FAQ
What courses are available?
Will the lecturer talk about my particular camera?
How long are the courses?
How much do the courses cost?
How can I pay for the course?
What is the cost of a second attendee?
Where are the courses held?
How do I get there?
What do I bring to the course?
What is the level of teaching? Is it for beginners? Or advanced?
What standard are our lecturers?
Is there a course handout?
What new courses are coming?
Can I bring my child?
Is my child old enough to attend on their own?
What courses are available?
Introductory courses aimed at teaching you how to use your equipment; Technique courses which teach you how to "develop your photographic eye" and "hands on" editing courses that teach you how to use programs aimed at improving photos or videos by post-processing.
The Introductory courses comprise:
* Introduction to Digital Compact Cameras
* Introduction to Digital SLR Cameras
* Introduction to Digital Video Cameras.
All are 3 hour classes. Our emphasis is on being able to make the most of your camera. They are designed for either the 'first-time' camera user (ie: those who have only just bought it) and those who have limited knowledge of the functions & operations of their camera.
The Technique oriented courses assume some understanding of camera usage and are designed to teach actual photographic skills.
The Subject Photography course is a 3 hour theory class, focussing on concepts such as Framing & Composition, Depth of Field, Metering, Lighting and how to improve your photography of certain subjects and situations, such as children, pets, landscapes and weddings.
The Weekend Photographic Workshop runs over a full weekend and covers similar photographic concepts (composition, lighting, shutter speed, etc) to the Subject Photography course, but in a practical, rather than theoretical way.
Editing courses available include photographic image editing & video editing. The image editing course is an 8 hour introduction to Adobe Photoshop & the video editing course is a 4 hour introduction to Sony Vegas Movie Studio.
Students gain 'hands-on' experience using these specific software programs, as the classes are computer based.
Will the lecturer talk about my particular camera?
In each introductory courses on several key parts the lecturer will ensure that every attendee can find the most important controls on their own camera. If your questions are not answered during the formal component of the course you will get an opportunity to have any question answered in the Q&A section of the course.
How long are the courses?
- the Compact, SLR &Video camera courses are of 3 hours duration.
- the Subject Photography is also 3 hours.
- the Video Editing course is 4 hours.
- the Photoshop course is 8 hours - split into two four hour sessions, on separate days (usually two weekdays back to back or two consecutive Saturdays).
- The Weekend Photographic Workshop runs over a full weekend; beginning at 9am on Saturday, and finishing at 3pm on Sunday.
How much do the courses cost?
Pricing of each course is detailed together with the course description.
If you purchased your Compact, SLR or Video camera from Michaels, you will most likely be entitled to a complimentary place to whichever of the three introductory courses is applicable to your camera. You may bring a second attendee for a special price.
If you are a michaels Spectrum Member you will save 20%.
How can I pay for the course?
Either book and pay on-line or come into our store and see one of our consultants.
What is the cost of a second attendee?
Providing they come with you to the same session, and you are sharing use of the same camera during the class, a second person can attend either the Compact, SLR or Video camera courses for the special price of $25.
If however, they wish to attend a different session, or bring their own camera, they will need to pay the full course fee.
A second attendee price is only applicable to introductory courses.
Where are the courses held?
All except for the Weekend Workshop - are held in the Michaels Media School. This is located on the 1st floor of the Michaels store, on the corner of Elizabeth & Lonsdale Streets, in the heart of Melbourne.
The Weekend Photographic Workshop is held in the small township of Bealiba, in Central Victoria.
How do I get there?
Once in Michaels, go the back of the store (the higher of the two levels on the ground floor) & up the timber staircase (under the enormous revolving camera).
At the top of the stairs, turn left & follow the signs to the Media School. It's just to the right of our Camera Museum - which you can't miss.
What do I bring to the course?
Depending on which course you are attending.......
The Compact, SLR & Video courses are largely 'hands-on', so you will need to bring:
- your camera
- with fully charged battery (or batteries)
- a memory card, or tape / dvd (whichever is applicable)
- your instruction book.
It is also a good idea to bring a pen & paper.
A course handout is provided for the Subject Photography, Video Editing & Photoshop courses, but it is a good idea to bring a pen & paper.
What is the level of teaching? Is it for beginners? Or advanced?
The Compact, SLR & Video camera courses are Introductory courses - that is, they teach you how to use your camera. There are as many camera & levels of knowledge in the class as there are students.
The Subject Photography course pre-supposes a small amount of photographic knowledge & camera handling skills, but aims at 'developing you photographic eye', so isn't too advanced.
The Video Editing & Photoshop courses are also introductory course, but, as they are software tutorials taught on a computer, some degree of computer literacy is required.
The Weekend Photographic Workshop requires that you have a camera with some manual controls & a tripod, but the small group size allows the lecturer to adapt it to either the beginner or to those more advanced in photographic knowledge.
What standard are our lecturers?
All of our lecturers are professionals in their field, be it photography or videography.
Is there a course handout?
There is a hand-out for the Subject Photography, Video Editing & Photoshop course, but not for the Compact, SLR or Video camera courses. For these, the emphasis is on learning about the camera by handing it, rather than written notes.
What new courses are coming?
We are consistently developing new courses. We are currently developing courses covering Macro Photography, Flash and Studio Lighting and Editing with Photoshop Elements.
Can I bring my child?
Our objective is to provide a learning environment for all participants. Past experience has shown that participants who have brought toddlers and younger children have been distracted themselves from the lecturer and fellow participants have commented that they too have been distracted.
Is my child old enough to attend on their own?
This is dependant on the course and the child. We rely on your parental judgement as to whether your child will be comfortable on their own and their degree of maturity. In addition, please be wary that you must ensure that they are able to securely look after their own equipment.