Top 15 + Online Photography Courses for Beginners

To capture moments requires skill. It could be innate, but it could also be nurtured. So if you have the passion for it then perhaps there is a great photographer, a great story teller in you. And we live in the digital age where mastering this art form is not that difficult. There are myriad online courses and certifications to make you become a professional photographer. These photography courses for beginners will be a stepping stone in your journey in photography.

While it is important to look into online diploma courses as well as degree courses, one should also consider certification courses. Your work, be it for a company or for freelance will have employers who look for some credentials. These you could gain in the form of degrees, diplomas and certifications. Here we have compiled a list of some of the best photography courses for beginners available. To explore further don’t forget to check out our list of online Courses & Certifications from Top Providers which opens up a world to innumerous courses which are related to this field.

Top 15+ Photography Courses For Beginners

Learn how to capture the moments with these photography courses for beginners as they can hone your photography skills. So what are you actually waiting for? Grab these photography courses for beginners and start your journey to become a professional.

Note: The above data is collected and compiled by the Careers360 team.

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1. Digital Photography

One of the best photography courses for beginners offered in the Gatesmarter platform, this course covers foundational digital photography terms and techniques. So whether you take photography as a hobby or as a career, this course will work. For professionals this photography certification course is useful as the techniques taught here will be useful in marketing, journalism, business, etc.

Platform : University of Capetown via Getsmarter

Fee- Rs. 49,500

Duration- 10 weeks

Topics covered

• Welcome to your Online Campus
• Getting to know your camera
• Aperture
• Shutter speed
• ISO
• How your camera understands light
• How to make use of your flash
• Composition
• Portraits
• Landscape
• Basic photo editing techniques

2. Practical Photography for Absolute Beginners: 9 Courses in 1

One of the shortest photography classes for beginners offered in the Udemy platform, this course is specially designed for beginners to kick start their career. All the content in this course on photography is very raw and practical which you need to apply as soon as you learn any new concept from it. You will understand some core concepts of photography like camera gear, lighting + composition, portrait, stock photography and sell photos online. At the end of this Photography online Course you will learn how to earn money through photography, shoot amazing photos and you’ll know exactly how everything works in a DSLR.

Platform : Udemy

Fee- Rs. 8640

Duration- 1.5 hours

Topics covered

• Introduction to Course
• Photography Basics - Understand with easy and funny examples
• Mastering Lighting in Photography - Shoot Amazing Photos
• Shoot cool Macro Photos
• Become pro in Black and White Photography
• Mastering composition in Photography - Compose your photos better Stock Photography: Earn 200k per Year by selling photos online
• Portrait Photography - Shoot wow Portrait Photos
• Which camera & gear should you buy? A deep analysis
• Long exposure photography

Also Read: iPhone & Android Photography Course by Shaw Academy

3. Complete Photography Masterclass: 4 courses in 1

This course on photography is a power packed course which contains the value of 4 courses in just a single course. You’ll get to learn from basic concepts of photography to advanced concepts of photography and become a pro night photography and image editing by the end of the course. This photography certification course also provides lessons on Mastering Architectural, Night and HDR Photography, Mastering Photo Editing: Adobe Lightroom and Mastering Photo Editing: Adobe Photoshop. It is for anyone looking to sharpen their skills of photography and image editing.

Platform : Udemy

Fee- Rs. 9280

Duration- 2.5 hours

Topics covered

• Understanding Photography Basics
• Mastering Architectural, Night & HDR Photography
• Mastering Photo Editing: Lightroom
• Mastering Adobe Photoshop

Also Read:

Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio by The Open University, Milton Keynes via Futurelearn

4. The Ultimate Photography Course For Beginners

One of the longest photography classes for beginners from Udemy, this course, as the name suggests, has it all. This course bestows you with all the essentials of photography and help you in the journey to become a professional photographer. The creator of this course states that this course is for everyone and anyone who wants to enhance their creative skills. After pursuing this photography online course you’ll learn strategies and techniques to improve the photos dramatically, you’ll have a good hold over the workflow of photography and all the fundamental and important concepts of photography will be covered. At the end of the course you’ll also delve into a more philosophical side of photography.

