Top 10 Free Online Courses in Photography With Certificates in 2022

Do you want to learn photography techniques or improve your current creative and technical abilities? You’ve come to the right place! The best online photography courses for 2022 are listed here, and they will take you into the world of professional photography. What happens when exposure is varied, how factors like light metering, composition, focus affect image quality, and so much more are all important components of capturing quality images. You’ll be able to start your own professional career and capture the infinite beauty that exists in this world if you have these skills. In this article, we will be discussing the Top 10 Free Online Courses in Photography With Certificates and the best free online photography courses for beginners. So, let’s get this party started!

Free Online Courses in Photography With Certificates

What Is Photography?

Photography is the art, science, and practice of capturing and preserving images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically with an image sensor or chemically with a light-sensitive material like photographic film. Photographs are important in everyone’s life because they connect us to our past, reminding us of people, places, feelings, and stories. They can assist us in determining who we are. When you have the skill of photography, you can also make money from it.

  • What is important to us is captured in our photographs.
  • Photographs are important because they capture fleeting moments in our lives that appear to be unimportant to us at the time.
  • Photographs enable us to share and communicate memories and events effectively.
  • Photography has the ability to move us by capturing our attention and directly speaking to our emotions.

10 Free Online Courses in Photography

For the purposes of this article, a list of different online photography courses to take in 2022-2023 is provided below. Most of them are open all year and allow you to learn at your own pace, while others are only open for a limited time and charge a small fee for more advanced lessons.

1. Fundamentals of DSLR Photography (Skillshare)

The first is a highly rated online photography course with over 80,000 students. This course will teach you the fundamentals of photography so that you can create unforgettable and incredible images. Justin Bridges, a fashion and portrait photographer based in New York, will be the instructor for this course. Justin will lead students through an in-depth series of online lessons in just over an hour. By balancing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, playing with motion through shutter speed, and editing photos quickly, you’ll be able to achieve precise exposure.

This course is a great introduction to the photography skills you’re looking for, and it’s hosted on Skillshare, the global online learning platform! You’ll get access to over 27,000 other courses on the platform and a two-week free trial and over 200 student projects.

Level: Beginner

1 hour and 14 minutes

A renowned professional photographer teaches the class.

Skillshare Premium is available for a free 2-month trial.

2. Fundamentals of Photography (CreativeLive)

Photography is a complex art form, despite its apparent simplicity. This online photography course is an excellent choice no matter where you are in your photography journey! John Greengo, a veteran photographer with over 30 years of experience in the field, will teach this photography class. John, who is known for his love of travel and outdoor photography, brings a wealth of knowledge to his online courses. Students will be guided through fundamental concepts from the most basic to the most advanced throughout this course.

Photographic characteristics, camera types, shutter system operation, exposure balance, and other topics will be discussed. CreativeLive, a platform for online education, offers courses like this. If you buy the Creator Pass, you’ll get access to all of the platform’s courses as well as a lot more (available with a 20 percent discount).

The duration is 24 and a half hours.

A photographer with over 30 years of experience will be teaching you.

The Creator Pass is now 50% off.

3. Outdoor Photography: Shooting at Sunset, Sunrise, and Night (Skillshare)

When it comes to taking photos to the next level, lighting is crucial. This course is a must-take if you want to learn the fundamentals of lighting and how to take good photos at any time of day. This workshop will be led by Chris Burkard, a self-taught Staff Photographer at Surfer Magazine. Chris is also a well-known wildlife and adventure photographer, with over 15,000 followers on Skillshare. Through 14 video lessons, students will learn how to take stunning photographs in a variety of lighting conditions, with expert guidance from Chris on topics such as how to photograph at sunrise, sunset, and night, how to choose between different cameras, how to take long-exposure photographs, and much more.

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Once you’ve completed the course, Skillshare will give you access to the entire content as well as a certificate of completion. Not only that, but you can give it a two-week trial run for free! In general, this is an excellent photography school for honing your skills!

Level: Intermediate

1 hour in length

An experienced adventure photographer will instruct you.

Skillshare Premium is available for a free 2-month trial.

4. Introduction to Photography (LinkedIn Learning)

Our popular beginner-level photography course will clear things up and show you how to shoot like a pro if you’re having trouble navigating all of the different DSLR camera settings for the first time. Ben Long, a photographer and senior editor at Macworld magazine, will teach this online course. Ben has written over two dozen photography books and has worked for industry heavyweights such as 20th Century Fox and Blue Note Records, so you’re in good hands!

During this 2-hour photography course, Ben will teach students about the importance of choosing the right camera and lens before moving on to topics like how to set the right exposure for each photograph, how to work with autofocus, how to shoot excellent portraits, how to use form and geometry, and much more. CEUs, downloadable resources, and a certificate of completion are all included in this course, which is hosted on LinkedIn’s online learning platform. This comprehensive online photography course will teach you all of the technical skills and techniques you’ll need to get started.

Level: Beginner

2 hours in length

A professional photographer who has been teaching for a long time will be your instructor.

