Photo 201: Manual Mode

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In Photo 201, you’ll strengthen your exposure skills and learn a practical, repeatable method for working confidently in Manual mode.

• Understanding the Exposure Triangle: Dive into how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together in the "exposure triangle" to achieve proper exposure in various lighting scenarios.

• ISO Essentials: Understand the role of ISO in exposure, learning how to adjust it for low-light conditions and challenging lighting situations, taking control of ISO directly and exploring strategies for reducing high ISO noise issues. 

• Metering Modes & Exposure Behavior: Explore your camera's powerful metering modes for greater control over difficult scenes, and gain insights into the 18% grey methodology to understand why cameras may over- or underexpose.

• Manual Mode Control: Take full control by turning off automatic settings, achieving consistent exposure, and mastering manual mode where ultimate exposure and creative control are desired. Learn how to photograph almost anything using a simple methodology for getting correct exposure quickly and effortlessly.

• Using the Light Meter: Learn how to use your camera’s built-in light meter effectively in manual mode to evaluate exposure and make confident adjustments as lighting conditions change

• Flash in Manual Mode: Discover how to integrate flash into your manual shooting to effectively mix flash with existing ambient light, for more naturally lit results.

• Creative Manual Mode Recipes: Explore creating panoramas, the right way to photograph fireworks, shooting night scenes outdoors, and 'painting with light'.

 This course is designed for users of digital interchangeable lens cameras, including DSLR and mirrorless models. 

We support interchangeable lens cameras from:

• Canon
• Nikon
• Sony
• Fujifilm
• and others

To get the most out of the course, please bring your camera along with a tripod (a full-size tripod is recommended, though a tabletop model is acceptable). If you’re unsure if your make/model is suitable, use our contact form to inquire. We'd be happy to help!

Photo 201 is where your understanding of photography develops into deliberate creative control.

Over four weekly classes, you will move beyond reliance on semi-automatic exposure and develop a clear, repeatable approach to shooting in Manual mode. 

Through demonstrations, practical activities and guided experimentation, you will learn how to create consistent exposures, respond confidently to challenging light and make technical decisions based on the photograph you want to produce.

The course explores sophisticated metering techniques, manual exposure, flash, long exposures, night photography and creative approaches such as light painting, panoramas and photographing fireworks. 

The goal is not simply to memorize settings—it is to understand exposure well enough to make purposeful decisions in a wide range of situations.

• Completing Photo 101 is strongly recommended. You should already be comfortable changing camera settings, controlling focus, using aperture and shutter priority modes, and navigating your camera menus.
• Bring your camera and tripod so you can participate fully in the practical activities and experiment with the techniques being demonstrated.
• Ask questions and stay curious. Photo 201 introduces a substantial amount of information, and the small-class environment gives you the opportunity to explore it in depth.
• Make time for the photography assignments whenever possible. Applying the techniques between classes will help strengthen your understanding and build practical experience.
• Come prepared to approach exposure in an entirely new way. Manual mode will become more than another camera setting—it will become a powerful creative tool.