A review of an online digital photography class called Basics of Digital Photography, a Bluprint class that can be taken at your own pace from your own home.
Well, after I took the photography class that made that happen, I was so pumped about learning photography that I signed up for another Bluprint class on digital photography.
This one is called Basics of Digital Photography.
Okay, so the lowdown on this online digital photography class
The teacher, Rick Allred, is an instructor with the Santa Fe Photographic Workshop and is both casual and engaging.
He walks us through the parts and settings of a digital camera and then specific photographic techniques. You get the sense he’s there with you, taking you step-by-step through concepts and techniques in oh-so-picturesque Santa Fe—one of the places I would love to live.
He is very methodical (in a good way) in walking you through the various photography lessons.
He basically teaches that there’s not one right or wrong way to take photographs, but demonstrates the differences you can create with different settings.
The lesson on action shots where he had a subject jump up in the air, twirl, and run across the scene was particularly fun. He showed the different settings you could use if you wanted her blurry for effect or if you wanted to capture her completely crisp in mid air.
I could read about this stuff forever and not really understand how to do it.
The way he demonstrates and talks about photography makes it so much more accessible than a book.
That said, I still have a lot to learn. I’d like to say I’ve completely mastered digital photography, but the fact is that it doesn’t come naturally yet. I’m still juggling the info in the my head and still taking photos that could use improvement.
But I’m glad to be learning!! And I’m not afraid to fiddle with the camera settings anymore to better capture the shot!
Here are some of the photos I took over Thanksgiving of my daughters and their adorable cousins, Sophia and Zoe.
In case you’re wondering, here are the lessons that are included in this online class:
The Lessons in Basics of Digital Photography
- Get to Know Your Camera
- Light & Exposure
- Shutter Speed
- Aperture
- ISO
- Shooting Modes
- Lenses
- Composition & Creativity
- Putting it all Together
Whether you have a DSLR camera that you’d like to learn how to use better, or you are planning to get one soon (as a gift perhaps), I recommend this class.
It’s been very helpful to me.
Basics of Digital Photography
Like all of the Craftsy classes, you can buy it now and then you have lifetime access to it. So you can take the class anytime, as slowly or as quickly as you like, at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. And you can re-watch/retake sections of the class if you like anytime.
You can even give this class as a gift. Pretty cool. Just click the green button on the right hand side of the photography class page that says, “Buy as a Gift.”
How about you? Would you consider taking an online digital photography class?
Here are my reviews of a couple others that I LOVED, by the way:
- How I Finally Learned How to Use My DSLR Camera
- Improving My Everyday Photography with a Travel Photography Class
And more that I’d like to take
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12 Comments
Ashlea Walter
December 3, 2014 at 10:11 amSo great! I’ve been wanting to focus more (no pun intended) on crafting better pictures and this class would be a great fit. Thanks for the deal!
Jean Van't Hul
December 3, 2014 at 11:22 amYou’re welcome, Ashlea! I hope you get a lot out of the class!
Aileen
December 3, 2014 at 10:45 amHi Jean, would you say the course is for a true beginner…one who has never taken it off of auto and isn’t sure what ISO, aperature, or several other words in the table of contents mean? I am new to our DSLR camera and love the improvement from our old camera (and phones), but it would be great to learn more. Thanks for the great post!
Jean Van't Hul
December 3, 2014 at 11:22 amYes, absolutely, Aileen! This class would definitely be a good one for a true beginner. That said, it would also be good for someone who has used a digital camera for a while but doesn’t “really” know how to use it (that would be me).
Aileen
December 4, 2014 at 8:21 amThanks, Jean! I think I will treat myself for Christmas :)
Jean Van't Hul
December 5, 2014 at 6:46 pmYay! Have fun with it, Aileen!
Katie Harding
December 4, 2014 at 8:17 amLoving your first pics, they are great, your girls are adorable and that outdoor pic is awesome, the snow looks so crisp and white!
Jean Van't Hul
December 5, 2014 at 6:46 pmThanks, Katie!
Jennifer Tammy
December 4, 2014 at 9:58 pmHi Jean! There’s no code for it? Just use your link?
I am considering investing in a DSLR within the next year, but I want to get better at using my good-quality point and shoot (which has all of the functions mentioned above) — do you think that this is an exclusively DSLR class?
Jean Van't Hul
December 5, 2014 at 6:45 pmNo code, Jennifer. Just use the link. :) I bet you’d get a fair amount out of the class and then can re-watch sections of it as you like after you get a DSLR. Once you have the class, you have lifetime access to it.
Shane
May 10, 2018 at 9:39 amI’m a bit skeptical of the whole idea of an online photography class simply because it kind of seems like something you need to be taught in person… I mean, there’s only so much that reading articles and watching videos can do. But your photos in this post look great, so it must have worked to some extent at least :)
Richard Gaspari
September 12, 2018 at 4:53 pmI just want to say the photo you took of the girl coloring at the table is very nice! If I were more knowledgeable I could probably tell you exactly why it’s good, but with my untrained eye all I can say is “there’s just something about it”. The way you focused it and the colorful cup of markers in background… it’s just nice.