Nature Photography

Picture of Nature Photography
Now Only
$389
AUD
35% off
$599 AUD
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 3425 Students

Learn how to use your digital camera to take stunning nature photos, including landscapes, flowers, animals, and even macro shots.

Nature photography can be a fun, relaxing, and exciting hobby! In this course, you'll learn about the many aspects of outdoor photography as well as how to master your digital camera's controls and features. With the knowledge you gain in this course, you'll be taking exceptional nature photos in no time.

We'll explore composition and lighting issues, and you'll find out how to take beautiful photos of landscapes, flowers, trees, and water. Along the way, we'll delve into your camera's shutter speed and aperture controls so that you'll be able to capture the photos you really want. Then we'll shift gears a bit and consider telephoto work in nature photography. Some natural subjects are always too far away or too dangerous to photograph up close, so we'll see how telephoto lenses and composition techniques can help.

We'll also focus on photographing animals—wild and domesticated, as well as large and small. You'll find plenty of tips to help you get great zoo shots and take excellent photos of pets. If you're a bird lover, you're in for a treat because you'll get an entire lesson about photographing birds.

In addition, we'll talk about macro photos, which are extreme close-ups of small items in nature. You'll find macro photography opens up a whole new world for you! And then we'll discuss using your computer to process your photos and digitally correct the most common problems. We'll wrap up by exploring abstract nature photography. You'll see how your photos can become works of art rather than just snapshots of nature. By the end of this course, you'll have become the nature photographer you always wanted to be!

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In this first lesson, we'll explore what makes nature photography an exciting and joyful hobby. You'll do fun exercises that help you focus on the details in the world around you. We'll delve into the concepts of composition, form, shape, and contrast. And finally, you'll join me on a photographer's journey in one of my favorite places in the world!

Nothing could be more important to a photographer than light, right? So today we're going to explore how to work with different kinds of sunlight, use fill flash, and photograph the sun. We'll talk about using the rule of thirds to compose attractive photos, and we'll also take a look at three cool natural forms that make great patterns to photograph. Light + composition + natural forms = the next step in your development as a nature photographer!

Landscapes are a pleasure to photograph, so we'll explore how to make landscape photos that are a pleasure to look at, too! In this lesson, you'll figure out how to manage aperture settings and depth of field to get the most from your landscapes, and you'll realize the benefits of focal points and vantage points. You'll also receive some tips to help you spice up landscapes that are flat or lack obvious details.

Nature is full of interesting subjects to photograph, and flowers and trees are two of the best. So get ready to experiment photographically with a variety of textures, patterns, and colors. We'll start today with the basics of photographing flowers, and then we'll move on to explore advanced techniques the pros use. You'll also gain an appreciation for the ways trees can communicate feeling and practice photographing them in a way that evokes the specific feeling of a season or place. You'll discover the joys of trying unexpected perspectives as you take your photos.

Water is a fun subject to photograph, but it does present some challenges that we'll tackle together in this lesson. You'll learn how to use your camera to compose photographs of large bodies of water (like oceans and lakes), and you'll receive fun tips for taking effective shots of streams and rivers. You'll also get better acquainted with your shutter-speed settings and practice controlling them to blur or freeze action to create interesting effects.

Telephoto equipment can help you get close to subjects that are far away or too dangerous to approach, thus giving you access to an otherwise inaccessible natural world. So today we'll investigate the ways telephoto equipment can enhance your experience of nature photography. You'll find out how your camera and lenses handle magnification, and you'll gain an understanding of how to work effectively with a telephoto lens. Then we'll turn our attention to composing telephoto shots, and you'll practice photographing clouds, the moon, and the stars. Whether you're already working with a telephoto lens, want to buy one, or prefer to stick with the zoom lens on your consumer camera, this lesson will help you gain confidence in the telephoto realm.

Large animal photography, as you might expect, can be a lot of fun and very exciting! In this lesson, we'll explore how to get the best photographs of large animals, whether domesticated or in the wild. You'll photograph single animals, groups, and animals in zoos and other captive areas. You'll also learn how to get pets to cooperate for a photo shoot!

