Have you ever seen photos online, from professionals and even amateurs, and you tell yourself, “I wish I can take pictures like that!”. If you’re tired of cropping your images and using various filters just to make your photos look good, then now’s the time to learn photography!

Thankfully, we now live in a digital world where everyone has access to the internet. Information is readily available with just one click. You can enroll and study in your own time, at your own pace. All you need is a smartphone or computer and of course, internet connection. And who doesn’t have access to these?

So if you want to take your ‘gramming to the next level, here are the best photography classes online beginners to advanced level that we’ve seen and tried. Two of our team members tried dozens of photography courses, and have narrow them down to their favorites. Let’s listen to what they have to say about each course.

Here are the top photography classes online beginners to advanced level that you can try.

Lifestyle Photography: Capturing Inspiring Visual Stories

Author/Instructor: Marte Marie Forsberg

Platform: Skillshare

What I like about Marte Marie Forsberg’s class is that she explains things simply, making it easy to understand. I was inspired to excel more while seeing her in action. During her class, I felt how passionate she was with her craft. She has a clear concept of how to capture the moment. All her instructions and examples were crystal clear.

She uses simple and clear instructions for better understanding. Also, she emphasizes how proper lighting can do magic in every subject that I wanted to capture. In this way, it is easier for me to tell my story not by telling people but through my photos.

I have learned not to be afraid of experimenting as it will give a favorable result. A simple concept can be special and beautiful if proper lighting is used. The way she taught the lessons is not boring; she speaks with clarity. Her class is not bland, the way she taught is very engaging. Enjoy the moment while shooting to capture what you want to tell and share with your audience.   

Pros:

• All her instructions and examples are clear

• Her class is engaging

• She entices you not to be afraid to experiment

 Cons:

• Her class was too short as I want more examples and information

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Photography Essentials – Understanding the Basics (For Beginners)

Author/Instructor: Sean Dalton

Platform: Skillshare

The settings of my camera are very complex, thanks to Sean Dalton’s class I was able to understand and set it correctly. His explanations about the basic concepts are easy to follow and understand. I am more of a visual person that is why I appreciate it when he explains while showing pictures. I like how he explained how to have an artistic vision. This class made me discover my distinctive photography style.

Editing is what I struggle most and I admire him for sharing his knowledge and techniques. Attending his class is the best decision I made to start my journey in photography. I now understand how to maximize the features of my camera. Selecting the correct settings of my camera, choosing a subject, and identifying perfect lighting are the main ingredients in producing a good photo.

I learned that photography isn’t just taking photos. It is a combination of correct hardware, skill, and passion to produce a great result. I have to consider crucial things to take better photos. I am now confident in taking photos after attending his class. This is why we consider this one of the best photography classes online, beginners level.

Pros:

• His class is very engaging and he simplifies the process.

• He discussed how to set the camera properly

• His class was concise and informative

Cons:

• He should discuss what type of lens to use especially for beginners like me

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iPhone Photography: How to Take Pro Photos On Your iPhone (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

Author/Instructor: Dale McManus

Platform: Skillshare

Dale McManus class helped me on how to capture great photos using my iPhone without spending too much with fancy lenses and expensive cameras. I never thought that tweaking some of my iPhone settings will result in a great photo. Editing using Adobe Lightroom is such an amazing tool that Dale was able to share.

His instructions were very straightforward and clear. I find the extra tips about iPhone features helpful, I never knew that they were there until it was unraveled by Dale. His examples were beneficial for me as a beginner. Using animation during his course made it more engaging and fun. Taking advantage of the surrounding light to make my photo feel like it was taken by a professional photographer was a great tip from him.

At the end of his course, it made me want to take photos and explore more about smartphone photography all the more.

