Thankfully, becoming a photographer today is much easier than it was years ago. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to improve your photography skills, there are plenty of resources to be found. Here I’m breaking down the best online resources for learning photography. I’ll also share tips on how to find your photography style as well as resources to help improve your images.
Best Online Resources for Learning Photography
If you’re at the very beginning of your photography journey, the best way to start – and you probably already do this – is to follow photographer blogs and watch tutorials online. YouTube is a great resource when you’re first getting started. Creators like Peter McKinnon regularly offer tutorials and buying guides to lead you in the right direction. These resources will help you if you need basic tips on camera settings, lighting, composition, and even which types of cameras and lenses to purchase depending on your goals.
Learn Photography in Your Free Time
Now that you’ve immersed yourself in all things photography, it may be a great time to invest in an online course. In-depth photography instruction can help you learn the ins and outs of taking great photo. Some of my favorites include, Digital Photography School and An Introduction to Photography.
Sites like Adobe Learn offer tutorials on Photoshop, Lightroom and others, to help you learn how to edit and enhance your images. Skillshare and similar sites are great for teaching everything from the basics to more comprehensive photography skills.
If you’re on a budget Udemy frequently offers sales on their courses. There’s a lot though to be said for blogs and YouTube videos. Many creators offer a wealth of free content that can often rival and exceed the quality of information you’d otherwise pay for. There’s something to be said for a no-gatekeeping type of content creator!
Practice, Practice Practice
The best way to truly learn something is to jump right in and start doing it, right? And the same holds true for photography. Take photos, edit your photos, take more photos, read up and watch more vidoes, on and on.
Perfecting your craft will take time and energy, and the only way to excel, is to keep at it. Remember, your first images aren’t going to be as amazing as you’d like. Over time however, you’ll develop your skills and your personal style and know which direction you’d like to take your photography.
No matter how many tutorials you watch, practice is essential. Commit to daily or weekly photo sessions to develop your skills. If you don’t own a DSLR or mirrorless camera yet, don’t worry—most modern smartphones are equipped with excellent cameras to help you get started.
Join Online Photography Communities
Online photography communities are a great place to learn about new resources, tips and techniques and meet people with similar interests. Facebook groups are a great place to start, but you can also find communities (subreddits) on Reddit to inspire and encourage you. Taking advice and instruction from others who have been involved in photography longer than you, is a great way to improve your own skills.
Study Various Types of Photography
Learning about photography is more than grabbing a camera and taking some photos. It’s about understanding light and composition, but also it’s about telling a story. Take out photography books from the library, study National Geographic and their photo guides so you can learn how a photographer thinks about the world.
Visual storytelling is an important component of good photography, and once you master that and put your own spin on it, you’re well on your way to success as a photographer.
Take Part in a Photography Challenge
As a photographer online, there are plenty of places to showcase your work. Creators on social Media sites like Instagram often post monthly photo of the month challenges. These challenges feature daily themes and a hashtag. This allows you to connect with other creators and photographers participating in the challenge. Photo challenges are a great way to break out of your comfort zone. They’re also a great way to meet new people and build your online photography community.
Hopefully these online resources for learning photography inspire you. The key to mastering photography is practice and consistency. If you dedicate time and attention to practicing and refining your work, you’ll see progress in no time at all.
