Just some of the many topics the course will and can cover:
» Digital and Film camera basics for beginners (White balance, ISO, Lens setup, Mirror Lockup and more)
» The correct use of filters (Natural density, Polariser) and their application in the field.
» Shooting techniques and in camera effects to achieve unique photographs.
» The principles behind shooting and creating digital panoramics.
» Instruction on how to predicict and watch for weather patterns, taking advantage of natural light conditions and their effect on the sky and landscape.
» Mastering the use of Velvia slide film in all conditions.
» Image post production tips and techniques photoshop CS3.
» Night shooting and making use of the moon light and star trails.
» Artistic composition using both digital and panoramic cameras. The pit falls and problems explained and showen.

This course is designed for:
Film and Digital Photographers.

Practical Vs Sit down instruction:
This course is 70% hands on and 30% sit down instruction.

Teaching Aids:
During the course participants will be exposed to a variety of equipment used in the capture of my own personal work, this equipment can also be shared between the participants during the day. (this doesn't include camera's)

Course start and finish time:
The course will start at 10am and will go for appox 8 hours taking in sunset.

Start location:
The start location for the one on one courses is a mutually agreed location that will benefit the current weather conditions and desired setting of the course participant.

Check here for updates.

At the end of my courses I always ask via email the next day what they thought of the day and if there is anything I need to work on to make the next course even better than the first. I do this as I want to keep my courses at a very high standard and asking people the next day via email is not confronting and you get honest answers. Each of these courses have been challenging with people of different skill levels and they have different goals that they want to achieve from the course.

July 2008

Husband and wife (Jeff and Jenny) spent the day with me at the beautiful Balmoral Beach in Sydney. Both had done a fair amount of travelling around the world for work and just as tourists and were looking to get the most out of their camera equipment. The day was quite brisk and the cloud at the end of the day gave us an impressive subject to shoot.

 Jeff shot with a Nikon D300 and Jenny shot with a Nikon D80.

June 2008

Roger's wife for his birthday had bought him a gift certificate to attend one of my private tuition courses. Roger and I met at the new Ken Duncan Gallery where we enjoyed a Latte and a look through the gallery. Despite the weather changes we were rewarded with some great light during the day and a nice cloud setting on sunset that made for the perfect postcard shot. Roger wrote this testimonial for me about the day:

Having been a keen photographer for some time, I held professional landscape photographers in awe bewildered by their outcomes. Getting close to those standards seemed unobtainable. I was given a one day course with Matt as a present. I had no idea what to expect, but was confident that at the end of the day I would be a better photographer, but suspected that the difference would be minimal - after all how much could I learn in just one day.
 
Matt immediately assessed my photographic skills, and structured the day to my abilities. Fundamentals that I understood, but not fully appreciated, were explained and demonstrated. Within the first few minutes I became a better photographer, and the improvement continued. By the end of the day I was shooting landscapes at a standard that I thought I was beyond my capabilities. Very importantly I can now take a great photo in all sorts of conditions, no longer concerned that changing weather conditions will compromise my photographs.
 
How much did I learn in one day? Well, far more than I ever anticipated. Take the plunge and do a course with Matt, you will not be disappointed, and enjoy the accolades from family and friends about your photographs.
 

June 2008

Vic president of a major international company based in Malaysia, Hugh was in Australia on business (though being a born and bred Aussie) we spent the beginning of the day shooting at Somersby Falls where we walked through the techniques used when shooting waterfalls and under the canopy of dense vegetation. I walked Hugh through the technique of digital panoramic's and stitching of images then we put it into practice where he used my Canon 1ds Mark II and panoramic head. We then moved to the Skillion on Terrigal Beach where Hugh perfected the use of exposure reading and the use of ND filters and how to manipulate your exposure to draw detail out of the shot, shadow areas and to create water movement effects with filters and exposure control. We had a great sunset that ended the day an a high.

Myself on the left and Hugh on the right at The Skillion, Central Coast, NSW. Hugh had a Canon 450D and a nice selection of standard and professional lenses.

June 2008

Looking to take her love for photography to the next level, Rosie at the lively age of 60 spent the day with me at The Entrance and the many locations around there. We had a great day with some good laughs and many interesting light changes and we were just able to beat the bad weather. This is what Rosie had to say about the day.

