With the rise of online education, there are now many high-quality photography courses available for free online. For photography enthusiasts looking to improve their skills without spending money, these free courses are great investments of time and effort. By learning from top experts and accessing rich course materials, you can significantly upgrade your photographic abilities. In this article, we will introduce some of the best free online photography courses and what makes them stand out.
Photography Masterclass by Evan Ranft on Udemy
The Photography Masterclass course by professional photographer Evan Ranft on Udemy is one of the most comprehensive free photography courses available online. With over 13 hours of video content, this course covers everything from understanding your camera settings to capturing stunning portraits and landscapes. Ranft is an energetic and engaging instructor who explains concepts clearly with useful examples. The course materials are also very well designed with clear learning objectives and quizzes to test your knowledge.
Basics of Photography from New York Institute of Photography
New York Institute of Photography offers a completely free Basics of Photography course through their NYI Online program. Taught by Marc Silber, a renowned photographer and educator, this course provides a solid foundation in photography for beginners. It covers core technical skills like exposure, aperture, shutter speed, composition and more. The video lessons are clear, bite-sized and supplemented with article resources. This is an efficient course to get a quick yet thorough overview of basic photography techniques.
Digital Photography 1 on edX by RITx
For those looking for a more comprehensive introductory course, RITx’s Digital Photography 1 course on edX is a great option. As part of the photography degree program at the renowned Rochester Institute of Technology, this course packs professional-level instruction into 5 weeks of learning. It teaches you how to take creative control of your camera and lens and produce sharp, well-composed photographs. The materials strike a good balance between technical instruction and artistic concepts. You can also submit photos for feedback from peer learners in the course community.
Photography Course from Shaw Academy
Shaw Academy offers a comprehensive photography course covering concepts from beginner to advanced. Available for free as part of their trial program, this course provides over 16 hours of instruction through video tutorials and downloadable resources. It’s a flexible self-paced course you can access on mobile and desktop. The structured curriculum helps you build your skills from the ground up, guiding you through topics like exposure, lighting, lenses, composition and more. Their team of tutors also provides support and feedback throughout the course.
Phlearn Pro Photography 101 on YouTube
For bite-sized photography instruction from industry experts, the Phlearn channel on YouTube is a phenomenal free resource. Their Pro Photography 101 playlist contains over 15 hours of tutorials teaching everything from camera modes to post-processing. The production value of these videos is top-notch with clear explanations and helpful visuals. As you watch these videos, you’ll gain valuable tips and techniques from Phlearn’s professional photographers that you can immediately apply to improving your photos.
With so many high-quality options, there is no shortage of great free online photography courses for enhancing your skills. Investing the time into these courses to learn from top photographers can elevate your photographic abilities to the next level. Find a course that suits your goals and take your photography to new heights.