From Beginner to Pro: 10 Photography Sites and Classes You’ll Love
1. Tuts+ – Free Photography Learning Platform
Who’s It For? Beginners to intermediate photographers
Cost: Free
Tuts+ offers a wealth of free resources for photographers of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, you’ll find free tutorials, video courses, and links to tools that help enhance your editing process with LUTs and actions.
Highlighted Courses
Adobe Creative Cloud vs. Affinity: A Comprehensive Guide – A comparison for photographers choosing between Adobe software and Affinity, a more affordable alternative.
20 Top Colour Grading Presets and LUTs for Premiere Pro (2024) – If you’re interested in using presets and LUTs for your photos, this article presents 20 options for experimentation.
The A-Z of Adobe Lightroom Classic for Photography – A step-by-step guide for beginners to get comfortable using Lightroom for photo editing.
2. BBC Maestro – Subscription-Based Online Photography Courses
Who’s It For? Intermediate to expert photographers
Cost: £10/month or £79 per course
BBC Maestro offers world-class online courses taught by experts, including renowned photographer Rankin. This platform is ideal for those serious about improving their photography skills. The course covers manual camera use, lighting, lenses, and includes creative challenges. For £79 per course, you can access high-quality training, but it might be worth considering a subscription for additional lessons.
3. Digital Photography School
Who’s It For? Beginners to intermediate photographers
Cost: Free tutorials, with paid courses and eBooks available
Digital Photography School offers a broad selection of content, from free tutorials to paid courses and eBooks. Their site is organized for easy navigation and includes a “start here” section for newcomers to photography. It’s an excellent place to learn at your own pace.
4. PopPhoto
Who’s It For? Enthusiast to expert photographers
Cost: Free
PopPhoto, established in 1937 as Popular Photography, has evolved into a platform featuring tutorials, tech reviews, and equipment tests. It’s also home to specific content on smartphone photography, which is great for those looking to learn photography with their mobile devices.
5. SLR Lounge
Who’s It For? Experts and aspiring professionals
Cost: $348/year or a one-time payment of $999 for lifetime access
SLR Lounge provides an in-depth learning experience for photographers who want to turn their passion into a profession. With over 30 workshops and 1,500+ lessons, SLR Lounge offers comprehensive business and photography skills training. It’s pricey but valuable for those serious about their craft.
6. Udemy
Who’s It For? Beginners to intermediate photographers
Cost: Free options and paid courses starting at £12.99
Udemy is a general online learning platform with a variety of photography courses. You can access free courses and pay for more specialized content. It’s a good place for those looking to explore photography at a flexible pace.
Free Courses on Udemy
Introductory Photography Course – A free course covering essential photography skills, including composition, exposure, and ISO.
7 Ingredients for Awesome Photography – A 55-minute free course focusing on exposure, composition, and white balance for beginners.
7. YouTube
Who’s It For? Everyone!
Cost: Free (with ads)
YouTube is a treasure trove of free photography tutorials and tips. From beginner to advanced techniques, you’ll find plenty of instructional videos. Don’t forget to check out Tuts+’s channel for free video courses on photography and video creation.
8. Strobist
Who’s It For? Photography enthusiasts with an interest in lighting
Cost: Free
Strobist focuses exclusively on lighting techniques, making it an essential resource for photographers looking to master lighting setups. Starting with “Lighting 101” for beginners, the site offers great tips on using flash and portable lighting. While the interface may be a bit outdated, the content is solid and practical.
9. Picture Correct
Who’s It For? All experience levels
Cost: Free
Picture Correct offers no-nonsense photography tips and tutorials, updated regularly. It has a vintage charm and is a great resource for photographers of all skill levels looking for strong advice and guidance.
10. The School of Photography
Who’s It For? Intermediate photographers
Cost: Some free resources, £13.99/month for full access
The School of Photography offers both online and in-person courses, with video tutorials, worksheets, and assignments. Free resources are available to get started, but for complete access to their extensive content, you’ll need a subscription.
