Photography   

An informative introduction to the fascinating world of digital photography.

Discover Digital Photography is designed for the novice photographer with no previous experience with digital cameras.

This course will teach you all about digital cameras, from DSLRs to smart phone cameras and what different equipment is used for. You will learn about different display methods for your camera, including sizing, print options, online storage, and how social media factors into digital photography. Also, if you have old slides, negatives, or prints, this course will teach you how to scan those "old school" photo assets.

By the course completion, you will understand how composing photos has changed with the evolving capabilities of digital photography.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
• A few Windows-specific examples are included. Mac students are welcome, but may not be able to duplicate all examples.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

What Is Digital Photography?

In your first lesson, you'll have a chance to become familiar with the online classroom and discover the many resources available to you, including the beginning of our Digital Dictionary. You will also learn how digital photography works and what's needed to get started with a digital workshop at home.

Let's Talk About Cameras

In today's lesson, you'll have an opportunity to understand the key features of a digital camera. This will be helpful as you learn about what to look for both inside and outside the camera and as you explore the different levels of equipment available.

Shopping for Digital Equipment

When it's time to buy the camera that's right for you, you'll want to know how to make your best choice. This lesson covers more of the attributes and features of digital photography, so you're ready to go shopping!

Storing Digital Images

Digital storage is a big issue. In this lesson, you will learn the ways to address this aspect of digital photography. When it comes to digital images, you'll need storage space—not only on your camera, but also on your computer and somewhere offline for backup. This lesson also recommends how to get the most out of your storage space and the best backup option.

Phone and Tablet Photography

Digital photography isn't limited to traditional cameras! You probably have your phone or tablet with you most of the time, and this lesson explores the option of using that camera to take pictures, display your images, or even do quick editing. If you've been a bit confused by all the new terminology connected with smartphones and tablets, here you'll find easy explanations and clear examples of how to make the most of this technology.

The Digital Darkroom

The ability to edit your digital images is one of the most compelling features of digital photography. Today's lesson looked at several of the software programs available to you and some of the many features you'll find in digital editing programs.

Digital Photography Online

Using digital images online and on your computer are big parts of digital photography. In this lesson, you'll discover ways you can easily use digital images with email and on websites. You will also learn how to size images for use on the Internet. You'll love learning how simple it is to use your images as backgrounds and computer wallpaper. With digital photography, you can customize almost anything!

Digital Printing

Printing digital images can take many forms. This lesson explores the options for printing at home and the extensive network of retail printers available for digital work. You'll also learn how to prepare your images for the best quality prints, regardless of where you print them. If archival quality is important to you, or if you're scrapbooking, there are some things you'll want to know!

A Changing Society

This lesson explores how new and how digital imaging is changing communication, business practices, and the way photographers protect their images.

Scanning and Restoring Photos

Scanning printed images is an important option for digital photography. Today's lesson focuses on restoring old and damaged photos, as well as using scanners to convert slides, negatives, and prints into digital images. You'll even learn how to capture an image of a 3-D object with a scanner! A scanner is a terrific tool for digital photographers and does an excellent job of connecting traditional photography with the digital era. This is an especially important lesson for scrap bookers working on family histories with damaged images or printed documents.

Traveling With Digital Equipment

Travel photography is always a favorite subject for photographers, whether you're shooting in your own backyard or around the world. Digital photography presents some different challenges and opportunities. This lesson focuses on how professionals in the field handle the challenges, as well as techniques and opportunities you can use when you travel, including file organization with Adobe's Lightroom.

Composing Digitally

Your final lesson will teach you how to compose your pictures with digital options in mind. There's a lot more to be a digital photographer than just owning a digital camera. Today you will see some great examples of difficult situations that you can remedy with digital solutions. The more you learn about your options, the more you'll want to experiment!

Take your photography to the next level by learning how to master lenses, apertures, shutter speed, exposure settings, and more on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera.

Take control of your digital SLR camera. In this course, you will break through the technology barrier and learn how to use your DSLR to take beautiful photos.

You will start out by learning about the many features and controls of your DSLR and look at the lenses you need for the kind of photography you enjoy. Next, you will learn about metering, exposure compensation, managing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. You will find out how to use these features to get the right exposure for every shot. Then turn your attention to flash photography, managing camera controls, photo files, and even working in manual mode. With these skills, you will be able to take your photography to the next level.

By the end of this course, you will truly be a DSLR master, and most of all, you will be able to use your camera to take the photos you've always dreamed of.

By the end of this course, you'll truly be a DSLR master, and most of all, you'll be able to use your camera to take the photos you've always dreamed of.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
• Any digital SLR or mirrorless camera. Point and shoot digital cameras are not compatible with the course content.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Getting to Know Your Digital SLR Camera

In this lesson, you will explore the basics of your DSLR camera such as buttons, and controls, and the exposure mode options for different shooting situations. This lesson also covers some general maintenance and housekeeping issues with memory cards, batteries, and cleaning—and by the end of this lesson, you will feel empowered to get started with your DSLR camera.

