Essentials Photography Course for Beginner Photographers

Photography Course Sydney (1 day) - for beginners and those who have some camera knowledge.
Small group photography courses where you learn how to use your DSLR / Mirrorless camera creatively around various Sydney city/ harbour locations. For current course dates and how to make a booking see below.
Why shoot in Auto mode when other buttons and settings on your camera will elevate your photography to another level? Let us show you how!
Not sure what aperture does or which f number to use?
Do you take the odd 'lucky photo' by chance but want to start taking winning shots every time by getting more creative with your camera but are too busy to commit to 4 week photography courses or read a camera manual?

SignaturePhoto Essentials 1-Day photography course gift vouchers make ideal Christmas and Birthday presents. To purchase a gift voucher just fill in the Gift Voucher form (click here).

This comprehensive hands-on photography course, comprising theory and practical, will provide you the skills and confidence to get the most out of your camera to take creative photographs and never go back to Auto mode again!
Course covers: camera handling, digital photography fundamentals and the creative / compositional process of taking great photos - landscapes, portraits, close-ups, still-life, motion, architecture - in both outdoor and indoor lighting locations, travel photography tips.


Photography Level: Beginner, some previous knowledge, or if moving to digital from film
Course duration: 6 hours (1 hr theory & 5 hr practical workshop) incl Botanical Gardens & other CBD locations, Sydney Harbour.

Cost: $240 - INCLUDES detailed notes (so no need to write your own!)
Group size: small groups - max 6 persons
Meeting point: Sydney NSW 2000 (actual address / location Sydney CBD meeting point will be emailed to you before course). Finishes at Circular Quay.

Next course dates: Sun 7 April, Sun 28 April, Sun 9 June

Max group size 6 persons. Course itinerary may vary.

NOTE: Private photography training around CBD, The Harbour, The Rocks from 1-2 people, is available - starting from 2 hours. Can include night shooting during winter months. (Please email for hourly rate).

Time: 11am-5pm We stop for lunch and afternoon coffee/tea during the day. (Client can bring own lunch or purchase as take-away on the day).
For photos taken on SignaturePhoto's Essentials photography course and past VIVID Sydney see our Facebook Photography Courses Photo Album Pages

Book this course ($240) with our image-editing Lightroom course together and pay only $210 instead of $235 for image-editing course. ‘Adobe Lightroom Course.’

Course suitable for: These fun and informal photography courses in Sydney are for beginner or DSLR enthusiasts who want to become more confident photographers. A hands-on one-day course covering the fundamental aspects of taking great photos, understanding your own camera and functions and learning how to use the camera more creatively.

An ideal course for individuals who don’t have the time to enrol in long evening/weekend photography courses: It is also a cost-effective training course for time-pressed business employees of large corporations, small businesses and government organisations whose role requires proficiency in using the ‘office camera’. And for anyone who wants to take better travel photos!!!

Course outline: Begin with an hour theory session covering the basic fundamentals of digital photography as well as demystifying some of the technical jargon relating to your camera’s buttons / menus and what they do – an approachable environment to have your photographic questions answered. A practical photography workshop visiting various locations around Sydney will allow you to explore and develop your photographic skills: aperture, shutter speed, lighting, white balance, depth of field, composition, colour and viewpoint that control the creative process of capturing images.

Course outcomes:
* Learn your digital SLR / mirrorless camera’s capabilities, functions & settings to use to creative effect.
* Understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO setting, white balance, exposure compensation, fill-in flash.
* Put the ‘wow!’ factor into your photos by understanding composition, creative use of colour, depth of field, lighting, perspective and viewpoint - the key elements behind a strong image.
* Gain confidence & skills to shoot a variety of subjects.
* Learn the difference between shooting RAW and Jpeg
* Tips on capturing amazing travel photos
* Tips on best suppliers for camera accessories.

How to book course: Book this photography course now via the booking page or email us via the contact form if any questions.
"Thanks for the course (Essentials 1-Day), these notes are absolutely perfect and extremely helpful. I really enjoyed the day going out and about and I'm so pleased I made the right choice. S. Campbell
"Thank you so much for an amazing day of photography and fun. You have the gift of expressing your rich experiences to others in a simple, clear and attractive way." N Kamel

For recent photographs from the Essentials photography course check out SignaturePhoto Photography Courses Facebook page and reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.


Course instructor: Sarah Jenkins - pro photographer & graphic designer.
What to bring: We recommend you have a digital SLR camera or mirrorless/ hybrid camera (all brands ok: Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, Fuji) or quality non-DSLR camera ie a compact with manual settings. Bring your camera lenses, manual, memory cards (at least 2 GB card), charged camera battery.
If you are thinking of buying your first DSLR camera to use on the course but are unsure which camera, we can advise if you email us.
N.B We reserve the right to change content & course location route depending on weather & time of year. Courses run at various times throughout the year but not necessarily every month.


Which photography course next? Once you have mastered the basic photography skills why not join us on our ‘Next Step Photography Course’ or view at a glance all of our other photography courses in Sydney.

You’ve taken the photos - what’s next?
Our image editing/book-making short course workshops are perfect ‘add-ons’ to this Essentials Photography Course. Book this course with one of our image-editing courses together and pay less.
Photo Book-Making Course or ‘Adobe Lightroom Course’