Some of you are super-organised and will have sorted out all your Christmas presents in August. But for the other 98% of us you might be wondering just what to buy for some of your close friends or family. Well if you know people who are interested in photography, this message is for you.

I’ve always loved offering advice and I now find increasing numbers of people will call/email/visit me to ask for advice about how to take better photographs. This is great as it shows that more and more people want to find ways to be creative.

So now I’ve pulled together the different areas that people ask me for help with and I’ve condensed all the really important parts into three training courses designed to help people take better photographs.

In no particular order, the three training courses to help a photographer starting out are:

Lighting and Composition
This course shows people two of the most important aspects of photography. Throw away that ‘useful’ advice of keeping the sun behind you and find out how to add drama, effect and depth to your images. And discover how a strongly composed photograph gives intrigue and impact to your shots to make your work stand out above the rest.

Understanding your camera and Photoshop
This is nothing to do with taking a camera apart but *everything* to do with understanding how to use your equipment to get that shot you can see in your head. And taking the photograph these days is only half the story; Photoshop is every photographer’s essential tool for the ‘other 50%’ of your work. See how Adobe’s flagship software can be used to enhance your work to turn ‘good’ into ‘amazing’!

Shooting style and ‘people interaction’
Everyone has their own style but photographers starting out often need help finding out what theirs is. This course will help uncover your personal style to portray that uniqueness about you. Everyone that photographs people will tell you that how you interact with them can dramatically change the end result. Sometimes you need to be up close, other times dropping right back so it seems you’re not even there. Which is right depends on a whole range of changing circumstances.

Much of the training is spent in the field instead of the classroom. Costs are £40 for each two hour session.

If you know someone that would love to take better photographs in 2011, get them a present they really want. Email simon@bonjourphotography.com or call 0118 981 0961 for more information.

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