Digital Photography - Advanced Part 1 (UC09U58A)

Course overview

The course will cover a set of core themes which students will be able to explore through a variety of photography genres of their choice. The aim of the course will be to develop student's creativity, technical knowledge and awareness of the broad creative scope photography has to offer by engaging with a range of photographic practitioners, both historic and contemporary.

You will be encouraged to build on the knowledge and technical skills acquired in the intermediate level courses, you will be challenged to achieve even more by seeking to become increasingly inventive and progressive in your execution. The course is creatively driven as opposed to technically driven but full technical support will be given to polish existing skills and new techniques taught to support student's specific projects.

This is a blended course offering both the benefits of online and face to face teaching -a real-time online course with two in-person workshop sessions.

Where Online and at Uckfield College, Downsview Crescent, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3DJ.

When Wednesday, 6:30pm - 8:30pm from 22nd September 2021 until 8th December 2021 for 10 weeks.

Online classes will be on 22nd & 29th September, 6th October, 3rd, 17th & 24th November and 1st December.
(1 session to be Confirmed to make up for 20th October)
Practical classes at Uckfield College- 13th October and 10th November (Lessons 4 and 7)

There are no classes on 20th & 27th October (Half term).

The practical sessions of this course are planned to develop and consolidate your online learning. If restrictions are reintroduced that make it impossible for the practical classes to take place in the venue, they will take place online.

Cost The full fee is £180.00.

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

Ideally, you will have completed the intermediate photography courses. However, if you are a technically proficient photographer confident using the manual mode, who wants to increase your creativity and learn how to develop photography projects and create folios, then this is the course for you. A good understanding of camera function and confidence shooting in manual mode is a must.

What you will learn

The advanced level courses are project-led, each built around core photographic themes, reflecting different kinds of photography and using different photography skills.

For example, a core theme may be "constructed photography." Students will engage with a variety of types of constructed photography from the Still Life approach of Thomas Demand, Altered landscapes by Todd Hido and landscape interventions of Andy Goldsworthy and Staged photography by Jeff Wall. Once inspired by some of these approaches, students will devise their own projects and make a series of creative images and engage with camera techniques specific to the project.

The focus of the course is to develop student creativity and allow students room to develop their own photography interests and creative styles.

As requested by returning students there will be further in-depth tuition and practical application of lighting techniques to enhance creativity!
Full technical support will be given throughout to facilitate the students chosen direction. Each class will develop skills to help students realise their project goals, and encourage further exploration of the creative potential of photography!

By the end of the course, you will have completed three projects exploring diverse themes and techniques, and be more informed about taking an initial idea or inspiration to a final folio of photographs.

How you will learn it

This course occurs both online and in face to face classroom workshops.
Online lessons will take place in a virtual classroom where you will engage with hands-on tasks and challenges, in depth tutorials, and practical demonstrations. You will also have access to handouts, presentations and an online image gallery where you can share your images with the tutor and your fellow students for feedback, review and discussion.

Each week a specific class challenge will be set to encourage you to explore the techniques of the lesson in greater depth. You will receive full technical support to ensure you are confident in undertaking any tasks assigned. Weekly challenges will also be set for you to practise techniques and creativity at home, between classes.

The two workshop sessions will take place at Uckfield College and will be a terrific opportunity to undertake technical and creative challenges with hands-on technical support from the tutor. The workshops will be facilitated beforehand, with students receiving full instruction via presentations and handouts in the online class, so more time on intensive hands-on learning in the classroom!

Bring to the first session

Learning online:

This is an online course or has online lessons, which will be taught in real time using a video platform (usually Google Meet), supported by other online resources. To ensure you get the most out of the course and can fully participate in the sessions you will interact with your tutor and other students through speaking, listening and the chat function, as well as being able to see each other via the video links, though you can turn off your camera and microphone at any time. You will therefore need to have access to either a laptop, computer or portable device (eg tablet or iPad) (this ideally needs to be less than 5 years old), with a camera / webcam and microphone, as well as a good broadband / Wi-Fi connection. Please note that using a mobile phone is not recommended as due to the small screen it can be difficult to see text and images displayed during the session and you may not be able to view or access some resources.


Important information about how to access your online course, online etiquette, digital safe practice, health and safety will be sent to you before your course starts and can also be viewed on the ACRES website.

Policy & Procedures




Materials and items you will need to do the course

• DSLR camera
• A tripod is also useful; however, please do not purchase one before the course, as the tutor will be able to advise you on models

Please do not purchase any materials or items until you are certain that your course will run to avoid unnecessary costs. Course decisions are normally made a week before the course start date.

By enrolling on this course, you agree to take responsibility for your own equipment's safety, security, and insurance. 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. If you have any questions, please speak to your tutor or contact the ACRES office on 01825 761820.

Extra study or practice

This course is project-based, so you will be expected to work outside of class to develop your photo projects. Project progress will be reviewed and constructive feedback given by the tutor and peers each week in class to support ongoing personal development and encourage critical thinking.

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

Student feedback from Toby's previous Digital Photography courses (all levels)

What did you achieve coming on this course?

• Huge improvement in confidence using camera and related techniques.
• I learnt a lot more about photographers and techniques and acquired more camera skills.
• Learning how to use the camera proficiently and confidently in Manual, and learning how to see images more photographically
• Had fun learning new photographic techniques
• Confidence in photography and use of digital cameras.

What were the best/most enjoyable things about the course?

• Excellent tutor and really inspiring classmates.
• The tasks set by Toby and discussions afterwards about the results
• The critical feedback on uploaded images and the between-class tasks
• Being able to continue with the course during the lockdown. Inspiration to do more advanced techniques which is easier at home. Communication with Toby and other students. Pushing my boundaries. Still life!
• Learning as part of a group and using live feedback to add to the enjoyment and the challenges set.

Next steps within this subject with ACRES

After completing this course to continue learning with Toby, explore more themes and techniques, and grow your skills further by enrolling on the next 10-week Digital photography - Advanced course starting 14th January 2022.

At the end of the term, ACRES hopes to provide a photography field workshop on location as a great opportunity for tutored photography in the landscape! TBC!

Future steps beyond ACRES

Find out about other courses with the National Careers Service for opportunities to extend your skills and knowledge.

Further information

Please visit the ACRES website, see our brochure, or alternatively contact a member of the team on 01825 761820.