To make the most of your workshop experience, it's essential to have a good grasp of how to navigate and adjust your camera settings. This familiarity allows us to dive straight into the creative and technical aspects of photography rather than troubleshooting your gear.

For those using traditional cameras, being able to adjust settings like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO is key. Similarly, if you're planning to use a cell phone as your camera, understanding how to enable advanced features, such as RAW image capture and manual controls, will ensure you can fully participate and get the best results from the workshop.

Here’s a checklist to help you prepare, no matter your device:

• Manual Mode: Learn how to set and adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO on your camera or through your phone’s camera app.

• RAW Image Capture: Ensure you know how to enable RAW (or RAW+JPEG) mode to get the highest quality images for editing later.

• Live View Histogram: If your camera supports it, practice enabling and interpreting the histogram to better understand exposure.

• Self-Timer or Exposure Delay: Know how to use these features if you don’t have a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake during long exposures.

For cell phone photographers, consider downloading apps that unlock your phone’s full manual and RAW capabilities, such as Lightroom Mobile, Halide, or ProCamera. These apps provide advanced controls comparable to traditional cameras.

Remember, no matter your gear, the focus of this workshop is on learning and creativity. Being familiar with your camera’s capabilities is just the first step toward making the most of your photographic adventure!