Introduction to DSLR with Tolly Robinson

Do you have a new DSLR camera that you can’t just get the hang of? Or an old hand me down gathering dust?

This entry level guide to DSLR photography, led by Tolly Robinson, will explore the basic functions of a camera (shutter speed, aperture and ISO). At the end of this one day course, you will have the tools to move away from the Automatic function and start taking the photos that you want to take.

Whether beginner or refresher, this course will help you see your camera as a tool and not something to be afraid of. Just bring your camera and, if you have it, a tripod.

Course layout:

Introduction to Shutter Speed
We will take a whistle stop tour of the camera and take a look at the exposure triangle.
Using examples of famous photographs, we will then look at how changing shutter speed impacts your photo. A short practical tutorial will then follow, focusing on movement. We will also look at tripods and find out when they are needed.

Introduction to Aperture
Moving onto the second side of the exposure triangle we will look at aperture. Looking again at famous examples we will discover how aperture impacts focus and how we can use it to bring dreamlike quality to our images or instil them with hyperreality.

Introduction to ISO (and the not so scary world of Manual)
In this final session we will look at how ISO impacts the grain in an image - looking at famous photographs to understand the difference. We will introduce Manual mode - where the user has complete control of the camera.

Tolly Robinson is a documentary photographer. His work has been featured in the FT Weekend magazine, the Guardian and on the BBC. He also helps run the POST darkroom and leads the HERA photowalks that take place every month.

Portrait of Tolly: © Chloë Imbach