Learn to use your camera properly!

So you’ve got a nice digital SLR camera. But do you know how to use it properly? If you just ‘point and shoot’ you won’t be getting the very best out of your camera.

That's where these creative photography courses come in. Professional photographers will be hosting the workshops, so even if you don't know your focal point from your shutter speed, their patience and knack of explaining things in an easy to understand way will help build your confidence.

Try portrait photography

As for the subject matter you'll be pointing your lens at, well there's a huge variety. If you're a people-watching type (but not as far as being a paparazzi!) who likes to capture everyday life in motion, you will love the courses on offer in central London. 

The capital (and other urban locations around the UK) is a wonderful backdrop for artistic snapshots with all the photogenic buildings, sights and people you could wish for.

Get out in the countryside with landscape photography courses

Beyond the city, we think the chance to capture the gorgeous sweeping landscapes of Great Britain is not to be missed. With a camera in your hand, you start to look at the world differently.

You will be shown how composition, framing, light, lighting and shutter speed can all combine to create an amazing shot worthy of a Countryfile calendar cover.

Mother Nature is so rich in subject matter, it takes a lifetime to master this particular branch of photography, but the pleasure is most definitely there every time you take a picture. We're talking waterfalls, misty mornings over the moors, dense forests with shards of light sneaking through and gentle flowing rivers framed by dramatic skies.

Photographing animals in the wild

Of course, we are never alone in nature, so it's no surprise we have a good spread of safari and animal photography courses. These are without doubt the favourite amongst us here at Into TheBlue. Many of us have dreamed of heading to Kenya to snap lions at play, but now, with our big cat photography experiences, you don't have to travel far to do just that. 

Yes, that’s right. Big game comes right here to the UK. And with some simple tricks, your expert hosts will show you how you can take very natural looking portraits of big game mammals.

You don't have to be a big or imposing mammal to make for an incredible snapshot. When you learn about macro, you will hone your close-up skills using specific lenses and settings on your DSLR or advanced compact.

It's amazing to see the wonderfully detailed images of everything from bluebells and bugs, to reptiles and other miniature creatures perched on flowers, or on hiding amongst pebbles.

In essence, if you've got a good quality digital camera, you can join any of these photography courses, learn lots and get some superb 'cover shot' pictures at the end of it all too.