The Top 10 Best Online Photography Courses for Beginners
Learn the basics of photography, including exposure, composition, focus, depth of field, white balance, lighting, and post-processing. Improve your photography skills and take your photos to the next level with these essential techniques.
Basics knowledge of photography
Introduction:
Photography is a wonderful art form that allows us to capture moments and memories for a lifetime. Whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer, it is important to understand the basics of photography. In this article, we will discuss the fundamental concepts and techniques of photography in detail.
Exposure:
Exposure is the amount of light that enters the camera and reaches the sensor. It is determined by three key settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Aperture:
The aperture is the opening in the lens through which light passes. It is measured in f-stops, and a lower number indicates a larger aperture. A larger aperture allows more light to enter the camera, resulting in a brighter image and a shallow depth of field. A smaller aperture, on the other hand, results in a darker image and a greater depth of field.
Shutter speed:
The shutter speed is the amount of time the shutter remains open. It is measured in fractions of a second and determines how long the sensor is exposed to light. A slower shutter speed allows more light to enter the camera, resulting in a brighter image and a longer exposure time. A faster shutter speed, on the other hand, results in a darker image and a shorter exposure time.
ISO:
ISO is the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light. A higher ISO value allows more light to be captured, resulting in a brighter image. However, a higher ISO also introduces noise or graininess to the image. A lower ISO value results in a darker image but with less noise.
Composition:
Composition refers to how elements are arranged within the frame of a photograph. A well-composed photograph is visually appealing and draws the viewer's attention to the subject.
Rule of thirds:
The rule of thirds is a basic principle of composition. The frame is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and the subject is placed at one of the intersection points. This creates a more visually pleasing composition than placing the subject in the center of the frame.
Leading lines:
Leading lines are lines within the photograph that lead the viewer's eye to the subject. They can be natural, such as a horizon, or man-made, such as a road or bridge.
Symmetry:
Symmetry is a pleasing arrangement of elements that are identical on both sides of the frame. It creates a sense of balance and harmony in the photograph.
Focus:
Focus refers to the sharpness and clarity of the subject in the photograph. It is important to ensure that the subject is in focus to avoid a blurry or out-of-focus image.
Autofocus:
Most cameras have autofocus capabilities that automatically focus on the subject. It is important to select the appropriate autofocus mode for the situation to ensure accurate focus.
Manual focus:
Manual focus allows the photographer to manually adjust the focus of the lens. It is useful in situations where autofocus may struggle, such as low light or when photographing a subject through glass.
Depth of field:
Depth of field refers to the range of distances in a photograph that are in focus. A shallow depth of field results in a blurry background, while a deep depth of field results in a sharp background.
Aperture:
As discussed earlier, aperture determines the amount of light that enters the camera and affects the depth of field. A larger aperture results in a shallower depth of field, while a smaller aperture results in a deeper depth of field.
Focal length:
The focal length of the lens also affects the depth of field. A longer focal length results in a shallower depth of field, while a shorter focal length results in a deeper depth of field.
White balance:
White balance refers to the color temperature of the photograph. It is important to ensure that the colors in the photograph are accurate and true to life.
Auto white balance:
Most cameras have an auto white balance setting that adjusts the color temperature based on the lighting conditions. It is a good starting point, but may not always produce accurate colors.
Preset white balance:
Cameras also have preset white balance settings for different lighting conditions such as daylight, cloudy, or tungsten. Selecting the appropriate preset can result in more accurate colors.
Custom white balance:
Custom white balance involves manually setting the color temperature based on a neutral gray reference point. This can be useful in situations where the lighting conditions are not covered by the preset white balance settings.
Lighting:
Lighting is a critical element of photography, as it determines the mood and atmosphere of the photograph.
Natural light:
Natural light can produce beautiful and soft lighting, particularly during the golden hour (the hour after sunrise and before sunset). It is important to be aware of the direction and quality of the light to ensure proper exposure and composition.
Artificial light:
Artificial light sources such as lamps and flash can be used to add or supplement lighting in a photograph. It is important to balance the ambient and artificial light to avoid a harsh or unnatural appearance.
Post-processing:
Post-processing refers to the editing and enhancing of the photograph after it has been taken. It can be used to correct exposure and white balance, adjust color and contrast, and add creative effects.
Software:
There are many software options for post-processing, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, Capture One, and GIMP (a free, open-source option).
Raw files:
Shooting in raw format allows for greater flexibility in post-processing, as it captures all of the information from the camera sensor. However, it does require more storage space and processing power.
Conclusion:
Photography is a wonderful art form that can be enjoyed by anyone. By understanding the basics of exposure, composition, focus, depth of field, white balance, lighting, and post-processing, you can take your photography skills to the next level. Remember to practice and experiment to find your own unique style and perspective.
Here are the top 10 best online photography courses for beginners based on popularity and ratings:
• Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization by Michigan State University on Coursera
• Fundamentals of Digital Photography by John Greengo on CreativeLive
• Photography for Beginners by Kevin Kubota on Udemy
• The Photography Starter Kit for Beginners by John Greengo on CreativeLive
• Digital Photography 101 by SLR Lounge on Udemy
• Basics of Photography: The Complete Guide by Lifehacker on Udemy
• Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography by Phil Ebiner and Sam Shimizu-Jones on Udemy
• The Beginner Photographer's Crash Course in Lightroom Classic by Adobe on CreativeLive
• Intro to Photography: Light, Color, and Composition by Jerad Hill on Skillshare
• Photography Class by Annie Leibovitz on MasterClass
Note: These are just some of the best courses available online, and there are many more options to explore based on individual preferences and requirements.
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