Photography, Secrets of Better

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

Lesson 1
In this first lesson, you'll learn how to develop your photographer's eye and incorporate composition guidelines as you take great pictures. This information will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the class.

Lesson 2
In this lesson, we'll take a look at the options available in camera equipment. Whether you have a point-and-shoot camera or the latest digital SLR, you'll gain a better understanding of the equipment and tools photographers use.

Lesson 3
Even if you're a digital photographer, a basic understanding of how film works and the process digital technology has copied is an important aspect of getting better pictures. In this lesson you'll learn about film types, ISO speeds (for both film and digital cameras) and ways to protect and use film wisely.

Lesson 4
Light is the essence of photography. In this lesson, we'll explore how to control and use light to your advantage. You'll compare the advantages of natural light, available light and artificial light and see when you'll want to use each to capture the special effects you're after.

Lesson 5
If exposure is still a mystery to you, you'll have a chance to see it in a whole new light. You'll explore spot metering and silhouettes, capturing motion, and depth of field along with ways to use your camera to achieve the desired results.

Lesson 6
As you move into the second half of the course, you'll use the technical information from the first half in a variety of specialty areas. In this lesson, you'll learn the tricks of portrait photography. Whether you're working professionally or just as the family photographer, these techniques will help you take better portraits.

Lesson 7
Photographing children, pets and groups is a challenge for even the most seasoned professional photographer. In this lesson, you'll learn some techniques and strategies to get the best from all of your efforts.

Lesson 8
In this lesson, we'll explore the exciting world of travel and outdoor photography. You'll get the opportunity to fine-tune your landscape strategies and use the manual settings on your camera. We'll also discuss photographing wild and captive animals.

Lesson 9
Photojournalism is a fascinating field for photographers. This fast-paced world presents challenges of its own. In this lesson, you'll see how the pros handle this type of work. We'll also discuss how to get started in the field.

Lesson 10
Still photography and macro work use different techniques than many of the other subjects you'll learned up to this point in the class. The equipment and subjects you choose play a big part in your success. We'll discuss the process and also look at some forms of specialty work.

Lesson 11
Whether you take your photos with digital or traditional equipment, digital editing is a real bonus for photographers. In this lesson, you'll learn about the basic and artistic editing techniques available to all photographers, as well as some of the technical issues of digital photography.

Lesson 12
Our last lesson looks at ways to display the perfect print. We'll explore printing preparation, framing options, and creative ways to display your images.