Today, we'll delve into strategies for photographing small animals in the wild, including reptiles and other sneaky creatures. We'll discuss common composition, angle, and lighting issues you're going to be wrestling with. You'll learn tricks for photographing small animals at zoos, including animals in terrariums and aquariums. And you'll receive tips for photographing your small pet, including how to keep your pet's attention and what to do to avoid getting an ugly yellow color cast in your photos when shooting pet portraits indoors.

In this lesson, you'll learn about the challenges of photographing birds and the techniques for overcoming those challenges. Birds in flight, for example, can be tough to handle, because you have to be fast on the draw with your camera's settings and manage backlighting to prevent exposure problems. You'll learn to deal with these issues and get started setting up a bird photo studio in your own backyard, which you can use to practice all of your bird photography skills year-round.

With today's lesson, we'll delve into macro photography, which you'll use to document some of the smallest creatures in our natural world. We'll sort through your equipment options, ranging from inexpensive attachments to more expensive options like macro lenses. And we'll investigate the particular challenges of exposure, shutter speed, and depth of field. We'll end with a look at a collection of macro photos and discuss what works and what doesn't.

Photo-editing software gives you the opportunity to correct common photography problems and enhance photos creatively. Need to fix a blemish, crop a photo, or adjust the color? In this lesson, you'll find out how to make these quick fixes. Then we'll turn our attention to more advanced functions, like using layers and masks to make complex edits. And we'll finish by exploring some of the just-for-fun options of photo-editing software, like special-effects filters and using layers to add text. If you're not already working with photo-editing software, I'll direct you to a free program you can download in order to explore the techniques we discuss.

Today we'll wrap things up with a fun exploration of the creative possibilities of abstract nature photos. You'll expand your understanding of subjects and composition, and you'll see how abstract photos work to achieve a specific effect or feeling. We'll end our discussion with a tour through a gallery of abstract photos, and I'll share a final entry in my photo journal about my visit to Tulum, Mexico—a favorite spot for photographers.

Curt Simmons

Curt Simmons

Curt Simmons, M.Ed, MCSE, MCSA, CTT, is a best-selling author, technical trainer, and multi-media expert. Curt has written more than 50 computing and technology books on a variety of topics, including How To Do Everything with Windows Vista, How t... Read more

Read Curt Simmons's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Nature Photography you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

QuickBooks for Contractors 2014 Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

QuickBooks for Contractors 2014

Picture of QuickBooks for Contractors 2014
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 23 Students

Learn how to use the Premier Contractor Edition of QuickBooks 2014 for your construction business to create contract estimates, perform time tracking and job costing, generate powerful reports, and much more.

Contractors have many unique bookkeeping needs, so we've designed this course from the ground up specifically for the construction industry.

In this self-pacedcourse, you'll learn how to use the Premier Contractor Edition of QuickBooks 2014 to run your business more efficiently. Lessons are clearly illustrated and include easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to give you hands-on practice with the features that you're sure to use every day. You'll discover how to create custom, professional-looking contract estimates and track time and materials, and you'll learn the different methods you can use to bill your clients, including how to use the QuickBooks progress invoicing and job-costing features.

You'll find out how to deal with tricky situations, like change orders and retainage requirements, and you'll learn how to properly set up accounts, items, customers, and jobs. All along the way, you'll learn how to avoid many of the big and often costly mistakes contractors commonly make with QuickBooks. Finally, you'll learn how specific transactions impact all your accounts, and even some techniques to protect your business from fraud, prepare for tax time, and generate useful and dynamic reports.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

Contracting businesses have many unique accounting and reporting needs. In this first lesson, you'll learn how to set and edit your general, accounting, tax, and time-tracking preferences to fit your particular company. We'll go on a brief tour of the QuickBooks 2014 Contractor Edition, and you'll learn how to create and manage company files and utilize the program's multiuser and mobility features.

In this lesson, you'll learn the QuickBooks basics, like how to create and edit accounts in your company file. Then you'll see how you can modify company templates (estimates and invoices, for example) to track all kinds of valuable information. And you'll find out how working backward from certain reports can be the overriding factor in defining your file setup. Because not all contractors are the same, we'll also go over some of the major setup differences between a typical contractor, like a plumber or electrician, and a company that purchases and develops real estate as its main purpose.

