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General Course Information
Learning Objectives:
Pond owners enrolling in this course will explore various useful and creative ways to apply photography skills to the hobby of Koi keeping. The course will offer introductory information in the following key subject areas:
- Ways that photography can enhance the experience of pond and Koi keeping
- Understanding the basic types of cameras and lenses
- Features to consider when purchasing camera equipment
- Understanding and applying the basic principles of film (or digital) exposure
- How to take better pictures for scientific or record-keeping purposes
- How to take more creative, beautiful, and interesting photos
- How to find an appropriate market or use for your photos
- When to turn to video, and some considerations about video photography
- Participating in the K.O.I. photo gallery
All students will need an email address and internet access to K.O.I. websites.
Everyone can grow in their ability to take better photographs, and there are several excellent reasons for Koi keepers to do so, such as personal enjoyment, documenting Koi development, studying Koi disease, or marketing a business. “Photography for Koi Keepers” will outline some basic photography skills and explore how to apply them to the hobby of Koi keeping.
Tests & Completion
Submit ten photos to the instructor that you believe are among your best photos, following these guidelines:
A. All of the photos should be taken AFTER you begin this course.
B. None of the photos should be retouched by computer (that is a different class/subject).
C. Each photo should be of a different from the other 9 you submit (not multiple angles from the same photographic session, for example). Some of them can be photos that resulted from trying the various suggested exercises, but none of them have to be. If you submit a related series of photos (“how to” illustrations), they count together as one of your ten photos.
D. At least five of the ten should have something to do with ponds, fish, or the hobby.
E. With each photo, please submit a brief (1-3 paragraph) written analysis of that photo:
- i. Please only submit photos and commentary that are o.k. with you to post for other students. As a class, all of us can benefit by reading the self-evaluation of others about their photos. (Any photos/commentary shared with the class will be done at the discretion of the instructor, but some photos from a few students may be selected to share, and therefore, by submitting your photos for this class, you are giving permission to share them with other students).
- ii. Your written evaluation of each photo should refer to at least two (more is preferable) of the most relevant principles described in this course. For example, you might comment on the focus, the contrast, the shutter speed, the placement of the subject in the frame, the time of day or use of light, etc. Many of the photos in this course are accompanied by the type (and approximate length) of commentary/analysis that the instructor is hoping you will provide with each of the ten photos you submit.
- iii. Any photo that includes a human being must be accompanied by a simple model release form if it is to be shared with your classmates or on the K.O.I. website. You can find a simple model release form on the web.
- iv. Please provide both constructive criticisms of your own photo (ways you think you could have made it better) and also statements about the strengths of the photo.
- v. In at least one of your commentaries, please state why you took the photo, and what you plan to do with it (make a poster, use it in your Koi pond journal, put it on a business card, etc.)
F. For ease of communication, please group your photos when you submit them to the instructor into two different submissions, each containing five photos. You may submit more than ten photos to the instructor during the course as a basis for other questions or conversation, but clearly identify your official ten submitted photos. The instructor will focus time and energy on your ten photos, and may or may not have the opportunity to offer detailed responses to additional submissions.
There are suggested exercises or photographic experiments sprinkled throughout the text (in red typeface). These exercises are NOT required in order to pass. They are simply intended to help you explore something new in a fun way. Try out the ones that appeal to you, or ignore them—that is up to you. Generally speaking, you will learn more if you spend time with a camera in your hand than you will merely reading about having a camera in your hand.
In general the course will be conducted on a self-paced basis and students can ask questions any time via emails to the instructor.
Questions can be e-mailed to the instructor at: JeffR@adams.net
The course must be completed within 12 months of the date the student was initially contacted by the instructor. Special exemptions may apply if the 12 months have expired. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
If additional time is desired, 12-month extensions may be purchased for $25 for a single course or $50 for multiple courses. Students may request extensions from their Student Coordinator prior to the expiration of the time originally allotted to complete their course(s). If the student qualifies, the Student Coordinator will issue instructions on how to buy the extension at the K.O.I. Store.
The student will be graded not only on the photographs submitted, but on the assessment that accompanies each photo.
There is no particular passing grade to complete this course but the instructor will work with the student until they both agree that the student is ready to graduate.
The K.O.I. policy in regards to the student code of conduct is clear. Cheating will not be tolerated. Students will be failed if they cheat. For those seeking certification, cheating or serious legal violations (relative to the activities with K.O.I.) will be grounds for non-certification or decertification.