Pros:

• Editing using Adobe Lightroom was efficient and helpful
• The instructions, techniques, and examples were straightforward
• Taking advantage of the surrounding light made my photo felt like it was taken by a professional photographer

Cons:

• I failed to take notes as each slide doesn’t have a recap in it

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Fundamentals of DSLR Photography

Author/Instructor: Photo Essentials x Justin Bridges

Platform: Skillshare

I am a beginner in terms of using my DSLR. I knew a little about it that is why I took Justin Bridges’s course. Balance shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sounded like a foreign language at first but through the course, I was enlightened and learned about these terminologies.

His examples and explanations were easy to understand and follow. I was afraid to change some settings on my DSLR but thanks to his class I was able to learn and select the correct settings to maximize the ability of my camera. The must-have gear was indeed helpful as I wanted to move freely with minimal things in my bag.

His class was not boring and it’s just the right length. I was able to catch everything that he tackled as his pace is perfect. He made the discussion interesting and engaging. I find the editing part more interesting as he was able to show the before and after result.

Pros:

• He provided exact instructions and tips
• He explained concisely the usage of balance shutter speed, aperture and ISO
• His class has the right length, it was not too short nor too lengthy

Cons:

• He should have elaborate more on what to use, was it manual or auto focus

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Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography

Author/Instructor: Phil Ebiner, William Carnahan, Video School Online Inc, Sam Shimizu-Jones

Platform: Udemy

I always use the automatic settings of my camera as this setting is safer in capturing a good photo. Things have changed after taking this course as this course taught me not to be afraid of going on manual. It taught me how the camera works efficiently.

I now understand the importance of utilizing the exposure triangle. A good photo must look natural, not too bright and not too dark. This course also taught me how to photograph different types of photography such as portraits, product, aerial, fine art, street, sports, and action. I now understand when to use the camera flash and when to utilize natural light.

This course is cost-effective as it almost covers everything by discussing the usage of DSLR, mirrorless camera, and smartphone. It helped me how to edit to make it more pleasing to the eye. This course taught me how to photograph amazing subjects and it also taught me how to make money by selling my masterpieces.

Pros:

• This course is cost-effective
• This course taught me how to compose my subject, apply light to it and edit it to make it more beautiful
• The teachers explained every topic clearly and concisely
• This course taught me to take amazing photos and make money at the same time

Cons:

• The teachers should have presented more examples for better understanding especially for beginners like me

TRIVIA: Did you know that you can use your sunglasses as a phone camera filter? Found out more smartphone hacks here!

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Photography – Become a Better Photographer

Author/Instructor: Bernie Raffe AMPA

Platform: Udemy

I like the way Bernie Raffe’s teaches as he explained and set some examples realistically. He speaks with passion and incorporates his experiences. I have a digital camera that was stored a long time ago and now I enjoyed capturing photos with it as I learned how to set the settings properly.

I have learned to utilize the shutter speed of my camera and adding some focus technique will result in a distinct image. I learned to make use of the natural light and be friends with the sun. He taught me how to arrange my elements to capture dramatic and creative images.

I lack in getting sharper images but thanks to this course I now know a technique on how to take sharper images and avoiding camera shake.

Pros:

• Downloadable course for easy access
• The examples provided by the teacher were informative and easy to convey
• Do not afraid in setting your camera to manual
• The instructor has full of energy resulting for a dynamic class

Cons:

• The teacher talks really fast, I am in the process of trying his example but the next thing I know he is on the next topic. A good thing this course is downloadable as I can back track.

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Platform: MasterClass

Learning from one of the best in the industry is no longer a dream, especially with Masterclass. When it comes to taking portrait photography, Annie Leibovitz is a rockstar.

What I love about Annie’s class is that she was able to explain every detail on how to make a story through photography. I learned that the ingredients in capturing a good portrait are creating a concept, selecting a subject, and making use of natural light.

In her lesson, she taught me how vital natural light is. It is easier to convey a story through photographs when using natural light. If any case natural light is absent she is always equipped with a small lighting kit. It is also best to take a photo series to have various selections instead of just settling with one image.