Completion certificate

New LinkedIn users get free access.

5. Street Photography: Capture the Life of Your City (Skillshare)

Do you want to capture your city at night in a way that honors it? This fantastic online photography course, co-created with VSCO, should not be overlooked. You’ll also be joining a group of over 35,000 students who have taken this popular course before you. ‘Trashhand,’ an itinerant photographer based in Chicago, will teach this intermediate-level course. Trashand specializes in photographing urban landscapes, and his client list includes Google, Adidas, Prada, and Timberland, among others, and he brings that experience to this online course.

In a 12-hour video session, Trashhand will walk his students through the strategies he uses to create breathtaking images of Chicago’s cityscape and nightlife. Students will learn how to take authentic candid photos, how to use blur to show motion, how to find spectacular angles, how to photograph at night, and much more. This online photography course is offered by Skillshare, which offers a one-week free trial (cancel at any time) that includes all course materials, on-demand video lessons, and access to over 27,000 other classes!

Level: Intermediate

12 hours in length

An expert professional photographer instructs you.

Skillshare Premium is available for a free 2-month trial.

35,000+ students in a community with 370+ projects

6. Photography 101 (LinkedIn Learning)

Then there’s a thorough online photography course for beginners who want to learn how to use all of the DSLR buttons and settings. ‘PhotoJoseph’ Joseph Linaschke will be your instructor for this course, and she has over 20 years of experience as a photographer. Joseph spent 8 years as Apple’s main photographer before venturing into the world of freelance work, so you’ll be learning a lot about the industry.

Joseph will walk students through the insides of a DSLR during this 2-hour online session, explaining the fundamentals behind settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO and tips on handling a camera properly and how to use autofocus effectively, and more. Overall, a fantastic first lesson that will equip you with the skills necessary to improve your photography abilities!

Level: Beginner

2 hours in length

A photographer with over 20 years of experience will be teaching you.

New LinkedIn users get free access.

Completion certificate

7. Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography (Udemy)

If you’re looking for a comprehensive masterclass that will teach you everything you need to know about photography and get you shooting in no time, this comprehensive photography course is a must-see! The trio of filmmaker Phil Ebiner, freelance photographer William Carnahan, and photographer Sam Shimizu-Jones will lead this workshop (photographer and filmmaker). They’ve combined to teach over 3 million students on Udemy, so you’re in good hands!

With over 150,000 on-demand courses, including several acupressure courses similar to this one, Udemy is one of the most popular online learning platforms. This is one of the most comprehensive online photography courses available.

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Level: Beginner

The duration is 22 and a half hours.

A trio of seasoned photographers and filmmakers will instruct you.

Access for the rest of your life

Completion certificate

8. iPhone Photography: How to Take Pro Photos On Your iPhone (Skillshare)

Did you know your iPhone can take professional-looking photos? This online photography course will show you that you don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a high-end professional camera when an iPhone, combined with the right amount of talent, can achieve the same results! Dale McManus, a well-known photographer, will be your instructor for this course. Dale has over 7 years of experience in the industry and is a master at taking professional-quality photos with iPhones, ensuring that anyone can take great photos.

In a 1-hour on-demand session, Dale shows his students how to use shot composition to capture amazing photos, which iPhone camera settings to use to bring out the best in photos, how to add depth to a portfolio, and how to use lighting unique capabilities, and much more. Overall, this is a great lesson for anyone who wants to learn photography without having to buy expensive equipment.

Level: Beginner

1 hour in length

A photographer who is an expert in the use of the iPhone teaches you how to use it.

Skillshare Premium is available for a free 2-month trial.

87,000+ students in the community

9. Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR cameras (Udemy)

If you’ve invested in a DSLR and want to get the most out of it, this online photography course is a great option. Villiers Steyn, a professional photographer, and owner of Vision Photography will teach this online course. Villiers has a master’s degree in nature conservation and works as a freelance travel, event, and wildlife photographer. Villiers will cover a wide range of topics related to DSLRs, including how to use the camera, which settings to use and how to master them, and the role of lighting in photography.

In two hours of on-demand video lectures, you’ll learn how to create the perfect composition and much more. Overall, this was a fantastic introduction to photography, culminating in a certificate of completion.

Level: Beginner

2 hours in length

A professional photographer who has appeared on Nat Geo Wild teaches the class.

Access for the rest of your life

Completion certificate

10. Lifestyle Photography: Capturing Inspiring Visual Stories (Skillshare)

The technical aspects of photography are just as important as having the aesthetic vision and creative thought to tell compelling visual stories, which is precisely what this photography class aims to do! This course will be taught by Marte Marie Forsberg, a self-taught lifestyle and culinary photographer from Norway. She recently released The Cottage Kitchen, a cookbook that includes 100 recipes and stunning photographs that she shot and organized herself.

This half-hour photography class will guide students through the concepts of visual storytelling, tips and tricks for achieving this, the fundamentals of dynamic still-life photography, how to work with lighting, focus on the details, and much more. Overall, this is a fantastic beginner’s online photography school! Just keep in mind that the free trial period is only for a limited time.

