Best Photography Courses Online & Certification (March 2024)

  • Post last modified:23 March 2023
  • Reading time:40 mins read
  • Post category:Best Online Course
Best Photography Course
Best Photography Course

Like many skills, the best way to improve your photography is to enroll in a photography course. Whether it is online or offline, a course can improve your skills considerably and make you confident in your photography. In this article, we are counting down the Best Photography Course & Certifications, where you can enroll and improve your photography skills.

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Best Photography Courses, Certification, Tutorials, Training, Classes Online

Photography Masterclass 1.0: A Complete Guide to Photography [Udemy]

Complete Guide to Photography offered by Udemy is one of the best Photography courses available online. This photography course is designed to teach you the ins and outs of photography, even if you have little to no experience with it, to help create profitable images that help you stand out from the crowd and sell.

You’ll learn about your camera settings (DSLR, mirrorless, or other), including how to shoot in manual mode. You’ll use stabilization tools and master how to properly compose and light a scene. You’ll also learn how to take great photos with a smartphone or tablet and how to edit images.

It is taught by Phil Ebiner, William Carnahan, and Sam Shimizu-Jones. Phil is a Top-Rated Udemy Instructor, while William and Sam are Cinematographers.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Understand how the camera truly works and take better photos using manual settings

  • Compose images beautifully with fundamental photography rules

  • Learn to edit your photos like a professional

  • Light your subjects with flash and natural lighting

  • Understand how to make money with photography

Who is it for?

This course is designed for all levels of photographers who want to improve their skills, take stellar images, and make money with their photos—especially great for any DSLR or mirrorless camera user.

Rating: 4.7/5
Students Enrolled: 289,814
Duration: 24 hours

Udemy New Customer Deal
Valid till: 1st Feb

Online Photography Classes [Skillshare]

Online Photography Classes offered by SkillShare are an excellent resource for learning about Photography. This library of courses provides lessons for all levels of students, regardless of their experience or expertise. It will be teaching you all you need to know about the essentials of Photography. The topics are provided in an intuitive and step-by-step manner, so you can easily follow along and upgrade your Photography skills and become a camera expert.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Balance shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for perfect exposure

  • Learn how to evoke emotions and tell a story with your photos

  • Understand Composition techniques to add more interest to your lifestyle photos

  • identify perfect lighting environments and nail the perfect composition

  • Learn to choose the best lenses for portrait, landscape, and street photography

Who is it for?

It is ideal for photographers of all levels regardless of their prior experience or expertise in photography, and excellent for professionals who want to improve their photography skills.

Rating: 4.7/5
Duration: Self-Paced

Photography Certification by Michigan State University [Coursera]

Photography Certification by Coursera is one of the best-rated courses for Photography. Offered by Michigan State University, this Specialization will teach you everything you need to know about the essential concepts of Photography.

It covers a broad range of fundamental principles in photography, from camera control to principles of composition and creativity, providing you with a foundation for growth in making photographs you’ll be proud to share. In the Capstone you will develop a final project of photographs related to your individual needs, whether practical or purely expressive, and share ongoing feedback with fellow learners.

It is made by Peter Glendinning and Mark Valentine Sullivan. Peter is a Professor of Art History & Design, while Mark is an Associate Professor of Music / Innovation Hub.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Learn about the basic functions that most digital cameras have in common

  • Become fluent with Exposure Modes, Lens options, and using Shutter Speeds

  • Understand the essential Design Elements used to create successful compositions

  • Learn the principles for using the essential element of Light in Ambient/Natural settings

  • Survey the essential elements of post-photography image management

Who is it for?

It is suitable for beginner photographers who want to understand the essential concepts of photography and level up their existing photography skills.

Rating: 4.8/5
Students Enrolled: 100,157
Duration: 6 months

Coursera $200 Off
Valid Till: 31 Jan

FREE Introductory Photography Course [Udemy]

Introductory Photography Course is an amazing online Photography Course offered by Udemy. It will be teaching you everything you need to know about essential concepts of Photography. This course is divided into sequential sections which are easy to follow.

Each video features plenty of examples, animations, and easy-to-understand explanations to guide you right through from basic camera setup and composition to aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO, lighting, lenses, histograms, white balance and so much more. And the best thing about this course? The first 5 parts are available for free.

It is created by Chris Bray, who is a Professional Photographer. He has been an award-winning Australian Geographic photographer, Lowepro ambassador, and Canon’s Australian ambassador for five years.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Learn the basics of how your camera works and the correct technique of setting your AF mode, AF points, resolution.

  • Understand how to frame up great photos and learn the rule of thirds and leading lines

  • Control exposure with exposure compensation, different metering modes, and histogram graphs

  • Understand and control Aperture and Depth Of Field

  • Learn what to look for in the background and create amazing background elements

Who is it for?

This photography course is aimed at beginners right through to keen-enthusiast photographers. It is also suitable for all camera owners, as the fundamentals remain the same.

Rating: 4.7/5
Students Enrolled: 276,275
Duration: 3 hours

Nikon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography Class Online [Udemy]

Nikon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography Class offered by Udemy is one of the best-rated online courses for learning Photography. This course will teach you how to use your Nikon camera intuitively, and you will learn through doing rather than memorizing.

You’ll learn how all those buttons and dials work on your Nikon DSLR. There is about an hour of video lecture which covers exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and the mode dial (Auto, P, S, A, and M). Images will be shown as examples so that you can focus on improving your photography skills.

It is designed by JP Teaches Photo, which is run by JP Pullos, Lydia Billings, and their team of teachers. They have taught over 40,000 people how to use their cameras since 2009.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Learn to see your images in a more sophisticated way, like a professional photographer

  • Understand how to adjust your aperture and why to choose one aperture over another

  • Learn how all of the modes (Auto, P, S, A, and M) work and which works best for you

  • Add exposure to your photographer’s tool belt and learn how it impacts visual elements

     
  • Adjust your shutter speed and why you would choose one shutter speed over another

Who is it for?

It is designed for absolute beginners as well as people with some knowledge of how their cameras work but who haven’t yet put all the puzzle pieces together. Note that this course requires you to have a Nikon DSLR.

Rating: 4.7/5
Students Enrolled: 24,682
Duration: 3 months, 12 hours/week

Photography Masterclass 2.0: A Complete Guide to Photography [Udemy]

This Data Analyst program will help you to gain job-ready skills to get an entry-level job.

The IBM Data Analyst professional course from Rav Ahuja (IBM Global Program Director)

Key Highlights & USPs

  • This data analytics certificate course is for beginners who do not require any prior programming knowledge. Any learner with or without a degree is suitable.

Who is it for?

This eight-course professional certificate

Rating: 4.6/5
Students Enrolled: 29,226
Duration: 1 hours

Digital Photography Microcredentials Course by Open University [FutureLearn]

Digital Photography Microcredentials Course offered by FutureLearn is an excellent online Course for Digital Photography. Created in collaboration with the UK’s leading photography organization, the Royal Photographic Society, this micro-credential will give you a broad overview of a number of photographic genres and the knowledge, skills, and techniques to create better photographic narratives. It will encourage you to explore different areas of photography to help you identify where you want to develop your creative photography skills, confidence, and knowledge.

It is taught by Stephen Peake, who is a Professor of Climate Change and Energy at the OU and Senior Associate CISL, University of Cambridge.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Create high-quality images that show creativity and appropriate artistic vision

  • Produce a set of high-quality images in your chosen subject genre

  • Recognize photographic genres/areas and their conventions, styles, and approaches

  • Confidently use a digital camera to construct a photographic narrative

  • Create a professional written Statement of Intent and explain the intent of the work

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for intermediate or competent photographers, who have had some prior learning on the basic technical skills needed to take photographs, either from a formal qualification or from practical experience.

Rating: 4.8/5
Duration: 10 week

FutureLearn US

Fundamentals of Photography [CreativeLive]

Fundamentals of Photography offered by CreativeLive is an amazing online course for learning Photography. This course will help you master the technical basics of the camera and form an understanding of the kind of equipment you need. It will also teach you something even more important (and crucial for success) – how to bring your creative vision to fruition. Learn to analyze your vision and identify areas for growth.

You will also explore the difference between the world seen by the human eye and the world seen by the camera sensor. By the end of this course, you will level up your photography skills and become a master photographer.

It is made by John Greengo, who is an award-winning photographer specializing in outdoor and travel photography. Shooting for over 3 decades, John has developed an unrivaled understanding of the industry, tools, techniques, and art of photography.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Learn the fundamental Camera Types, Lens System and Shutter System

  • Understand the Basics of Shutter Speed and Shutter Speed Effects

  • Become fluent with Sensor Sizes and Compare Sensor Sizes

  • Adjust Focal Length, Angle Of View, and Practice the perfect Angle Of View

  • Learn how to adjust Lens Speed, Aperture, and Depth Of Field (DOF)

Who is it for?

