Classes?

Just came up a little idea... i know my ideas aren't always the best but for once please read.

There are some questions about courses here on this forum and also some comments about leaving helpful comments on someone's photos and things like that.

Wouldn't it be an idea to start a little lesson here on this forum.
The idea is that one of the forum members explains a photographic technique and that other members learn it and try to use that technique and post their results in the same forum. The idea is that the teacher for the lessons then gives feedback on the photos. Off course it isn't an one men show so support from other members is a must i think to share the work load a bit, and since there is a real goal, hopefully that makes it easier to give helpful comments.

A lesson might take a month or so and then a new one will be started.

Since the lessons are created by members on their own free will and time you can off course do it about the things you like to do and share the joy. Hopefully that's enough motivation to put time and effort into this.

Do you think it might work.
I believe beginners to photography would really appreciate this but most of the work will be done by the veterans though and they need to want to do this.
Just lets see how it goes maybe?

If you've any ideas or suggestion please tell them, i'm also just making this stuff up.


ps. if there are positive reactions to this i volunteer to do the first lesson about the basics of camera control (shutterspeed, aperture, ISO, ect.), we need a base to start from right. If someone else wants to do it then be my guest.
I'm only busy now with photos for a book though but maybe could have something the first next month... hopefully.

Stefan, I think this is a superb idea.

Could we even have a sub category on the forum devoted to these lessons called 'Learning Techniques' or 'classes' or something.

But I really do think a 'lesson 101' on photography where we share techniques in a more structured/learning approach could be a real success.

Stefan,
You've got my vote - anything to improve would please me

I think that you would need to float it past the moderators so as to try to keep the thread on topic otherwise it's going to get out of hand.


regards
Bernard

You've got my vote as well.

There is that risk, but I do think this is something that is tremendously valuable and useful to have.

Let's pilot this in the General Digital Photography chat and see where it goes?

Hi Stefan.
It is very good idea. Will have opportunity to learn something about proper photography

Maybe if it's done like the competitions, ie :-

Lesson; student photos; Tutor feedback on one thread and :-
General disussion; student/outside feedback on another parallel thread

Bernard

like the idea.
seems like a lot of stuff is floating around out there...
Here's one from some idiot...
How to make a portrait like this:


how-to video

Lessons are a great idea, and would add to the site.

Hi Stefan

Without knocking a good idea it will need a lot of planning! I am involved in a local Photography group where a group of us have facilitated guidance and support sessions for the past year. I have a load of Power Point slides that cover lots of good starting points, but could and would we be allowed to post them on this forum?

Perhaps John will see this post and let us know if the above is possible. Anyway I would be willing to input if we can get a group of people involved and agree a draft plan of action.

Gareth

John has been reading this. It depends whether a chat forum is an appropriate place for a course, whether the course material is up to scratch and lots of other considerations as well. It could become a very bloated thread that covered something like this and it needs some proper consideration.

I think the competitions are the place to learn. The problem with classes are when do they start, and finish. What happens in 6 months time when someone new joins and says they've missed some classes can we start again. Then another half a dozen join the month after and say the same.

Some tutorials from the more proficient members would be extremely useful, within a specific tutorial subforum. I for one would certainly welcome one on indoor portraits and one on still life, using both natural and artificial lighting, which is a dark art to me.

Alan, you've hit on a problem that made us stop trying to run courses at ADAPS. Someone wants a subject, they don't turn up for that part of it. People join half way through so you have to start again. And so on. Add to that a situation where the originator might just disappear from the forum whenever they feel so inclined and it would likely be a bit of a disaster.

Overall, in terms of logistics not really a very good idea.

Forgot to add that the only way people reliably involve in courses (I know there are exceptions) is if they pay for it. Then they tend to attend every stage.

To a small extent I've already tried to do this with the competition subjects I've set, like 'Leading Lines' and now 'Square Pictures'. The idea being to take a fairly narrow aspect and get people to investigate it, with feedback in the judging - I don't specify the subject but I do specify the technique or style. The judging is still subject to my own idiosyncrasies of course, but it is intended to be helpful

Another thing I've considered for competition themes (but not done it - yet) is 'A picture in the style of xxxxx'. Looking at the work of xxxxx and trying to see why they are highly regarded can be very instructive.