Questions & Answers

Photography Education

Photo Lessons
General FAQ

I've been a photographer, both amateur and professional, for over 30 years and I've offered photography courses and private lessons for more than a decade. Further information about me and my work can be found on the About page.

I am up-to-date on my vaccinations and I am willing to wear a mask if requested.

No. My courses and workshops are for personal interest only.

We can meet any time of the day, any day of the week, subject to prior commitments. I believe the lessons should be arranged around the student's schedule, not mine. I try to make myself available days, evenings, and weekends, to best suit the needs of the student.

Please contact me (email is usually best) so we can find a time suitable to us both.

Most of my students prefer it for the convenience. There's no rush to get home, look after chores, and then rush out again for a class. I travel to them and arrive when they are ready to begin. Most people also find their home to be a more comfortable and relaxing environment for them to learn in.

Absolutely! Weather permitting, of course. A classroom or living room is great for reviewing the camera, camera settings, and other technical details but the field is usually the best way to apply that knowledge. We can work in the student's yard or meet at nearby parks or trails.

Private lessons are intended for individuals but I'm willing to take on small groups up to a maximum of four people. Please note that the pricing per individual remains the same.

I have no plans to at the moment.

Pricing is for students located in the Greater Moncton area. I'm willing to travel outside of the area but additional fees to cover my travel time and mileage will apply.

Students are welcome to travel to Moncton, at their own expense, to meet up with me providing we can find a suitable location for the lessons (I do not have an office or studio of my own that's suitable for hosting the lessons).

We may also be able to cover some lessons virtually, using FaceTime, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams (although in-person lessons work best).

Yes, lessons can be conducted via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or FaceTime. However, in-person lessons usually work best.

I prefer to teach the basics, which is the foundation for all types of photography. I can offer advice on certain genres of photography, including: sports, landscape, and wildlife.

I do not teach: portrait photography, wedding photography, flash photography, or studio lighting. I do not believe in teaching subjects in which I have little to no experience or expertise.

I can offer basic lessons in Adobe Photoshop, which is my preferred image editor. I do not teach advanced techniques.

I am unable to offer instruction in Adobe Lightroom or other editors (Affinity, Capture One, Luminar, etc.) as I do not use them for my own work.

That being said, many of the basic items we tweak during editing (exposure, contrast, saturation, etc.) are available in all of the editors. I can show you how they work in Photoshop (Adobe Camera Raw, actually) and that knowledge can easily be transferred to other editors such as Lightroom. However, I am not able to demonstrate more advanced features of the other software.

No.

No.

Photo Lessons
What camera should I have?

Ideally, your camera should have an option that allows you to manually adjust the main settings - Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. These are the camera settings that give you the technical and creative control you need as a photographer.

You don't need a new camera. It's okay if you have an older model as it will still work fine for the lessons. You don't need a top-of-the-line model, either.

Don't have a camera yet? You should really have one for the lessons. Theory is great but you also need to know how to apply it.

Looking for advice on a new camera or an upgrade to your existing one? Unfortunately, I usually don't make recommendations. There are so many makes and models available, each at different price points and with different features and options. It's difficult to recommend any one model in particular. However, I am happy to offer advice on the features and functions you should look for if you have certain types of photography in mind. Otherwise, my suggestion is for students to visit their local camera store, like Ivan's Camera here in Moncton or Henry's Camera in Halifax. The sales staff can show you the different models, explain their features, and hopefully find one that's best suited to your budget and needs.

Photo Lessons
How many lessons will I need?

I have no firm answer to that question. It really depends on you, your interest, and your commitment. Some people like to jump right in and sign up for the maximum time, knowing they'll stick with it. Others prefer to test the waters with a lesson or two to see whether or not they like it, how far they want to go, and whether or not they're capable of fitting the lessons into an already busy work and personal schedule.

Here are some things to consider before deciding:

  • Lessons can be purchased in 1 hour, 2 hour, 4 hour, or 6 hour blocks.
  • For beginners, the 1 hour lessons are great for a quick introduction to some of the basics of photography and/or your camera and its controls. They are also a great introduction to your teacher and his teaching style. If you already have a grasp of the fundamentals, the 1 hour lessons can be used as a refresher or to cover specific topics you need assistance with. Unfortunately, though, such a short amount of time will only allow us to cover a few, brief items. It won't allow us to discuss many topics in detail.
  • The longer blocks will give us the opportunity to cover more topics or to discuss individual topics in greater detail. The 2, 4, and 6 hour blocks don't have to be taken all at once. You can divide them up into shorter sessions (one hour minimum) so you don't get overwhelmed and overloaded. They can also be spread out so that you have time to practice between the lessons.
  • If you sign up for the 1 or 2 hour lessons but decide you want more, the additional time (up to the six hour maximum) will be discounted. You will end up paying the same amount as if you had signed up for the longer blocks in the first place. You don't have to worry that choosing a shorter block initially will cost you more money in the long run.
Photo Lessons
What should I bring to the lessons?
Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay
01. Camera Bring your camera. Make sure the battery is charged and the memory card has some space on it. You can also bring extra lenses and filters, if you have them.
Tip

We'll cover the main camera controls and some of the other camera functions / menu items during our sessions. I'm also happy to discuss any accessories you might have.

Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay
02. Camera Manual Keep a copy of your manual handy in case you need to refer to it. It's the best resource you have on your camera and its features.
Tip

You can download digital copies of your manual in PDF format from the manufacturer's website. Save a copy to your phone and you'll always have it with you!

Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay
03. Note Pad Have some paper and a pen or pencil close by to take notes. We'll cover a lot of material, so you might want to write some things down.
Tip

I do provide a few handouts but they're not very detailed. Taking notes also helps to reinforce what you've learned, making it easier to remember later on.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
04. Questions Don't be afraid to ask questions, whether it's something that's come up during the lessons or something that's bugged you for a while.
Tip

I always recommend leaving some time to practice between sessions. This not only gives you time to apply what you've learned but also gives you time to think about questions to ask at the next session.

Camera Gear
What accessories do you recommend?

The accessories listed below are must-haves that won't break the bank. They're not required for the lessons, though, so don't worry if you haven't picked them up yet. We can discuss them when we meet. There are a ton of other accessories, such as filters, tripods, flashes, and more, that range from necessary to nice-to-have depending on the types of photography you do. We can also discuss them in more detail when we meet, and try to determine which, if any, you may find handy and helpful.

Cleaning Kits

Your cleaning kit should include: a blower, a brush, dedicated lens cleaner, and dedicated lens tissue. Some people prefer microfibre cloths for regular cleanings, saving the lens cleaner and tissues for hard-to-remove smudges and fingerprints. A LensPen - a brush and cleaning pad all in one - is also a great tool to have. These items can be purchased separately or in kits.

Extra Memory Cards

Memory cards are a necessity as today's DSLR and mirrorless cameras don't come with internal memory. Extra cards means you shouldn't run out of space, or be left without a backup should a card fail. Rotating them, rather then using one all the time, will help to extend their life. Remember to download your photos on a regular basis, create a back-up copy of the files, and then re-format the card in the camera before the next use. And buy good ones - stick to the name brands.

Extra Batteries

You need charged batteries - it's never fun to be left high and dry when they die in the middle of a shoot. A spare or two is a great addition to the camera bag, and they don't take up a lot of room or add a lot of weight. Rotating the batteries will help to extend their life. Just don't forget to charge them before you head out!

Photo Education
What photography resources do you recommend?
  • General Photography | Canon
    Canon DLC

    A great place to learn more about your Canon camera gear as well as photography basics and specialized techniques. There's a lot of information here regardless of the brand you use.

  • General Photography | Nikon
    Nikon Learn & Explore

    A great place to learn more about your Nikon camera gear as well as photography basics and specialized techniques. There's a lot of information here regardless of the brand you use.

  • General Photography
    B & H Explora

    Select the photography section for the latest news as well as tips, tricks, and training modules to help you become a better photographer.

  • Photography Education | Exposure Modes
    Camera Sim

    A great way to learn the exposure triangle and exposure modes without having to grab your camera and head outdoors. Practice at any time on your computer, tablet, or phone.

  • Photography Education | Depth of Field
    DOF Simulator

    Teaches how aperture, focal length, and camera-to-subject distance affect depth of field. Practice at any time on your computer, tablet, or phone.

  • Photography Education | Books
    Photography Field Guide

    National Geographic, a magazine renowned for its use of photography, has been publishing photography field guides for years. Their Ultimate Field Guide to Photography is a condensed version, covering the basics in 23 pages. Available as a PDF, it can be downloaded to your computer, tablet, or phone, or printed off and stashed into your camera bag for quick reference.

  • Photography Education | Books
    Understanding Exposure

    If you're looking for a photography how-to book this one is my favourite. Bryan Peterson covers the basics very well and in a way that's easy for beginners to follow and understand. He also provides a lot of helpful tips and tricks for intermediate photographers. The book isn't required for my photography lessons but I do recommend it to all my students.

Local Resources

For Photographers in the Greater Moncton Region

Need camera equipment or advice? Want to learn more about photography in a social setting? Then check out these companies and organizations...

Ivan's Camera

Locally owned and operated, Ivan's Camera offers a wide range of photography equipment and supplies.

Visit Ivan's Camera
Focus Camera Club

Learn more about photography through presentations, competitions, and other activities.

Visit Focus Camera Club
Still have questions? Need more Info? Contact Me