Q. What type of camera do I need for the Digital Camera Basics class?
A digital slr or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses would be excellent. However, any camera that allows the user to control the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture will be fine. Some compact cameras also have these capabilities.
Q. Is any other photo equipment necessary?
In class you will learn about tripods, cable releases, and filters. They can add to your possibilities, but they are not required for the Basics class.
Q. How difficult is it to learn photography?
Photography has both technical and visual aspects. Some people feel more comfortable with one or the other, but both can be patiently explained and demonstrated with examples that make the process easy to understand. Then it is up to the user to practice and make the steps more familiar.
Q. Is Zoom a good way to learn photography?
Absolutely! Both Zoom and in person photo sessions can be useful. If the instructor has good examples of photographic procedures that can be shared on screen, and illustrations of the camera settings and menus for various camera, then Zoom can be just as effective as an in-person class.
Q. What advantage does a class with several sessions have over a single session class?
With a class over several sessions, students have an opportunity to share photos they have taken and have them evaluated and discussed. They also have an opportunity to have questions answered based on their experiences in the field. It makes the class much more complete.
Q. What is the best software for organizing and editing one’s photos?
The most comprehensive program at this time would be either Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Lightroom Classic. Lightroom is more a cloud-based program with some parameters predefined by Adobe. It can be used on a desktop/laptop computer, however, Lightroom Classic is designed as a desktop/laptop version. It is the most robust of the versions and provides more user control over various actions taken with it. The more serious you are about organizing and editing your photos, the more you would appreciate Lightroom Classic.
Q. Can Lightroom Classic be used on any computer and what would be the basic requirements for it?
Yes, Lightroom Classic can be used on a Mac or Windows computer. It would be best for the computer to have at least 16Gb of RAM and a 1Tb hard drive (500 Gb will also be OK,but and external hard drive may be needed).