NATURE, TRAVEL AND URBAN SCENES. Have you mastered the basics of your DSLR camera and are ready to take the next steps? This practical 10-week intermediate course is designed for photographers who want to move beyond camera settings and develop a more creative and thoughtful approach to photography. Combining classroom sessions, guided outdoor field practice and image review workshops, the course explores nature, urban and travel photography while strengthening composition, the use of natural light, visual storytelling and photographic workflow. By the end of the course, participants will be more confident creating photographs that communicate atmosphere, place and story.
DSLR Photography – Intermediate
Course Description
Take your photography beyond camera settings and learn to create images with greater impact, intention and creativity.
This practical intermediate course is designed for photographers who already understand the fundamentals of DSLR or mirrorless photography and are ready to refine their technical skills while developing a stronger photographic eye.
Through a combination of classroom learning, guided outdoor field sessions and constructive image reviews, you'll learn how to create more thoughtful photographs in a variety of real-world situations.
Throughout the course, you'll explore nature, urban and travel photography while strengthening your understanding of composition, natural light, visual storytelling and photographic workflow.
You'll also learn how to critically evaluate your images, organise your photographic archive and create cohesive collections of photographs that communicate atmosphere, place and story.
By the end of the course, you'll have greater confidence photographing a wide range of subjects and a more purposeful approach to your photography.
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Course Structure
This practical course combines classroom demonstrations, guided discussions, outdoor photography sessions and collaborative image reviews to help students further develop their photographic skills.
The course begins by reinforcing manual camera operation before exploring creative composition, working with natural light and photographing landscapes, wildlife, architecture, street scenes and travel experiences.
Three supervised outdoor field sessions provide opportunities to apply new techniques in real-world environments.
Throughout the course, students will participate in constructive image review sessions that encourage critical thinking and photographic growth.
They will also learn practical techniques for selecting, organising and managing their photographs, developing an efficient photographic workflow and creating cohesive photographic series that tell a visual story.
Weekly assignments reinforce learning and provide opportunities to practise new skills between classes.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Confidently apply manual camera settings in a range of photographic situations
- Use composition techniques to create stronger and more engaging photographs
- Work creatively with natural light, weather and changing environmental conditions
- Photograph landscapes, wildlife, architecture, street scenes and travel subjects with greater confidence
- Critically evaluate and select their strongest photographs
- Organise and manage a photographic workflow and image archive
- Create a cohesive series of photographs that communicates a place, atmosphere or story.
Course Requirements
Students will need to bring the following items:
- A digital SLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls
- At least one interchangeable lens
- Your camera manual (recommended)
- Access to a computer for reviewing and managing photographs at home
- A tripod (optional but recommended for low-light photography and long exposures).
Your Tutor is Elena Pochesneva
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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”
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