I enrolled on a photography course, courtesy of a voucher when I purchased my new camera last year 
I was struggling with the settings, which apart from taking flowers in AV mode (my speciality) I hadn’t quite grasped without the auto settings.
Today was a day to remember and re-learn photography techniques. The day was; enjoyable, productive, informative and tiring. I have the notes from the course and my additional notes, written up after I got home. I am pleased with some of my photo results, which were quite different from what I usually achieve in similar situations.
The course also covered aspects of nature and thirds, which reminded me of conversations with a friend of mine.
I had a great day
Thank you Panasonic for the money off offer (plus the software) when I purchased my camera and thank you Paul for such an informative course, I will be joining you on part 2 soon
you need lessons??
I think not after seeing that pic of your shoes (which used to be on display top right)
perhaps it is the camera that needs them
I have noticed that instruction books for all modern electronic devices (cameras, phones, computers etc) are very badly written and make no sense at all
Thanks JD
My instruction manual has over 200 pages and doesn’t have a proper index making things difficult to find. I think modern cameras are a little too fancy for their own good too
I know know how to find some of the functions more easily and how to use the variable focus point so I can focus the camera on the exact point I need it to.
I also just recently bought a (second-hand) Panasonic DMC-FZ18. Great camera, but still trying to work out all the features on the menu!
They do make them rather complicated don’t they? Or is it just that cameras do too many things these days? After going on the course I can now find things more easily.
Whether you need it or not, it sounds like you had a great deal of fun. I would have enjoyed it for sure…I have to admit, I should spend more time reading the manual relating to mine but, me and manuals are not the best combination. There is nothing like hands on enjoyment
I enjoyed it mostly because I was helped to find out how to set up my camera for best effect so I didn’t have to use the auto setting ever (unless I want to
). I had been struggling a little to find some settings in my camera and I wasn’t sure what some of the graphs displayed were telling me. Now I know 
I was also reminded of the 1/3 – 2/3 focusing rule which I had forgotten. It led to me experimenting a little more with the settings which lead to some surprising photos. I will be exploring some more
Don’t forget to share your tips with us.
I don’t think you need any tips your photos are great
I will share my learning points, that is all I can do 
Hi, It looks like you took the same photography course that I did -Paul from going digital? It seems so much at the time to comprehend and there is always more to learn. Glad you enjoyed the class, do you know what one you will be taking next?
What a co-incidence, yes it was with Paul from going digital
I did the explore the DSLR system camera part one and I will do part two soon. I do intend to do some of the others after but I am not sure which because there are quite a few that I find interesting.
Will you be taking another one?
Hi again Cherry,
I have taken part 2, haven’t planned another one, but if you sign up for one please let me know and I will see if it is one I might be interested in too.
I am looking to take part two soon, maybe in July. After that I will decide which of the many interesting courses I would like to do next. My initial thoughts are landscapes, portraits Family and Friends, water and movement, travel Home and Abroad and I am also tempted by the Wildlife and Birds of Prey…
Are there any courses you are particularly interested in? I think it would be fun to meet up and do a course together.
I keep saying I should learn how to use the camera properly and take better photos – time is always the problem. But maybe if I were serious enough it wouldn’t be.
You already take wonderful photos!
Thank you Liz
You take good photos yourself.
I mostly wanted to learn how to use my new camera so that I can get the best out of it. I want to be able to try some new techniques and I got some great portraits on the day. I won’t be posting those though as it isn’t fair on the people who were other class members.
I will have to get a willing model and take some especially