Canon EOS 30, Tamron lense and Speedlight flash set up

[craigxcraig]

Hi to the Group - first post here.

I've been taking phots now for approx 12 years and asahmed to say mostly point and shoot with an old canon eos system. My results have been pretty good but I have never really progressed beyond automatic. I am about to register with London College of Communication in the Elephant and Castle on one of their courses and this is where my question lies. I have no issues with composition, framing and subject matter. The course I am thinking about are:

- they have an introduction to photography, loading/choice of film, composition etc and this is over 8 week nights.

Or there is a five day one http://www.lcc.arts.ac.uk/shortcourses/9717.htm which will cover everything I am missing (appreciate it will be a steep learning curve)

My favourite pictures are of various protests and people in London - also like picture of Graffiti and every day life etc.

Any advice welcome! Do members on the group ever meet up for drinks/beers/talk cameras etc (am I going to regret asking this!?)

:)

ps: live in Peckham.

[boskysquelch]

Any advice welcome!

take sheeeeeeeeeeeeeet loads of pictures...everyday...whatever your mood, wherever you are always try to take some pictures, 365/24/7...do it!...it's the only thing that improves a photographers craft...it also will improve your ability to judge/reason with exposure>>>you will become automated,,,but dunt worry about using Auto mode if you get the pickees you want, you gets the pickees you want...but if your exposure isn't getting what you want then get your head down mathematically and it'll come...all being said the LCC thingy_place is a pretty good place to get as much info as you want innit?
:)

[boncey]

For the intensive course it might be too much to take it all in over 5 days.
You'd maybeforget most of it within a month (unless you used your camera every single day afterwards perhaps).

The part-time course may be of more benefit?
Do you have a link to it? I couldn't find in on their site.

With a part-time course I expect you would get weekly assignments, you'll learn far more from those than you will on an intensive course in my opinion.

I have never been on any courses, I guess I am self-taught then as nobody has really helped me.
I'm not at the level squelch suggests where it's "automated" although I do tend to go into auto pilot to some degree and not really have to think too much about what buttons to press etc.
I pretty much got to that level by reading a lot of books and magazines and of course, taking lots and lots of photos.

Hope this helps!

[craigxcraig]

Squelch/Boncey - Thanks for your advice and taking the time to come back to me, I really appreciate it. As mentioned, I have been taking phots for a number of years on Auto and wanting to progress from where I am at to the next level. I tried to find that basic course on the website but for some reason I can't! In essence though the course does seem very basic - they say you can do the course with a point and shoot, types of film, loading your camera etc.

TBH - I am thinking that the course I mentioned previously (although a steep learn) will be more beneficial to me. Are either of you aware of any clubs in the SE15 (surrounding areas) area?