Digital Photography Class for Beginners Offered by Virtual University

Feb. 22, 2011 - PRLog -- A new e-course on digital photography promises to help beginning photographers and writers cut through the confusion of digital camera menus and learn how to take high-quality, vivid shots every time. The course is offered by Virtual University and taught online, allowing participants to study at their own pace from the comfort of home.

"A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Photography" was developed by photojournalist Ron Kness, who will mentor the class. The curriculum delves into how to use the many features on today's digital camera. Kness goes on to explore the art and science of taking great digital photographs using techniques employed by professionals, such as “The Rules of Composition.” Students will learn the 10 essential elements of composition and other essential techniques.

“The human eye sees in three-dimension, but cameras are two-dimensional,” explains Mr. Kness. “Color temperature often registers inaccurately. Improved technology now offered in digital cameras can correct such inaccuracies by setting the white balance on a shot,” he said.

Using free server space to upload their digital photos, students will receive helpful guidance and critiques from Mr. Kness. Participants will also learn how to fully utilize a digital camera in today's fast-evolving digital media landscape, including how to break in to the lucrative micro-stock photography field.

“The field of micro-stock photography is exploding right now,” Kness said. “Anyone who has decent photography and editing skills can submit and begin selling photos on popular websites such as iStock, Bigstock, Dreamstime and Shutterstock.”

As a photojournalist, Kness knows from experience how important the right picture can be to a freelance writer hoping to sell a story to a publication or website. The writer who can provide a crisply edited photo relevant to a story often wins the assignment in the fiercely competitive writers' market.

Just as important in today's world of online publishing and self-marketing is the bio picture or proverbial “head shot.” Students will learn how to shoot self-portraits in the most flattering light for use in bio material by writers, website owners and social networkers.

For novices who just bought their first digital camera and the more experienced photographer looking to improve on their composition and the quality of their images, "A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Photography" offers students a primer of essential principles and enhancements relevant to the digital age.

Instructor Ron Kness has been teaching digital photography in a traditional classroom for the past seven years and is a featured columnist for “Writer's Journal” magazine. He has a growing archive of published works that includes his images captured as a professional travel photographer. Kness recently bought an underwater system and plans to submit travel pieces that capture the sublime beauty of life under the sea.

"A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Photography" is affordably priced at just $20 and students have up to three months to complete the course. The Virtual University classroom environment allows students to learn at their own pace and study from the comfort of home.

For more information or to enroll in this course, navigate to the class home page at http://vu.ksurf.net/catalog/3911.html

To browse Virtual University's catalog of 100+ affordable courses on today's in-demand subjects, visit http://vu.ksurf.net/calendar.html

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KSURF — where knowledge surfers learn — is a Web community that combines a virtual university learning platform with popular social networking features. KSURF's Virtual University offers 100+ affordable courses on in-demand subjects including Web design, Internet technology, creative and nonfiction writing, self-help/inspiration, and academic courses. All classes are conducted online allowing students to study at their own pace from the comfort of home. Courses are offered for continuing education, developing job skills, corporate training and self-improvement. Visit Virtual University on the Web at http://vu.ksurf.net/calendar.html to browse course offerings and enroll in classes.