Photography Boot Camp: Auroville, India

Schedule at a Glance

On the first day, you are expected to arrive after 1600 hrs at the Sappers Retreat. We can help you in getting to our location which is on the outskirts of the Pune city by the Khadakwasla Lake. On the first day, all the participants have dinner together with the mentor who will be conducting the Photography Boot Camp.  During the introductory dinner, we discuss the scope of the Boot camp and what the participants can expect from it. Our endeavor is to radically improve and enhance your creative skill sets, hence inducing confidence to go ahead and further explore your own style. 

DAY 1 – Check in & Relax

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM Check in
Until 7:00 PM – Relax and settle down in your rooms
7:30  PM Introductory Dinner

DAY 2 –  Photography: The Art of Seeing, Introduction to Composition and Understanding Light

On the first day, we start with the basics of what makes some pictures work and others to fall apart! The emphasis during this day is to understand that camera is just a tool. Your eye and the ability to recognize a great image, is the most important thing to learn to make your photographs work for you. We will also learn about some of the masters of photography and look at what common thread runs through their different styles.

8:30 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Photography: The Art of Seeing and understanding what makes pictures great

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Tea & Snacks

11:00 AM –  1:00 PM – Introduction to Composition and Understanding Light

1:15 PM –  3:00 PM – Lunch and short rest

3:15 PM –  Sunset – Practical Session: Composition and experimenting with Light 

(Tea / Coffee Cookies would be available during the session)

8:00 PM Dinner and critique of pictures taken during the day

DAY 3 – Understanding your Camera – Exposure, Aperture, Shutter Speed Demystified

On the second day, we get down to the specifics of the cameras and clarifying the photographic jargon that you would have perhaps heard often enough. By the end of the day, we expect you to have figured out what mode to use in your camera, whether you need to switch to the Manual Mode or one of the automatic modes would do. Exposure, Aperture, Shutter Speed ISO etc would no more be a mystery to you. We also learn to use how to freeze motion, how to create a controlled blurr and what is required to create those shallow depth of field pictures with a Bokeh!  You will also learn what to buy and what not to buy and learn how to use your gear effectively. Learn from choosing the right camera with the right features to connect to the right set of lenses. Also tips about photography accessories like tripod, CF cards, flash, filters, bags, etc., will be discussed. Understand the tools of trade for close-up and landscape photography. This session will also teach you how to manage and take care of your camera gear.

Sunrise –  8:00 AM – own time for photography or nature walk or yoga (optional!)

9:00 AM – 12:45  AM 

1. Understanding your camera: Different kinds of Cameras, DSLR’s, Mirrorless, Point and Shoot, Action Cams and Smartphone
2. Choosing a camera:  What Camera is best for you?
3. Lenses: Understanding lenses and how to get the best out of what you have
4. Camera Controls: Familiarization with all the controls in your camera: Aperture > Shutter Speed > ISO >
5. Manual Exposure and using the different exposure modes – Program Mode, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual modes
6. Technical aspects of making a photograph
7. Focussing – Manual and Auto
8. Understanding exposure, histograms and metering
9. How to use Aperture, Depth of Field, Shutter-speed, ISO and White Balance
10. Knowing what makes a technically good photograph; identifying problems in images

1:15 PM – 3:00 PM – Lunch and short rest

3:15 PM –  Sunset – Practical Session: Understanding what you have learnt in the morning session

(Tea / Coffee Cookies would be available during the session)

8:00 PM Dinner and critique of pictures taken during the day

DAY 4 –  Introduction to various genres of photography and Post Processing

On this day, you will get to practically indulge in a little bit of different forms of photography to help you decide what genre interests you and suits you the most. You will be introduced to Portraiture, Landscape Photography, Bird Photography , Candid Street Photography, Macro Photography & Post Processing. The day would start early as we assemble half an hour before sunrise to catch the magic-hour of photography and thereafter, we would have set up the studio with different kinds of specialized photography gear like Strobes, Macro Lenses, Long Telephoto Lenses and a host of other equipment for you to get an insight into the possibilities of this beautiful art.