Platform: Udemy

Fee- Rs. 9280

Duration- 10 hours

Topics covered

• Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed
• The 3 Pillars
• Cameras, Lenses
• Gear & Accessories
• Instagram
• Automatic Vs Manual
• Natural Lighting, Creating Light
• Camera Magic Made Simple
• White Balance
• Portrait & Landscape Photography
• Street, Wildlife, Nature Photography
• Macro, Product, Architect Photography
• Mobile, Night, Mixed Photography
• Composition
• Editing Your Photos
• JPEG vs RAW
• How to Get Hired
• Making Money With Stock Photos
• 50% Creativity 50% Technical

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5. Elevate Your Photography - Master Composition

This course on photography takes you on a journey to study 100 photographs and get your level up by noticing and examining all the intricacies of those photos. You need to have prior experience of a mobile camera to delve into this course. By the end of this photography online course you would be able to distinguish great photos from the ordinary ones, you’ll have a good grip over tools and rules to elevate your photos. As the name of the course suggests you;d be able to create engaging and visually appealing photos.

Platform: Udemy

Fee- Rs. 4800

Duration- 2 hours

Topics covered

• What Makes a Great Photograph?
• Intent & Subject - Learn The What and Why
• Light & Shadow - Learn to see and harness light
• Timing and Moment - Understand the value of moment
• Colour - Evocative & Compelling Images
• Composition - Everything you need to know
• Specific Insights to Genres of Photography
• BONUS - Tips I Recommend
• Recap

Also Read: Digital Photography by Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore via Swayam

6. Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography

This course on photography is one of the best courses available online for you to pursue and make a mark in the world of photography. It is a course which contains extensive information about photography and is taught by 4 instructors. In this photography online course you’ll learn topics starting from the functioning of the camera to exposure, composition, focus and depth, Camera Anatomy and Setting, White Balance and Color, and Mobile photography. You will know how to take some splendid photos that amaze everyone and take better photos with your smartphones by the end of the photography course.

Platform: Udemy

Fee- Rs. 8640

Duration- 23.5 hours

Topics covered

• Introduction
• Exposure, Composition
• Focus and Depth of Field
• Camera Anatomy & Settings
• White Balance and Color
• Lighting & Flash Photography
• Mobile Photography
• Equipment: Cameras, Lenses, Accessories
• Portrait & Landscape Photography
• Long Exposure, Low Light Photography
• Product Photography, Sports & Action Photography
• Macro Photography, Street & Architecture Photography
• Event & Wedding Photography
• Aerial & Drone Photography
• Wildlife, Night Photography
• Time-lapse Photography
• An Introduction to Editing Photos3
• Photo Editing in Photoshop CC, Lightroom Classic CC
• Photo Editing in Photos for Mac, Google Photos, Photoshop Express, Snapseed
• Sharing Your Photos Online
• Start a Photography Business
• Selling Stock Photography
• Printing Your Photos
• Student Q&A Videos
• Conclusion

Also read: 10 Paid Courses in Digital Photography Every Aspiring Photographer Needs To Check Today

7. Complete Photography : 21 Courses in 1 [Beginner to Expert]

This photography class is an absolute beginner course which has 21 courses in it, it covers all the basic topics of photography and ranges to advanced topics to make you an expert in the field. The main topics covered in the photography course are Portrait Photography, Landscape Photography, Stock Photography, Photography Composition, Black and White, and more. This course on photography will not only teach you the theoretical concepts but also focus much on the practical aspects of it with help of practical projects with photo editing, adobe Lightroom and adobe photoshop. Lastly, you’ll get to know both the active and passive ways to earn money through photography.

