Photography Training

Foundational Photography Workshop

FROM AUTO TO MANUAL IN A DAY - THE CRAFT OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Next course date:
1st February 2025

Have you ever wondered what all the settings on your camera are for? Do you take loads of photos, but find that only a few of them are 'decent'? Are you desperate to nail that blur effect for the background of images? Do you want to know how to take control of your images rather than allow your camera to make all the decisions? Ever wondered what shutter speed or aperture are?

I can help with all of these conundrums. All of them (and more).

Includes a handbook, goodie bag and a delicious lunch

Normally £190, now £120 with the Christmas Cheer sale offer

Book Your Place Now

Love the idea but the date doesn't work for you? Click here to be added to the waitlist for the next course. 

inspiring!
'I recently got my first proper digital camera but was finding it all a bit confusing: so many options, buttons, menus and controls... 
The beginners' course from Rebecca was precisely what I needed. In one day, I was able to get a decent grounding in the fundamentals. Now I have more control over the camera - prioritising the elements that I want. 
In my opinion, the course is just the right level of technical content for beginners - Rebecca communicates it without assuming prior experience, but it's not dumbed-down. By the end of the day, you have learned a lot. Really inspiring!

Gerry McArdle

You want to take great photos - for yourself, for your family, for your business.

I totally get how difficult photography can seem. All those technical terms, funny numbers and geek-speak can make it really intimidating to get started. You want to take great pictures, but just get frustrated because you don't understand how to make your camera take the picture you see in your head. 

You want to capture all those beautiful moments and have them still look like the beautiful moments you saw with your eyes! 

It doesn't have to be SO tricky. I promise. It IS possible to learn how to take pictures in a way that isn't super technical and doesn't rely on a degree in physics. You just need someone willing to explain it to you in an easy to understand way. 

That's where this workshop comes in. 

I am really really great at explaining technical concepts in an easy to understand... And easy to remember way. I break down each element of manual photography and explain what it is, how it works and why we need it. You'll be introduced to the three superheroes of photography. I'll explain what each of these superheroes is good at, how to use that superhero to your advantage, and what to do when your superhero gets anywhere near Kryptonite. 

But why learn to photograph in manual mode? I'm happy on Auto!

I'm not anti-auto! Even as a professional photographer! But in order to take consistently great photos, you really need an understanding of what that auto function is doing! You need to understand how your camera works. If you leave all the control to your camera, you'll get stuck when what you're photographing is a bit different from the norm. You'll be trying to be creative, only to find your camera isn't capturing the image that's in your head.

You can take workshops that help with your creativity, that teach you about light and composition and all that... But if you don't have a clear understanding of how your camera actually works – you're already on the backfoot. 

Book your place now

Sounds great but you can't make the date? No worries – Click here to be added to the wait list for the next course. 

    wouldn't it be great if
    You could pick up your camera and know how to get great shots, every time? 

    You took consistently great photos of your kids, of nature, of holidays, of your business... All beautifully composed with ease and taken by YOU. 

    You were able to understand exactly how your camera works, and how to change the settings so you can not only take great shots, but express your creativity? 

    What other say about the course

    "I am thrilled to say that I am now a much more confident amateur photographer. I have just completed Rebecca's one-day beginners class. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was captivated throughout. The course is beautifully paced to introduce the beginner to how a camera works and unlocks the wonders of how to start creating great photos. She explains each stage in a clear and easy to follow manner. She talks with passion about the joy of taking images to treasure and challenges throughout the course to grasp the functions of our own camera." – Sarah Gahagan

    "I recently completed a beginners photography workshop with Rebecca and it was an excellent day. Rebecca is clearly a talented and experienced photographer and passes on her knowledge in a relaxed, informative and inspiring manner. Refreshments were plentiful throughout the day and there was a good balance between classroom teachings and practice. If you’re keen to get to grips with using the manual mode on your camera I would thoroughly recommend completing one of Rebecca’s workshops." – Claire Gibb

    All The Details

    An in-person workshop, held in central Linlthgow, where there's lots of space to practice in beautiful surroundings
    Small class sizes, so plenty of time for one to one attention
    Personalised training, tailored to your photography goals, and your type/brand of camera
    Runs from 9:30am till 4:30pm with plenty of time to practice and embed your learning
    Ongoing support available in a private Facebook group after the workshop
    Participants will need a digital removable-lens camera, either SLR or mirrorless
    Lunch, drinks, cake and snacks all provided 
    (dietary requirements can be catered for)
    Normally £190 per person, during the sale period - £120 per person, payable to secure your place
    BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW

    Not ready this time? Click here to be added to the wait list for the next course. 

    Who am I?

    I'm Rebecca Holmes and I run a thriving family and commercial photography business covering Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond. I have been photographing professionally for over two decades. I also have experience in teaching and facilitating workshops from a stint in the corporate world. 

    I am enthusiastic, fun, and relaxed both as a person and as a trainer. I am really good at converting tech-speak into easy to understand information and I work in a very hands-on way. 

    I firmly believe photography doesn't have to be difficult, and that with just a small amount of understanding and a few tweaks to technique – anyone can significantly improve their images. 

    I am really looking forward to meeting you all, and seeing the 'light bulb moments' as you get to grips with your camera. 

    Like the sound of it and want to book?

    Thank you! That's great!

    Please click the button below to add your details and make payment. 

    Any queries, please don't hesitate to get in touch.  

    Book Your Place Now
    master of photography
    "I already had the passion and the equipment for photography but I was struggling to get to grips with how to best use my camera. The question was who do I go to?
    Well, look no further than Rebecca Holmes Photography. I signed up for a day class on how to use your camera manually rather than the bog-standard Auto function. The presentation and the manner in which Rebecca talked about the functionality of a digital camera was not only very informative but extremely easy to follow. I can’t stress enough how comfortable I felt considering I had only ever used the Auto function.
    As the day went on and after each module, my confidence grew and I was itching to get home and go out and about and explore my camera. Even though I wanted to go home and practice more I could easily have stayed and listened to Rebecca explain and demonstrate the wonderful world of manual use of a digital camera.
    If there was to be a master of photography then I would hands-down give the award to Rebecca Holmes. See you soon at the Intermediate Class!"

    Neil Gordon