This is a basic photography course for beginners.  It is written for students with no technical photography experience or knowledge, who are twelve years of age or older (grade 7-12); however, adults or younger students are welcome to take the course too.  This course is comparable to, and fills the requirements for, a one-semester course in either middle or high school.

I created this course to offer home schooling parents and their children an interesting and enjoyable course that fulfills an elective requirement in Fine Arts. In addition, this course could possibly introduce a student to a new hobby or perhaps to explore a new career. Whether it turns out to be simply a class, or grows into a hobby or career, I hope your child enjoys this course as much as I enjoyed creating it.

The student will be responsible to read the lessons, do the quizzes and perform the shooting assignments.  If requested, I do provide a letter grade based on points for completing the assignments and correct answers on the quizzes.  The grading is not based on talent or creative ability; I evaluate and critique the photographs for the purpose of analyzing how well the student applied the photographic technique.  If a student does have an "eye" for photography, I will certainly mention that to the student.  My critiquing is also for the purpose of offering encouragement and more insight into the various photographic techniques.

Course Materials: CD-ROM & Textbook

The course material contains one CD-ROM and a hardcopy of the textbook.  The CD contains all the pictures (in color) and Word document of the textbook. The coursework is composed of lessons, followed by short quizzes and shooting assignments to apply the lesson.  Each lesson builds on the previous one.

Price:  $50.00/student (please contact me for group rates or multi-student household rates)

    - email: kastellby-hs@earthlink.net

The cost of the course covers my online tutoring/mentoring which is unlimited in hours while your child is enrolled; enrollment is for one-year though the course is set up as a one-semester program

Camera Requirements:  Film or Digital Cameras

Film:

• 35mm SLR (Single Lens Reflex)
• 50mm lens
• Flash Unit (on camera or separate)
• Manual Focus capability (even if camera has Auto Focus)
• Manual Control of shutter; either aperature or lens speed
• 35mm Color Film (to be purchased as needed)

Must also be able to digitize photos to be sent via email to me for evaluation and grading; this can be accomplished by a scanner at home or requesting a CD from your film processing service.

Digital:

• Digital Camera (with zoom lens preferably)
• Manual Focus capability (or spot focusing capability)
• Manual Control of shutter; either aperature or lens speed
• Flash
• Ability to download into computer to send to me via email