Course: "Foundation Course"

Unlike all other courses at the Yu. Galperin Photo Faculty, this course lasts only 8 months. During this time, you will try yourself in different photography genres, master your camera, and learn artistic photography techniques that will allow you to create creative shots without Photoshop or other graphic editors.

Classes with curator Lolita Krylova on Saturdays at 4:00 PM, three times a month; lectures by renowned photographers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM, also three times a month. If you cannot attend a class in person or online, no problem – it will be available as a recording in your personal account the very next day.

Schedule: 1st Course. Foundation Course

This course is perfect for those just taking their first steps in photography. You will discover which photography genre suits you best, learn to photograph family and friends, memorable life events, portraits, and landscapes.

The course includes a series of lectures by renowned photographers, practical sessions with a curator, and a final exam.

Upon completion, you will be eligible to enroll in any of the Photo Faculty's professional programs: Commercial Photojournalism, Documentary Photography, Reportage Photography, or Project Design.

Tuition fee: 8,500 rubles per month. Payment is made according to the following schedule:

• By September 20: 17,000 rubles (for October and November)
• By November 15: 25,500 rubles (for December, January, and February)
• By February 15: 25,500 rubles (for March, April, and May)

A Certificate is issued upon completion of the course.

Course Curriculum:

First Module – The Fundamentals
This module focuses on your camera's functions and the very basics of photography. We explain every topic in simple language and always reinforce the knowledge with practice! Together, step by step, we will explore:

• How your camera works and what functions it has.
• Types of lenses and camera accessories and how to use them.
• How to blur the background in a photo.
• How to photograph moving subjects.
• Why photos turn out too dark or too light and how to fix it.
• Secrets of competent composition.
• How to create a shot that will amaze your friends and acquaintances.
• Which shooting mistakes cannot be fixed in any graphic editor.
• Fixing minor errors in your shots in Adobe Photoshop.
• Shooting in rain and snow.

Second Module – Genres
This module focuses on the specifics of shooting in different photography genres. We will study the following genres:

• I. Portrait
• II. Landscape (urban landscape and nature photography)
• III. Child photography
• IV. Studio photography
• V. Street photography
• VI. Reportage photography

Third Module – Artistic Techniques
This module is for those who want to use their camera's capabilities to the fullest! The interesting shooting techniques we will explore require no subsequent editing in graphic editors! All you need is a camera and an unstoppable desire to create and try new things!

Just look at all the interesting topics awaiting you:

• I. Panning
• II. Bokeh
• III. Zooming
• IV. Light painting (or Freezelight)
• V. Fireworks photography
• VI. Freezing motion with flash

In May, you will have a final project defense and public defenses with other groups.

Lesson Plan with the Curator

1. Lesson 1: Expressive properties of photography and camera technical settings. Which modes to choose and what does it affect? Learning the first creative technique – panning.
2. Lesson 2: Basics of composition. What and how to show in a picture to make it interesting for the viewer?
3. Lesson 3: Equipment for shooting. What to shoot with? Do you need a camera, or is a phone sufficient in some cases? And if a camera, which one?
4. Lesson 4: Looking through the glass. What types of lenses are there and what are they for? How many lenses do you need and how to choose the best one? Learning the creative technique of zooming.
5. Lesson 5: Color temperature. Why do some shots turn out yellowish or bluish? How to control this?
6. Lesson 6: Photo editing in graphic editors. What programs exist, how to choose and install them. Where to start?
7. Lesson 7: Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. What can and should be done in these programs, and what is undesirable? How to edit a photo without much effort?
8. Lesson 8: Color editing. How to work with photo colors in computer editors?
9. Lesson 9: Personal photo archive. How to store, sort, and select photos? What is EXIF and how best to label your photos?
10. Lesson 10: RAW format. In what formats do photos exist? Why are different formats needed, which one is best to use, and what does it depend on?
11. Lesson 11: Still life. How to photograph ordinary objects to make it beautiful and interesting?
12. Lesson 12: Landscape. What to do if you tilted the horizon but aren't ready to admit it?
13. Lesson 13: Staged portrait. How to convince a person to look beautiful in the frame?
14. Lesson 14: Candid/Reportage portrait. What to do if you don't want people to pose for you?
15. Lesson 15: Sports photography. How to catch a ball in the frame if it's so fast?
16. Lesson 16: Photo reportage. How to tell about an event without words to someone who wasn't there?
17. Lesson 17: Single reportage shot. How to say everything with one photo?
18. Lesson 18: Series. How to take many photos so that none are superfluous?
19. Lesson 19: Photo selection. What is a photo editor?
20. Lesson 20: Serial genres. How to speak with photos like with words?
21. Lesson 21: Film photography. What happens if we try to exit the Matrix? How to shoot when you only have 36 frames? How to unleash all your creativity?
22. Lesson 22: Street photography. How to photograph people on the street?
23. Lesson 23: Photo book. How to design a shoot into a book.
24. Lesson 24: Final project defense.
25. Lesson 25: Public defenses.