
Setting a strong foundation for your knowledge in photography is crucial to your success. That's why in this first section, we will be diving into basic, but important in-camera settings and comparing different types of cameras. By the end of this section, you should feel confident in understanding important in-camera functions as well as be able to decide what type of camera you want to invest in to kickstart your photography journey!
Explore semi-auto camera modes: aperture priority, shutter priority, and program mode to understand exposure control, master ISO interactions, and progress from beginners to confident manual photography.
Discover how a DSLR provides interchangeable lenses and greater manual exposure control. Explore how full-frame versus crop sensors affect data, file sizes, and editing, as mirrorless shifts rise.
Mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter than DSLRs, with an electronic viewfinder that shows your exposure, and offer a larger sensor and faster shutters as the industry moves toward mirrorless.
Explore different types of camera drive modes, including single shot, continuous shooting with low and high speeds, self-timer options, and multiple exposure, to capture intentional, sharp images.
Master autofocus and focus point modes in digital photography, using auto servo, single servo, continuous servo, single point, multiple point, and auto point to capture sharp images with stabilization.
Compare jpeg and raw file types to understand in-camera processing, white balance, and compression. See why raw preserves data and dynamic range for editing, while jpeg limits detail and flexibility.
Explore how lenses focus light onto the sensor, and how focal length, aperture, and depth of field shape your photos, including prime, zoom, wide-angle, telephoto, and macro lenses.
Explore aperture, the lens's light gate, expressed as f-stops, and its effect on exposure and depth of field, with smaller f-stops widening the opening for brighter images but shallowing depth.
Master depth of field by adjusting aperture, moving from a shallow field at low f-stops to a broader field. Keep subjects on the same plane for clearer, in-focus photos.
Explore focal length in millimeters, shaping field of view from wide to narrow and distinguishing fixed vs zoom lenses, with practical examples like 24mm to 70mm.
Learn the essential lens features for zoom lenses, including the control ring, focus ring, zoom ring, autofocus/manual switch, and image stabilizer, illustrated with a Canon RF 24–70mm lens.
Explore how ISO controls exposure by simulating light and how higher ISO adds grain and noise. Keep ISO at or below 1000 to preserve image quality in low light.
Master common lighting techniques—Rembrandt, backlit, overcast, shaded, and direct—to elevate mood, depth, and dimension; recognize catch light in eyes and experiment to discover your style.
Learn to create Rembrandt lighting using a single light source at a 45-degree angle, with catchlight in both eyes, whether with off-camera flash or natural light.
Master split lighting to create dramatic portraits with a single light at a 90-degree angle, producing a half light, half shadow effect; adjust distance to soften or intensify the look.
Learn butterfly lighting by placing a light above the crown to cast a butterfly shadow under the nose, flattering sleeping newborns and editorial portraits.
Master direct lighting by facing the subject toward the sun with the photographer behind it, balance highlights and shadows, underexpose to protect detail, and use interactive poses to reduce squinting.
Explore off-camera flashes, including speedlights and strobes, and learn to use manual modes, sync speeds, and bounce lighting to elevate low-light photography and create dimensional subjects.
Explore the five types of perspective—vanishing points, relative size, forced perspective, lack of detail, and overlap—and learn how they shape depth, composition, and storytelling in photography.
Learn to transform images by choosing eye level, shooting from below or above, framing with environment, and shooting through objects to vary perspective, mood, and depth.
Learn to use patterns and texture to add depth and balance, with breaks in repetition to highlight the focal point, and lighting—harsh or soft—shaping texture and dimensional mood.
Explore how color in composition shapes mood and psychology, using color theory and the color wheel to create complementary contrasts and monochromatic schemes that convey emotion and tell a story.
Explore centered composition by positioning the main focal point in the center to create a visually balanced portrait, with guidance on cropping overlays during editing.
Explore presets, history, and sorting in Lightroom to speed editing and keep your images organized. Learn to create or import presets and use the history panel for efficient workflows.
Master the Lightroom tool panel, including crop, clone, heal, red-eye, and masking, and apply gradients, brush edits, and color or luminance range for precise enhancements.
Learn to use the Lightroom color mixer and HSL panel to selectively adjust hue, saturation, and luminance of yellows and other colors, with an eyedropper for precise sampling.
Master Lightroom keyboard shortcuts to navigate the develop and library panels, apply edits, use clone, masking, gradients, before/after view, and export JPEGs at high quality.
Celebrate your progress by applying camera settings, lenses, lighting, and the three key exposure elements to craft compelling photos and tell stories through your unique style.
Hello Fellow Creatives!
