Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Photography Student
For photography students every day is an opportunity to hone their craft and take one step closer to mastering the art of photography. Whether they’re just beginning their journey or looking to refine their skills at a more advanced level, DLPHOTO’s unique blend of hands-on learning and expert guidance ensures that students walk away with the skills and confidence they need to pursue their passion for photography. –Let’s take a look behind the scenes at a day in the life of a student and explore what makes their experience stand out.
Waking Up to Inspiration
The average student is someone who loves photography and all things creative, but it wasn’t until they enrolled in the popular short beginner photography course that they found their true calling. The student need not have any photography experience, nor a camera, as all camera gear and course material is provided. Offering flexible weekday sessions to meet the student’s schedule , the student can choose between various time slots and dates to complete each of their 4 sessions making it convenient for them to fit within their busy diary and at a pace that meets their needs. As part of the photography school Cape Town experience, each lesson here is designed not just to teach techniques but to push the person’s creative boundaries with the intention to pursue photography as a hobby or as a career opportunity. What makes the difference with the training is that all instruction is provided in such a way to bring their own perspectives and skills to the table. “Photography can only be taught on a one on one basis and not online. Engagement and focus are vital to the learning process, but fall short for online learning. Without in-person interactions, some students tend to struggle to focus, and are unable to have their specific questions answered. Offering a credible reputation of over 16 years in the field, we believe in on-hand and tailored tuition as the only option for successful results”. The reviews speak for themselves.
What Goes Down in Each Session
The session kicks off with a 3 hour workshop focussing on the itinerary set out for the 4 sessions. Under the guidance of the instructor, a brief overview from the previous session is covered, where the student has the opportunity to address questions to ensure complete understanding. Thereafter, the course moves forward to the next session.
Hands-On Approach
This hands-on approach is what makes DLPHOTO’s photography courses stand out. The student is able to immediately apply what they have learned and to fine-tune their approach to get the perfect shot. The feedback from this process is invaluable. All sessions are conducted in a relaxed and casual environment where the student discusses what worked, what didn’t, and how they can improve both their practical and technical skills for future shoots. These informal conversations often lead to new ideas and creative collaborations which open up the students mind and point them in a new direction. Our intention is to provide a time for connection and inspiration. This hands-on Course is a key where students learn to master essential techniques like camera settings, indoor and outdoor, studio lighting, composition, editing and post, and how to market and prepare for a career in photography. The student has the opportunity to experiment with different compositions and camera settings, and work on framing the subject in ways that tell a deeper story while incorporating the background elements with one-on-one guidance, from composition to achieving stronger visual impact.
Out in ‘The Wild’
Sessions include an outdoor field test where both the student and instuctor head-out to practice what has been learnt. Here is the time to shoot portraiture, street culture, architecture and visual landscape, practice the interaction between the camera settings and take the shot. Students will learn the importance of using natural light while encompassing all the skills they have been taught. This is when they shine! This type of real-world assignment is a core part of DLPHOTO’s Photography Course Cape Town philosophy. It’s not just about learning in a studio —students gain experience by shooting in diverse environments, developing their skills in practical, real-world scenarios. This outdoor session provides the student the opportunity to showcase their photographs in the final editing and post production session. Using Adobe Bridge and Photoshop to enhance images, adjusting the colour balance, sharpness, and exposure to make each image pop, and being able to apply what has been learned about lighting and composition to add their personal touch to the final image is what this session is all about. Instruction is provided in the genre of choice in areas such as retouching skin tones and creating more dramatic effects to ensure students can finish their images to a professional standard. This session is an essential part of the process.
Mission Statement – What We Have to Say
” Our intention is to make sure that the student is confident and able to apply what they have learnt. Our students are our reason for being here, we offer all the patience and time to ensure our students are confident and able to make use of what they have learnt, Our students are not just numbers, they are friends. All our students will tell you that the door is always open”.
Wrapping Up
The course is officially over, but isn’t done just yet. The intention is that the student spends the time thereafter reviewing her work, jotting down ideas, and browsing photography blogs for inspiration. For the student, photography is more than just a hobby—it’s a passion. The practical application, combined with the creativity fostered at DLPHOTO, instils excitement for what’s to come. Every day is a chance to grow as a photographer, whether it’s through mastering technical skills, refining creative concepts, or gaining feedback from industry professionals. Each student knows that by the time they completes their photography course at DLPHOTO, they will have the confidence and expertise to pursue a career or journey into photography as an avid hobbyist.