Photography Classes Online

Best Photography Classes Online

Photography is the art or practice of taking and processing pictures. In short, it is a form of art. Since its inception in the 1820s, photography has come a long way. This art form has various styles and is used to capture everything from portraits, still life, and editorial pieces to photos of food. Each style of photography requires not just creativity but also technical expertise. From deciding what type of camera to use to setting up the lighting needed for the perfect shot, there are a lot of different factors to consider, meaning many opportunities to learn. 

Why You Should Learn Photography Online

Learning photography can have numerous monetary and more practical benefits. Photography can be a great hobby, and now, with smartphones, it is much easier to carry your hobby in your back pocket. In addition, taking photos can help feed your creativity while relieving stress as you capture special moments. 

Learning photography could give you access to a new community if you want to connect with others. Once you foster your interest, you can connect with a larger community of fellow photography lovers and even meet them to share tips and tricks on improving your photography skills. Finally, photography can have a monetary value as well. Learning this new skill could open the doors to booking professional events or selling some of your photographs. Taking a photography class online can increase your knowledge of photography, increasing your marketability to either part-time jobs or beginning your gig work. 

Virtual Photography Classes 

Virtual photography classes are a great way to learn this skill, as there are benefits and advantages to taking a photography class online versus in-person. First, an online class allows you to take your course from anywhere, which means bad weather, a late work day, or a vacation can't keep you away from your class. And you have more options for classes also. You can, for example, take part in a virtual class based in LA from the comfort of your Midwest home. And finally, an online course helps you avoid traffic and parking. 

While it has its advantages, there can be some cons too. The main disadvantage is equipment. When attending an online course, you typically have to supply your equipment. For example, taking a class about digital cameras, you will generally need a digital camera on hand to learn about and use during the course. Essentially, access to equipment could limit your ability to explore classes out of curiosity because it can become expensive quickly. 

If the benefits match your expectations, there are many options when looking for online photography classes. There is an 8-week course titled Anatomy of a Portrait. This virtual workshop is open to all levels of photographers who want to explore the history of portrait making, philosophize on what makes a portrait, and discern strategies and techniques. This course has a live instructor, and students can expect to engage in group discussion and creative play too. You may want to start perfecting your iPhone photography skills; there's a course for that too. The iPhone Photography course is designed for all levels of iPhone users that want to explore some popular applications and learn the basics of how to use the camera on your iPhone.Having an iPhone is required to be a part of this online course. Artist as Subject: Strategies of Self-Portraiture is a tremendous virtual course that will help students learn self-portraiture techniques and the history of the form. This course is limited to 10 students and will require you to be vulnerable when discussing your photos in class and sharing stories. 

Want to learn about still life photos? Still Life Lighting Basics is a great online beginner course covering still life's basics. This structured course meets in the morning on Zoom so that your instructor can demo lighting with natural light in the home and the color temperature of the light. Students will then spend the rest of their day shooting still life photos from their homes, sharing their work, and receiving feedback online. This still life course is designed for all levels and allows for great hands-on learning to develop or expand your skills. You may have been working on your photographs and feel it is time to display them to others. Self-Publish & Design Your Own Photo Book - Level 1 will cover the basics of designing your photography book. While this course is open to all levels, you should have 12-15 related images for sequencing and discussion. By the end of this photography class, you will have explored what makes a good or bad design, the sequencing of your book, typography, and cover design.

Private Online Group Photography Classes

Some students take photography classes alone to become better skilled in their craft, but you can also take a group class for fun. CourseHorse allows you to schedule photography classes for private groups online. An online group class could be a great team-building event for a company. If you don't see the course you had in mind offered, CourseHorse can help you plan your own with no booking fee. You can complete a contact form directly on their site and have access to a free event planning team. Just be ready to provide a group size, preferred dates, and details of what you want in a group class. Even if you are still determining the exact number of guests, an estimate will do, and you can make adjustments later if needed. CourseHorse makes it easy with no booking fees, and someone will get back to you within two business hours to help you start planning your event. While Zoom is preferred, they can accommodate other platforms such as Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and Webex. A private instructor leads the event, and CourseHorse will send the necessary materials directly to participants taking all the extra responsibilities off your hands. 

Online vs. In-Person Photography Classes

Should you take a course online or in-person? The choice is personal and depends on your needs. An online class allows for convenience and lets you work with individuals from all over with similar photography interests as you. You also get access to instructors from all over instead of only local ones with an in-person course. However, taking a photography class online means you must have the materials at home. Equipment is something to consider when it comes to entry-level classes. In-person classes could offer equipment to be borrowed throughout the course, allowing you to test it out and find out if you are serious before investing. While an in-person class does not offer the flexibility of an online course, some might like the structure and accountability of being in a classroom at a specific time. Ultimately, it comes down to what works best for you as a learner and the cost. Consider what you need to be a successful learner and what you can afford. 

Can I Learn Photography for Free Online?

There are options to learn photography for free. For example, you could look for free video tutorials and connect with other aspiring photographers through forums or websites. While you could learn photography for free, there are benefits to more formal training. Working with an expert in photography, you can learn skills faster and more effectively. Paying for workshops, online seminars, and attending online courses gives you formal access to experts in the field. Also, having a certificate of completion can be helpful when looking to book more traditional jobs.