Digital SLR Photography Lessons
Do you own a digital SLR camera and wish you could use it like a pro? Would you like to take photographs with more punch and eye-catching composition? Perhaps you'd like some pointers on technical issues like lighting and exposure or simply want to get to grips with the basics of aperture and shutter speed?
Well if any of that sounds familiar, now you can do something about it in a fun and relaxed environment with a professional photographer. Instead of reading a manual you can learn from me in a practical hands-on session. I also teach businesses how to use their company cameras and can come to your offices or place of work.
I launched my DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera lessons in response to clients who wanted to learn how to take better pictures themselves. After tutoring a client and a few friends, I gave my first official lesson in January 2009. Soon I was approached by Digital Photographer Magazine who asked me if I would give a lesson to a reader and allow them to write a feature around it.
Nick was chosen as my student and we met on a glorious Spring day in Regents Park with journalist Josie Reavely watching our every move. We soon forgot she was there and before long Nick was using his camera with confidence and having fun too. Nick gave me a great review and emailed me afterwards to thank me personally and I was chuffed. You can read the full article for yourselves at Digital Photographer Magazine.
Since then I have taught lots of happy students and received some great customer feedback.
If you're feeling inspired and interested in booking a lesson for yourself, your friends, your business, or as a gift, please see my prices and options.
For group lesson dates, please click here.
For directions to the lesson point, please click here.
And finally a few practicalities and my policy on cancellations.
Group lessons are a fun affordable way to learn and private lessons are flexible and can be tailored to suit you. I can also tailor lessons to suit your specific requirements, such as help with Adobe Photoshop, general photo processing or specific photography practise. If you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for, or just want to ask me a few questions, please drop me an email or call me on 020 7263 2239 for chat. I look forward to hearing from you.
Booking
To book lessons please call me on 020 7263 2239.
Or email me on info@susannahfields.co.uk.
Group Lessons:
Lessons are tailored for 3-5 people and last three hours. The pace is set according to all those on the lesson and group activities will encourage everyone to learn, whatever your ability. However, please note the lessons are beginner lessons, designed for those switching from film to digital, picking up an SLR for the first time or comfortable shooting on programme or auto-modes only and wanting to learn more. Group beginner lessons are also a great opportunity if you know most of the settings, but are not comfortable with how to use them.
On the lesson you will be taken through a series of steps from setting up your camera, controlling the depth of field, learning when and how to use shutter priority, exposure problems and how to solve them, ISO and what it means, white balance, etc. All of this will be taught in a practical, fun and non-techy way! Along the way, you can ask any questions you like, have a go at shooting (and modelling for other students - make sure you've combed your hair/applied your lippy!) and learn some tips about taking better pictures.
A comprehensive hand-out will be given to you at the end of the lesson.
Price: £80 per student for 3hr lesson, £150 for two people booking together.
Private Lessons:
The standard private photography beginners lesson is your lesson, booked around your timetable, and tailored exactly to your requirements. You can also share it with your partner, friends or colleagues. Availability on lesson dates is flexible according to your schedule. I can do week day evenings in summer and week days & weekends throughout the year.
Most private lesson students opt to follow the beginner lesson plan, but often come with one or two specific things they also want to focus on. You can do the same, or you can tailor something specifically to your requirements.
A comprehensive hand-out (based on the beginner lesson) will be given to you at the end of the lesson.
Prices:
£150 for a 2-hr lesson (suitable for 1-2 people)
£200 for a 3-hr lesson (suitable for 3-5 people)
Surcharge of £25 if you wish me to travel to another location, within half an hour.
(i.e your home in North London or Regents Park).
Surcharge of £50 if you wish me to travel to another location, within an hour.
(i.e Office location in Central London or Hyde Park).
Anything else, please ask for a quote.
Business/Club/Group lessons:
These lessons are ideal if you have photography requirements for your business, if you want to set up a fun photo lesson as an incentive or gift for staff, or for members of a club.
I will talk to you about your requirements, plan a lesson around that, advise on the time required and then attend your offices/club for the actual lesson.
I can teach anything from the beginners lesson, right through to taking better event photos or improving your portrait skills. You can also book a series of lessons, arrange for me to help you set yourself up on the computer and anything you'd like to know on Photoshop. Just ask!
