Top 10 Online Photography Courses

The old adage tells us that a picture is worth a thousand words, and with the increased access to cameras in recent years, more and more people are using photographs to tell their stories. Online photography courses help people learn the principles of the craft, whether they want to open a photography studio or simply master the art of the selfie. Courses provide guidance on everything from choosing equipment to polishing the final photographs. Use this guide to find out what’s offered through online classes, and where to find them.

Whether students are picking up a camera for the very first time or interested in learning advanced techniques to enhance their skills, the right class is out there. With so many choices, though, finding it can be challenging. The search tool below lets hobbyists and professionals alike filter courses by factors such as topic, price, length, and institution.

Online photography classes are designed to help students meet specific goals, both personal and professional. Depending on the course, students can learn specific techniques like eliminating redeye, or the fundamentals of opening a small photography business. Some classes cater to those who want to complete a degree, while others are strictly for independent learning. The table below describes the types of available courses.

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.

Hopeful photographers can find a wide array of courses online, many of which are aimed at those who want to learn the craft from the ground up. Here we spotlight the top 10 online photography courses that giving budding photographers a look at life behind the lens.

Offered by: RMIT University
Price: Free
Length: 4 weeks
Format: Video, quizzes and assessments
Eligible for College Credit? No

Targeted to novice photographers, this course teaches the fundamentals and techniques used by contemporary photographic artists. In addition to practical skills, students also practice developing the creativity and artistic eye that allow them to express themselves through visual imagery. Editing and post-production techniques are also covered.

Offered by: Northwestern University via Coursera
Price: Free to audit, $49 for course certificate
Length: 12 weeks
Format: Videos, readings, and quizzes
Eligible for College Credit? No

This class covers how digital images and videos are processed based on mathematical principles. Students learn how to analyze two- and three-dimensional images, as well as remove degradations. In addition, the course teaches methods for compressing, storing, and sharing video and digital images on different online platforms.

Offered by: Lynda.com
Price: Free with Lynda subscription
Length: 1 hour
Format: Videos
Eligible for College Credit? No

Photographing children is trickier than simply asking them to pose and say “cheese.” In this course, students use a park setting for a tutorial on how to work with children of different temperaments, and how to adjust photographic techniques based on a child’s activities. The course also offers tips for photo processing.

Offered by: Universal Class
Price: $70, $95 to earn class certificate
Length: 17 hours
Format: Lessons, exams and assignments
Eligible for College Credit? No

Beginners are introduced to the different kinds of modern cameras and how to use them, as well as film types, light metering, filters, the principles of flash photography, and photo enhancement techniques.

Offered by: Udemy
Price: $30
Length: 1.5 hours
Format: Videos
Eligible for College Credit? No

Intermediate students learn the basics of using a digital, single-lens reflex camera to capture outdoor landscapes. The course covers the basics of working with light, the sky, and other elements of nature, as well as how to use the unique features of digital cameras to take compelling pictures.

Even though photography is by nature a hands-on activity, it’s also well-suited to online study. Myriad course options let students focus their interests, whether it be on a specific technical skill or a type of photography, and specialize to a degree that traditional classes might not support. The online format also is ideal for letting students learn a technique and then practice it on their own time. Following are the three top reasons for taking an online photography course.

Unless you’re a professional photographer, expensive equipment is a perk, not a prerequisite. Average—and even flawed—photos can be transformed into good ones with multiple apps that can be downloaded and used easily on a mobile device. The apps below bring useful photography tools to users’ fingertips.

Apple

Google

Price: Free

Camera51 is like having a photography teacher looking over users’ shoulders and telling them how to keep an image within the frame. Real-time guidance advises users on how to perfectly frame an object and eliminate objects that interfere with a shot.

Apple

Price: $2.99

This app provides advanced tools that aren’t standard on a mobile phone, including continuous flash, touch-focus adjustment, and 6x digital zoom. In addition, Camera+ allows users to easily share their photos on social media.

Learning photography isn’t limited to the confines of a course. Podcasts are an excellent way for students to augment what they learn in class, look at something from a different perspective, or get help with an area that’s giving them trouble. Following are some helpful podcasts for photography enthusiasts of all levels.