Photography Lessons

The traditional way to get photography lessons is to attend a photography school or program outside of the home. Nowadays there are Online and distance education options available as well. However, for the amateur photographer who just wants some help improving their skills, and doesn't desire to enroll in a school, there are some great free options available.

Nowadays, the focus is definitely on digital photography. However, there are still classes being taught in more traditional photography. Despite the fact that film is obsolete, the rules of exposure and composition are exactly the same in digital photography. So, many photography professionals still recommend that students get a basic knowledge of film photography, in addition to their digital training.

Today's cameras have such advanced automatic functions, that the majority of amateur photographers don't feel the need to take any photography lessons, and learn more advanced techniques. However, having a mastery of light, exposure, depth of field, and composition can take your photography from the realm of the "snap-shot" to the polished look of a professionally taken photograph.

There are people who choose to pay a professional instructor for one on one lessons in photography. This can be a real boon since all of the attention that would be spread thin over an entire classroom, is then focused in on you the individual. Also, some people are shy about having their photos shown in front of a classroom, and would rather be evaluated more privately. Also, this is a great option for those who don't care to earn a degree, but simply want to learn the needed skills.

It is possible to get some great photography instruction at absolutely no cost. There are many websites offering free lessons in photography, which are often of very high quality. In fact, for the very independent person who doesn't care about earning and degree or certification in photography, free lessons can be a wonderful option. Free instruction can also be helpful to the photographer that is already accomplished, as nobody can know everything, and being able to quickly look up the answer to a photography related question is very convenient.

The true drawback to free lessons is the lack of support from an instructor. Getting your photos critiqued by a real person can be invaluable. Often friends and family will just tell you that your work is nice no matter what they really think, or they don't have a sufficiently trained eye to offer real help in improving your photos. Still, free photography lessons can dramatically improve your photos if you really make the effort to learn from them.