Passport to Wellbeing - Creative Photography (Art)

Course intent

Get some Focus into your life! Learn how to take better photographs, improve your understanding of how your digital camera works, and get more inventive with your photography ideas. Your tutor will work with you on extending your technical digital photography skills, and understanding of composition, lighting, photo editing, as well as developing your own creative ideas. There may be opportunities to take photos outside, weather and venue permitting.

This course is part of our Passport to Wellbeing programme for adults to support them as they rediscover their mental and emotional balance and to help them live healthy, active lives.

If depression, anxiety or stress are making your life difficult, come and join one of our free courses. You can connect with others, learn new skills and create something new.

What will we cover?

The intent of this course is for you to learn to become confident with photography, using digital cameras or your mobile phone, and through this improve your sense of wellbeing.

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1. Practise using your camera’s different functions and settings to achieve different effects. 2. Understand how to compose your pictures more successfully. 3. Download, save, edit and present your photographs. 4. Use various sources for inspiration such as contemporary photographers, online searches, and other sources. 5. Experiment with approaches to wellbeing that can be integrated into your daily life.

As this course takes place over several sessions, you will find you make the most progress if you attend every lesson and complete any home practice that is suggested.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

If your mental health is making your life difficult, for example because you are depressed, anxious or stressed, this course might be for you. It is part of our Passport to Wellbeing programme which is for people would like to improve their mental health.

It is suitable anyone who wants to learn photography at a beginner level and those with a little experience. You do not need to have any previous knowledge in the subject, just an interest and willingness to learn.

If you would like to enrol, we will ask you to attend a pre-course meeting, including a questionnaire about your wellbeing and any additional support needs. This is essential to help us ensure we provide the right support to enable you to have a positive learning experience with us.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

Please bring a notepad and pen or pencil.

Bring your own digital camera if you have one. This could include your smartphone. If you don’t have a camera or smartphone, the tutor will be able to provide a camera on loan during the lesson.

If you are bringing your own camera, please ensure it has a memory card, at least one lens and the instruction booklet. Please ensure that the batteries are fully charged.

If you wish to acquire your own camera, your tutor will be able to give you impartial advice as to suitable options. As you progress in your photography, there may be equipment or materials that would enhance your skills and techniques, and again your tutor will be able to advise on these.

What can I do when I finish the course?

As a learner on our Passport to Wellbeing programme, you will be offered a maximum of three free courses on the programme.

After this course, in discussion with your tutor, you may wish to progress on to further courses in the same subject or you can choose to switch to another course in the programme (subject to places being available).

When you feel ready to learn in a more open environment, you will also be offered a 50% discount on a course on our main Community Learning programme.

Additional information

All learners should be willing to attend regularly, follow instructions, comply with guidance on health and safety, and work safely with others.

We also encourage you to seek appropriate support from a medical professional or other service to complement your learning.

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.

Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

You can't currently enrol online for this course, so please call 0300 200 1044 to express your interest or to make an enquiry for further information.

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