Spoil yourself this Spring, and learn Creative Macro and Close-up Photography, in the beautiful Australian Botanic Garden at Mt Annan, it is a great opportunity to learn something new, and hone your camera skills.

It is a great opportunity to learn something new, and hone your camera skills. This Workshop has a maximum of six participants, for a better learning experience and more one-to-one time with the Tutor.

You will learn; How to do handheld creative Macro and Close-up Photography, how to focus and recompose properly, Interpret natural light, framing, composition and negative space, Depth of Field, Using live view to focus your photograph and How to review / check your photographs properly.

You will be taught by a Professional Photography Tutor, with over 50 years of experience in Photography, including nine years of Photography Tutoring, in a relaxed but informative atmosphere. No concession.

Agenda

You‘ll be shown how to set up your camera properly for Macro and Close-up Photography, using your lens and macro lens and or extension tubes and or close-up filters.

You will learn; How to do handheld creative Macro / Close-up Photography, how to focus and recompose properly, Interpret natural light-both high key and low key light, framing, composition and negative space, Depth of Field DOF; maximum DOF and minimum DOF, Hyperfocal Distance, Using live view to focus your photograph and How to review / check your photographs properly.

Students are advised to have either have a lens with close-up capability, and or a close-up filter, and or a set of extension tubes and or a macro lens, any of these will enable you to take detailed photos some of the extremely small flowers and plants. Even if you do not have any of the additional equipment, this field trip is a great way to learn the techniques and secrets of creative Macro and Close-up Photography.

Agenda:
Comprehensive Macro and Close-up Photography Set up;
Setting up your camera properly;
*Image settings large fine Jpeg and or RAW
*ISO Film speed
*Light meter settings
*Colour Space settings; ARGB or SRGB
*White Balance
*Picture styles with Filters
*Setting up your lens, macro lens and or extension tubes (recommended), close up filters
*Setting up properly for manual focus

Comprehensive Macro and Close-up Photography Tuition including;
*How to do handheld creative macro and close-up photography
*How to focus and recompose properly
*How to interpret natural light-both high key and low key light
*You will also learn; framing, composition and negative space
*Depth OF Field DOF; maximum DOF and minimum DOF
*Hyperfocal Distance
*Using live view to focus your photograph
*How to review and check your photographs properly
*Debrief and open chat session

Skill level:
This field trip is suitable for students who have a thorough working knowledge of their camera and controls, shutter and aperture settings and or have completed either a;
*Beginner‘s Photography Course or similar
*Basic DSLR and Digital Photography Course or similar
*Intermediate Photography Course or similar
*Landscape Photography Course or similar

Materials

What to bring:
Camera Equipment;
*Any adjustable digital camera; DSLR / 4/3rds / Mirrorless / Bridge with RAW / JPEG image capability, adjustable ISO / film speed settings and adjustable exposure settings; shutter, aperture and manual exposure i.e. S or TV, A or AV and M, with manual focus capability, also if your camera has adjustable picture control / picture style settings i.e. monochrome standard, neutral etc
*A spare camera body if you have one
*Batterie(s) charged and ready x 2 if you have them
*Memory card(s) x 2 if you have them
An extra battery and memory card, are strongly recommended, as your camera will be ON, for most of this field trip and you will be reviewing your photographs frequently

LENS(ES)
You will need either;
At least one Zoom lens(es) with manual focus capability
18 - 55 mm , 18 - 135 mm , 16 - 35mm , 28 to 80 mm, 10 - 20mm , 40 - 150mm , 70 - 200 etc
and or
Prime lens(es) with manual focus capability
if you have them i.e. 35 mm , 50 mm , 85mm, 105mm, 135mm , 200mm
and or
A macro lens with manual focus capability
Most of the above lenses from approx 35mm and higher in focal length can be used in conjunction with the following to greatly increase magnification;
*A set of close-up filter(s) the stronger the magnification the better, and/or
*a set of extension tubes in 2 or 3 sizes (in each set); 12mm , 20 mm, 25mm and 30mm

Extension Tubes detailed info:
Extension Tubes disclaimer:
Please note:
Please check your lens mount type before purchasing,
You need to actually check your camera mount, to make sure which type of mount, whether it is either; a Full frame or Crop mount.

Please note that some camera lens and extension combination(s) can bring the lens optic close to and even touching the object in front of the lens!

See your Camera body and lens instructions that came with your camera / lens for further information, otherwise contact the manufacturer for more information if you are not sure.
Neither the Macarthur Community College nor Neoklis Bloukos, do not take any responsibility for any damage that could occur, due to incorrect camera and or extension tube and or lens combination, and any use there of.

EXTENSION TUBES
Are a great way to get close-up / macro photographs, without putting extra optics in front of your lens, if you decide to purchase extension tubes, please ensure they are the correct mount for your camera, prior to the start of this class.

Kenko extension tubes
Make automatic extension tubes (all info from lens to camera) and you can use them on most lenses see *note below.

Extension Tubes WORK ON MOST LENSES
*35 MM and above (full frame equivalent) but usually wont work with special lenses i.e. ultra wide or fisheye lenses (not recommended).
The Tutor uses either an automatic 12mm and or 25mm extension tube(s) on his 35mm 50mm and 135 mm lenses.
I do recommend AUTOMATIC extension tubes, which meter the light properly through to your camera, please check the specifications of any extension tube or set you are wishing to purchase.

Kenko extension tubes are available in most camera mounts

You can buy them for most interchangeable lens bodies they come in sets are available for the following;

Micro 4/3rds 10 mm and 16mm
http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/lens_accessories/extension_tube/extension_tube_set_dg_micro_43.html

Nikon 12mm 20mm 36mm
http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/lens_accessories/extension_tube/dg_auto_extension_tube_set.html

Canon 12mm 20mm 36mm
http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/lens_accessories/extension_tube/dg_auto_extension_tube_set.html

Sony emount
Sony alpha mount

10 mm and 16mm
http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/lens_accessories/extension_tube/kenko_dg_extension_tube_set_sony_e_full.html

Lens notes;
*Any lens with a fast aperture of f1.4 / f1.8 / f2.0 / f2.8 / f4.0 etc will be very useful for creative Macro photography

Please note
Some Zoom lenses have a close-up / macro function built in (please check the specifications of your lens)

Macro Close-Up Photography equipment special note:
*To do Macro Close-Up Photography properly with a DSLR / 4/3rds / Mirrorless camera, you will need either;
*A lens with manual focus or a camera which enables manual focus, this is essential to do macro close-up photography (this is usually a switch either on the lens or on the camera) please check your instructions for detailed information
*Some Bridge cameras have a manual focus setting either in the menu or a button controllable function, some have a Macro / Close-up photography button setting, please check your instructions for detailed information, see also close up filters below.

Close up filters Information:
Close up filters disclaimer:
Please note:
Before mounting a close up filter(s), please check your lens size / specifications, or physically on your lens, and or the front of your lens, and or underneath your lens, or lens cap for the correct filter size / diameter.

Please note:
That some camera lens and close up filter(s) combination(s) can bring the close up filter optic close to and even touching the object in front of the lens!

See your Camera body and lens instructions that came with your camera / lens for further information, otherwise contact the manufacturer for more information if you are not sure of the filter diameter.
Neither the Macarthur Community College, nor Neoklis Bloukos, do not take any responsibility, for any damage that could occur, due to incorrect lens and close up filter(s) combination, or any use thereof.

CLOSE-UP FILTERS
Offer a great solution where extension tubes, cannot be used, in this situation, close-up filters are highly recommended.
To be able to use close-up filters, your camera will need to have a filter mount,
Please note; this especially applies to;
Fixed lens cameras, or bridge cameras
i.e. a camera with a fixed zoom lens, or fixed prime lens camera, (the lens is not detachable)

HOYA close-up filters
HOYA a make a +1 +2 and +4 filter set, which are available, in different filter sizes

Tutor‘s Macro Photography kit to share:
The Tutor will have the following, which can be used and shared by the students for duration of the field trip (*please bring an extra blank SD card if you need to use the Tutor‘s share camera equipment).
*One spare DSLR camera
*50mm standard lens
*2 x extension tubes

If you have any of these items, please bring them along too
*5 in 1 reflector or a reflector and or diffuser
*Led light(s) and batteries
*LED torch(es) and batteries

What to wear:
Weatherproof clothing / clothing for warmer or cool weather
*Cool / wet weather warm clothing / jumper / rain jacket
*Warmer weather comfortable clothing, hat and sunglasses

Footwear:
Please note; as there are some uneven and loose surfaces within the gardens, to participate you must wear enclosed footwear only, NO open footwear i.e. sandals can be worn for this field trip. For safety purposes acceptable footwear is as follows; walking shoes, running shoes, bush walking shoes or hiking boots, (weather-proof footwear is advisable).

Other items to bring:
* A towel for yourself and your camera
* Bug repellent
* Sunscreen
* Mini umbrella
* Water, food and snacks
* Note pad and pen
* Cash for coffee / drinks / lunch / brunch etc
* Hand sanitiser
* Disposable gloves
* Antibacterial wipes (camera)
* Camera (LCD) screen cleaner
* Face mask if needed (personal preference)
* Glasses if you need them

Safety precautions:
Please note hygiene safety precautions, and Government advisory will be in place

Students will be notified of all the details if they have booked well prior to the field trip date.

Special notes:
If the venue for this field trip has not been granted access/ changed ie lockdown / safety concerns etc, a future postponed date will be set
Briefing, as well as review and debrief of students photographs, is inclusive of the time allowed, for this field trip.

Please note:
General Photography is permitted, but; (close up photos of families / adults and especially identifying children under 18 years old, should not be taken or be published, unless a model waiver has been signed).

Weather:
ALL field trips will be run regardless of the weather, to give participants an opportunity to photograph in fine or wet weather.
This field trip will only be postponed to a future date, ONLY if extreme weather / thunderstorm is forecast or it is continuously raining.

Special field trip debrief notes:
Course debrief (last half hour), the Photography Tutor will run a Field Trip debrief, as well as an open chat session to anything relating to Photography, equipment or theory, in the grounds of Mt ANNAN (BYO water, food, snacks). A coffee cart does operate, depending on time of day / actual day etc.

Please Note: any food, drinks, lunch expenses, getting there etc are incurred at the participants own cost.

Venue

Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan NSW 2567

Where to meet:

Meet the Tutor at the benches adjacent to the P3 Car Park adjacent to the Visitor Centre

Please use this google map pin to get to our exact meeting location

https://goo.gl/maps/nGjjw5PmSxUsKVW16

Getting to the Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan:

Please allow enough time to get there, by car or by public transport

By car
The Australian Botanic Garden can be accessed from both, Narellan and Mount Annan Roads, Mount Annan please allow at least an extra 15 x minutes to get to P3 Parking area from Narellan Road (as there wildlife and shared speed zones / pedestrian areas on the way through).

A google pin to P3 Parking

https://goo.gl/maps/Fpa2f23AKoYhZmY17