Photography Prerequisites

Photography is the art of producing an image by recording light with a camera. Digital cameras and editing software create lots of possibilities for the photos you’ll be able to produce if you choose to study photography. You might worry that photography will be too hard to learn. This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning photography and what you should study first to make the learning process easier. This way, you’ll be successful however you choose to apply your new skills.

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.

Is Photography Easy to Learn?

Photography is challenging to learn. It requires a host of skills that take time to build. This process will be quite a bit easier for you if you have access to an expert instructor in real-time. You can study photography in-person or live online with Noble Desktop.

What to Know Before Learning Photography

Comfort With Physical Technology

Being a modern Photographer involves skillful use of a large piece of digital hardware. It will help if you are comfortable manipulating physical objects with a range of settings. Good cameras are also expensive, so you may have to overcome a fear of damaging the technology when you use it.

Basic Computer Skills

You will need basic computer skills to use the editing software you need and even to work with the digital aspects of the camera itself. For the camera, you’ll likely need to be able to work with a combination of buttons and a touchscreen, and you’ll also benefit from experience interpreting icons on a piece of digital technology. To use the photo editing software, you’ll need to be comfortable with basic computer skills, such as using various tools within a program, saving files in different forms, and working with a mouse. You may also want to familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts, which can help you use Photoshop more efficiently.

The Necessary Equipment

To study photography, you’ll need a camera and photo editing software. For a camera, you’ll want to purchase a DSLR or mirrorless camera. You’ll also want an interchangeable lens or two, so that you can take different types of photos effectively. In addition, you’ll need photo editing software. For more information about acquiring these items, check out Noble’s article on the cost of photography. 

Key Insights

• To study photography, you’ll need to be comfortable with technology, have basic computer skills, and acquire the necessary equipment
• 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.