I learned that photographing with the environment or on a location is favorable than working in a studio as it is less stressful and I can always play and take advantage of the natural light. She taught me how to self-reflect, to go back to my old work as I will learn from them regardless of how they look.

Pros:

• This class has a downloadable workbook – need not to worry about taking down notes
• This class will teach how to tell a story through photography
• She taught with passion and clarity

Cons:

• Annie should have elaborate and discuss her photographic process more instead of just sharing her philosophy

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MasterClass: Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography (Our Top Choice)

Author/Instructor: Jimmy Chin

Platform: MasterClass

I find Jimmy Chin’s class exciting as he didn’t discuss it based on theory instead he took me to a real adventure. I like seeing him in action, his examples were taken live. I like this kind of teaching as I remember it easily as I am a visual learner. He demonstrates how to manage risks and deal with dangerous settings.

He taught me how to deal with portraits and natural light. I learned how light, focus, and creating harmony between the background and my subject plays a vital role in capturing a great photo. I was able to practice and master the principles Jimmy demonstrated as this course has a downloadable workbook.

This course also taught me in finding my own artistic voice. The more practice I do the more I learn. Also, he shared his systematic approach when it comes to editing to make a photo more natural and realistic.

Pros:

• Jimmy’s masterclass has a downloadable workbook that is jam-packed with information and exercises to be a better photographer
• This course is engaging and will motivate you to excel in adventure photography
• Comprehensive modules

Cons:

• Each lesson is 10 mins long, the time is too short to learn all the things that you wanted to know about adventure photography

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David Molnar

Platform: Free and Paid Podcasts

David’s course is very straight forward. His class was organized. At first, I learned to know the ability of my camera. Master each feature to utilize its full ability and usage. His class was not boring thus I find it engaging. He speaks with clarity and confidence. He taught me not to get intimidated with photography as I only need a concept, subject, and light.

I get intimidated when selecting manual mode but this course taught me that it is best to go on manual as there is a great difference in the quality of the images taken. I used to think that editing a photo is cheating but I was enlightened through this course. I learned that every photo should be edited as it will provide a favorable outcome. I got to know more about Lightroom as an editing tool and organizing my photos.

This application is so powerful and helpful. I learned to understand the usage of natural light in taking photographs. I was surprised about the outcome of my photo with natural light rather than using artificial light.

Pros:

• I learned to understand the settings of my camera
• This course taught me how to edit like a professional
• I learned how to shoot quality images

Cons:

• David should have provided information and examples while in action

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Masters of Photography

I find this course engaging as they teach with enthusiasm, passion, and full of humor. They explained their working process in simpler terms that anyone would understand. They almost covered everything that I wanted to know and learned such as photojournalism, street, portrait, and travel photography. This course taught me to be more creative and to tell a story through photos. It also helped me find my identity as an artist.

Communication also plays a vital role as it is necessary to get what you aim to accomplish. An expensive camera is not the only tool to have a quality photograph. The ingredients to have quality photographs are subjects, concepts, and light.

I learned to push myself harder to be a great photographer. I did not worry about jotting down notes as the course has a PDF study sheet with a transcript which I find helpful. Also, I find the worksheet advantageous as it guided and helped me practice to be a better photographer.

Pros:

• This course is simple and intuitive
• This course will keep you motivated
• This course will help you to be more creative

Cons:

• To mark a chapter complete it is necessary to download the PDF which I find annoying

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Regardless if you are a beginner or an advanced photographer. These courses are created to help you hone your photography skills into the next level. Capturing every moment in one’s life is vital as it is a memory that you can share with anyone.

Photos are like a treasure for me as every photo that I capture has a story to tell. I am not afraid to practice and experiment to improve my craft. A great photographer must know her subject, concept, and utilize natural light to have an amazing image that has a story and is pleasing to the eye. Do you know of any other photography classes online, beginners to pro level? Let us know in the comments!

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