ELCAS APPROVED - The only approved photography 'workshop' training provider for the Armed Services.
City & Guilds Accredited Advanced Photography Course – (Run over a period of two weeks)
Our courses are intended for the experienced photograpger looking to enhance their hobby into a profitable business. The course is run over two weeks with a four week personal development period between them (this can be shorter or longer depending on the student’s ability and personal commitments) for students to practice and develop the skills they learnt on week 1.
On completion of week 2 students are required to produce two ten image portfolios (at least 5 of the images in each portfolio must be from the personal development periods) demonstrating the skills learnt. The images must show a good technical ability, demonstrating the skills learnt and as outlined in the portfolio criteria. Because each student has different abilities and personal commitments there is no time limit for the student to complete their final portfolios.
Week 1 (40 hours) |
Personal Development Period 1 |
Week 2 |
Personal Development Period 2 |
The first week is the same as our 5 day Portrait and Wedding Seminar See timetable below |
We recommend a four week personal development period (this can be shorter or longer depending on the student’s ability) for students to practice and develop the skills they learnt on week 1 including:
Students should be creating images that are technically correct and pleasing to the clients and can be used towards their course portfolio. Support and feedback will be given to the students during this period by telephone, email or face to face.
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See timetable below |
Students are required to produce two ten image portfolios demonstrating the skills learnt and as outlined in the portfolio criteria and image assessment brief. Also required with each is a supporting narrative to support the portfolio. The portfolios can be a combination of images taken on week 1 and 2, as well as images taken during their development periods. At least 5 of the images in each portfolio must be from the personal development periods. Support and feedback will be given to the students during this period by telephone, email or face to face. An open door policy is applied so that any students that require further guidance can attend week 2 completely or partly as often as required. Because each student has different abilities and personal commitments there is no time limit for the student to complete their final portfolios. |
Refreshment will be served throughout each day.
| AM 9.00 12.30 | PM 2.00 - 5.00 |
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Traditional portrait shoot
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Introduction to Photoshop:
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| PM continued |
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day
During the week we will cover the day to day running of our studio, including advertising, costs, pricing, working from commercial premises and mobile set-ups.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Coffee and introductions |
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| 10.00 - 11.00 | Using a light meter and understanding exposure settings | To use a light meter and understand the relationship between time, aperture and ISO | To know how to use a light meter and be able to adjust the time, aperture or ISO and still balance the exposure | Evaluation table hand-out and practical demonstration |
| 11.00 - 12.00 | Studio flash head controls and attachments | How to set-up a studio flash head and change the attachments and power settings | Change the power settings to achieve the correct aperture and understanding what different attachments do, including a soft box, barn doors, snoot and honeycombs | Demonstration and student participation |
| 12.00 - 1.00 | Traditional portrait shoot | To set up the studio and take a traditionally lit portrait using four studio flash-heads | To set a studio using lighting ratios, and learn how to pose the model. Take some portraits using four flash-heads, including a main light, fill light, hair light and back- ground light | Practical session in the studio with step by step tuition |
| 1.00 - 2.00 | Lunch |
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| 2.00 - 5.00 | Photoshop | To be able to adjust images using Photoshop | Use Photoshop to: Crop and border, correct exposure levels, remove blemishes, convert an image to B/W, wrinkle decrease and teeth whitening, converting an image to B/W while keeping some colour, creating montages | Step by step demonstration with hand-outs. All students will have their own work station and follow each step |
| 4.00 - 5.00 | Summary of the day with questions and answers |
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| AM 9.00 - 12.30 | PM 1.30 - 3.00 |
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Contemporary portrait shoot
Model make-over (Using high key set-up)
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OPTIONAL EVENING SESSION (no extra charge) 3.00 - 5.00 |
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Bikini/ Page 3 shoot & classical figure/fine art: We are often requested for a more glamorous type of portfolio and also with our make-over shoots some clients want to include this. We will also cover how to shoot fine art with low-key lighting.