Today we'll focus on the Items List, which is an extremely useful tool for contractors. Even though different types of contractors will set up their lists differently, there are some general guidelines you can follow to ensure that your list works effectively and efficiently. We'll also cover some tricks for cleaning up and organizing an existing Item List to better suit your needs.

QuickBooks provides some great tools to assist you in tracking both revenues and expenses for each job you complete, and we'll go over them in today's lesson. Get ready to learn the first steps that will lead you into the estimating and invoicing phases of your business. You'll also find out how to use the Customer:Job List to create and edit Customers and Jobs.

One of the more powerful features that the Contractor Edition offers you is the ability to create project estimates. In this lesson, you'll learn how to create these estimates and transfer the information to an invoice. Next, you'll find out how to handle the different invoicing methods contractors often face, such as time and materials and progress invoicing, and you'll get an opportunity to enter a few sample invoices using the different methods.

Wouldn't it be great if every project progressed exactly as you laid it out in the initial project estimate? Since this is rarely the case, the Contractor Edition gives you a few features to help you easily handle different situations. Today you'll learn the steps you need to follow to enter change orders and retainage. You'll find out how to properly apply customer payments to outstanding invoices. Making errors in applying payments can devastate your bookkeeping records, so we'll also explore some simple techniques you can follow to avoid these common problems.

There are many different methods for paying your bills in QuickBooks. In today's lesson, you'll learn the most basic methods for creating a new vendor and entering a check transaction. In addition, you'll see how you can use purchase order and bill-paying features to better track costs that are more common for contractors (such as materials and subcontractor costs). Finally, we'll take a quick tour through tracking credit card accounts.

Today we'll discuss recording time entries and how you can transfer these entries to other locations in the program, such as invoices. Much like expenditures for materials and supplies, you'll see that you can break time entries down and assign them to a specific job or project. As long as you have the breakdowns available (on a time card, for instance), you'll be able to split the hours that your company spends on multiple jobs on the same day.

In this lesson, we'll focus on the key payroll issues that contractors face. For instance, you'll learn how to create payroll items as part of your job-costing system. We'll also discuss some techniques for filing workers' compensation reports. Finally, you'll gain an understanding of the process you need to follow to create a paycheck and pay your payroll taxes.

The reporting features in the Contractor's Edition of QuickBooks are vast. In this lesson, you'll discover how to locate critical information for your business, and then how to generate some spectacular reports to help you to better manage day-to-day activities. You'll also gain a better understanding of the key financial statements, specifically the balance sheet and profit and loss reports.

We'll begin this lesson with a discussion of some simple but important month-end procedures, like reconciling accounts and printing reports. Next, you'll learn how to perform a few procedures to condense and clean up your accounting file and prepare it for a new year. We'll also cover how to enter and use QuickBooks' powerful budgeting feature.

In our final lesson, we'll go over simple steps you can take to reduce your risks and safeguard your business assets. You'll learn how to set up and restrict users to certain areas of the program, review an Audit Trail report, and set a closing date for the books. We'll explore some basic internal control principles, and you'll find out which reports you should place on your monthly reading list.

Scott Paxton

Scott Paxton

Scott Paxton is a Certified Public Accountant, and his background includes experience as a public accountant, a manager in the banking industry, an entrepreneur, and a college business instructor. He is a Certified QuickBooks Professional Advisor ... Read more

Read Scott Paxton's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the QuickBooks for Contractors 2014 you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Teaching Writing to Students Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

Teaching Writing to Students

Picture of Teaching Writing to Students
Now Only
$389
AUD
35% off
$599 AUD
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 4101 Students

Get the professional development training you need to improve student literacy as an accomplished teacher shares the secrets of turning guided reading strategies into opportunities for teaching writing.

Around 30% of students in sixth grade already have trouble with basic reading and writing. These literacy problems affect performance across subject areas, and they often leave teachers wondering how to help. Get the professional development training you need to improve student literacy as an accomplished teacher shares the secrets of turning guided reading strategies into opportunities for teaching writing. The road to literacy is also the road to ingenuity, invention, and imagination, and you'll soon learn how to take your students from groans to grins with creative lesson plans that really work!

