South Bay Underwater Photographic Society

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Introductory/Refresher Underwater Photo Class

Four classes - Call to schedule a class, or

Email for Virtual Classes on your computer !

U/W or Top Side assignments and written material at each class
Emphasis on the technical, technique & artistic aspects of photography

First Class

Ambient light

Aperture, F-stops: depth of field,
Shutter speed: motion, hand held values.
Film speed, ASA/DIN/ISO: granularity.
Exposure metering: 18% gray card, f-16 rule,
Focus: manual/autofocus, U/W corrections.
Silhouettes. Sun rays.

  • Assignment: close up and wide angle with different settings. Exposure metering. Silhouettes.
  • Objective: To show effect of camera settings on the depth of field, motion, focus, and exposure.

    • Second Class

    Strobe illumination

    Shutter speed and synchronization.
    Aperture and Guide Number: calibration.
    Light adjustment: distance, power, F-stops.
    Two strobe systems.
    Manual and TTL metering.

  • Assignment: Guide number calibration for close up and wide angle with your own strobe/flash.
  • Objective: Determination of GN. Effect of strobe power, distance, F-stops.

    • Third Class

    Ambient and strobe light

    Determination of controlling F-stop.
    Strobe adjustment.
    Close up. Wide angle close up.
    Manual and TTL.

  • Assignment: Close up and wide angle with strobe and ambient light.
  • Objective: Balance of ambient light with strobe in different configurations.

    • Fourth Class

    Composition - Display of images - Competitions - Computer manipulation

    Rule of thirds. Coming and going. Up and down. Room to move.
    Lines and diagonals. Negative space. Uniqueness.
    Attention getters: Light, color, contrast.
    Display of images: framing of prints, slide shows
    Entering and winning competitions
    Computer manipulation of images - Programs - Services available

  • Assignment: Open.
  • Objective: Self and group evaluation.

    • Course Requirements

    * Camera: underwater or top side camera with manual settings available. You should be able to set film speed, f-stops and shutter speeds. Automatic settings for exposure or focus not required, but if available the camera should be able to be set for Manual

    * The camera should have a manual flash or strobe

    * 35 mm color slide film

    * The course consists of four classes.

    * After finishing each class you send an Email saying that you are ready for the exam and the assignment. They will be Emailed to you.

    * You Email back the exam with your answers and mail the slides of your assignment (you may also scan and send them electronically)

    * The exam will be graded and comments will be made on it. You will be guided in any area that you may need additional help (via Email). You will also get comments on the assignment slides.

    * We request your permission to show the slides at our meetings and on the web to get other comments or for teaching purposes. The slides will be identified as yours or they can be kept anonymous as you prefer for each slide.

    *  This course is done on a personal basis. Please keep all material confidential. You are welcome to advertise the course but not to distribute its content.

    All participant have different previous knowledge of photography

    For consistency, many concepts must be discussed even when we understand

    that many of you already know the subject

    Please take it as a review and remember that it never hurts to revisit a concept

    (c) 1997 - Underwater Images

    $ 45 for four classes  - Mail check to SBUPS - P.O. Box 11366, Torrance, CA 90510

    You will receive an access code address for the course

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