Courses
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY with Matt Searles
Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th January 2026 / 9.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: Standard $245 / Early-Bird $215
Venue: Mt Hutt College
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Learn how to get the most out of your camera!
This two-day course is intended for those with basic photography skills who would like to take their image making to the next level and move out of auto mode. If you ’ ve ever wondered what settings to use on your camera but are unsure of what they do, this is the course for you!
Attendees should have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera that offers full control, and for this reason Smartphones and basic Point and Shoot cameras are not recommended.
During the course you ’ ll get to know more about:
• Shutter speed, Aperture and ISO - the ‘ Exposure Triangle ’
• Composing Images effectively, including t ips to help you improve your framing
• How using different lenses can be used creatively
• How you can use depth of field to make your images pop
• Creating an Image, step by step.
The course consists of one day of room-based learning with a chance to put the skills learnt into practice during a field trip on Day 2. (Details of field trip will be confirmed closer to the time.)
NB: The lunch add-on is for two lunches
Introducing Matt Searles
Matt Searles is a South Canterbury-based photographer specialising in rural, landscape, event and commercial photography. His work focuses on capturing a moment in time, whether it's a changing landscape, life's big (and small) occasions, or just the perfect light and shadow.
His corporate clients have ranged from small local businesses to large corporations, and he also has experience making images for the non-profit and educational sectors.
Matt's work has featured in magazines and newspapers in the UK, USA and New Zealand, he has also featured in The Fujicast and Photography Daily Podcasts.
The exhibition 'Land of the Close Sky' featured at the Susan Badcock Gallery, Geraldine, in October 2019, with landscape images from Matt's ‘Mail to Messy Mail’ Rural Postal Run .
In June 2025, his ‘More than a Yarn’ collection was exhibited at the art gallery in the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall in Methven. This five- year project explored sheep farming in the Rangitata Valley.
Follow Matt on Instagram to see his amazing work.
