Discover the Best Photography Classes Near Me
Photography is a growing industry; if you have considered breaking into the industry, now is the time to learn. In a digital age where most people carry smartphones with cameras, it is easy to see how anyone can develop a new interest in this existing field. Still, many professional photographers recognize that there is a lot to learn in this growing industry. The art of photography includes proper lighting and distance from your subject, the effect of aperture, flash, and good use of color. It is truly an art form that, while it could seem intimidating, most can learn.
Why You Should Learn Photography
With an increase in traffic to social media sites that rely heavily on digital content, many people could be curious about exploring photography. However, learning this new skill has benefits outside the social media world. Photography can be a great way to enter a new career field or expand on an existing one. Whether you are photographing events or taking photos to market existing content, this skill can make you more employable. In a professional context, learning photography can help you gain access to a new community. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, California and New York combined have approximately 8,610 photographers. This skill can help you meet others with similar interests and potentially make new friends.
If you don’t want to consider it an employable skill, it could be a life skill. Learning photography can come in handy to perfectly capture all those special moments in your life. Develop the skills to catch that perfect sunset on your once-in-a-lifetime vacation, document special moments with your favorite person, or expertly photograph those milestone moments you never want to forget. While capturing these images could be for personal viewing, it can still help you tell your story with beautiful, almost professional photos.
5 Ways to Learn Photography
Once you decide that learning photography is best for you, you have a few options on how to learn. You can choose between formal or informal classes, but traditional classes are a great way to ensure you are learning from experts, and there are some accessible options too. Most reputable classes will have highly skilled instructors specializing in various types of photography who can expertly teach the skills necessary to succeed. In-person courses offer students the opportunity to use the school’s equipment, in most cases, which can save you from needing to buy your own if you enroll in an online course. Online courses in photography are another great way to learn. Again, these courses can be formal or informal. You can join a forum, share tips and information with other photographers, or watch YouTube courses for a more flexible and nontraditional option. For more formal training, select courses that work best for you.
You can even use a self-paced online option to learn at your own pace. Most self-paced courses have no hard deadlines and allow you to take as long as you need to engage in and absorb the material truly. This self-paced option might be ideal if you are passively learning photography or don’t have the time to dedicate fully.
Finally, consider a photography apprenticeship. While the job might sound more like a photographer’s assistant, an apprenticeship offers someone interested in perfecting their skills or learning more about the photography world, similar to an internship opportunity. By closely working with or under a current professional photographer as an apprentice, you can learn the ins and outs of a particular aspect of photography. At the end of the apprenticeship, the goal is to acquire new skills from the expert you shadowed and feel competent enough to move on to the next step in your career or hobby as a photographer. You can find apprenticeships to learn particular camera techniques, lighting techniques, how to begin your portfolio, and even how to run your own business. A training program’s timeline can range from a few months to at least a year and can be paid or unpaid experience. In your role, it is essential to remember that what you put into the position is what you will get out of it once the apprenticeship ends.
In-Person Photography Classes
If you live in New York or LA and would like to attend in-person classes, you have options for photography classes. In New York, you can access various photography courses depending on your interest. PhotoManhattan in Union Square offers a Phone Camera class. For $95, you can learn how to use your mobile phone’s camera. This class is just under 2 hours and comes with one free make up class if you must miss it after registering.
PhotoUno Photography School in Midtown East has a beginner photography course called Digital Photography I: Taking Control of Your Camera. The course is $390 and has a total of 6 sessions. Each session is 2 hours long, meaning you will have 12 hours of education under your belt once you complete the course. At sign-up, you will notice that you need your own camera for this in-person course, though students can bring a DSLR, a Mirrorless camera, or a Compact camera with Aperture (A/Av) Priority, Shutter (S/Tv) Priority, and Manual Mode. The school notes that by the end of the class, you will clearly understand features such as shutter speed, white balance, aperture, and basic use of the built-in flash. You also have make-up options in class if you miss a class. This fun and effective beginners level class is a great way to learn how to operate your camera. If you feel like you want to expand on the skill you learn from Digital Photography I, the Art of Intuitive Photography on the Upper West Side offers Digital Photography II: Master Manual Mode at Night. The course is $125, and you will have access to a 2 hours review of the basics of manual mode and you’ll get practice capturing New York City at night. In order to participate in Photography II you should be at an intermediate level. It would be an excellent follow-up to Digital I.
On the West Coast, numerous schools offer great in-person classes in LA and these classes are open for all levels and interests. For example, you can attend a one-day Portrait Studio Lighting course in East Hollywood. For $625, this 8-hour course at the Los Angeles Center for Photography will teach you an introduction to lighting portraits. During the Portrait Studio Lighting class, you will spend the day learning about composition and styling and the technical use of equipment. Students also get to analyze portraits by photographers for some inspiration. Students have dedicated time to work with models at the end of the day with the equipment provided by the school. Students are encouraged to have a working knowledge of their camera, a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR), or a Mirrorless camera with a hot shoe or sync connection.