Platform: Udemy

Fee- Rs. 9820

Duration- 8.5 hours

Topics covered

• Basic photography concepts, Exposure Triangle, ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture
• Advanced photography concepts, Histograms, Light Metering, RAW format
• Practical projects with Photo Editing, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop
• How to earn money through stock photography
• Practical projects with Black and White Photography
• Practical projects in HDR and Night Photography
• Macro Photography
• Earn money through photography
• Photography blogging with WordPress
• Earn Money Online using photography
• Passive Income using Photography

Also read: 15 Courses on Adobe Lightroom to Upgrade Your Photography Career

8. Photography - Become a Better Photographer - Part I

This photography class teaches an absolute beginner to click better photos and become a better photographer by learning newer concepts and technologies. You’ll get 50 photography tips for taking amazing photos with your DSLR, mirrorless or compact camera. This photography online course covers topics such as camera settings, tips on posting for portraits, landscapes and scenery, flash photography, information and tips on using lenses. Lastly, you’ll have many lessons in this course which totally focus on the improvement of the photo quality.

Platform: Udemy

Fee- Rs. 2240

Duration- 5.5 hours

Topics covered

• Beginner camera settings (important info used in subsequent lectures)
• More advanced camera settings
• Improve your images with natural lighting
• Improve your images using better composition
• Tips on posing for portraits
• Landscapes and scenery
• Flash photography
• Information and tips on using lenses
• Other general techniques
• How to take a really flattering Profile or PR photo
• Which digital camera to buy next, megapixels is not the answer.

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Improving Your Image: Dental Photography in Practice by University of Birmingham, Birmingham via Futurelearn

9. Photography - The Ultimate Guide to Using Off-Camera Flash

This photography class makes you follow 19 photo sessions and from these learning you’ll enhance your photo taking techniques. By the end of this course on photography you’ll be able to create beautiful light using small flashes & take stunning dramatic portraits. You’ll be able to figure out which equipment suits you the best, how all the gear fits together, understand and use various portrait lighting patterns and understand various methods of triggering flashes. Learning these concepts of photography is integral in order to be an expert photographer.

Platform : Udemy

Fee- Rs. 2240

Duration- 3.5 hours

Topics covered

• Type of equipments
• How all of the gear fits together
• Various methods of triggering flashes
• How to get perfect exposures using the manual mode
• How to make beautiful light for stunning images
• How to control and light backgrounds
• Understand and use various portrait lighting patterns
• How to balance ambient and flash light
• How to take dramatic images, indoors and outdoors

Also read: Top Photography Colleges in India 2022

10. Cameras, Exposure, and Photography

The first part in one of the best photography courses for beginners (Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR!) in the Coursera platform, this course will teach you how to choose the perfect camera based on its qualities and your needs. You will also learn about the basic functions of digital cameras as well as aspects such as Frame and Vantage Point to interpret old subjects in new ways. You will also learn how to choose the perfect camera bags

Platform: Michigan State University, East Lansing via Coursera

Fee: Rs. 3576 per month

Duration: Approx. 19 hours

Topics covered

• Welcome, Overview and Fundamentals
• Camera capabilities: differences and similarities
• Setting up yourself and your digital camera: Menus, Settings, and baggage!
• Picture Decisions: The Vantage Point and Frame

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11. Camera Control

The second section in one of the top photography courses for beginners (Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR!) from the Coursera platform, this photography certification course gives you a broad understanding of the different types of cameras, the importance of setting up Menus and Functions to gain control in your photography, and the difference between Auto and Program exposure modes, etc.

Platform: Michigan State University, East Lansing via Coursera

Fee: Rs. 3576 per month

Duration: Approx. 19 hours

Topics covered

• Welcome, overview and Fundamentals
• Elements of Camera Control 2.0: The Lens
• Elements of Camera Control 3.0: Depth of Field
• Picture Decisions:

Also Read: Wedding Photography Course Online by Shaw Academy

12. Principles of Photo Composition and Digital Image Post - production

This is the third section in ‘Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR!’ In this module and the 4th you will learn about the essential elements of post-photography image management, using Adobe(tm) LIGHTROOM(tm), Image adjustment software designed for Smartphone photographers rounds

Platform: Michigan State University, East Lansing via Coursera

Fee: Rs. 3576 per month

Duration: Approx. 16 hours

Topics covered

• Elements of Design: Building Blocks of Composition
• Composition means putting the Elements of Design together!
• Photo Editing Fundamentals 1.0: "Workflow," from Exposure through Adobe™ Lightroom™ Classic
• Photo Editing Fundamentals 2.0: Smart Phone Apps

Also read: Online Adobe Lightroom Course BY Shaw Academy

13. Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing

One of the best photography courses for beginners as well as advanced learners, this photography certification course will cover the fundamentals of Photography. You get to work on your project in the Capstone. You have come a long way since the beginning of this journey from Smartphone Basics to DSLR and Beyond. Just think of all the information you have absorbed and put to use in your assignments and quizzes, and the confidence you have gained that you CAN control the camera to make pictures you are proud to share.

