thenick58

An online friend has been impressed with some of the photography I’ve posted online, so he asked me for a recommendation for a sort of online tutor. He’s looking for someone to give him assignments and then critique his results.

He’s not a complete beginner. He’s been looking at YouTube videos, and is comfortable leaving the autoexposure feature behind and take control of ISO, aperture and shutter speed. He’s been using GIMP as an image editor.

I consider myself only an intermediate photographer, and unqualified to be the tutor he needs. In chatting with him, I think his biggest needs are learning more about composition and post-processing. He complained that his photographs didn’t reflect his experience level — he said he felt he had hit a wall in advancing his skills.

I know various pre-packaged training materials are available, but I think he’s looking for something a little more tailored for his needs and skill level. Perhaps a hybrid course is what he needs. Any recommendations I can give him?

tinwhistle

A couple things come to mind. It sounds as if your friend believes you are a pretty good photographer, better than he is, so maybe the two of you could set aside a block of time at lease once a week and you could tutor him your self. Check around for a community college. They almost always have a couple photography courses. Look around for a camera/photography club or group. Most of them a wide range of skill levels and most are more than willing to pass along their passion. Good luck

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Go out together and shoot the same scene. Then discuss. If he still thinks yours are better ask HIM to explain what he sees in it that is better and tell him why and how you made those decisions.

He'll get more from on-line sessions if he's a few rungs further up the ladder.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I had some zoom lessons with Kevin Landward Johan. He is a story telling type photographer who is from New Zealand and lives in Thailand. Very talented and fun to work with. It was not that expensive. We would get together for 30 minutes which always seemed to run to an hour. Lol. He would give me assignments and I would send them to him completed. We would go over them the next call. Rinse and repeat. I am more of a wildlife photography person. My suggestion is to find a tutor who is an expert in the field you are interested in. I enjoyed my tutoring but feel if I had gotten a wildlife photography person I would have learned more about what I shoot the most. I did learn a lot of fine details and thought process. My 2 cents. Oh a year ago I paid 100.00 for 3 lessons. Sorry forgot to add that.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

His biggest needs are learning more about composition and post-processing and he wants a live tutor. A plumber might cost about $100 per hour. Does your friend have a budget?

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Check out a local photo club. Most have challenges, group photo shoots and critiques after

Chan Garrett

I have found that joining the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and participating in two of the Digital Dialogue groups where I send in a monthly image to each for review and comment has been of great help to me. Also, PSA offers a number of free courses to members. www.PSA-Photo.org

Eric Bornstein Loc: Toronto Canada

I have produced a book titled ‘the Photographic Image - from the ordinary to the extraordinary’. I base my teaching on the knowledge of the rules of composition, elements of design and the understanding and knowledge of light and colour. Ine cannot specialize in a genre until one understands and can apply consistently the basic tenets of composition. In learning a new language, the goal is fluency in all interactions. A person who learns a language but only wants to learn baking lingo has not attsined fluency.

bela1950 Loc: Massachusetts

Lynda.com(now owned by Linkedin) offers many online photography courses. The cost is $29.99 monthly. However, you can access it for free through your local library. You must have a library card. I watched the videos and they are very good. Beginner to advanced courses are offered.

bela1950 Loc: Massachusetts

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Let me add, invite him here, to the other suggestions.

osoblancophoto Loc: Venice FL

Darlene at digitalphotomentor.com

The Capt.

On craigslist in the photo forum they like to critique photos. Take care you will get good and bad critiques. And they are not so much on giving assignments.