Looking to grow your skills and knowledge in photography, but are unsure where to start? Well, I am pleased to say that you are in the right place! For years I have personally worked with and trained numerous individuals in the art and skill of photography. Helping people develop and hone their talent and skill for photography is something that I have loved and cherished. Seeing these individuals apply their learned skills and become successful photographers inspired me to create this course. This course is designed to equip you with the confidence and support you need to become a skilled photographer. I believe that having a supportive community is crucial when pursuing your passion, which is why I aim to create a strong and encouraging environment with valuable educational resources for aspiring photographers. Unlike other online courses filled with endless slideshows, jammed packed with information, this self-paced, personable classroom offers a comprehensive learning experience all from the comfort of your own home.
Upon setting out on my own photography journey over a decade ago, I had noticed there was a need for an online photography course that is not only relatable and easy to understand but also accessible to anyone, regardless of their skill level or location. This course is designed for anyone, regardless of their experience, who wants to beautifully capture the joys of life or embark on starting their own photography business. I am eager to share my tips, tricks, and techniques that I have gathered over the years to help you set a strong foundation of knowledge in this skill.
What To Expect:
This course includes 7 comprehensive sections covering fundamental and essential knowledge that you will need to be a confident and successful professional photographer. We will explore understanding your equipment from camera bodies to the different types of lenses, key image exposure settings crucial for all photography styles. You’ll learn Important and common lighting techniques that can be used in portrait, street, landscape photography, and more. How to use perspective and composition elements to elevate your photography, and as an added additional section; introducing you to the world of photo editing using Adobe Lightroom Classic. Whether you are looking to photograph people, animals, landscapes, or the everyday moments, this course will provide you with essential knowledge to begin your photography journey.
Course Curriculum:
Understanding Cameras and How to Work Them: Get to know your camera inside out, from basic functions to advanced features.
Lenses and Their Characteristics: Learn about different lenses and how to choose the right one for your photography needs.
Essential Exposure Settings: Master ISO, shutter speed, and aperture to achieve the perfect exposure in any lighting situation.
Mastering Lighting: Discover how to use natural and artificial light to enhance your photos with real world demonstrations.
Perspective: Understanding perspective and how to use different types when composing a photograph.
Composition: Use composition techniques to create visually appealing and professional looking photos.
Extra: An Introduction to Photo Editing Using Adobe Lightroom Classic: Start your journey into photo editing with tips and tricks in Adobe Lightroom Classic.
Reading to learn about a new skill is the first step to growing your knowledge, but to truly grasp this new information, it is essential to practice what you have learned and to apply it! So, to reinforce your learning, the course also includes:
Quizzes to Test Your Knowledge: Periodic quizzes to ensure you’re grasping the key concepts.
Assignments to Practice Applying Your Knowledge: Practical assignments that allow you to apply what you've learned and build your skills.
Resources: Useful resources to help fill the gaps on important topics and concepts that are discussed.
Equipment that is Needed:
With this being a digital photography course, I will be sharing recommendations for equipment in order for you to fully participate and get the most out of each lecture. Although it is not entirely essential for you to have all of these items, you will find that it will be easier to understand and follow along while using similar equipment.
Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera. In this course, we will dive into how to use certain exposure settings that are adjusted in semi-manual and manual modes. These modes are usually restricted to DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Smartphones and point and shoot cameras can be used, however you may not have the ability to change some of the camera settings that are taught in this course.
Camera lens: No one specific lens is required for this course. Only one that is compatible with your current camera.
Computer: This course has an additional section where we will be discussing photo editing. The editing software that I will be using to teach with is only compatible for desktop use.
There is a mobile version of this editing software, but bear in mind that the format and layout will look different from the one that I share.
Adobe Lightroom Classic: An editing software that I will be using in the last section of this course. To follow along with me, you will want to sign up for this software. If you don’t already have a subscription with Adobe, you can visit the resource section to sign up for a free 7-day trial period.
How to Know if This Course is For You:
To be a successful photographer, it is essential to establish a strong foundation of your knowledge. This course is designed to provide you with that foundation and give you the confidence to be the photographer that you have always dreamed of being. Through detailed lessons and practical assignments, you'll gain hands-on experience and the ability to apply what you've learned in real world scenarios. By the end of this course, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of photography principles, the technical skills to capture stunning images, and the creative insights to develop your unique style. Join me and start your journey toward becoming a skilled and confident digital photographer today!
Disclaimer:
I understand that everyone’s learning style is different and how important it is to find an instructor that you can connect with. That is why I am happy to have a 30-day 100% money back guarantee, so if you don’t feel like it is a good fit, I will refund your purchase - no questions asked.
I can’t wait to see you in this course!