Damien Demolder
Tharg the Mighty
Reged: 22/08/2001
Posts: 1055
Loc: Essex born and badly-bred
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Hi all
It seems we can’t quite choose between the Diploma course and the digital course, and I’m not surprised. I will try to help you out:
The Amateur Photographer Diploma in Photography course and all about making the most of your equipment and really taking control of it. The course covers the difference between metering modes, focal lengths and the effect of using different shutter speeds. You’ll learn how to use flash and be creative with exposure. We go on to deal with composition and specific subjects areas – such as people pictures, landscapes, macro, sport and buildings.
The course is about improving your photography, opening your mind and building flexibility through control of your tools.
The Introduction to Digital Imaging For Photographers is about learning the skills that you need if you intend to replace the mini-lab, that used to process and print your film, with a computer on your desk. The course shows you how to get the most from your digital sensor and then what tools to use to make your pictures look their best. We deal with contrast and colour correction, sharpening, cropping, straightening, white balance, a bit of dusting and converting to black and white, plus toning etc. The course gives you a good grounding in digital imaging and teaches what you need to know to produce excellent images. It is not about making pictures where the Tower of London appears in the sea, or grafting horns on granny’s head.
The courses are quite different, and you might find you need to do both. Don’t try to do both together though unless you have plenty of free time, as they are quite hard work.
I hope this helps.
Damien Demolder
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See my photographs at www.wordsonpictures.com
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Edited by Laura_Bianco (13/09/2006 17:03)
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scm
Unregistered
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Quote:
... or grafting horns on granny's head.
Maybe cloning them out would be a good skill to include, though! 
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Paul_R
That didn't take long!
Reged: 16/06/2006
Posts: 2051
Loc: Middlesbrough, England.
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Thanks for the explanation although I have already sent off my enrolment form for The Amateur Photographer Diploma in Photography course although, as you point out, it may be a good idea to do both courses which is the conclusion I had come to as well! Can't wait to get started. Please hurry up and send me my pack 
Regards, Paul
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bench_ubbster
Bench Meister
Reged: 08/08/2006
Posts: 2699
Loc: Cambridgeshire, UK
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I think I want my cake and eat it, as both courses sound suitable for me. I take predominantly 36mm slide and B&W film then scan in the images. In a way, I guess I'm answering my own question as I think the composition of my images needs to be worked on. But in saying that, I'm relatively new to digital manipulation and generally just press the "autofix". I get more satisfaction from the taking of the pictures and the processing I regard more as a chore. But would I get more satisfaction if I understood what I was doing?
What a dilema!
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Master of the Bench and Global Ambassador of the Brotherhood of the Bench
Bench or No Bench
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katz
newbie
Reged: 30/09/2006
Posts: 21
Loc: Berkshire
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It is a dilemma and I still havent worked out which one to do first. Chicken and egg situation! I want to learn everything I can about photography but Im relatively new to digital and photoshop etc. How can I make the best of my work if I dont know how to use it properly....perhaps thats the answer......
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bench_ubbster
Bench Meister
Reged: 08/08/2006
Posts: 2699
Loc: Cambridgeshire, UK
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Hi Katz,
I've actually enrolled on the AP Diploma and have just completed module 1. For me, it looks to be the right course as it concentrates on my (many) weaknesses. I must say that I used mainly film and like to keep the digital bits down to a minimum. But so far, no regrets on taking up this course 
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Master of the Bench and Global Ambassador of the Brotherhood of the Bench
Bench or No Bench
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Paul_R
That didn't take long!
Reged: 16/06/2006
Posts: 2051
Loc: Middlesbrough, England.
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Quote:
It is a dilemma and I still havent worked out which one to do first. Chicken and egg situation! I want to learn everything I can about photography but Im relatively new to digital and photoshop etc. How can I make the best of my work if I dont know how to use it properly....perhaps thats the answer......
