Photography Video Tutorials

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. Watching video tutorials online is a popular method of learning photography. Videos can be helpful in learning photography because they are often free, they allow you to follow along in real-time, and you can pause them and rewatch them as often as you need to. This article will cover a range of videos, including what they teach and where to find them.

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.

Why Are Video Tutorials Helpful When Learning Photography?

Many people begin their study of photography by watching video tutorials. They often choose this method because the tutorials are typically free and are a good way to get a brief introduction to the topic. Another beneficial aspect of video tutorials is that they allow you to follow along with them in real-time, but you can also pause the video whenever you like, and you can go back to rewatch sections as well. Due to those features, video tutorials are a great tool if you’re trying to learn on a busy schedule or in a distracting environment. Another group that’s a particularly strong fit for video tutorials is visual learners. And even if you’re not a visual learner, you’ll need to get good at taking in visual information to be a successful Photographer, so following video tutorials could be a valuable way of practicing that skill.

Types of Photography Videos

Many of the video tutorials available are free ones that take you through the basics of a photography-related skill. For those who’d like to study editing, Noble Desktop has a free on-demand Intro to Photoshop video tutorial. If you’re interested in learning the basics of retouching, check out this free step-by-step Photoshop retouching tutorial.

Another type of video is one that helps clarify a principle or concept in photography. For example, maybe you’re wondering why you need two programs for photo editing, or you’re confused about when you should use which one. Noble’s video tutorial comparing Photoshop with Lightroom can help answer these questions.

There are also some free video tutorials available that can teach you more advanced skills, such as Noble’s tutorial on digital darkroom techniques. A darkroom is the special space used to develop film photos, where the developer can also adjust aspects of the photos as they develop. Learning these digital techniques will give you the skills to transform your digital photos in a similar way.

Why Learn Photography?

There are a host of reasons to learn photography, both in terms of enriching your life and with regard to building a career. Photographers say that photography allows them to see the world differently. It keeps them in the present and allows them to capture moments. It also helps the Photographer realize what their perspective on the world is because the specific photos they take express who they are. 

Photography can also be a great career choice. Once you’ve invested in your equipment and studied your craft, you can earn a substantial wage as a Photographer, especially if you go into a lucrative field like wedding photography. Photographers often travel to new places and meet new people as part of their work. There is also an active community of professional Photographers that you can learn from and contribute to.

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How Difficult is It to Learn Photography?

Learning photography can be difficult because of the varied suite of skills you must acquire to become a successful Photographer. You’ll need to learn how to notice a scene that might make a good photo, employ the principles of photographic composition as you frame an image, and use your camera’s settings to select the correct aperture and depth of field. As a modern Digital Photographer, your photographic skills won’t be complete without a knowledge of photo editing software. There’s a great deal to learn with photography, and it takes most people 2-3 years of study to become skilled photographers.

To learn photography, you will need to be fairly comfortable with manipulating complex physical technology. You’ll also need basic computer skills before you can edit your photos, a key element of modern digital photography. For serious photographic study, you’ll also need to invest in high-quality equipment and software.

Learning photography can involve a substantial financial investment in your equipment, software, and training. To make a serious study of photography, you’ll need to buy a mirrorless or DSLR camera. These average about $850 and $500 respectively for an entry-level model. You’ll also want to buy at least one or two lenses. Lenses range widely in cost, from $150 to as much as $2000. For an intermediate lens, you’ll likely pay $400-$600. In addition, you should get photo editing software, ideally the industry-standard Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. As of November 2022, you can subscribe to the two together for $9.99 a month. Training costs can range from $0 for an introductory course covering the basics to full tuition at a four-year university.

Read about how difficult it is to learn photography.

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.