Practical Photography for Absolute Beginners: 9 Courses in 1

1. Fundamentals of Photography

   • Understanding the camera settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
   • The exposure triangle: how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interact to affect exposure.
   • Introduction to different types of cameras and sensors (DSLR vs Mirrorless).

2. Lighting Essentials for Photography

   • Basic lighting principles: natural light versus artificial light.
   • Flash photography techniques and the use of reflectors and diffusers.
   • How to set up a home studio for product or portrait photography.

3. Macro Photography Mastery

   • Macro photography tips and tricks, including lens choice and focusing techniques.
   • Controlling depth of field for stunning macro shots.
   • Dealing with challenges in macro photography: wind, motion blur, and camera stability.
   • Enhancing your macro images with post-processing in software like Photoshop or Lightroom.

4. Black and White Photography

   • The power of black and white imagery to convey emotion and focus attention on composition and texture.
   • Black and white vs color photography: the differences and when to choose one over the other.
   • Tips and tricks for capturing compelling black and white images, including converting color photos to monochrome in post-processing.

5. Mastering Composition in Photography

   • Understanding the components that make a great photograph.
   • The importance of composition in creating visually appealing images.
   • Techniques for placing your subject within the frame, creating separation, balancing elements, and utilizing perspective to enhance your photos.

6. Stock Photography Success

   • Analyzing the stock photography market and learning how to sell your photos effectively.
   • How to increase your chances of having your images accepted by stock photo agencies.
   • Understanding what makes a photo marketable from a commercial perspective.

7. Portrait Photography

   • What constitutes portrait photography and its different styles (e.g., environmental portraits, studio portraits).
   • Key concepts for capturing great portraits, including lighting setup and subject interaction.
   • Analyzing common portrait photography mistakes and how to avoid them.

8. Deep Dive into Lenses

   • A comprehensive look at different types of lenses, their uses, and the benefits of prime versus zoom lenses.
   • Understanding lens terminology: focal length, aperture, image stabilization, etc.
   • When to use a tripod and what to do if one isn't available.

9. Long Exposure Photography

   • Introduction to long exposure techniques and their creative potential.
   • Guidance on using ND filters for controlling light during long exposures.
   • Tips for capturing stunning long exposure shots, including camera settings and composition advice.

10. Photo Editing in Adobe Photoshop

    • Step-by-step tutorials on creating various effects and enhancements in Photoshop.
    • Tips for creating vintage or black and white images with a warm tone.
    • Techniques for enhancing black and white photos using the Hue/Saturation feature.
    • Sharpening your images, creating matte effects, adding reflections to sunglasses, and more.

11. Photography Business and Marketing

    • Introduction to the business side of photography: pricing, client relations, and building a portfolio.
    • Marketing strategies for photographers: social media presence, networking, and personal branding.
    • Legal considerations: copyrights, model releases, and contracts.

12. Advanced Photography Techniques

    • Infrared photography and its unique effects.
    • Astrophotography and capturing the night sky.
    • Underwater photography tips and challenges.

13. Photography for Specific Uses

    • Architectural photography: capturing buildings and structures in their best light.
    • Food photography: techniques for making dishes look appealing and mouth-watering.
    • Wildlife and nature photography: ethical considerations and how to capture animals in their environment.

14. Emerging Trends in Photography

    • Exploring new photographic techniques such as drone photography, 360-degree panoramas, and mobile photography advancements.
    • The role of AI in photography: from automated editing to predictive shooting modes.
    • Staying current with camera technology and software updates.

This curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of the art and science of photography, covering both technical skills and artistic concepts. It's designed to take you from beginner to advanced photographer, while also preparing you for the business aspects of making a living in this field. Whether you're looking to improve your personal photography hobby or turn it into a professional career, these topics will help you grow as a photographer.

Overview of the Course

The course in question is a beginner-level photography course that has received an overall high rating of 4.27 from recent reviews. The feedback suggests that it provides valuable information, particularly regarding the basics of camera features and photography techniques. The course content appears to be informative and well-structured, with some instructors delivering clear and understandable explanations that build confidence in learners.

Pros of the Course:

• Comprehensive Content: The course covers many aspects of photography, offering useful tips for beginners.
• Clarity in Explanation: Instructors are praised for their ability to explain concepts at a good pace and in an understandable manner.
• Engaging Quizzes: The quizzes included in the course are designed to reinforce learning and provide confidence that one is actually learning something valuable.
• Valuable for Foundation: The information provided is deemed neither too technical nor too basic, striking a balance that is beneficial for beginners.
• Positive Learning Experience: Many learners report it to be a great learning experience, with some expressing eagerness to take further courses in photography.
• Summary Segments: After each section, there is a summary which is appreciated as it helps consolidate the learned material.
• Inspiring Feedback: One reviewer thankfully acknowledges the teacher's role, emphasizing the importance of a good educator in the learning process.

Cons of the Course:

• Sound Quality Issues: Several reviews mention sound quality as an issue, with some finding the speaker's accent difficult to understand.
• Presentation and Production: There are comments about the presentation being good but needing enhancement and attractiveness. Additionally, there are mentions of outdated information and charts within the content.
• Audio Clarity: The sound needs to be more enhanced to ensure clarity and ease of learning.
• Technical Complexity for Beginners: Some find that the course jumps straight into technical information without a gradual introduction, which can make it hard to follow for complete beginners.
• Outdated Material: There are concerns about some examples and stock photos being out of focus or not illustrating the theory well enough.
• Lack of Interaction: A few reviews suggest that live demonstrations by the photographer could improve interaction and understanding of the course material.
• Accessibility Concerns: The absence of closed captions is noted, which is a significant issue for those who rely on them for learning.

Additional Considerations:

• Course Accessibility: It's important to note that while the content is good, accessibility features such as captions and clear audio are crucial for all learners.
• Quality of Examples: The course could benefit from better examples and more visual aids to complement the theoretical information provided.
• Grammar and Editing: Some reviews suggest that the written content within the course could be improved with proofreading to avoid grammatical errors.

Conclusion:

Overall, the course is highly regarded for its content and the ability of the instructors to impart knowledge effectively. However, there are notable areas for improvement regarding sound quality, presentation, accessibility, and the transition between lecture segments. With these considerations addressed, the course could provide an even more enriching and user-friendly learning experience for photography enthusiasts.