F-Stops and Shutter Speeds: At the National Portrait Gallery

This safari is designed for photographers who want to take full control of their camera and move beyond the automatic settings. Many photographers own advanced cameras but only use a fraction of their potential, relying heavily on automatic modes or guessing at manual settings. On this safari, you will learn how to confidently use Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes to create images exactly as you envision them. Professional architectural photographer E. David Luria will guide you in mastering exposure, F-stops, shutter speeds, ISO, and white balance while demonstrating techniques for capturing sharp subjects, motion blur, or creative effects like silky water and disappearing crowds. Participants will gain hands-on experience practicing these skills in the distinctive Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery, with its elegant glass canopy, natural light, and dynamic urban surroundings providing ideal conditions to experiment and learn. Through practical instruction and real-world exercises, you will gain confidence in controlling every aspect of your camera to achieve professional-quality results. Whether shooting portraits, architecture, moving objects, or low-light scenes, this safari will show you how to make the camera work for you, not the other way around. With guidance on lens selection, neutral density filters, and the effective use of tripods, participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to approach different photographic challenges. By the end of the session, you will be able to manipulate your camera’s settings to produce the images you imagine, making you the master of your photographic vision.