To get the most out of your camera and the greatest satisfaction from photography, it’s important to know how this curious device works; translating invisible energy into visible images. To help you grasp these principles, I begin at the beginning; with light.

Without some understanding of light, the operation of the camera and the results it produces makes little sense, and almost always leads to frustration. In this class, we’ll explore the camera as the tool it is, and be able to visualize the limitations and the strengths of the camera in comparison to how you see the world with your eyes. I will also explain the relationships involved in exposure using an approach I developed called the Exposure Equation.

At the end of this class you will know and understand the fundamentals of light and camera operation, how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together to make the exposure, and how you are in control of every photograph you make. With this understanding, you’ll be able to confidently choose the best camera mode for your situation, whether it’s manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, or auto. It’s not about the mode you shoot in, it’s how you use the camera to its best advantage to accomplish the results you desire.