Do you have a DSLR camera but are not sure how to unlock its full potential? Do you want your camera to become your friend? Join us for a friendly, hands-on 8 week journey into photography for beginners, where you'll learn to take control of your camera - mastering exposure, focus and light, understanding basic composition and polishing your shots with simple editing tools. With the tutor's guidance, you'll enjoy 2 inspiring practical field sessions at sunrise and sunset. By the end of the course, you'll not only understand your camera - you'll feel confident and creative, capturing photos you'll be proud to share.

Available Session Times - select from the following sessions:

67504C - Thu 11.00am 30 April 7 wks x 2 hrs + 1 fldtrp x 3 hrs (Wea Centre)67504D - Mon 5.30pm 25 May 7 wks x 2 hrs + 1 fldtrp x 3 hrs (Wea Centre) STARTED 67504B - Mon 5.30pm 16 March 7 wks x 2 hrs + 1 fldtrp x 3 hrs (Wea Centre) Fees available for this course:(Which Fee?) Standard: A$234.00 Discount: A$209.00 Concession: A$202.00

Select the number of places and click 'Enrol': 1 2 3 4 ENROL

DSLR Photography for Beginners

Course Description

Unlock the full potential of your DSLR camera in this practical beginner-friendly course. 

You’ll learn how to confidently move beyond automatic settings and take control of your camera using aperture, shutter speed and ISO. 

Through clear demonstrations and guided exercises, you’ll build a strong foundation in exposure, focus, depth of field and composition while developing the confidence to capture photographs with greater intention and creativity.

Combining classroom learning with hands-on practice, the course includes two outdoor field sessions where you’ll photograph in real-world lighting conditions such as sunrise or sunset. 

You’ll also explore simple photo editing techniques to enhance your images after capture. 

By the end of the course, you’ll not only understand how your camera works, but also have a growing collection of thoughtful, well-composed photographs that reflect your personal vision.

Course Structure

The course begins with an introduction to DSLR camera functions, helping students become comfortable with camera controls and key settings. 

Participants will learn how the exposure triangle – aperture, shutter speed and ISO – works together to control light and create different photographic effects. 

Through practical exercises, students will explore focus techniques, depth of field, and how to achieve correct exposure in a variety of lighting conditions.

As the course progresses, attention shifts to creative techniques such as composition, working with natural light, and using flash to add dimension to photographs. 

Students will participate in two guided outdoor field sessions designed to apply their new skills in real-world situations. 

The final sessions introduce basic post-processing concepts, helping students refine their images and build confidence in managing their photographic workflow.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Confidently set up and operate a DSLR camera
• Understand and apply the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
• Control focus and depth of field to achieve desired visual effects
• Apply basic composition techniques to improve photographic impact
• Work with natural light and flash to enhance mood and dimension
• Capture photographs in a variety of real-world shooting conditions
• Apply basic post-processing techniques to improve their images.

Course Requirements

Students will need to bring the following items:

• A digital SLR camera with its manual
• At least one interchangeable lens (for example, a standard zoom or prime lens)
• A camera flash (built-in or external)
• Access to a computer with photo editing software for practice at home
• A tripod (optional but recommended for night time or low-light photography)

Your Tutor is Elena Pochesneva

From 2024, Elena Pochesneva has been sharing her expertise through her course, "Capture with a Digital SLR Photo Camera," at WEA South Australia.

Elena's passion for photography was ignited during her school years when she discovered the magic of black-and-white film. Using her grandfather’s vintage film camera, she spent hours in a darkroom with red light, processing and printing photos. For over 20 years, Elena was a journalist, she travelled to many parts of the world, communicating with many different people, reporting news, having options to take photos of interesting events and beautiful nature.

‘I believe that through photography I could share the beauty of nature and humans, bring positive emotions into peoples’ lives and inspire people to appreciate the world around them. – Elena said, - It's an endless chance to explore the depth of our surroundings and share these impressions with others’.

As a photographer, Elena has experience in hosting personal exhibitions and participating in group exhibitions. She is skilled in exhibition setup, promotion, and organizing opening and supporting events. Additionally, she has experience coordinating with local and national communities, art centres, and the South Australian Government.

The following are some of her works:

"Multicoloured Windows"

Feb 2022     Onkaparinga Art Centre, Adelaide

Aug 2022     Multicultural Communities Council of SA, Adelaide

"The Soul of Armenia"

Supported by a Grant from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet SA and Armenian Cultural Association of SA March 2022, Marion Council Chamber, Adelaide

June 2022    Campbelltown Art House, Adelaide

July 2022     Multicultural Communities Council of SA, Adelaide

“Australia. Photo with the Russian accent”

Curator of the exhibition

November 2021

"Your Exhibition Shot"

Feb 2019     New Moment Gallery, Belgrade, Serbia

"Summer Day in Provence"

Aug 2017   Art Gallery, Novosibirsk, Russia

“National Geographic” 

Finalist of the “2016 Photographer of the Year Awards”