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day
During the week we will cover the day to day running of our studio, including, advertising, costs, pricing, working from commercial premises and mobile set-ups.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Summary of the previous day |
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| 10.00 - 12.30 | Contemporary make-over shoot | To set a high key studio and do a contemporary makeover/fashion shoot | To set-up the studio for high key, do a make-over/fashion shoot, learn how to pose the model and how to frame correctly in the camera | Practical session in the studio with step by step tuition |
| 12.30 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 4.00 | Continue Contemporary make-over shoot | To set a high key studio and do a contemporary make over/fashion shoot | To set-up the studio for high key, do a make-over/fashion shoot, learn how to pose the model and how to frame correctly in the camera | Practical session in the studio with step by step tuition |
| 4.00 - 5.00 | Bikini/topless and classical figure/fine art shoot | A contemporary topless shoot followed by low key classical figure/fine art shoot | Learn how to pose a model for a topless shoot. Change the studio from high key to a low key set up for a classical figure/fine art shoot. Learn how to pose a model for classical figure/fine art shoot | Practical session in the studio with step by step tuition |
| 5.00 | Summary of the day with questions and answers |
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| AM 9.00 - 12.30 | PM 1.30 - 3.00 |
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| PM 3.00 - 4.00 | PM 4.0 - 5.00 |
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These two montages can be printed ready for you to take home on Friday. (Optional extra)
Refreshment will be served throughout the day
During the week we will cover the day to day running of our studio, including, advertising, costs, pricing, working from commercial premises and mobile set-ups.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Summary of the previous day |
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| 10.00 - 12.30 | Contemporary baby/child shoot | To set up the studio for high key To set up the studio using classical lighting ratios and various studio head attachments To do a studio shoot for a baby/child |
To set the studio up for a high key and classical shoot, photograph a baby/child, cropping in the camera, how to pose a baby/child, keeping a baby/child happy in the studio | Practical session in the studio with step by step tuition |
| 12.30 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 3.00 | Creating a montage using Photoshop | To create 22 x 22 inch montage of nine images from the mornings shoot | Edit the mornings shoot and select the best nine images that will work together, create a nine image montage ready for printing, with the correct lay-out so that the image is balanced correctly | Practical session with tuition using Photoshop and the skills learnt on Monday |
| 1.30 - 3.00 | Students will be given an individual tutorial to assess their progress so far and to set aims and objectives for the week. A training plan will be completed and signed by both the student and trainer. | |||
| 3.00 - 5.00 | Child jumping shoot and creating a panoramic montage | To set up the studio for high key and photograph a child jumping, then create a panoramic montage of the child in various jumping poses | To set up the studio for a high key shoot, freezing the child in mid air while jumping in various poses, create a 12 x 32 inch panoramic montage ready for printing | Practical session with tuition in the studio and using Photoshop and the skills learnt on Monday |
| 5.00 | Summary of the day with questions and answers |
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| AM 9.00 - 12.30 | PM 1.30 - 4.30 |
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Weddings
Practical Photographic Session
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Practical Photographic Session
All images are shot both traditionally and contemporary 
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Summary of the previous day |
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| 10.00 - 11.30 |
Theory on Wedding photography including
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Lecture | ||
| 11.30 - 1.00 | Practical photographic section | Creating high key portraits of the bride at home, without studio lighting |
How to create high key portraits at home without studio lighting | Practical session at a house with tuition |
| 12.30 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 4.00 | Location shoot of the Bride and Groom and a separate bride | Photographing the Bride and Groom and a separate bride at a local beauty spot | How to pose the Bride and Groom (individually and together), selecting the best location, using fill-in flash, using a reflector | Practical session at a local beauty spot with tuition |
| 4.00 - 4.30 | Summary of the day with questions and answers |
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| AM 9.00 - 10.00 | PM 1.30 - 4.30 |
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Lecture on image and portfolio construction and presentation 10.00 - 12.30 Weddings Continued
Practical Photographic Session
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Practical Photographic Session
All images are shot both traditionally and contemporary 
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Lecture on image and portfolio construction and presentation | Lecture | ||
| 10.00 - 11.30 |
Theory on Wedding photography including
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Lecture | ||
| 11.30 - 1.00 | Location shoot of the Bride and Groom at a church | Photographing the Bride and Groom at a church | How to pose the Bride and Groom inside and outside the church, signing the register, how to photograph inside the church if flash is not allowed | Practical session at a church with tuition |
| 1.00 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 4.00 | Location shoot of the Bride and Bridesmaid at home | Photographing the Bride and Bridesmaid at home, together and individually | How to pose the Bride and Bridesmaids together and individually using camera flash | |
| 1.30 - 4.00 | Students will be given an individual tutorial to assess their progress on aims and objectives as laid out in Wednesday's tutorial. A training plan for the students to complete and signed by both the student and trainer. | |||
| 4.00 - 4.30 | Summary of the day with questions and answers and course debriefing |
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We recommend a four week personal development period (this can be shorter or longer depending on the student’s ability) for students to practice and develop the skills they learnt on week 1 including:
Students should be creating images that are technically correct and pleasing to the clients and can be used towards their course portfolio.
Support and feedback will be given to the students during this period by telephone, email or face to face.
| AM 9.00 - 1.00 | PM 1.00 - 5.00 |
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Practical Photographic SessionOn location portrait shoot at an urban style location with a model and equipment including:
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day
Tuition and guidance is given, however it is important that the students create their own work.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 9.30 | Coffee and introductions |
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| 9.30 - 1.00 | Students will be given an individual tutorial to assess their progress with their training plans from Week 1 and to set aims and objectives for Week 2. A training plan will be completed and signed by both the student and trainer. | |||
| 9.30 - 1.00 | A lecture and critique on enhancing and building a portfolio | To understand and identify images that are suitable or work-in-progress towards a portfolio | To create and enhance images for portfolio | Group critique and course lecturer's guidance |
| 1.00 - 2.00 | Lunch |
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| 2.00 - 5.00 | On location portrait shoot at an urban style location | To identify location sympathetic to the subject
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To understand and create an urban style portrait using the various techniques outlined in the aims and to identify which techniques best suit subject and location | Practical session on location with a model and equipment |
Refreshment will be served throughout the day
Tuition and guidance is given, however it is important that the students create their own work.
| AM 9.00 - 1.00 | PM 1.00 - 5.00 |
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Practical Photographic SessionOn location portrait shoot at a local beauty spot with a model and equipment including:
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day.