Level: Beginner

A self-taught food and lifestyle photographer teaches the class.

Skillshare Premium is available for a free 2-month trial.

There are over 250 project entries to look through in the project catalog.

Other Free Online Courses in Photography With Certificates

1. Mastering Architecture and Real Estate Photography (Udemy)

Architects and real estate professionals regularly require high-quality photographs of their work and structures to attract clients. After completing this online photography course on Udemy, you’ll be ready to start a business offering outstanding interior and exterior photography! Charlie Borland, a professional photographer with over 30 years of experience, will be your instructor in this online program. Charlie has worked for companies such as Fujitsu, Mentor Graphics, and Texas Instruments and now brings his knowledge to you.

In this 13-hour intermediate-level online photography course, students will learn how to photograph buildings from the inside out. How to light interiors, achieve a good composition, deal with shadows and highlights, and follow the movement are among the topics covered. This course is available on Udemy, which also provides over 150,000 on-demand online courses for students of all levels and a certificate of completion. Overall, this is an excellent online course for honing your photography skills!

Level: Intermediate

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The duration is 12 hours and 12 minutes.

A photographer with over 30 years of experience will be teaching you.

Access for the rest of your life

Completion certificate

2. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen (Udemy)

A fun online photography course tops off my list on Udemy that is ideal for food bloggers or anyone who enjoys trying new foods. This beginner-level online course, which more than 90,000 people have completed, will have you snapping better food shots in no time. William Carnahan, a professional photographer with an M.F.A. in Film and Television Production, will teach this online course. He has over half a million students and has published 24 courses on Udemy, and you can now join them!

In this one-hour online photography lesson, William will teach students how to take stunning food photos, including how to choose the perfect location for a shoot, food styling, choosing the right camera settings, and editing photos to bring out their brilliance, and much more. This course is available on Udemy, an online learning platform with over 150,000 online courses to choose from and a certificate of completion at the end. This fantastic online photography course is not to be missed!

Level: Beginner

1 hour in length

A professional photographer and popular Udemy instructor teach this course.

Access for the rest of your life

Completion certificate

Where Can You Find a Photography Class in Your Area?

More and more institutions are returning to the classroom as the economy recovers from the pandemic. Students can get hands-on experience with fundamentals like shutter speed, aperture, and optimum exposure due to this. Attending a weekly in-person class will help you reinforce new techniques while also delving deeper into photography concepts to help you improve your creative vision. The more you practice, the easier it is to learn and understand photography. If you want to improve your photography skills, enrolling in a live class is a great place to start.

Look into community centers, art centers, and independent photography schools in your area when you’re ready to take a class in person. Beginner photographers will benefit from introductory lessons and the chance to work directly with their photography instructors, who can answer questions and troubleshoot issues. Contact local community colleges and other academic institutions if you’re having trouble finding a class near you. They can give you advice or put you in touch with a fantastic photography instructor for private lessons.

Is It Worth It to Go to Photography School?

Learning photography is easier in a classroom setting. Teachers who have been teaching photography for a long time know how to explain concepts in a straightforward manner. They understand how to teach beginners in a way that will assist you in realizing your artistic goals. Using a photography tutor to assist you in developing your creative eye is a big step in the right direction. Professional photography instructors are also knowledgeable in the use of a variety of tools.

They’ll show you how to set up and take great pictures with any camera, whether it’s a Nikon, Canon, or another brand. If you’re interested in learning post-processing and photo editing, working with an instructor in a classroom is a huge plus. Having a tutor keep track of your progress and provide feedback will help you better understand the various strategies. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Conclusion

Beginner photographers will find plenty of courses on Udemy. More advanced photographers looking for a challenge won’t find much here, but this well-presented course is a worthwhile next step for anyone ready to move on from their little pop-up flash. Do you want to improve your photography skills? You do, of course. While there’s no substitute for hands-on experience, a little professional guidance never hurts, and an online photography course is a great way to get it.

Udemy, the world’s largest online learning marketplace, has over 65,000 expert-led courses, many of which focus on photography. Do you want to learn more about the technical aspects of snapping? Are you interested in learning more about off-camera flash or landscape photography? You’ll find everything you need on Udemy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to earn a photography degree online?

Yes, photography is now taught as part of most university degree programs. You will be awarded a degree at the conclusion of your studies.

Where can I get free photography lessons online?

Free online photography courses are available through the programs listed in this article. The good news is that you can apply to any program that interests you.

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Martin Uwakwe

As an SEO Strategist, Web Analytics Expert, and Content Developer with over 7 years of experience, I'm passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to optimize online visibility, drive organic traffic, and boost search rankings. My track record includes successfully optimizing and analyzing hundreds of e-commerce websites, managing multi-million-dollar marketing budgets for maximum ROI, and crafting engaging content that resonates with audiences. With proficiency in SEO, data analysis, web optimization tools, and content creation, I'm dedicated to helping businesses thrive in the digital landscape.