Hi Katz
I found myself in the same position as you find yourself in now. I really enjoy digital and would like to know how to get the best out of my pictures using Photoshop etc. However, I believe it is better to try and get the best out of your photos as you take them and maybe fine tune them later with Photoshop if needed. Because of this I enrolled on the AP diploma because I want to learn how to use my camera, learn about photography and learn the basics of photography. Once I have done that I will then more than likely enroll on the digital course too. Don't do what I did and waste months trying to decide. Make your decision and enroll now. You can always do them both I have just completed Module 1 and making a start on Module 2.
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Regards, Paul CRIPN
http://www.pbase.com/exposethelight
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katz
newbie
Reged: 30/09/2006
Posts: 21
Loc: Berkshire
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Thanks for the advise everyone,I will go for the Diploma then.
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Sophie_Collet
journeyman
Reged: 09/12/2005
Posts: 73
Loc: Bristol, UK
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I've done a similar thing and started with the Diploma, and it was definitely the right decision. I've nearly finished module 2 and have learnt a huge amount already.
I also have an older version of a very useful Photoshop book which has helped me get started with the digital processing side of things! It's available on Amazon, at
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photoshop-CS2-Book-Digital-Photographers/dp/0321330625
Good luck!
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Sophie
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Paul_R
That didn't take long!
Reged: 16/06/2006
Posts: 2051
Loc: Middlesbrough, England.
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Quote:
I also have an older version of a very useful Photoshop book which has helped me get started with the digital processing side of things! It's available on Amazon, at
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photoshop-CS2-Book-Digital-Photographers/dp/0321330625
Good luck!
I have recently bought this book and it is very easy to use and tells you exactly what you need to do to get the effect you want, and in simple, easy to follow steps. Perfect for me
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Regards, Paul CRIPN
http://www.pbase.com/exposethelight
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Almark
addict
Reged: 15/11/2006
Posts: 492
Loc: Northern Ireland
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I didn't realise there was a Diploma course! At first I was thinking of contacting Laura and saying "I have made a mistake - I want to do the Diploma rather than the Intro to Digital Imaging Course".
But after I had carefully examined the contents of the Digital Imaging Course, I decided not to. I would consider myself as a mean meaning amateur, with some photography expereince, albeit mainly in web design. I think I need to re learn the basics, get out of bad habits, and therefore the Digital Imaging Course is right for me.
I have no doubt that I will want to do the diploma at a later stage.
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All the best
Mark
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Almark
addict
Reged: 15/11/2006
Posts: 492
Loc: Northern Ireland
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Update:
After submitting my Module one, and following the advice of my tutor, I have changed from the digital course to the diploma. For those folks who are wondering which course is best for them - perhaps I can offer some help - by way of explaination.
I have talked with members of the digital forum that intend to do the Diploma course after they have done the digital one. I have also talked with members on the diploma, who have said that they intend to do the digital course after they have diploma.
swings and roundabouts 
Each course will help you to become a better photographer, download the pdf for each course and carefully consider which one suits you best.
Diploma
Digital
Edited by Almark (23/12/2006 00:50)
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Arrem
newbie
Reged: 08/10/2006
Posts: 20
Loc: UK. West Midlands
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FWIW I saw the choices in this way.
First learn how to get the best out of your camera, then learn how to get the best from the images produced.
You'll not be surprised to know that I have subscribed to the Diploma Course, I'll probably take the Digital course after that.
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Arrem's Gallery
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Paul_R
That didn't take long!
Reged: 16/06/2006
Posts: 2051
Loc: Middlesbrough, England.
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Quote:
FWIW I saw the choices in this way.
First learn how to get the best out of your camera, then learn how to get the best from the images produced.
You'll not be surprised to know that I have subscribed to the Diploma Course, I'll probably take the Digital course after that.
That's exactly the way I thought about it when trying decide which to do! I fully intend enrolling on the digital course once I complete the Diploma but, as you say, I thought it better to learn how to use a camera first.
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Regards, Paul CRIPN
http://www.pbase.com/exposethelight
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