in all classrooms.
• You are responsible for sanitising your own work space before and after each lesson, anti-bacterial wipes or spray will be provided by the tutor.
• Wearing a mask is a personal choice. Please respect the choices of your tutor and fellow students.
• Windows and doors left open to allow for room ventilation should not be adjusted by students.
• Sharing of equipment is discouraged, but if it is essential, please use the wipes / spray provided to clean between handling.
• Please make yourself aware of local guidance, particularly in community venues.

You must not attend the class if you show signs or symptoms of Covid-19, are awaiting results of a PCR Covid test, have been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient within 14 days or anyone who has been advised to self isolate for any reason. Please inform the ACRES' office, who will advise the tutor.


All tutors, students and visitors are encouraged to participate in rapid lateral flow testing in the interest of everybody's safety, however, this is not a mandatory requirement. Test kits are readily available locally or from https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests


For further information please see Policy & Procedures on the ACRES website.

What you already need to know

This course is for those with little or no previous knowledge of using a DSLR camera.

This is both a theory and practical course and learners should have access to a DSLR camera. A hybrid/mirrorless/compact system camera or bridge camera with full manual control would also be suitable for this course. When enrolling please give the office details of your camera so that this can be passed to the tutor prior to the start of the course.

What you will learn

You will learn how to take control of and effectively use your DSLR camera.
The topics covered will include composition, exposure, balancing of aperture and shutter speed as well as how to make effective use of light and colour to influence the overall appearance of photographs.

How you will learn it

There will be tutor-led tutorials and hands-on practical exercises throughout the course with plenty of time allowed for you to explore and experiment. There will also be the opportunity for group discussions about a variety of photography topics and all subjects taught throughout the course will be supported by presentations and demonstrations.

The tutor will be teaching using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop which is a paid software package. DSLR camera manufacturers have their own software package which is free to use and sufficient for the course. Software will be discussed during the course and the tutor can advise without promoting any particular brand.

Bring to the first session

First lesson you will need:
DSLR camera, lenses
A photograph - not one of your own, one that you admire and aspire towards (can be digital, in a magazine, book or any other format that you can show
Notepad and pen

Later in the course you will need:
Laptop, ipad or tablet
USB stick to collect your images on
A tripod - however, if you do not already own one, please do not purchase one before the course starts. Tutor will advise further.

To avoid unnecessary cost please do not purchase any materials or textbooks until you are certain that your course will run. Course decisions are normally made a week prior to the course start date. Course decisions are normally made a week prior to the course start date.

By enrolling on this course you agree to take responsibility for the safety, security and insurance of your own equipment. ACRES does not accept liability for any damage or loss caused by accident, or through the downloading or viewing of any malicious or illegal software or content whilst using the Internet, email, transferring of files to and from your DSLR camera, laptop and/or desktop computer or any other activity undertaken whilst on this course. You may need to check your own house insurance to ensure that your property is covered outside of your home. If you have any questions regarding this please speak to your tutor or contact the ACRES office on 01825 761820.

Extra study or practice

Additional assignments are issued each week to help students practice the topics taught in each lesson.

How to enrol

You can enrol by phoning ACRES' House on 01825 761820 on Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Alternatively, to register your interest in a course please email adultlearning@acres.org.uk with the course title and your contact details and a member of the team will call you back to enrol you on your chosen course.

Previous students say

This is a new tutor to ACRES. Students from other Digital Photography courses say:
"Fantastic course, I had no idea there was so much to learn."
"Great fun, amazing results."

Next steps within this subject with ACRES

If you would like to continue learning, the next course is starting on Thursday 13th January where you can start to explore specific areas of photography to expand your creativity.

Future steps beyond ACRES

To find out about other courses that might extend your skills and knowledge go to https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/courses/Pages/default.aspx

Further information

Please visit our website at www.acreslearning.org.uk, see our brochure, or alternatively contact a member of the team on 01825 761820.