FREE (and Paid) Online Photography Courses to Learn from Scratch or Perfect Your Technique. Invest in your Passion!

Do you want to learn photography or take your skills to the next level but don't know where to start? The online world offers an incredible variety of courses, both free and paid, for all levels. We'll guide you through the best options so you can invest wisely in your passion.

You might think that YouTube tutorials and blog articles are enough. While these resources are fantastic (like this one you're reading!), a structured course offers additional benefits:

• Organized Learning: A good course presents information in a logical and progressive manner, building knowledge from the basics to more complex concepts. This avoids fragmented and disorganized learning.
• Depth and Detail: Courses typically go deeper into topics than a quick tutorial, offering detailed explanations, practical examples, and often exercises to apply what you've learned.
• Access to Experts: Many courses are taught by professional photographers and educators with years of experience, who share their knowledge and tricks of the trade.
• Community and Feedback (in some cases): Some platforms offer student forums, the ability to ask questions to the instructor, or receive feedback on your work, which is very valuable for growth.
• Certification (in some cases): While not always the most important thing for a hobby, some courses offer certifications that can be helpful if you're looking to professionalize your skills. Even free courses can offer surprising structure and quality, laying a solid foundation for your photography journey.

There are a wide variety of platforms offering photography courses. Here are some of the most notable, with both free and paid options:

Comparison Table: Online Photography Course Platforms

• Udemy: One of the largest platforms, with thousands of photography courses for all levels and specialties. There are constant sales, so you can find comprehensive courses at very low prices. It offers both free and paid options.
• Domestika: Focuses on high-quality creative courses taught by renowned professionals in their fields. It has a strong community and many excellent photography courses in Spanish.
• Coursera: If you're looking for a more academic approach, Coursera offers specialized photography courses and programs taught by prestigious universities. You can audit many courses for free, but obtaining a certificate requires payment. For example, MoMA offers a free course called "Seeing Through Photographs."
• Skillshare: It operates under a subscription model that gives you access to thousands of classes, many of them focused on practical and creative projects. Ideal for learning specific skills quickly.
• Crehana: Similar to Domestika, with a strong focus on the Spanish-speaking market. It offers individual courses and subscription plans to access its catalog of creative and digital skills training.
• YouTube: Not a structured course platform per se, but an invaluable resource with millions of free tutorials on virtually every photography topic imaginable, from how to use your camera to advanced editing techniques.
• Brand Platforms and Specialized Blogs: Manufacturers such as Canon and Nikon, as well as renowned photography blogs (PetaPixel, Cambridge in Colour), offer high-quality free tutorials and guides.

If you're on a budget or just want to try before you invest, there are some great free options:

• "Professional Photography for Beginners" (Eundospor3 on Udemy): A short, practical course to help you understand the basics and get started.
• Lectures on Digital Photography (Marc Levoy): A comprehensive, free undergraduate course offered by a Stanford professor and Google engineer. Very in-depth and technical, it's ideal for those who want to understand the science behind photography.
• "The Web Foto": A very comprehensive and well-organized free course in Spanish, which explains all the technical fundamentals from scratch and allows you to download the content in PDF format.
• Canon EOS World Learn Tutorials: Canon offers online tutorials for those new to photography, covering everything from the first steps to manual functions and specific tips.
• Photocritic (Photography School): Sends lessons by email and offers personalized feedback, ideal for those who have never picked up a camera, even if they only have a smartphone.

If you decide to invest in a paid course, consider these factors to ensure you get value for your money:

• Course Content: Review the syllabus in detail. Does it cover the topics you're interested in? Is the depth appropriate for your level?
• Instructor: Research the photographer or educator teaching the course. Do they have experience and a portfolio that inspires you? Does their teaching style seem clear and engaging (can you watch trailers or sample lessons)?
• Reviews and Ratings: Read other students' opinions. They're a good indicator of the course's quality and whether it delivers on its promises.
• Additional Materials: Does it include downloadable files, presets, practice exercises, or access to a community?
• Update: Photographic technology and techniques evolve. An updated course is more valuable.
• Price-Quality Ratio: The most expensive course isn't always the best. Compare options and look for deals (platforms like Udemy and Domestika have them constantly).

Once you've mastered the basics, you may want to specialize. Some popular areas with a wide range of online courses include:

• Portrait Photography: Lighting techniques, posing, model direction.
• Landscape Photography: Composition, use of filters, long exposures.
• Product Photography: Lighting for different materials, styling, editing for e-commerce.
• Mobile Photography: Getting the most out of your smartphone camera, editing in apps.
• Editing and Postproduction: Mastery of software such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
• Photographic Lighting (Strobist): Use of external flashes off camera.
• Photography Business: How to Turn Your Passion into a Profession

"The best investment you can make is in yourself. A good photography course not only teaches you technique, it opens your eyes to new ways of seeing the world."

• Dedicate Regular Time: Establish a schedule to study and practice, just as if it were an in-person class.
• Take Notes: Write down key concepts and ideas that come to you.
• Practice, practice, practice! Theory without practice is useless. Apply what you learn immediately.
• Participate (if possible): If the course has forums or groups, interact, ask questions, share your work.
• Don't Get Overwhelmed: Learn at your own pace. If a concept is difficult, review it or look for additional resources.

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