Which Photography Training Format Is Right for Me?

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. When comparing types of photography training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right kind of training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to find out more about the different formats of photography training, how they compare to each other, and how to determine which is 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.

Training Formats for Photography

Among the formats for photography training are in-person classes, live online courses, free tutorials, and paid on-demand materials. The advantages of in-person and live online courses include the guidance of an expert instructor and the company of classmates learning with you. If you find that social support helps motivate you to learn, in-person study is probably the best way to learn photography. Conversely, if you find it easier to focus in your own home, the live online format may be best for you. Live online also has the benefit that you get to skip the commute.

Both on-demand courses and free tutorials allow students to learn photography at their own pace, which can be helpful if you have a hectic schedule. For a quick introduction to photography, free video tutorials can be a good resource, as long as students follow along with the video using their own equipment. On-demand materials are generally more in-depth than the free video tutorials that are publicly available, but they do require payment, whether for the individual course or as a platform subscription.

In-Person Photography Training

In-person instruction is how people have learned skills for most of history. It can be useful to be in the same room as a knowledgeable instructor and fellow learners who can help you along. This advantage is especially helpful for photography courses, in which you are learning to use a physical object. You can pick up details more easily from in-person demonstration of how to use the settings on your camera, for example. Many in-person courses also offer up-to-date equipment and industry-standard programs that students can use in class. 

You may find greater motivation for your studies in the structure of class schedules and deadlines. In-person courses also avoid the possibility of technical difficulties getting in the way of your access to learning. However, they do require commuting to wherever the class is held, which takes time. Depending on your personality, too, the social element of in-person learning may be distracting instead of helpful.

Noble Desktop offers in-person photography training for its digital photography certificate. This option will be great for students who live in the New York City area or are close enough to commute into the city for classes. You can also take in-person Photoshop classes through Noble, or even do an in-person Photoshop bootcamp. If you’re too far from NYC, you can use Noble’s Classes Near Me tool to find in-person Photoshop classes in other parts of the United States, including Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston. 

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.

Free Online 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.

On-Demand Classes

You may find that a self-paced class fits better into your busy schedule. If so, Noble can help you find on-demand Photoshop courses that will suit your life and needs. These cater to a wide range of skill levels, with substantial variation in length and intensity. On-demand lessons generally come in video format. Most require a subscription to a learning platform such as Udemy or Skillshare.

Comparison of Photography Training Formats

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.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Photography?

You can certainly use on-demand resources to get an overview of photography and understand its basic concepts. Watching videos and following tutorials will allow you to get that far. However, it is often difficult to choose which videos and tutorials to use, since there are so many available online. For guidance in building your skills, you’ll want live access to an expert instructor.

Working with an instructor in real-time is the most effective way to get a real grasp of photography. An expert can clarify concepts for you, guide your studies, and give personalized feedback on your work. This is an invaluable resource for improvement. Live instruction is especially vital for those who want to pursue photography professionally.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Photography

Knowing how to choose the best way to study photography can be tough. Which one will best fit you and your situation? The key to deciding on a learning method is knowing what you’d like to do with the skill once you learn it. Other things to think about are your experience level with photography, the amount of money, time, and energy you can afford to invest in your study of the topic, and whether you will learn best in an in-person, live online, or on-demand format.

For beginners who don’t yet want to make a financial investment in their training, there are free introductory courses you can use to get a general overview of photography. On Udemy and Coursera, you can find some free on-demand courses that will teach you the basics of using your camera and editing your photos. If you want to learn about editing in Photoshop, you can start with Noble’s free on-demand Intro to Photoshop video tutorial. However, while using free on-demand materials can help beginners get oriented, the disadvantage is the absence of an expert instructor to guide students in the critical early stages of their learning process. Also, the money you save by following a free course is only a small percentage of what it will cost to invest in the necessary equipment for practicing at home, whereas a paid in-person course may offer you access to state-of-the-art cameras and high-quality editing software.

If you want to master photography for a new career or pivot to a new industry using your photographic skills, you should look into doing Noble’s digital photography certificate, offered in both in-person and live online formats. The small classes will give you access to expert instructors who can answer questions in real-time and give you feedback on your work. Students who are particularly interested in photo editing might consider doing Noble’s certificate in photo retouching or entering its Photoshop bootcamp.

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.