Sunrise – 08:30 AM – Photo-Walk along the Khadakwasla Lake / Hill tops around the Kudje Village.  (not optional!)
Introduction to the Magic-hour and understanding Landscape Photography with a brief introduction to Bird Photography

08:30 AM Breakfast

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Introduction to Portraiture

11:45  AM – 12:45  AM – Introduction to Macro Photography and the Gear

01:15 PM – 03:00 PM – Lunch and short rest

03:15 PM – 04: 15 PM – Introduction to Post Processing

(Tea / Coffee Cookies would be available during the session)

08:00 PM  Dinner and critique of pictures taken during the day

DAY 5 –  Open Session: The road ahead

Counselling for deciding on how to move forward and take your photography to the next level. In this session you will also be introduced to Filmmaking using DSLR’s, Point and Shoot Cameras and Mobile Phones.  We will also talk about how to make money from Photography. This time would also be utilized for re-clarifying any aspect that you may not have understood fully.

Sunrise – 08:00 AM – own time for photography or nature walk or yoga (optional!)

08:30 AM Breakfast

09:00 AM – 12:45  AM Concluding session

01:15 PM – 03:00 PM – Farewell Lunch, distribution of Certificates and departure from the PhotoIndia.com Boot Camp.

Please Note:

1. This outline is only indicative and the order in which the subjects are covered vary from one boot camp to another depending on various factors.
2. The boot camp is not meant for any one specific type of camera or brand. The focus is on photography and how to get the best out of whatever camera that you may possess.

“Good experience, learnt basics of photography and instruction. Staff are also supportive. The workshop is quite helpful to understand that photography consists in the eye of a photographer. ”
– Tripti Arora

“It was a very nice opportunity to learn the basics. Mr. Manu was friendly and cleared our doubts. I am interested to learn deeper.
Thank you! ”
– Angella

“Very informative workshop on the theoretical aspects of photography and camera technology. Impressed with the pragmatic advice given by the instructor and the personalised attention.”
– Vivek Indrayan

“It was a good session which has taught me about usage of camera & how to take pictures. It is a definite worth while session for beginners. ”
– Ajay Kumar

“The information gives today learnt a lot about manual clicking, ISO, Exposures. Got to know all the basics. That helps to start a aspiring photographer. ”
– Sneha Ashok Sachdev

“Very interactive and informative. Would love to attend other workshops. PhotoIndia rocks! ”
– Krishna Kumar

Who can attend this Bootcamp?

You can come alone, with friends or with the whole family. We welcome amateur photographers, hobbyists interested in pursuing photography as a career. You do not need a DSLR camera, there are always a few DSLR’s available at our studio that can be shared by the participants.  There is no Age limit/ No Qualifications needed / No Pre-requisite except your passion and interest!

What can I expect from the Bootcamp?

• Extensive hands on training and exposure to professional gear – classroom, indoor and outdoor locations
• One on one sessions
• Critique and evaluation of selected images
• Comfortable  Accommodation on twin sharing basis with running hot & cold water & Desert-Coolers in the rooms, buffet meals
• Transportation to and from outdoor locations for practical sessions
• All meals,  coffee & tea with snacks during the sessions
• …  and last but not the least, loads of fun

What all is not included in the Bootcamp?

• Alcohol, Cigarettes, Soft Drinks and other Expenses of a personal nature
• Transportation to and from your home to our location

What should I carry for the Bootcamp?

• You can come even without a Camera and we will provide one, however, we recommend that you carry your own camera along,  doesn’t matter what type.
• Please carry all the photography- gear that you own and would like to know more about it
• Laptop, very helpful in managing your images and for understanding the post-processing techniques
• Comfortable shoes and clothing
• Loads of positive attitude
• An open mind.

Cancellation Policy

• 25 % of the fee will be deducted if cancelled 3 weeks before commencement camp.
• 50 % of the fee will be deducted if cancelled 2 weeks before commencement of camp.
• 100 % deduction within 2 weeks before commencement of camp.

An additional fee of Rs. 1000 is applicable if bookings made by credit card or online payments, are cancelled.

We would love to hear from you. You can call Mauktik on +91 9482879657 or +91 8971299670 (Monday to Friday between 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM).