Gaithersburg Artist Collective

This is a four-session hands on workshop. Classes meet 2:00 - 3:45pm on 9/27, 10/25, 11/22 and 12/13.

Photography Foundations: Basics of Exposure is a four-session hands-on workshop designed to give beginner and intermediate photographers a solid understanding of how light and camera settings work together to create compelling images. Students will explore the three pillars of exposure — shutter speed, aperture, and ISO — through instructor-led discussion, group photo sharing and critique, and practical assignments to complete between sessions.

This workshop is ideal for anyone who has a digital camera and wants to move beyond Auto mode and into more creative, intentional photography.

By the end of this workshop, students will be able to:

• Explain the relationship between shutter speed, aperture, and ISO and how they affect exposure
• Use Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes with confidence
• Control depth of field to achieve sharp backgrounds or artistic “bokeh” effects
• Freeze or intentionally blur motion for creative impact
• Make informed exposure adjustments in changing light conditions
• Critically evaluate their own work and articulate what works and why

What Students Need to Bring

• A DSLR or mirrorless camera (required) — the camera should have Shutter Priority (S or Tv), Aperture Priority (A or Av), and Manual (M) modes
• A fully charged battery and empty memory card
• A tripod or monopod (optional, but helpful for several exercises)
• A notebook for jotting down camera settings during exercises