Online Photo Course

Martin Crabtree has had many years experience encouraging and facilitating students of all ages to develop and hone their skills in all aspects of photography, whether technical or creative, film or digital. Most importantly, he has enabled those who nurture a desire to express themselves in the medium to realise their goals and celebrate their passion.

This distance learning (or home study) course has been designed to optimise a student's progress; to enable them to make the most rapid progress in the shortest time.

The course is now into its second edition with a generous number of improvements including more information on the use of image processing packages (such as Adobe Photoshop) and many other additions which have been included in response to questions by students.

How it works.

The course is divided into eight units spread over three modules. The division into modules is simply to signify the focus of the units.

For each unit you are supplied with a hard copy of the unit text which introduces one or more aspects of camera controls, photographic or creative technique including illustrative images. You are then set the challenge of responding to the material in the unit with your own work.

Having completed your response (with images you have taken) you submit your work (by email or post) for assessment. The purpose of the assessment procedure is not to grade you, but to give you personal feedback on the work and the images you have submitted - it is intended to be a supportive process, not a judgemental one.

Your tutor will then send you (again by your preference of email or post) a detailed response to your work with supportive comments and advice on what you need to work on to further develop your skills. You will also be sent the next unit to work on and so on.

Will I need a digital camera?

You can use any camera you like for this course - providing it gives you enough control over the settings - whether film or digital. There is plenty of chat on other web pages about the merits and pitfalls of digital versus film, but this course is about what you do with a camera, not the camera itself. The techniques and creative aspects introduced in the course can be employed whatever you use. Digital cameras will give you the opportunity to email in your assignments, but there's still the post if you prefer to send in a hard copy of your images.

If you intend to buy a new camera in the near future, or specifically for this course, we can send you an advice sheet when you register.

What does the course cover?

The first module -'Know your Camera'- looks at how to get the best from your camera; how the various different controls affect the image you capture and how to use them creatively.

The second module -'Painting With Light'- looks at how the direction and quality of the light playing on the subject within a scene affects the quality of the final image, whether natural or artificial light, and how it can be used in rendering abstract images.

In the third module -'Art and The Story'- the course takes a closer look at the idea of a theme in an image - how a single picture can tell a whole story, as well as how photography can be used as a true and evocative medium for ''Art'.

Each unit within the modules will contain some or all of the following:

• An introduction to camera controls.
• Technical information and tips.
• How technical controls can be used to control the appearance of the image.
• Compositional techniques to help you produce stunning images.
• Sample images.
• An appreciation of other photographers and their work.
• Image processing tips.
• A little history, and perhaps a little philosophy too.

How long does the course last?

This is very much up to the student as there is no set schedule for the units. It may be possible to race through the course in a matter of weeks, but you will need to consider what you learn and take a little time putting what you learn into practice if you are to get the most from it. Perhaps a sensible schedule would be to allow a month for each unit - you should certainly aim to complete within one year of starting.

Many home study courses only give a student feedback after they have completed an assignment. With 'Take a Photo - Make a Picture', your tutor is an experienced teacher as well as a photographer and will welcome contact from students. You tutor is available to offer further direction, tips and advice at any time you feel you need them - in fact, you are positively encouraged to make contact as two-way communication is a much better way to sound and thorough learning.

What are the advantages of a home study course over courses in magazines, books, CDs etc.?

It is certainly possible to learn a lot from books, magazines, CDs etc; they are valuable learning resources. However, in taking a tutor-assessed course, you have a number of advantages. Firstly, you are treated as an individual, not as a mass market and the feedback you get regarding your work is applicable to you personally - your photographs are assessed and commented on, not some generic example. Secondly, many people need to be motivated to make progress - regular setting of tasks and the staged nature of the course help with this. Also, and perhaps most importantly, you are not alone - if you get stuck or need some special advice, help is only an email away.

How much does the course cost?

The full price of the course is £195 - that's about £25 for each unit. Considering the cost of a new camera, that's a small price to pay to make the most of it!

How do I sign up?

Email mcphotoart with your name and address and we will send you further details and a registration form. Once you complete and return it (with payment), you can begin your course.

What Do The Students Say?

You can see some of the students' work in the Students' Gallery in the 'Galleries' section.

'The quality and subject of the handouts is really really good, covering the learning points in an easy to read way.'

'I found that this course was one of the very few that focussed on improving composition, light and subject matter, rather than just how to use Photoshop'

'I liked the fact that you received hard copies of the material, and also that you had many opportunities to submit your work for comment and critique.'

'The feedback is the best part of the whole course. It is way more detailed and thorough than I had been expecting, and as such, it is this that really proves the value of this course.'

'The style of the feedback is written in a straight-forward and understandable style, with humour and criticisms delivered in a good balance. I don’t feel like a schoolchild when I’m reading it!'

'I’m enjoying it – and the results and improvements are coming through quicker than I expected!'

'I was specifically looking for a correspondence course, as work commitments would make it hard for me to stick to a set schedule – a correspondence course allows me to spend time on the assignments when I actually have time to spare'

'There are a fair few weekend courses available in London, where I live, and these all cost upwards of £ 200 for the weekend (and to my mind, the benefit of a two-day group workshop is not going to come anywhere close to the benefit of spending 8 – 12 months going out and taking photos and receiving individual feedback, regardless of how good the workshop may be).'

'The course materials are very good, the language and material is pitched at the right level and the concepts are clearly explained and illustrated. I particularly like receiving hard copies of the course materials (something that would not have crossed my mind before), as it makes it very easy to go back and refer to particular sections of the notes, something I’d probably be less inclined to do if it involved firing up the computer every time I want to check something.'

(the feedback is) 'Outstanding. Feedback received has been exceptionally useful and pointers and criticism are explained in a way that makes it relatively easy to grasp and understand how certain elements can be improved. It’s definitely thorough and has clearly had time and thought put into it. Above all, having completed two units I am feeling hugely encouraged.

'On the occasions when I’ve had additional questions that have arisen during an assignment, these have been fully addressed, even when they relate to matters not directly related to the project (equipment questions and the like)'

'I have already recommended this course to two friends who are also interested in photography.'