Busy taking photos
By frances r
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
May 31, 2020 7:44am CST
One of the things I’ve been doing for the last year is a free online photo course, it’s nearly coming to an end which makes me a bit sad.
The course is email based (the free part), but you can also buy the workbooks which go into more detail. There’s also a Facebook group for your course start date.
I have always loved taking photos, but the course has definitely helped me to make better photos. It starts with the basics of all the manual controls, and then moves on to other things like composition, light and landscape. Each week you get an email explaining the lesson and giving you some homework to do. Ours has been swapped around a bit the last few months because of lockdown, so our last section is the landscape.
What I love most about the course is it’s about the person as a photographer, not about having big expensive cameras. I’m still using a compact superzoom, I know it has its limitations and will eventually upgrade, but it can do everything the course has asked of it. For some of the sections I’ve even used my phone.
It really has been a great, supportive course which has helped me look at things in a new way.
The photo is one of my favourites from the course.
14 people like this
14 responses
@Lavanya15 (12888)
• Chennai, India
31 May 20
Your photo looking very beautiful.. Hope you learn good skills in photography... Best of luck..
3 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
31 May 20
Yes it’s hard to remember everything, but when you get it right it’s rewarding.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247191)
• United States
31 May 20
@Dragonairy1 I'm very happy for you. Keep it up!
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
31 May 20
Thanks it’s a great thing to do.
2 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
31 May 20
Yes very true, I’ve really enjoyed it, and I’ll be able to look back at the photos.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
31 May 20
my hubby has also taken a photography course over a few weeks online - one that was on offer for FREE due to the Lockdown - he is improving - luckily he has a good camera too. Your photo is lovely - I love dandelions ready to release - NEW HOPE
3 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
31 May 20
Thank you. It’s nice that he’s found a something to do he enjoys.
2 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58482)
• Germany
31 May 20
That`s good. Doing what you love most will give you happiness and good result. I`m sure you`ll be a great photographer 
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
31 May 20
like an expanded weed right? one of those you blow and it goes every where. I forgot what they are called
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
31 May 20
Yes, it’s a dandelion, but the seed part.
1 person likes this
@Lushlala (4028)
• Gaborone, Botswana
8 Jul 20
@Dragonairy1 You're welcome and thanks for explaining what it is - it's lovely
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
8 Jul 20
Thank you, it’s the humble dandelion (when it’s gone to seed)
1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (13006)
• Italy
1 Jun 20
First of all, what a wonderful photo! 
I hate homework but free courses are nice. I get busy and distracted with other things but I like photography as well, the e-mail course sounds interesting. Is it still available? 
I hate homework but free courses are nice. I get busy and distracted with other things but I like photography as well, the e-mail course sounds interesting. Is it still available? 1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (13006)
• Italy
5 Jun 20
@Dragonairy1 Is it really one year long? 
I've just added my email address there, thank you very much. 
I've just added my email address there, thank you very much. 1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
6 Jun 20
@sabtraversa yes lol, but it's broken down really well. The first one is the basics (also the hardest) that lasts about 6 weeks, then you get a break for a week, then each section lasts 4 weeks. I also had 2 weeks break for christmas, and the whole of august was just taking different photos. I started in July and I'm wondering if they're not doing that this year because the august break falls in the middle of the 6 week basics. I hope you enjoy it, if you need a hand just send me a message.
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
4 Jun 20
Yes, but the next one doesn’t start now until September, It’ called A year with my camera, there’s a website or you can find it on Facebook and sign up from there. I think you’d enjoy it, it’s a great course.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
31 May 20
I've always loved taking pictures but I just aim and shoot!
2 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
31 May 20
That’s been me in the past, but I’ve always had a bad habit of having something coming out of someone’s head, mostly poles 
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
19 Jun 20
great photo... that sounds like it would be ideal for me...I do not understand f stops and stuff... I use the A I setting on my camera but would love to learn more... do you have a link to the course or more info to see If I can sign up... thanks for sharing...
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
19 Jun 20
Hi it’s called A year with my camera, you can sign up on their website or from their Facebook page. The next course starts at the beginning of September. I was the same, had a vague idea about settings, but mostly only took photos with the auto setting, now I’m confident with manual. It’s a great course.
1 person likes this
@isweartokira (3465)
• United States
31 May 20
I love the photo!
"it's about the person as a photographer, not about having big expensive cameras" I really love this mindset, it's similar with art supplies. most people spend so much on top dollar supplies, I don't have that luxury. I use what I have to make what I can and I enjoy it. I have to make adjustments and be resourceful with the cheaper supplies to make something worth looking at. like you said it's about the person's point of view rather than what they use to convey that point of view!
I'm glad photography makes you happy, keep it up!
3 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
31 May 20
It is a good mindset, I’m glad you have it too for your art.
2 people like this
