Ask any pro photographer the first step to taking better pictures, and their answer will always be the same: turn off your camera’s automatic functions. In the Control Your Camera workshop, the first thing we will do is switch to full manual mode so that we control our cameras… not the other way around. This three-hour workshop will cover the basics of controlling exposure, depth of focus, manual controls, and white balance in any camera with manual override. Whether your interest lies in portraiture, landscapes, or street photography, the material we cover will help you better understand your camera and make better images. No experience is required. Things we will cover in the intro class include: - Exposure and the relationship to: - ISO - Aperture - Shutter speed - Contrast ratios of light in nature to camera sensors or film - Basic light systems and theory - White balance - Composition and framing - depth of field (or focus) - how lenses and f-stop (aperture) affect dof - lens characteristics and what all those numbers mean You will be expected to bring your own camera: a digital SLR is preferred, but any decent camera with manual controls is acceptable. Film shooters are welcome too!