We'll start our journey by talking about the reasons reading and writing are so difficult for students. Then we'll meet the total literacy framework and see how it mitigates literacy problems once and for all. Since this framework is based on guided reading lessons that flow naturally into writing challenges, you'll learn the recipe for a successful guided reading into writing lesson.

Once the framework is in place, we'll investigate a number of ways to modify this basic recipe for a variety of K-12 circumstances, wrapping up with a look at good writing habits and the traits of a productive writing conference. If you're looking for the right way to get students excited about the power of literacy, this is the course for you!

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

Have you ever wondered why so many of your students struggle to read and write? You're not alone! In this introductory lesson, we'll discuss why these two subjects are so hard for students and how we can make their lives a little easier. Get ready for some creative suggestions that you can read about today and use in the classroom tomorrow.

In order to really help our struggling readers and writers, we need a framework for implementing positive change. The total literacy framework is just the thing: Guided reading, writing, engagement, and assessment are the components that make it so effective. The best part is that this framework allows us a lot of flexibility and opportunities for success as we meet diverse learner needs. We'll discuss guided reading, writing, and engagement in today's lesson and look at assessment next time.

Assessment is the part of the total literacy framework that drives instruction. After all, we need to know where students are academically and where they need to go before we can teach them effectively. So in today's lesson, let's take a look at fun and simple ways to assess students' reading and writing skills without taking up too much class time.

Since a lot of our course is going to focus on turning guided reading lessons into writing opportunities within the total literacy framework, we need to begin with a basic guided reading and writing recipe. The recipe we'll go over in this lesson is one that you can easily modify for any K-12 setting, and it's dotted with examples from real classrooms where guided reading and writing are changing lives.

Have you ever read a great story only to think, "I could write something better than that"? Well, guess what? Your students think the exact same thing. Why not give them an opportunity to write stories after reading great books during guided reading time? You'll learn all the tricks in this action-packed lesson.

Nonfiction is often thought of as the ugly stepsister to its more creative counterpart, fiction. However, with a little imagination, you can make nonfiction come alive in your classroom. And even better, you can help your students write compelling articles after they read nonfiction. In this lesson, you'll learn how you can make fiction's stepsister a little less ugly.

Some students absolutely hate reading and writing poetry, but they won't after you introduce the techniques we're going to discuss today! If you're eager to bring out the natural poet in your budding writers, this lesson will give you just the creative jumpstart you've been waiting for. As an added bonus, you'll take a tour of the different kinds of poetry that inspire students.

Writing papers is never going to be the most interesting part of school, but it's always going to be necessary. So in this lesson, we'll discuss how to teach students to read research material and use it as a launch pad for papers that are clear and thought-provoking the first time around. We'll even discuss some techniques that make the whole process a little more enjoyable.

One of the neat things about employing the total literacy framework is that we can extend it across the content areas. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to use guided reading and writing to your advantage whether you're teaching math, social studies, or science. The best part is that your students will learn that reading and writing are never isolated endeavors!

Have you ever written something that was a little hard to understand? Even the best writers can find themselves struggling to make their point as clear as possible. So in this lesson, we'll go over how to teach students to craft their own style, hone their organization, and check for proper mechanics before they turn in any assignments.

Writing conferences are a great chance to make sure students are successful as they turn reading into writing and writing into ideas. I'm always surprised at how much I can accomplish by taking only a few minutes a week to discuss a student's writing. In this lesson, we'll discuss the power of conferences and how to make the most of them.

As we're building the total literacy framework in our classrooms, it's important to take time to encourage and inspire students by turning their small successes into big rewards. If you're looking for new strategies to motivate students and make reading and writing fun, you won't want to miss all the tips and tricks in this final lesson!

Marsha Spears

Marsha Spears

A veteran educator who has taught every grade but third, Marsha Spears has spent 35 years teaching students and training teachers. Spears earned a bachelor's and master's degree in educational administration with a specialty in curriculum and lite... Read more

Read Marsha Spears's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Teaching Writing to Students you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Still looking?

Check out the following courses related to Teaching Writing to Students: