Koi Photography Syllabus

Outline:

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Recommended Photo Equipment

1.1 Camera Selection

1.2 Lens Selection

1.3 Flash Selection

1.4 Memory Card Size

2.0 The Setup, What to Have on Hand to be Successful

2.1 Tubs, Bags, Nets, Note Pad, Shade, Helpers

3.0 Controlling the Environment

3.1 Benefits and Liabilities of Shooting in Sun and Shade

3.2 Benefits and Liabilities of Shooting With and Without a Flash

3.3 Controlling Ambient Light and Glare

3.4 Controlling Turbulence

3.5 Controlling Distractions

4.0 Camera Techniques

4.1 Camera Settings

4.2 Zoom vs. Wide Angle

4.3 Focus and Depth of Field

4.4 Filters, What to Use and When

4.5 Number of Shots to Take

4.6 Chase vs. Sit and Wait Techniques

4.7 Shooting Angle

4.8 Creating Shade

5.0 Koi Handling and Photography

5.1 Managing the Koi

5.2 Koi Safety

5.3 Dedicated Handlers

5.4 Watch for Jumping

5.5 Water Temp

5.6 Time Under Stress

5.7 Water Quality Control

5.8 Getting Them to Pose

5.9 Waiting For the Shot, But Not Too Long

5.10 When the Koi is Done (Whether You Are or Not)

5.11 Image Size

6.0 What You Can Fix After-the-Fact and How

Assignments and Tests:

The course will consist of attending a series of required lectures, and submitting photo assignments for critque by the instructor.

How and When to Contact the Instructor:

In general the course will be conducted in on-line meetings (no software required), and there will be a K.O.I. forum where students can post questions. The forum will be the setting for the on-line critique of students’ photos, and there will be a Q and A for specific problems and challenges. Most correspondence between the student and instructor will be shared on the Forum. This is a virtual classroom environment and this is how information is exchanged.

Questions can be e-mailed to the instructor at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If a student requests that certain information be kept confidential, then it will be re-phrased and presented it to the class, if pertinent, but will respect the anonymity of the student.

Completion requirements:

The student must complete the course in the allowed time frame. If additional time is desired, an extension fee can be paid, and the student will have an additional month to complete the course. After that, students must start from scratch, repay the full fee and start the course and testing over. The student will be warned that their tuition is about to expire by e-mail.

Date for Completion:

To be determined.

Grading Policy:

The course is pass/fail. Students need to submit their photo assignments for critique and attend the required meetings to pass.

Ethics and Rules that Apply to this Course:

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.