How to Learn Photography Online

If you’re starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning photography is no different. Many people want to learn photography because it is a satisfying artistic pursuit that can also be a great career.If you’ve always wanted to learn photography, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, your options are outlined here so you can decide how to learn in a way that works best for you. 

What is Photography?

Photography is the art of producing an image by recording light with a camera. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first photograph in 1826. Photography was a revolutionary technology because it made it easier for images to be reproduced and widely distributed. The first cameras were large and awkward to handle, and the lengthy exposure times necessary to capture an image required photographic subjects to hold still for uncomfortable intervals. However, as the technology evolved, cameras became easier to use and more affordable.

For over 100 years, all photographs were captured on film and developed using chemicals. In 1975, Steven Sasson invented the digital camera, which dramatically increased the ease of capturing and distributing photographic images. Most photography today is digital: the device taking the photo saves the recorded image as a digital file. Smartphones capture 92.5% of those digital photos, but there’s still nothing like a dedicated camera for getting a sharp, high-quality image. 

Digital photography classes will teach you how to make the most of your digital camera. You can learn how to use all of your camera’s settings to the best advantage, how to work with studio or outdoor lighting, and how to adapt the choices you make as a photographer to the environment and goals you are working with. You’ll also explore the powerful, industry-standard software that allows Digital Photographers to edit and retouch the photos they take. 

Read more about what photography is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Photography?

Since the first photograph was taken in 1826, creators have been using this skill to capture images of the world around them. Photography allows people to document events, moments in time, and things they have seen. It can also help human beings gain a better understanding of the world, in the case of scientific photography or photojournalism. Photography is also an artistic medium—the Photographer presents their interpretation of the human experience through what they choose to document and the perspective their photos show.

Another important aspect of photography is that photographic images can be reproduced, allowing them to be circulated and distributed worldwide. Even before digital photography, a film photograph was easier to reproduce than the paintings and drawings that had previously been the best way to convey an image. One early example of how the new technology of photography rapidly came to shape the world is the work of Matthew Brady. His photos documenting the American Civil War showed the brutality of the war’s impact, powerfully influencing public opinion about the conflict.

Now, with digital cameras, the distribution of photographs can be nearly instantaneous, and reproducing one only requires uploading a file. Also, the powerful editing software available to modern Photographers makes remarkable transformations possible. Social media has shown some of what one can do with the opportunities provided by digital photography, with photos of dramatic events witnessed by private citizens being rapidly distributed all over the world. However, the full potential of digital cameras and photo editing software may have yet to reveal itself.

Live Online Photography Training

In the last several years, virtual training has become increasingly popular. Live online instruction can be a great option because it allows the student to work directly with an instructor, similarly to an in-person class, but the student can also avoid the stress and time commitment of a commute. With this type of live instruction, you’ll get clarification, feedback, and guidance from your instructors as the need arises in real-time. Depending on how you learn, you might also have an easier time focusing when you’re at home than in the classroom, since you can set up your study space however you want it to be and avoid any distractions created by the physical presence of your classmates. 

On the other hand, some students might miss the social aspect of in-person training. Another potential drawback of online learning is the possibility of technical difficulties getting in the way of your live instruction time. Losing your internet connection or having your computer crash could get between you and critical moments of instruction. You will also have to provide your own equipment, which can get expensive. However, if you want to study photography seriously, you’ll be investing in your own equipment regardless of how you choose to learn.

For those who prefer live online training, Noble’s digital photography certificate program is available in that format as well as in-person. If you want to focus on photo editing, you can do Noble’s Photoshop bootcamp in the live online format. You may also want to take live online Photoshop courses through Noble or through providers like ONLC, Ledet, and Lumenbrite.

On-Demand Photography Classes

For some students, the best learning option is to use on-demand photography training materials for self-paced study of the topic. This method has the advantage of being cost-effective. Introductory materials for learning the basics are sometimes free, often as brief video tutorials. 

However, to study advanced topics within photography, you will likely need to invest in some paid training. Making a financial investment in your studies will also help you identify which materials are high-quality and up-to-date, which can be difficult when choosing from among a sometimes overwhelming number of free options. Also, even paid on-demand materials are significantly more affordable than live instruction.

The advantage of on-demand photography training is its compatibility with your busy schedule. Like live online training, it doesn’t require a commute, but it is even more flexible because you can take in the material whenever it is convenient for you. With on-demand training, though, there is no expert live instructor to give you clarification, guidance, or feedback about your work. 

Also, on-demand training is best for self-disciplined students, as they will have to stay on track without the external motivation of schedules and deadlines. Students should only choose on-demand learning if they are confident that they can stay focused and consistently fit their studies into their schedules. If that sounds like you, then a self-paced course may be the right fit.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

You may not be ready to dive into a full photography course right away. In that case, an overview of photography can help you determine your next steps. There are quite a few free photography courses available online. Noble has some free materials that can help you get started. If you’d like an introductory course on the editing aspect of photography, try Noble’s free on-demand Intro to Photoshop video tutorial. You can also check out Noble’s free seminar on photo retouching.

Sites like Udemy and Coursera offer some free on-demand videos about photography, both on how to use your camera and the editing process. The camera-focused courses typically take you through the basics of using your camera's settings. They teach you about composition and how to frame shots. You’ll also learn to adapt to variations of lighting. And you can explore how to work with the principles of aperture and depth of field. Brief free courses on the most popular Photoshop and Lightroom techniques are available on these sites as well.

