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Photography Short Course

PLEASE NOTE: Due to popular demand, this course is currently full. However, if you would like to register your interest for when the next start dates become available, please continue to complete the adult application form and a member of our applications team will be in touch with further information.

This course is suitable for students aged 19 and over.

This course covers basic digital photography techniques, through the means of a bridge or DSLR camera. The course can be taught at beginner, intermediate or advanced levels, depending on your skills and experience of photography.

You will learn technical skills in camera handling, learn about exposure control - aperture, shutter speed, ISO, compositional technique and explore different lighting types to create visually interesting imagery. Furthermore, you will learn how to apply basic post editing techniques to your images through Adobe Photoshop.

Both indoor and outdoor photography is explored through studio practice and location trips, to enhance your shooting skills. You will be required to complete a series of creative projects, to support you with this.

Please be advised, the types of tasks delivered will vary as they are very much determined by the time of year - light availability and weather permitting, therefore each terms delivery will differ slightly.

When will I start the course and how long will it take?

This course has various start dates throughout the year. You will attend one evening per week and the course will take 8 weeks to complete.

This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.

What will I study?

Depending on your level of study you may study photography using a range of materials techniques and processes including an introduction to traditional darkroom techniques, DSLR camera operation, digital editing techniques and various projects designed to boost your creativity.

You will need to bring the following with you during the course:

  • Digital SLR camera or Bridge camera with MASP functions
  • Memory card for your camera
  • Card reader
  • Memory drive / USB pen
  • Tripod

On the course, you will explore portraiture, landscape and still life genres and experiment with a range of lighting techniques * artificial, available, natural etc. Post production is explored through Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, which you will use to enhance your imagery to give it a more creative and professional edge.

Do I need any previous qualifications to start this course?

There are no formal entry requirements. All you need is commitment and enthusiasm.

As with all our leisure courses the main emphasis is to come along and enjoy the course!

What are the course fees?

You may be eligible for Community Learning funding if you have not recently participated in a similar Community Learning programme, or received any other recent government funded training.

There are a number of fee options for this course including:

  • If you are unemployed - FREE
  • If you are employed - £30
  • If you are not eligible for Community Learning - £180

What can I go on to do once I have completed this course?

You may wish to progress on to an accredited qualification in a creative arts subject which will allow you to practice your skills in the industry.

Are you ready to apply?

Are you

ready to apply?

Simply fill in our online form here.

However, if you still have questions in relation to this course and wish to receive further information, please submit your enquiry here.


Please note, we have taken our utmost care to describe and show course information as accurately as possible. St Helens College reserves the right to amend, remove and add courses in the future. This information cannot be considered contractual and advertised course fees are subject to change.

Ref: Jim Morgan

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