Hi Matt
What a fabulous day, thank you so much for the overall basics and especially the inside tips at the beginning of the day / and it just got better as the day got longer… more details and more techniques. I have just had a look at the images I made today and already they are better than anything I have taken in the past.

I have attached a few images for you to view and would welcome any feedback, and be honest / I won’t take offence as I can only improve.

Maybe with the boat I could have moved a bit further to the left before clicking the shutter? (I sent it at a bit higher resolution and full size pixels so you can really see the details – I love those details like the rock in the water).Thanks again for a great day of training. I wanted to learn how to operate my camera fully and take great photos and that's what I got from your course.

Cheers, Rosie

Rosie had a Canon 5D with a selection of standard lenses and also the great 100 - 400mm Canon lens.

The image below is a shot taken by Rosie and I at The Entrance. Main image taken by Rosie in the afternoon.

May 2008

Anthony was someone who just loved taking photographs for himself and wanted to get the most out of his equipment. So we spent the day on the Central Coast meeting up at Ken Duncans Gallery and then off to the Entrance and then ending the day at Avoca Beach. Anthony had this to say about the day:

Dear Matt,

Thanks again for a great day.  I really feel much, much more confident with landscape photography and even enough to say that i feel that I have a good grasp of the techniques involved.  Your teaching style is very good and covers many aspects of landscape photography.  I learnt so much yet realise that there is a lot more to learn.  Your guidance and communication skills particularly lend to a positive learning experience.  In other feedback,  I thought the time spent at Ken Duncan's gallery was a good idea and has potential to spend time discussing the techniques used in the art / industry, pros and cons of various photos etc.

Thanks for the photos sent - they look excellent.  My wife is more impressed with your photos than mine - I realise that she is a critic and will look for someone who can give advice. Attached are three images from yesterday.  I welcome any suggestions from you.

Thanks heaps for your expertise and advice.
regards

Anthony

The image below is Anthony and I at Avoca Beach and the main image Anthony took at the end of the day putting into practice what was taught during the day.

April 2008

Kim is an International Development Specialist who researches and write reports for clients like the United Nations and The Australian Government on how to improve countries. Before Kim set out on a 7 month tour around the world she wanted to take and improve her photos to match and integrate with her high quality report writing. We spend the day on the Northern Beaches where we spent time on camera setup, functions, shooting techniques and post production work in Photoshop.

Kim had this to say about the course "Hi Matt, thanks so so so much for today. I learnt so much and am so excited about putting it all into practice. I look forward to staying in touch to help me integrate all that you taught me. Can you please send me the electronic version of the manual you created for me. Thanks and keep in touch Kimberly"

April 2008

Michelle is a high school teacher who was looking to take her photography further with the view of getting into the industry and start selling from her work. We spent the day driving around the Entrance on the Central Coast, Red Gum Forest, Long Jetty just to name a few. Michelle and I spoke about the ups and downs of selling your photography and I gave her advice based on my 8 years of starting in the industry from scratch and how she could do it and save herself money on some of my past failed ventures.

Michelle had this to say about the course "Dear Matt, thanks for the course - I enjoyed the day too. I really appreciated you letting me use your filters. It was really helpful to see first hand the type of results you can get using different filters. I haven't had the chance to process any of my shots - will send some through when I do. The whole day was positive and there is nothing you need to work on."

March 2008

Andy and Dean visited Sydney from the United States on a weeks business. Their first visit to Australia. Both described themselves as advanced amateurs in photography. Andy was armed with the new Canon 1d Mark III and a Canon 5D. Dean had the new Sony Alpha camera. We started at Milsons Point and caught the ferry to Circular Quay and shot around the harbour for the day and then made our way back to Milsons Point to shoot the city on sunset.

Andy had this to say about the course " Hi Matt, Just got back to the States last night. I enjoyed your class very much and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I only had time to browse your CD but will have more time this weekend to go through the content. I will work on my photo's this weekend and email you a few samples. Look forward to visiting Sydney again and will take you up on your offer of visiting the Blue Mountains. More later Andy"

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