Read about more free photography videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

Each method of photography training–whether in-person, live online, or on-demand–has its own distinct advantages. The most engaging option for most people is live instruction, which is more interactive. Because you have real-time access to an expert teacher, you can benefit from immediate answers to your questions, specific feedback on your work, and personalized guidance throughout the learning process. Live classes also provide the companionship of fellow learners, which can help you stay motivated. The external structure of the course can help some students stay on track, with the schedule and deadlines provided. Despite these strengths of live instruction, on-demand courses can be a good fit for some students, particularly if they are self-starters trying to fit their study of photography into a busy schedule.

If social interaction energizes you, studying on-site may be the best option. In-person training allows you to bond more closely with your classmates and instructor, which can bring positive energy to your learning process. It can be a great networking opportunity. Being physically present also removes the possible barrier that technical difficulties could create when learning online. The up-to-date camera equipment and editing software provided in many in-person courses is a significant advantage when first studying photography, allowing you to explore the hardware and software before deciding which equipment and programs to invest in.

Those who are too busy to fit a commute into their schedule, or who live in an area where they do not have access to in-person photography courses, may be best suited for live online courses. Some students may also be distracted by the social element of in-person training and have an easier time focusing at home. Others may find live online courses less stimulating because of their limited social interaction. Studying live online means that you’re responsible for providing your own equipment, which, in the case of photography, involves a big investment before you can begin your studies. It’s also possible that a problem with your computer or internet might interrupt your studies if you go with the live online option.

In most cases, on-demand learning is the least expensive option for photography training, so it can be a great way to learn the basics. Since you can learn on your own schedule, it’s often a good fit for extremely busy people. However, as with studying live online, you’ll need to invest in your own equipment upfront, so although the training itself is cheaper, it may not be the best financial option when you look at the whole picture. Also, a self-paced course does not give you the opportunity to work with an expert instructor in real-time, which can slow down your studies if you’re confused about something and have no one to ask about it. It also makes it more difficult to get informed feedback on your work. Also, on-demand materials are sometimes outdated, particularly after new updates to photo editing software.

Tips to Succeed when Learning Photography Online

To study photography online, you’ll need self-awareness above all. Before you start, ask yourself these questions.

• What’s my learning style?: Are you the type of person who learns best by reading, or are videos more engaging for you? 
• Am I a self-starter?: Do you have the personal discipline to pursue a self-paced course with on-demand materials, or will you need the external motivation provided by a live online course with a set schedule and specific deadlines?
• What’s the best fit for my life?: Is your schedule so busy that you would have trouble making it to class at a specific time or completing work on a set timeline? Conversely, might having a specific timed obligation help you stay organized? 

Once you choose a course, you can also employ specific strategies that can help you succeed as you pursue it.

• Practice: No matter what skill you’re trying to learn, there is no substitute for practice. Committing to a steady practice schedule will help you build skills rapidly and learn techniques thoroughly. With on-demand courses in particular, a study schedule will be vital to your success.
• Join a study group: The camaraderie of working with other learners could be an invaluable support for you. And studying online doesn’t mean you have to forgo that resource. The online world holds many virtual photography study groups. Also, even if you don’t have access to an in-person photography course in your particular community, there may still be a local photography club you can connect with.
• Find a mentor: Working with a photography expert makes it easier to learn photography quickly and well. If you have a mentor, you can ask them for clarification, feedback, and guidance as you pursue your studies. While a live online course will give you a built-in expert, on-demand courses won’t, so finding a mentor will make your learning process go more smoothly.
• Learn by doing: Reading articles and watching tutorials can help you learn some concepts, but to acquire skills, you’ll need to take and edit lots of photos yourself. Find tutorials that allow you to follow along, and give yourself permission to pause and rewatch frequently as you go through the steps with your own camera or computer.
• Find a project you want to create: To motivate your studies, you may want to choose a specific image you would like to capture or a certain type of photography you’d like to pursue. If you have a goal, you’ll have a concrete reason to get out there with your camera and practice, or open up Photoshop and learn a new editing tool. And on the way to that goal, you’ll build skills you can use to achieve new ones after you get there.
• Have patience: The ability to be patient will be critical to your success. In any learning process, hiccups and hindrances are inevitable, but they can feel especially isolating when you don’t have fellow learners to connect with in-person. However, if you have enough patience, you’ll be able to push through those snags and level up your skills.

Key Insights

• Self-awareness is a critical tool for success in online learning, so be sure to ask yourself:
• What’s my learning style?
• Am I a self-starter?
• What’s the best fit for my life?
• Tips for studying photography online include:
• Practice
• Join a study group
• Find a mentor
• Learn by doing
• Find a project you want to create
• Have patience
• You can receive comprehensive photography training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop

Learn Photography with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s small class sizes and expert instructors make it an excellent environment for learning photography and related skills. Students can choose between in-person and live online courses, depending on which is better for their particular situation. Students can also retake Noble classes for free, which can help expand their knowledge of the topic.

Noble offers a certificate in photo retouching specifically, delving more deeply into critical skills that Photographers should have. Another option is Noble’s popular Graphic Design Certificate, which covers Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and graphic design principles. If you don’t yet want to commit to earning a certificate, you could take an individual Photoshop course to start with. You can also do a Photoshop bootcamp for beginners with Noble.

When you do a digital photography certificate at Noble, you’ll acquire foundational skills for photography and photo editing. Students learn to use manual settings to help them make the most of what a high-quality camera offers. They also discover how to work with different types of lighting, both inside a studio and out in the world. In terms of digital photo manipulation, students explore how to manage their photographs with Adobe Lightroom and edit them using Adobe Photoshop.