It is suitable for beginner photographers who want to improve their game and understand the essential concepts of photography.

Rating: 4.7/5
Students Enrolled: 24,682
Duration: 3 months, 12 hours/week

Seeing Through Photographs [Coursera]

Seeing Through Photographs offered by Coursera is one of the best-rated online courses for photography. In this course, you will look closely at 100 photographs from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, going behind the scenes of the Museum and into artist studios through original films and audio interviews.

By enrolling in this course, you’ll join a community of international learners in discussion forums and gain exclusive access to MoMA resources. This course aims to address the gap between seeing and truly understanding photographs by introducing a diversity of ideas, approaches, and technologies that inform their making.

It is designed by Sarah Meister, who became a Curator at The Museum of Modern Art in 2009, having joined the Department of Photography in 1997.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Learn how context influences the production and reception of photographic images.

  • Gain confidence and find inspiration from photographs all around you

  • Understand the relationship between a photograph’s subject and meaning

  • Understand artists’ processes and the choices that inform a photograph’s making

  • Learn the differences between photographs as objects and photographic images

Who is it for?

It is ideal for beginners who are interested in learning more about photography and the artistic process of photography.

Rating: 4.7/5
Students Enrolled: 24,682
Duration: 3 months, 12 hours/week

Coursera $200 Off
Valid Till: 31 Jan

Photography Masterclass Online by Annie Leibovitz [MasterClass]

Photography Masterclass Online by Annie Leibovitz is an amazing online course offered by MasterClass. In her first online photography class, Annie shows us that what makes a picture stunning isn’t the gear or technology—it’s the story. Annie teaches you her philosophy: how to develop concepts, work with subjects, shoot with natural light, and bring images to life in post-production. See the world through her eyes.

It is taught by Annie Leibovitz, who is a prominent photographer. She was the first woman to be named chief photographer at Rolling Stone and the last person to take a portrait of John Lennon.

Key Highlights & USPs

  • Learn the process for developing imaginative and creative concepts for photoshoots

  • Understand the philosophy around photography equipment and the value of keeping your lighting kit small

  • Become fluent in working with natural light and create perfect frames

  • Learn how Annie’s artistic journey impacted her evolution as a photographer

  • Understand how to transition from film to digital, and what starting out in the darkroom can teach you

Who is it for?

It is ideal for photographers of all levels: from beginners to professionals, and suitable for anyone looking to improve their existing photography skills.

Rating: 4.7/5
Students Enrolled: 24,682
Duration: 3 months, 12 hours/week


FAQ

Is photography a good career?

Photography is a good career if you have good creative ability, composition, and technical expertise.The photography career can however, prove to be challenging if you are not passionate about it. Good photography skills come with a lot of practice and hard work. This career can be rewarding if you love to take challenges and are eager to live your life through the lens of the camera.

How do I start photography?

Find your inspiration

A good way to find inspiration is to figure out what you already like to do. If you love traveling, you can start by being a travel photographer. Similarly, if you’re into sports, you can try action photography.

Get a good camera

Another thing you really need to start is a good camera. Nowadays, there are a wide variety of cameras you can get your hands on. Anybody who’s just learning photography now can purchase budget mid-pro mirrorless cameras that are not only very lightweight but also highly capable of delivering professional, magazine-quality images.

Start using manual mode

In order to fully utilize your camera’s abilities and hard-earned money, you should start going manual mode. You might need to invest a lot of time to better understand camera functions and features, especially the exposure triangle—namely Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO—but the results do pay off and show up in your photos.

Understand how to “read” light

One of the most crucial factors that can make or break a photo is light. Therefore, it’s important that a photographer learns how to use it to his or her advantage. You can make do with ambient light—like diffused sunlight or any existing indoor lighting—to capture well-exposed images, but learning to position your subject or added light sources can give your photos a different touch and feel.

Expand your gear

After getting the hang of your camera settings, you’ll eventually want to level up and improve the quality of your photos. If you’re particularly into adding better focus on your subject and improving the quality of your background blur (or bokeh), you may want to get your hands on wide aperture lenses as well as other gear.

Find a mentor

Another important thing you can do is finding someone who inspires you.That person can be a workshop teacher, a friend, or anyone you know who has been doing photography for quite a while. He or she can teach you camera and photography tricks, share learning experiences, and answer any questions you may have in order to help you improve your photography.

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