Prices:
£75 per hour, minimum 2 hours + £75 for travel & preparation time - based on travelling to an office in Central or North London.
A separate quote will be given for bespoke lessons that don't fit into any of the above.
Vouchers
Vouchers for lessons can be purchased as gifts and are redeemable for up to 2 months.
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Dates - Summer 2013
To be scheduled for summer - please email to register your interest and I can let you know when new lessons are scheduled in.
Directions
Unless another location is arranged, photo lessons take place near Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath, Gospal Oak.
The meeting point is on Highgate Road, on the corner of Woodsome Road, NW5 - Outside The Bull and Last pub -opposite the C2 & C11 bus stop - there are wooden picnic benches outside where we meet each other. (Sat Nav or Streetmap: NW5 1QS).
The nearest overground train station is Gospel Oak (0.4 miles - approx 7min walk) .
The nearest tube stations are Kentish Town (0.6 miles - approx 10min walk) or Tufnell Park tube station (0.5 miles - approx 8min walk).
On-street parking is also available - free on Sundays and Saturdays and after 12pm weekdays - on Highgate Road, Woodsome Road, Saint Albans Road and surrounding roads. There are meters in the car-park by the Parliament Hill Lido, Gordon House Road, if you are meeting me on a week day before 12pm. (Sat Nav or Streetmap: NW5 1LP).
Practicalities
Please wear comfortable footwear as we will be on the Heath - but nowhere too muddy, or too taxing, so don't worry!
Please note we won't have anywhere to put bags, (except the ground near us), so please travel lightly and use a back-pack if possible so your hands are free.
Lessons are fairly relaxed so if you need a break Just ask. Mainly however we just stay where we on the Heath. It is recommended therefore that you bring your own drink/snack if you think you might want one. There are toilets and a café within walking distance.
You must bring with you a digital SLR camera (if you haven’t got one because you are taking lessons before you buy, you might be able to use one of mine please check before booking).
Please familiarise yourself with the function buttons on your camera. Although I am a professional photographer, I do not know how to locate all the function buttons on every make of camera. I'm very familiar with Nikons (my own camera brand) and Canons. If you have another brand it's essential you bring your manual, so we don’t waste too much lesson time and can locate buttons easily. If you've lost your manual, it is advisable that you purchase/download another one - maybe on Ebay.
If you are running late for the lesson time, please phone/text me. Mob: 07766 241763. If it's a group lesson it will start without you, but I can tell you how to find us on the Heath.
Regardless of the time you arrive, the lesson will still finish at the original time intended and if you don't turn up; your fee will not be refunded.
You will be given a comprehensive handout at the end of the lesson, so you shouldn’t need to take notes, but please feel free to do so, if you prefer to learn this way.
Cancellations
Group lessons will go ahead once a minimum of 3 people are booked on - this will be confirmed as soon as I know and at the latest, one week before the lesson is scheduled. Everyone must be contactable on the morning of the lesson in case of wet weather. If the lesson is called off you will have the option of a full refund or re-booking on an alternative date. Back-up dates are given for each lesson below, please try and keep the back-up date in your diary clear as this will make life easier for everyone to reschedule.
If it starts to rain once the lesson has begun, we will have to continue, there is some shelter on the heath near where we do the lesson but I cannot be held responsible for dramatic changes in the weather - this is England after all! So please dress appropriately.
The lesson fee is paid upfront (cheque or bank transfer) - refunds are not given. Lessons can be transferable if you give me 2 week's notice.
For private lessons, you can transfer the lesson to another date at no extra charge, if you give me more than 24 hours notice.
For group lessons, you can transfer the lesson to another date at no extra charge if you give me more than 2 weeks' notice. Less than 2 weeks notice is non-refundable, unless I can replace you, or if the minimum requirement of three students has been met - this is at my discretion.
If you are buying a voucher for a friend, they will need to book their lesson within 2 months of the voucher date and then the same cancellation terms & conditions apply.
Occasionally I will have to cancel a lesson because a commercial photography job has come up, in this instance you will be offered a full refund or a chance to reschedule. This doesn't happen often as I usually choose the hours and locations of my jobs, but sometimes I get asked to cover an event that is already fixed. I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but it is the nature of my work.
