WANT TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS?
SWISS PHOTO CLUB GENEVA – GET 15% OFF ANY PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE!
PLUS: TOP TIPS for taking better photos on your mobile phone.
by Chené Koscielny
Taking photographs has never been easier, but taking a decent photo that evokes a tear or a laugh, is a different story altogether.
SO, HOW CAN YOU TAKE BETTER PHOTOS?
It’s easier than you think, says Osan Altun, owner of Swiss Photo Club, Switzerland’s biggest photography club, which started in Geneva and now operates in Lausanne, Zurich and soon Basel.
“There’s never been a more interesting time to be involved in photography. People really appreciate good photography,” says Osan.
Like everything else, good photography is a skill than can be learned and Osan has strong views about how to best learn it.
“I believe you can learn in a short time with good training.” He’s not big on theory. “We don’t lose time, we just show you how to do it,” says Osan.
So confident is he of their method, that he offers a money back guarantee if you feel you haven’t improved after the course.
THE COURSES
Swiss Photo Club offers a wide variety of courses aimed at different skills and levels – in either French and English in Geneva or Lausanne.
The most popular is of course, the beginners’ course. This course will get you familiar with your phone or camera and focuses on getting you behind the lens straight away.
Classes are limited to only 8 students – so you’ll get personal attention.
Other courses include intermediate photography, mobile photography, family portraiture, landscape photography, fine art nude photography, Photoshop courses and more.
Although the audience are of a mixed age, there are more women than men, because “women are more open to learning and being taught,” says Osan
(Amen to that, we say).
SPECIAL OFFER:
For 15% off of any course with SWISS PHOTO CLUB simply use the code: TTDIG when booking your course.
EXPERT INSTRUCTORS
Osan interviews and cherry picks each photographer who works for the school and he puts great emphasis on their ability to teach. A brilliant photographer who can’t inspire you or share his or her skills are of no interest to him.
EXHIBITIONS – SEE YOUR PHOTOS ON THE WALL
Like most amateur photographers, Osan dreamed of having his photos displayed in a gallery when he first started out as a photographer.
When he started the Swiss Photo Club he wanted to inspire students by giving them a chance to see their own photographs displayed from the start.
To this end he runs twice-yearly photo competitions, where all entries are displayed in a gallery (La Cave, in Geneva old town) and members of the public are invited to choose winners in different categories. Prizes for the competitions include cameras and camera equipment.
The new Photo Awards are coming up soon and the Swiss Photo Club are accepting submissions here.
COMMUNITY
Osan is keen to build a community of lovers of photography and the group’s ‘secret’ Facebook group – which has 1,000 members – also offers monthly photography challenges and exchanges between photography enthusiasts in the city.
He is also planning a membership programme to motivate students – to keep in touch and continue practising after they’ve completed their course, because it’s easy to forget what you’ve learned, he says.
OSAN’S TIPS FOR TAKING BETTER PHOTOS ON YOUR PHONE
- Before you take the photo think about what is the story you want to share?
- Zoom with your feet!
- Checking your 4 corners (upper left, upper right, down left and down right) before you take the photo will enhance your composition (and avoid yellow trashcans!).
- The best photo may be right behind you, try photographing your subject from different angles.
- Choose your primary line, a horizon, a building, a staircase and make sure they are straight !
- Our favorite applications are: HDR PRO (x) for all your landscape and architecture photos, Phototoaster (iPhone) or Snapseed (iPhone and Android) to do some quick touchups on your photos
WHO IS OSAN?
Born in Istanbul, Osan has been living in Geneva for 18 years.
In 2013, he left his corporate career to follow his passion photography. He founded Swiss Photo Club right after he graduated from the New York Film Academy Photography Department. He specialises in landscapes, portraits and event photography.
His passion for life shows in his photos with vibrant colours and an edgy style. He continuously strives to show something special about his subject and pushes the boundaries every time. His teaching style is crisp, to the point, and focused on getting the participant practice what she/he has learned.
His portfolio is available at his website Altun Photography.
PRACTICAL INFO:
For more info visit the Swiss Photo Club Geneva website.
