TAKE 5: ONLINE COURSES
The best virtual masterclasses for lighting, videography, Photoshop, and more
A rundown of some of the best virtual photography masterclasses
1 Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
PRICE: £14.17 / $15 per month (membership)
PRODUCER: Masterclass.com
GENRE: Portraiture
LEVEL: Advanced
COURSE CONTENTS: 15 lessons (3h 4m) • Peerless portrait tuition
• Unmatched pedigree
• Very high production values
• Not as technical as you might expect
The online learning sphere has become a crowded one, but this masterclass stands out by working with one of the biggest names in the field. The knowledge on offer is second to none, and the production values are sky high. Leibowitz uses examples from her storied career to convey her wisdom, using her extensive portfolio and taking you behind the scenes of a Vogue photoshoot. She is in the camp of “it’s not the gear, it’s the idea”, so rather than a tour de force of technicality, this course focuses on conceptualising, shooting with natural light, and bringing images to life in post-production.
2 Adobe Photoshop CC – Advanced Training Course
PRICE: £12.22 / $15 per month (membership)
PRODUCER: Skillshare.com
GENRE: Photo editing
LEVEL: Advanced
COURSE CONTENTS: 108 lessons (13h 43m) • Interactive exercises
• Clear, engaging tutor
• Not solely dedicated to photography
• For those with basic Photoshop knowledge
Teacher and digital designer Daniel Scott shows you everything you need to know to further your editing skills and discover a faster, better way to work. One of the most comprehensive courses out there, lessons are designed for those who already understand the fundamentals of Photoshop – if you feel less confident, start with Scott’s Beginner Training Course. Learning here is project-based, with real-world examples used as the basis for teaching. Topics include distorting, bending and reshaping images, advanced tone correction and retouching.
3 What The Flash? Controlling Your Light
PRICE: £8.14 / $9.99 per month (membership)
PRODUCER: KelbyOne.com
GENRE: Lighting
LEVEL: Intermediate
COURSE CONTENTS: 7 lessons
• Learn how to add supplemental light • Know how to work with existing light • “Dirty lighting” DIY tips
• Example shoots
Bob Davis has made a career out of shooting big events and lavish weddings. As such, he’s become a master of not just controlling light by adding flash, but also of working with and getting the most out of the existing light on location. This course is designed to give you a foundation in how to understand light. You’ll be introduced to lights, gels and modifiers, as well as DIY “dirty lighting” tools. To illustrate, Davis takes you on three example shoots in different conditions, including an engagement session and an abandoned building shoot. Once you’re finished, you’ll be ready to shoot, whatever the light.
4 Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography
PRICE: £14.17 / $15 per month (membership)
PRODUCER: Masterclass.com
GENRE: Photo Editing
LEVEL: Advanced
COURSE CONTENTS: 20 lessons (4h 10m) • Understand narrative and storytelling • Shoot with a mind to post-processing • Take a quantum leap with outdoor shots • Not for the fainthearted
Another production by Masterclass, another look at the highest level of photography in the world. This time the expert is Jimmy Chin, an award-winning photographer who can turn an already stunning landscape or outdoor photograph into a truly awe-inspiring image. Chin shares the secrets to his evocative, narrative photography, and teaches you how to tell stories with images. In addition to mastering on-location variables, he also shows you how to shoot with a mind for post-production – exposing your images with forethought to how you will treat them in the digital darkroom.
5 The Complete Video Production Bootcamp
PRICE: £199.99 / $245.41
PRODUCER: Udemy.com
GENRE: Videography
LEVEL: Aspiring pro
COURSE CONTENTS: 75 lessons (8h 56m), 14 downloadable resources, completion certificate • Hollywood-level tips and experience
+ tips for phones, DSLRs and cine cameras • Downloadable PDFs and resources
This course offers three expert teachers – and their videographic insights will instantly improve your skills, whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or create videos to compliment your photo business.
They share recommendations for equipment, but also show you how to get great results from the kit you already own – whether you’re using a phone, a DSLR/mirrorless or a professional cinema camera. Learn how to pre-produce and approach a shoot, record audio with different mics, DIY lighting tricks, and how to edit footage. There are downloadable PDFs, exercises and even monthly calls from the team.