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    Photography Courses Online

    Learn photography for capturing stunning images. Understand camera settings, composition, lighting, and post-processing.

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    Explore the Photography Course Catalog

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Michigan State University

      Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR

      Skills you'll gain: Design Elements And Principles, Photography, Photo Editing, Peer Review, Image Quality, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Digital Design, File Management, Adobe Creative Cloud, Creativity, Storytelling, Digital Publishing, Social Media, Content Creation, Copywriting, Information Privacy, Writing, Web Design and Development

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6.6K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Michigan State University

      Cameras, Exposure, and Photography

      Skills you'll gain: Photography, Peer Review, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Image Quality, Creativity, Design Elements And Principles

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.3K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      S

      Skillshare

      Adobe Lightroom Essentials

      Skills you'll gain: Photo Editing, Video Editing, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Photography, Color Theory, Image Quality, Color Matching, Adobe Creative Cloud, File Management, Editing, Data Import/Export, Cloud Storage

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      S

      Skillshare

      Street Photography: Foundations & Creative Mindsets

      Skills you'll gain: Photography, Photo Editing, Creativity, Creative Thinking, Storytelling, Aesthetics, Self-Awareness, Curiosity, Patience, Persistence, Adaptability

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      S

      Skillshare

      Street Photography

      Skills you'll gain: Photography, Photo Editing, Post-Production, Creativity, Lifelong Learning, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Creative Thinking, Image Quality, Storytelling, Aesthetics, Self-Awareness, Personal Development, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Curiosity, Resilience, Decision Making, Patience, Adaptability, Interpersonal Communications, Persistence

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Michigan State University

      Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing

      Skills you'll gain: Photography, Photo Editing, Image Quality, Peer Review, Digital Publishing, Creativity, Information Privacy, Web Design and Development

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.1K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    What brings you to Coursera today?

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      S

      Skillshare

      Portrait Photography

      Skills you'll gain: Photo Editing, Photography, Post-Production, Storytelling, Adobe Photoshop, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Content Creation, Creative Design, Image Quality, Adobe Creative Cloud, Editing, Creativity, Color Theory

      Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      S

      Skillshare

      Landscape Photography

      Skills you'll gain: Photography, Photo Editing, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Storytelling, Geospatial Information and Technology, Geospatial Mapping, Geographic Information Systems, Global Positioning Systems, Creativity, Image Quality, Planning, Research, Creative Thinking, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design Elements And Principles, Aesthetics, Critical Thinking, Data Import/Export

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      T

      The Museum of Modern Art

      Modern and Contemporary Art and Design

      Skills you'll gain: Art History, Performing Arts, Photography, Liberal Arts, Aesthetics, Creativity, Electronic Media, Culture, Cultural Diversity, Media and Communications, Public History, Social Justice, Design, Content Creation, Storytelling, Design Elements And Principles, Multimedia, Sustainable Development, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Sustainability Standards

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      15K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      The Art of Visual Storytelling

      Skills you'll gain: Adobe Premiere, Video Production, Videography, Post-Production, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Video Editing, Storyboarding, Storytelling, Adobe Creative Cloud, Media Production, Image Quality, Proposal Development, Editing, Writing, Graphic and Visual Design, Scripting, Multimedia, Creativity, Timelines, File Management

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      132 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      S

      Skillshare

      Street Photography: Post-Production & Lifelong Practice

      Skills you'll gain: Photography, Photo Editing, Post-Production, Creativity, Lifelong Learning, Creative Thinking, Image Quality, Storytelling

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Michigan State University

      Principles of Photo Composition and Digital Image Post-Production

      Skills you'll gain: Design Elements And Principles, Photography, Photo Editing, Image Quality, Digital Design, File Management, Adobe Creative Cloud, Storytelling

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.3K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular photography courses

    • Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR: Michigan State University
    • Cameras, Exposure, and Photography: Michigan State University
    • Adobe Lightroom Essentials: Skillshare
    • Street Photography: Foundations & Creative Mindsets : Skillshare
    • Street Photography: Skillshare
    • Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing: Michigan State University
    • Portrait Photography: Skillshare
    • Landscape Photography: Skillshare
    • Modern and Contemporary Art and Design: The Museum of Modern Art
    • The Art of Visual Storytelling: University of Colorado Boulder

    Frequently Asked Questions about Photography

    Browse the photography courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

    • Cameras, Exposure, and Photography: Michigan State University
    • Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing: Michigan State University
    • Street Photography: Foundations & Creative Mindsets: Skillshare
    • Principles of Photo Composition and Digital Image Post-Production: Michigan State University
    • Street Photography: Post-Production & Lifelong Practice: Skillshare
    • Seeing Through Photographs: The Museum of Modern Art‎

    Start by thinking about your purpose—are you capturing portraits, learning manual camera settings, building a portfolio, or editing with tools like Lightroom or Photoshop?

    • For a broad, structured foundation, try the Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization from Michigan State University.
    • Interested in post-processing and visual storytelling? Explore Cameras, Exposure, and Photography.
    • Want to focus on photography techniques? Consider Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing.‎

    These beginner-friendly courses are ideal if you're new to photography or want to switch from auto mode to manual:

    • Camera and Imaging – Explains the creation of an image.
    • Seeing Through Photographs by MoMA – Offers a conceptual and artistic introduction to photography’s role in visual culture.
    • Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing – Focuses on creative composition and lighting.‎
    • A course teaches a focused concept—like camera settings, lighting, or editing, such as Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing.
    • A Specialization offers multiple courses for progressive skill-building—such as Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization, which covers technical, artistic, and editing skills.
    • A Professional Certificate less common specifically for photography, but broader creative programs (e.g., Adobe Graphic Designer Certificate) may include visual storytelling and composition skills that apply to photography careers.‎

    Yes. You can start learning photography on Coursera for free in two ways:

    • Preview the first module of many photography courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
    • Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

    If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in photography, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid. ‎

    Your motivation, whether to become a professional photographer, enhance your hobby, or improve your social media content, will guide your learning. Regular practice, including taking and editing photos, is necessary. Join photography communities like Flickr or Reddit’s r/photography for inspiration and feedback. Work on real projects such as photo challenges or creating a portfolio.‎

    Photography courses cover a variety of topics essential for mastering the art and technique of photography. These include the basics of camera settings, composition, and lighting. Learners will explore topics such as portrait photography, landscape photography, and post-processing techniques using software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Advanced courses might cover areas like studio photography, commercial photography, and advanced editing techniques. Practical exercises and assignments help learners apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to capture and edit stunning photographs.‎

    A certificate in photography can open up various career opportunities in the creative and media industries. Common roles include professional photographer, photojournalist, commercial photographer, and photography instructor. These positions involve capturing and editing photographs for various purposes, including events, portraits, commercial projects, and media publications. With the growing demand for high-quality visual content, earning a certificate in photography can significantly enhance your career prospects and opportunities for advancement in fields such as advertising, journalism, fashion, and education.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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