There were a lot of things that Chris Attrell wanted to learn when he first got his DSLR camera back in 2003.
He was able to share 15 years of DSLR experience with his photography workshop on July 18.
People become too comfortable with their auto mode when they first get their digital camera.
Attrell wants to take people out of that with work on single point focusing, aperture mode, and what can be done with a long shutter speed.
When Attrell made the transition from film to digital, people were still stuck in film mode where photographers were scared to take risks with their photos.
Now with digital, anyone can experiment without worrying about wasted film or money, says Attrell.
“You still had the mentality of taking two pictures instead of experimenting and taking 20-25…You’re free to explore creatively without having to worry about how much money you spend.”
Camera features have become simplified in the last 15 years as well, says Attrell, but there are so many that not everyone goes through them all. Attrell has narrowed them down to five or six features that people need to take good photos.
Anyone can learn the basics in a matter of hours once they know what they are doing, says Attrell.
Humboldt Collegiate Institute Photography 30 teacher, Dawn Goosen, attended Attrell’s workshop and says there were aspects of photography that were even new to her with Attrell’s class. Many of the new things she learned will be taken back and shared with her students.
Attrell’s gallery consists of many photos of rich Saskatchewan landscapes and old buildings.
Coming from Banff, that was something that drew Attrell to the prairies were the “living museums.”
“You just go down any grid road and there’s a school; a church; a grain elevator. It is like you can step back in time for a bit and try to imagine what it was like.”
People generally respect the buildings and Attrell tries to immerse himself in the building as he is taking photos.
