Laura_Bianco
Reged: 29/03/2006
Posts: 48
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Welcome to the Diploma in Digital Photography student forum! This is a great place for students to chat and share ideas.
Whether you’d like to say ‘hello’, ask for advice on how to complete the course work, organise shoots and get-togethers or discuss photography in general – this is the place. This is your forum!
I hope to see a lively and informative exchange of views here, so don’t be shy.
Should you wish to contact me, do so through the forum at Laura_Bianco or give me a call on 020 3148 4326.
Laura Bianco
Course Administrator
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Grimper
newbie
Reged: 25/06/2007
Posts: 7
Loc: Dublin.
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Hi Laura.
I was wondering what differences there are between the 3 courses.
1 Diploma in Digital Photography.
2 Digital imaging for Photographers.
3 Introduction to Digital Imaging for Photographers.
Regard's
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They are WEEDS only because they are growing in the wrong place.;)
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Garry McNamara
Snr Tutor/Bongo Banjo
Reged: 16/08/2006
Posts: 2019
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I'm sure Laura will give you lots of useful info but briefly...
The Diploma in Digital Photography places the emphasis on the more technical aspects of digital camera settings - sensor response, white balance and sharpening etc. It also covers aspects of editing such as levels, curves and sharpening in software.
2 and 3 are the same course - the old Introduction to Digital Imagining for Photographers (which no longer accepts new students) which has now metamorphisised into the Diploma above.
So the other option now is the Foundation in Digital Photography, which is less technical and instead brings in a healthy dose of basic camera technique such as how to use aperture and shutter controls, composition and using focal lengths effectively,
Hope that helps but Laura is always on hand to help students select the right course for them,
Garry
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Grimper
newbie
Reged: 25/06/2007
Posts: 7
Loc: Dublin.
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Thanks for that Gary.I was getting confused with the different forums
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They are WEEDS only because they are growing in the wrong place.;)
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Lost_In_France
journeyman
Reged: 27/03/2007
Posts: 98
Loc: Lake Annecy, Haute Savoie
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In the SPI forums there are many posts from potential students (and I count myself as one of these) who are confused about which course to undertake. Reading through these posts the common problem seems to be that there is a little in every course that is relevant, but not a single course that would seem to cover an all-round photographic eductaion.
In my own case, I would seem to need a combination of both the Foundation in Photography and Diploma in Digital Photography courses. The problem for me here is that the courses cannot be done in isolation - there needs to be a structured "mixing" of these courses.
As an exercise I have pulled together the contents of the two courses into a single course that would provide me (and I believe a lot of other students) with an all-round training. Some of the elements can be optional, and I have also added some additional areas that would complement the overall completeness of what I am looking to achieve. So for those of you who are interested here is my "ideal" Diploma in Digital Photography course..........
STAGE 1 – CAMERA CONTROLS
DIGITAL IMAGES
How digital images are created and how that relates to the way we control them. File types are discussed, as is compression, RAW modes and the pros and cons of in-camera processing.
CAMERA PROGRAM MODES
Match shooting mode to your subject for real control over how your pictures look.
EXTREME MEASURES
We then go on to look at ways of working with contrast, both in-camera and in software, to avoid losing image detail, especially in highlight and shadow areas.
TONAL PLACEMENT
You will learn how to recognise tones and how to meter to optimise the dynamic range of your camera, as well as to recognise when only certain sections of the image need adjusting.
WHITE BALANCE
We show you how to get a grip of colours; learning how to control them in the camera, working with different types of lighting and creating unique white balance settings.
STAGE 2 – TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
COMPOSITION
Learn how viewpoint and composition can be used to give your pictures more impact.
LENS POWER
Master the power of your zoom and get to grips with framing and perspective in your images.
COLOUR & SHAPES
Using colour and shapes for impact, effect and atmosphere. Seeing graphically and using line and form to lead the eye around the picture.
PEOPLE (Optional)
Getting the best from your portrait subjects - either in the studio or on location. Bringing personality into your photos. Choosing appropriate angles, lighting and lenses. How to take candids, groups and children.
LANDSCAPES (Optional)
From rolling hills to cityscapes, industrial sites to seascapes, you will be shown how to create depth and interest in your landscape photography. Creating atmosphere with lighting, camera angles and the best lens for the job.
NATURE (Optional)
Techniques on photographing nature and wildlife. Capturing wildlife shots unobserved. How to photograph flowers close-up (macro photography).
STILL LIFE (Optional)
Photographing still objects both in the studio and on location. Mastering the use of daylight. Controlling flash and using reflectors.
BUILDINGS & ARCHITECTURE (Optional)
Shooting exteriors and interiors. Choosing the right time of day and the weather most appropriate for your subject. Going in for detail and placing your subject in the context of its surroundings, as well as converging verticals and tricks to avoid them.
SPORT & ACTION (Optional)
Coping with high speed shots, being prepared and anticipating the moment. Absorbing the atmosphere of the event into your photography.
STAGE 3 – POST PRODUCTION
THE WORK ENVIRONMENT & STORAGE
Setting up the computer and calibrating your monitor. How to transfer images from camera to computer. Available software and their uses. How best to organize your digital post-processing workflow, including RAW. Organising a filing system - filing and naming, captioning and making and filing back-ups.
SCANNING FILM (Optional)
Types of scanners – their pros and cons. How to set up and use a scanner. Setting up scanner profiles for different types of film.
COLOUR CONTROL IN SOFTWARE
We look at how software can alter colours, and how colours are used creatively to enhance atmosphere. Measuring colour. Altering colour with levels, hue and saturation. Working with curves.
STRUCTURAL CORRECTION
You will learn how to retouch your images to remove blemishes, how to straighten horizons and good working practices to ensure nothing gets missed. Creating panoramas and 360o panoramas and correcting converging verticals.
ADVANCED SOFTWARE CONTROLS (Optional)
Enlarging and reducing images, combining layers and selecting and adding objects. Brushwork and enhancing colours. Changing shapes and surrealist images.
IMAGE SHARPENING
We then study ways of sharpening images and ways to reduce the destructive impact of sharpening tools.
BLACK & WHITE
Life in colour is nice, but black and white is just as exciting and full of opportunities. You will see just how many ways there are to create beautiful black and white images from one-click to the complexities of colour’s influence on contrast. We also deal with toning and staining images to create a range of effects.
END USE
Getting your pictures into print. Calibrating your printer and setting up printer profiles. Printing with different paper types and sizes (including panoramas) and inks. How to display your photographs on the web.
Any ideas on how I can actually do this course!!!!! 
Regards,
Mark
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Mark
"War is like an ageing actress; always more dangerous, always less photogenic." (Robert Capa)
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apdlc
newbie
Reged: 13/01/2008
Posts: 16
Loc: Jersey UK
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Ahhhhhhhh alas you will never become a millionaire if you put it all into one course, unless you double the price and then it becomes less competitive and far less atractive, and of course far les affordable to many. If you know what you want to learn why do you need to do a course? why not study at your own leisure, learn from reference books and practical application. compare your work with others and benchmark your knowledge and ability through comparison and critique form proffessionals through the many photographic sites and forums. If you want a piece of paper which tells people you have completed a course then maybe just do both the intoduction and the diploma courses. but if you want recognition through ability then you need to show the world what you can do. Sounds like I'm preaching but I dont mean to I just feel unsure about what your purpose for doing such a course is.
best regards
Andy
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Lost_In_France
journeyman
Reged: 27/03/2007
Posts: 98
Loc: Lake Annecy, Haute Savoie
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The piece of paper at the end is an irrelevance as far as I am concerned! 
Yes I do know what I need to learn but like many people I need the discipline of a structured course to do this. The main benefit of doing a course is building the relationship with a tutor and getting consistent and constructive criticism throughout the process. To simply buy books and ask whatever pro photographer, who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and who will probably make encouraging noises just to get rid of me, is not really the path that I wish to tread.
Its really just a pity that the excellent courses that the SPI provide cannot be made available in a modular structure. That way you could pick and choose as little, or as many, as you think you require. Would also address the income issue that you made!
Oh well, maybe one day!
Mark
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Mark
"War is like an ageing actress; always more dangerous, always less photogenic." (Robert Capa)
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hil26
journeyman
Reged: 07/11/2007
Posts: 70
Loc: North Wales
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Why oh why is this site so slow to load?
It is so slow, its painful trying to view images in the gallery section, in fact that slow, I have given up trying to look at them.
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