On a beautiful sunny Saturday in July I met up with a fantastic group of budding photographers at the 4,000 square foot Aperture Academy Gallery in Campbell's Pruneyard shopping center. The students were all there for the same reason, to learn more about photography and more specifically how to take better portrait images. This is their reason for signing up for our Natural Light Portrait Workshop.

I talked to the students about my diverse background in photography, but more importantly I wash anxious to hear from them. Finding out what type of camera gear they had brought with them, and most importantly their reason for taking the class. Was it something specific they wanted to learn? Possibly they want to learn how to use their camera in the manual modes? That's what orientation is for, so I can learn what everyones expectation. There tends to be a common thread among our Natural Light Classes. The Majority want to learn how to capture better portrait images of their family and friends, and also oftentimes their pets as well.

After we all got acquainted I went of the foundational basics of the exposure triangle and how it specifically related to our Natural Light Portrait class.I also touched on some foundational basics for composition and again how they specifically related to portrait photography.

Once everyone was on the same page we headed outdoors into the bright, sunny, natural light, with our model for the day DeAnna. We walked around the Pruneyard shopping center with DeAnna, on the hunt for the best light to pose her in. I had done this a time or two, so it's my job to point out the best spots and why they do or don't work, given the time of day. We worked some different areas, with varying lighting conditions, all the while checking our shutter speed and real ton to iso. The students were really catching on and capturing some fantastic images of DeAnna. At the conclusion everyone came away with many fantastic images and some new found knowledge.

Until next time, Happy Snapping from Ellie and the entire Aperture Academy Team!

If you'd like to join us at one of our workshops, you can find the schedule/sign up here.

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