Tuition and guidance is given, however it is important that the students create their own work.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Summary of previous day |
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| 9.00 - 11.00 | Work through and identify images that are suitable or work-in-progress towards a portfolio from Monday PM's shoot | Select images that fulfil the brief as outlined in Monday PM's objectives | To create and enhance images for portfolio | Group critique's and tutor guidance |
| 11.00 - 12.30 | Class room lectures on the Portfolio Criteria including examples of passed and failed panels. | To understand the Portfolio Citeria fully. | To create and enhance images for portfolio | Classroom lectures |
| 12.30 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 5.00 | A boudoir style shoot on location | To create an image sympathetic to the boudoir genre | To use a mixture of lighting, including; ambient sunlight, tungsten and off camera flash. Identifying and using the correct white balance to create the appropriate atmosphere for the image Experimenting with different apertures to create the appropriate depth of field for the image |
Practical session on location |
| AM 9.00 - 1.00 | PM 1.00 - 5.00 |
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Practical Photographic Session On location urban style portrait shoot with a model and equipment including:
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Practical Photographic SessionPractical Photographic Session
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day.
Tuition and guidance is given, however it is important that the students create their own work.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Summary of previous day |
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| 9.00 - 10.00 | Work through and identify images that are suitable or work-in-progress towards a portfolio from Tuesday PM's shoot | Select images that fulfil the brief as outlined in Tuesday PM's objectives | To create and enhance images for portfolio | Group critique's and tutor guidance |
| 10.00 - 12.30 | On location portrait shoot at a local beauty spot | To identify location sympathetic to the subject
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To understand and create an urban style portrait using the various technques outlined in the aims and to identify which techniques best suit subject and location | Practical session on location with a model and equipment |
| 12.30 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 5.00 | Studio shoot using flash and blur technique | To understand how using the combination of long exposure with ambient light and flash during the same exposure to create an image that shows movement and a static subject | To create images using flash and blur technique | Practical session in the studio using a model |
| AM 9.00 - 1.00 | PM 1.00 - 5.00 |
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Work through and identify images that are suitable or work-in-progress towards a portfolio from Wednesday PM's shoot Practical Photographic Session On location portrait shoot at a local beauty spot with a model and equipment including:
Neutral density filters |
Practical Photographic Session
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day.
Tuition and guidance is given, however it is important that the students create their own work.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Summary of previous day |
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| 9.00 - 10.00 | Work through and identify images that are suitable or work-in-progress towards a portfolio from Wednesday PM's shoot | Select images that fulfil the brief as outlined in Wednesday PM's objectives | To create and enhance images for portfolio | Group critique's and tutor guidance |
| 10.00 - 12.20 | On location portrait shoot at a local beauty spot | To identify location sympathetic to the subject Explore different perspectives
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To understand and create a portrait at a beauty spot using the various techniques outlined in the aims and to identify which techniques best suit subject and location | Practical session on location with a model and equipment |
| 12.30 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 5.00 | Dance studio shoot using | To create dance style portrait images using 2-3 studio flash heads. | To create images using flash and blur technique | Practical session in the studio using a model |
| AM 9.00 - 1.00 | PM 1.00 - 4.00 |
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Practical Photographic Session Still Life A still life studio shoot, using various lighting techniques and backdrops. Exploring the use of shallow depth of field. |
DE-BRIEF |
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Refreshment will be served throughout the day.
Tuition and guidance is given, however it is important that the students create their own work.
| Time | Subject | Aims | Objectives | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Summary of previous day |
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| 10.00 - 12.30 | Still life studio shoot using various lighting techniques and backdrops. Exploring the use of shallow depth of field. | To understand how to create a still life image using studio lighting and backdrops. Understanding the importance of depth of field. |
To create still life images | Practical session in the studio using still life subjects |
| 12.30 - 1.30 | Lunch |
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| 1.30 - 3.00 | Students will be given an individual tutorial to assess their progress on aims and objectives as laid out in Monday's tutorial. A training plan for the students to successfully complete the course will be completed and signed by both the student and trainer. | |||
| 1.30 - 3.00 | A lecture and critique on work-in-progress images taken throughout the week | To understand and identify images that are suitable for a portfolio | To build a comprehensive portfolio | Group critique and course lecturer's guidance |
| 3.00 - 4.00 | De-Brief | |||
Students are required to produce two portfolios, each with a minimum of 10 images.
Also required is a written account to support the portfolio.
The portfolio can be a combination of images taken on week 1 and 2, as well as images taken during their development periods.
At least 5 of the images must be from the personal development periods.
Support and feedback will be given to the students during this period by telephone, email or face to face.
An open door policy is applied so that any students that require further guidance can attend week 2 completely or partly as often as required.
Because each student has different abilities and personal commitments there is no time limit for the student to complete their final portfolios.