Learning to take photos is an excellent skill to master as a hobby or a side hustle, but sometimes you need to learn proper photography techniques to enhance the marketing of your business. The FlowerSchool Los Angeles offers a Floral Photography & Content Marketing course for just this need. This workshop is considered introductory and teaches students how to improve their photography practice and better market a brand to their customer base. This full-day workshop is split with morning learning Marketing and Branding 101, the four C’s of marketing, and the value of a creative vision and strategic plan while showing how to connect on social media through captions, collaborations, and even hashtags. During the second half of the course, students focus on how to use an iPhone for social media effectively. You will even get to shoot your photos using backgrounds and props. The course ends with you posting your finished project on your social media account using all the tools you learned. At $250, this course is worth it if you want to enhance your market value.
Why not learn this skill in one of the famous places in California? In the Digital Photography Live In-the-Field@Santa Monica Pier, students will find themselves in the elements with the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier as their backdrop or even their muse. Hosted by the Digital Photo Academy in Santa Monica, this course is a chance to sharpen your skills at shooting photos during the day-light and dusk, which can be challenging. Students must bring their camera, fully-charged battery, and equipment they can carry. The session is three hours and led by an experienced instructor that will teach you how to shoot strategically and build upon existing skills while taking photos of this scenic location. This course is a unique experience allowing students to capture their memories with phenomenal images. Consider the digital photography course to hone your skills and as a unique way to mingle with friends or guests visiting from out of town too.
Virtual Photography Classes
More people are learning that you can access almost anything online, even virtual courses. Online courses are a great way to access classes from anywhere. In addition to taking a course from anywhere, you can work in your location instead of leaving your space. An online course is beneficial if you have a photography studio or access to one already. Finally, you’ll save time and energy because commuting is unnecessary. Class starts at 6 PM? No need to account for traffic, weather, or parking; log into your computer and be prepared to learn. While learning from the comfort of your home is a positive piece to consider, it could also be a negative if you do not have your equipment. Some in-person photography courses provide equipment meaning there is no need to worry about purchasing a new camera prior to class.
Additionally, it’s essential to know what type of learner you are when it comes to in-person versus virtual. Sometimes being immersed in the learning environment can be helpful with one’s focus and ability to retain information. If you find that online works best for you, you have some options for online photography classes. You might be interested in the Photoshop Advanced Retouching class if you have already taken a Photoshop Bootcamp course. In this class, you learn color management and tricks with blending modes, sharpening techniques, and how to smooth skin textures. While it is a remote course, an actual instructor is present to help guide you. This class is considered advanced, and it’s recommended that you have a foundational understanding of Photoshop. Composition in Landscape Photography is a great course that allows you to experience the Chicago Botanic Gardens from anywhere. A virtual experience, this 5-week class will teach the different elements of composition that will enhance your landscape photography. Each session is 2 hours long and conducted via Zoom.
Private Group Photography Classes
CourseHorse offers live online group classes for a memorable team-building experience for your business or organization. For example, they offer courses such as Virtual Cartooning & Doodling Workshop via Zoom, where you can spend 90 minutes learning the basics of drawing and creating your cartoon character. It is a beginners level and highly interactive course led by a professional instructor. The instructor will lead your team and teach them the basics, and by the end of the course, everyone will be able to draw their character. At $335 for up to 10 people, this event will help break the ice with your team and help everyone learn or enhance their drawing skills.
Are you looking for something more centered around photography or even something else but not seeing it on their website? CourseHorse offers private group photography classes, but they can still provide the course if a particular one isn’t available. Anyone can contact CourseHorse directly using their website’s contact form and customize their event. Contact them and provide the type of class you’re interested in, group size, dates, and any other relevant information for planning the event; CourseHorse will handle the rest. CourseHorse makes it easy to change your group size, and there are no booking fees. While Zoom is the preferred platform to host private group classes, your party planner can help arrange this accommodation if your team prefers another virtual platform.
What Will I Need to Learn Photography?
Learning photography is an excellent opportunity to invest in yourself, but learning the skill will require students to invest in some equipment. You’ll need a camera at the most basic level, but your phone could be sufficient depending on where you want to take this new skill. In addition to a camera, a tripod is also helpful. Depending on your shots, a tripod is handy for more stability or practical shooting. A memory card is also beneficial for photographers. Memory cards are great for saving your photos, and you can purchase various sizes depending on your need. Memory cards store digital images externally instead of on your camera’s internal memory. Finally, a camera bag is essential for keeping all your materials together and safe traveling. Finding a camera bag that will hold your camera, tripod, memory card, and other camera accessories shouldn’t be difficult because they are considered essentials to a photographer. If you take an in-person class and are not ready to purchase your materials, many courses will provide a camera and tripod.
Is it Difficult to Learn Photography?
It can be challenging to learn any new skill, and photography is no different. However, it is essential to consider there are different levels to learning photography and the importance of pacing yourself in the beginning. While the basic techniques, such as lighting and framing, can be learned fairly quickly, more philosophical aspects of taking photos, such as shutter speed, range, light, and composition, can be challenging for new photographers. Conversely, there is an artistic side that can be just as challenging to learn. As an upcoming or novel photographer, you can have an eye for storytelling or a great image you want to capture, which can keep you motivated to learn. With some tenacity and a little practice, you can achieve the level of expertise you desire in photography.
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