Platform: Michigan State University, East Lansing via Coursera

Fee: Rs. 3576 per month

Duration: Approx. 24 hours

Topics covered

• The Content of a Photograph
• Light Fundamentals 1.0: People, Places, Things under Ambient Light
• Light Fundamentals 2.0: People, Places, Things under Controlled Light
• Finishing Pictures: Options for Showing and Sharing

Also Read: Photography Course Online by Shaw Academy

14. Photography Capstone Project

This course on photography gives you an opportunity to develop a meaningful project of 10 well formed photographs based on your passion for artistic expression. You’ll have a great time learning from it as it is a hands-on course and will make you a professional photographer by the end of it.

Platform : It is available on Coursera and offered by Michigan State University

Fee- Free

Duration- 20 hours

Also Read: Computational Photography by Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta via Udacity

15. Beginner Nikon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography

This photography class will make you learn to use your camera intuitively. This course encourages you to practically do all the stuff taught in the course rather than memorizing it. In this course on photography you’ll learn to see your images in a more sophisticated way like a professional photographer, add exposure to your photographer’s tool belt by learning the impact of the visual elements of your images and learn to adjust the shutter speed. By the end of the photography course you’ll have a good hold over concepts like depth-of-field blur and motion blur, about all the modes in a camera and when you should be using each mode.

Platform: Udemy

Fee- Rs. 1920

Duration- 1 hour

Topics covered

• Introduction
• Exposure
• Nuts and Bolts of Aperture and Shutter Speed
• The Aperture Exercise
• The Mode Dial
• The Shutter Speed Exercise
• Wrap-Up

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16. Your Road to Better Photography

This course on photography has full focus on making photography simple for you and in the whole course you’ll operate the camera in manual mode. After completing this photography online course you’ll be able to simplify 3 elements that will put you in creative control over every shot you have. You need to follow along with your camera to truly retain the instructions and the creator of the photography course promises to teach you to control the lighting in any situation.

Platform : Udemy

Fee- Rs. 1280

Duration- 28 minutes

Topics covered

• How to Succeed In This Course
• Introduce Yourself
• Aperture
• Shutter Speed
• ISO
• Use Shutter Speed to Create Long Exposure Shot
• Create A Photo Using Only Your Cell Phone.
• Tutorial on Natural Light
• Cheap Clamp Light Challenge

Also Read: Diploma in Photography by National Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi

17. Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings

This course on photography focuses on beginners and teaches them from scratch about DSLR Photography Camera Settings. The goal of this course is to make you feel super confident with your camera and know when to change the photography setting to change when you want to photograph with more than one person.

Platform: Udemy

Fee- Rs. 9280

Duration- 1.5 hours

Topics covered

• Different types of lenses, setting, recommendations
• How to make sure your photos are always in focus
• Adjusting your ISO to take great photos in dark rooms or hot sunny days
• Photography aperture : How to get beautiful blurred backgrounds
• Photography shutter speed : Avoid this one huge mistake!
• White Balance : Getting the colour right in your photography
• Photography case studies
• Flash basics : how to get natural looking photos using a flashgun

Conclusion

These photography courses for beginners can become the stepping stone for a bright career. Or it can polish your skills just enough to make you take excellent photos for all occasions. Also these courses can be a great learning source if you're looking to be a travel blogger, a youtuber, a professional photographer or you simply want to learn this skill.

Still confused about what to do? Take a look at our online course comparison to have a better clarity in choosing the best photography courses for you.

Note that to be a professional photographer you can become one by self training which comes through experience. However, taking college degrees (e.g.: Bachelor of Science photography) can give you a very strong foundation. So do check out our online degree courses. Along with them photography certification courses would be an added advantage.
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