Petra gives you a rundown of the session format and offers a preview of everything you'll learn in the next 30 days. In the Guides section, you'll find a glossary packed with terms all photographers should know.
Petra familiarizes you with her unique photography starter kit and explains how you can build your own. Get to know the cameras, lenses, and materials that will help you expand your aesthetic.
Get familiar with the technical steps for loading film into your camera. Use this step-by-step guide to ensure you're set up for success when you're out shooting.
Petra emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, reflection, and curiosity when generating new ideas. Then she challenges you to identify what inspires you outside of photography.
Petra shares how she got comfortable with camera settings and lighting techniques. Then she gives an overview of the technical expertise you'll learn to hone in this section.
Petra outlines the camera settings that impact the exposure of your photographs, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO. She elaborates on each one to provide a foundational framework so you can feel confident taking photographs of your own.
Amid the rays of golden hour, Petra demonstrates how to adjust your camera settings to capture natural light. Then she asks you to practice shooting on your own to see how you can affect the exposure of your photos.
Petra demonstrates how to create your own studio lighting using flashlights, headlamps, and fluorescents. After showing how to adjust your camera settings for source lighting, she encourages you to shoot some photos of your own.
Once you've developed the photos you took in this section, post your favorite natural light and source light shots to the community. Please share your photos as .jpg or .png image files.
Petra introduces the photographic form that defines so much of her work-portraiture. She explains how to understand the broad definition of portraits, and how to capture the essence of a collective feeling between you and your subject.
Petra dives deep into the visual layers that affect portrait photography. She breaks down how every decision you make-from choosing locations to angling your camera above or below your subject-influences the meaning of your composition.
Petra combines everything you've learned thus far to demonstrate how to create a meaningful portrait and the importance of engaging with your subject to ensure they feel comfortable. Then she prompts you to take your first set of portraits
Petra shows you how she selects photos, and how she edits down her collection to select one final portrait. She'll explain why this process is vital to becoming a better photographer.
Check out the work of your peers, and ask them how they went about capturing their visions. Connect with fellow photographers about lighting, location, and composition decisions.
Petra introduces you to the concept of a photography series-and how a series expresses the larger picture of a single image. She explains the roots of one of her most profound and personal series.
Through introspective analysis and reflection, Petra demonstrates how to develop a vision for your photography series. Then she propels you to develop a unique vision for your own series.
After you've nailed down your vision and compiled visual inspirations, share your plans with your peers. Whether via a mood board or a short paragraph, post your vision for your fellow photographers to see.
When Petra creates a photo series, she builds an environment, a story, and an entirely interconnected world. Join her as she guides you through the development of a nostalgic series that became one of her most impactful works to date.
Petra demonstrates the various techniques she uses when creating a series of photographs. She ties together all that she's taught you in this session as she photographs a series featuring her sister as the subject.
It's all been building to this. Let your creativity run wild as you shoot your very own photo series. Develop and share your photos for the other photographers who have been on this journey with you.
Petra shares her parting thoughts as she wishes you the best of luck on your photography journey. She explains why it's important to keep experimenting, creating, and iterating.
