Introduction to Photography

About this course

This class is a technical and artistic introduction to photography. This course is a largely practical course and essentially teaches students the technological and artistic requirements for a good picture. Students learn about types of cameras, their anatomies and the way they work. Building on historical and current examples and exercises, they understand what criteria make a good photograph and how to take one. Covering various types of photographic environments, styles and conditions, the class also includes a concise overview of photo editing (post-production).

What You Will Learn

• Distinguish between various photographic styles
• Compare the various types of cameras available on the market today
• Demonstrate knowledge of the various parts of a camera, namely those affecting picture quality
• Operate the various parts of a camera to create optimal conditions for a good picture
• List the criteria that make a picture successful
• Evaluate the success of pictures based on these criteria
• Take successful pictures by applying these criteria
• Identify the various types of photographic environments
• Operate the camera while taking into consideration the particularities of these environments
• Operate Adobe Light Room to correct pictures during post-production

Syllabus– What you will learn from this course

Unit 1: Introduction to Photography

This module introduces students to the history and development of photography, and the types of cameras and lenses available on the market today.

Unit 2: Taking a successful picture

This module introduces students to the key ingredients for an artistic and successful picture.

Unit 3: Lighting and color control

This module introduces students to the various elements in a camera affecting a picture’s lighting parameters. It also teaches students how to operate these elements for optimal exposure.

Unit 4: Focus and exposure metering

This module addresses an important aspect of photography, namely focus, and teaches students how to manage focus to create artistic effects.

Unit 5: Post production

This module is an introduction to quick photo retouching on the cellular phone, and more elaborate photo retouching on the computer.

Institution:

Edraak, is a massive open online course (MOOC) platform, that is an initiative of the Queen Rania Foundation (QRF). QRF is determined to ensure that the Arab world is at the forefront of educational innovation. As such, QRF has capitalized on regional Arab talent to leverage technology developed by the Harvard-MIT consortium, edX, to create the first non-profit Arabic MOOC platform. The new MOOC platform will present the Arab world with unique and vital opportunities that can be part of a necessary revolution in education and learning.

First, the platform will broadcast the best Arab professors to the region, offering original Arabic courses – developed by QRF – to further enrich Arab education. Through its partnership with edX, the platform will also give Arab learners access in Arabic to courses taught and developed at top tier institutions like HarvardX, MITX, and UC BerkelyX. All courses are delivered at no cost to the learner.

Second, QRF envisions the use of the platform to showcase Arab role models by broadcasting short online courses by practitioners and professionals from a variety of fields spanning the arts and sciences.

Finally, QRF believes that the platform will enable the Arab world to take advantage of the international interest in regional affairs to tell its own story to the world. Arab university professors and regional experts can use the platform to give courses in English about the region and its history. This will serve to inform a global audience that is interested in the region’s development.

Instructors

Saad Dabbous, capt.

Airline pilot for the Middle East Airlines, Dabbous is also a passionate photographer. He developed his technique through a variety of classes in the field and a solid portfolio.

Yasmine Dabbous, PhD

Fiber artist and jewelry designer with a doctoral degree in cultural history. Founder of Kinship Stories and Espace Fann.

Amira mohamad alayli

Amira mohamad alayli senior coordinator at espacefann having a bachelor’s degree in psychology and clinical nutrition. She held the position of public relations manager at mövenpick hotel Jeddah and worked as a floor manager in Jacques dessange institute jeddah, while working at the same time as a relationship manager at Alaamal Institute for training and development. She participated in many workshops and self development trainings and enrolled in courses about communication skills and creative thinking. Amira is bilingual, she is fluent in English and French in addition to the Arabic native language.