Zooming In on Lenses

This lesson is all about DLSR lenses. One of the most important features of the DSLR is the ability to change lenses based on shooting conditions. You will find out how lenses work, some of the most common DSLR lenses, and what shooting conditions those lenses can help you.

Seeing Clearly: Exposure, Focus, and Metering

Do you know how your camera sees a photo? In this lesson, you will learn about the three components of exposure—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. You will also learn about metering modes and how your camera uses these to determine the correct exposure for a photo.

Going Deep: Using Aperture

Briefly lessons introduced the aperture, but this lesson goes deep into aperture. You will learn how this aspect of exposure controls how much light enters the camera, and you will discover how to control this light to affect the quality of your photos as well as certain focusing effects.

Speeding Up and Slowing Down With Shutter Speed

This lesson is all about shutter speed—a second aspect of exposure. Shutter speed controls the amount of time that light enters the camera when you take a photo. You probably equate shutter speed with fast-action shots, such as sports photos. A fast shutter speed can stop action, but a slow shutter speed also offers a world of shooting opportunities.

Getting Bright With ISO

This lesson explores how ISO settings affect camera exposure. ISO manages the camera's sensitivity to light—the higher the ISO setting, the more sensitive. While ISO appears to be an easy fix for potentially dark photos, it can be a tricky setting to use. You will learn all about ISO solutions, potential ISO problems, and how to manage ISO on your DSLR.

Making the Most of Flash Photography

In this lesson, you will explore your DSLR's flash options. You will learn about using and controlling the on-board flash, and you will also learn how to use an external flash with your DSLR's hot shoe.

Managing Photo Files, Editing, and Movies

This lesson is all about editing photos and shooting movies on your DSLR. Your camera organizes photo information and stores the photos you take on memory cards. This way, you end up with a digital photo you can use on a computer or print.

Working With Manual Mode

Manual mode is an exposure mode on your DSLR that lets you make all of the decisions. In this lesson, you will learn how to master manual mode and use it in a variety of shooting situations. To be a great DSLR photographer, manual mode is a must.

Getting Better Exposure

Your DSLR is a sophisticated tool that can help you take great photos. But the DSLR can only capture what you choose for it to capture. For all of the bells and whistles, your DSLR needs a human—a photographer—to capture great photos. In this lesson, you will explore how to get better exposure through composition, and managing available light.

Shooting HDR Photos

In the previous lesson, you learned about a helpful feature called exposure bracketing. With exposure bracketing, you can take several identical photos using different exposures. This way, you can choose which photo looks best. Exposure bracketing also offers another option—shooting high dynamic range (HDR) photos.

Mastering Difficult Shooting Situations

In this final lesson, you will explore the three kinds of photos that give DSLR photographers the most trouble: fast-action shots, macro shots, and low-light photography. The good news is your DSLR can help you master these shooting situations if you know how to use the camera's tools and features, and in this lesson, you will see how to put these features to work.

Learn how to use your digital camera to take stunning nature photos, including landscapes, flowers, animals, and even macro shots.

Nature photography can be a fun, relaxing, and exciting hobby! In this course, you'll learn about the many aspects of outdoor photography as well as how to master your digital camera's controls and features. With the knowledge you gain in this course, you'll be taking exceptional nature photos in no time.

You'll explore composition and lighting issues and find out how to take beautiful photos of landscapes, flowers, trees, and water. Along the way, you'll delve into your camera's shutter speed and aperture controls so that you'll be able to capture the photos you really want. You will discover how to use your computer to process your photos and digitally correct the most common problems. You'll see how your photos can become works of art rather than just snapshots of nature. By the end of this course, you'll have become the nature photographer you always wanted to be!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. The Joy of Nature Photography
2. Light and Composition
3. Landscape Photography
4. Photographing Flowers and Trees
5. Photographing Water
6. Telephoto Photography
7. Large Animal Photography
8. Small Animal Photography
9. Photographing Birds
10. Macro Photography
11. Post-Processing
12. Abstract Nature Photography

Learn to take beautiful pictures of adults, children, and babies.

Photographing people can be fun, exciting, and complicated! This course will make taking beautiful pictures of adults, children, and babies simple. You will start with the basic principles you need to know in order to become a people photographer. You will discover the best way to shoot faces, fix common close-up problems, and use digital photo editing techniques to retouch your photos and make other improvements.

Then you will move onto portrait and formal group shots, where you will learn how to organize people, which angles to use, and which to avoid. You will become proficient in action photography, and you will learn some fun, creative ways to photograph children and babies. You will even gain expertise in filling your photographs with imagery, setting moods, and creating themes. This course will have you well on your way to becoming a skilled people photographer.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
• You will need a digital camera.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• A digital editing program of your choice, such as the latest version of Photoshop Elements (not included in enrollment).
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Digital Camera Basics
2. All About Exposure
3. Indoor and Outdoor Lighting Techniques
4. Composing Photographs
5. Taking Portraits of Individuals and Groups
6. Photographing Hands, Faces, and People with Their Pets
7. Photographing Children
8. Action Photography
9. Macro and Abstract Photography
10. Shooting Formals and Weddings
11. Post-Processing Photos of People
12. The Business of Photography

Learn how to use Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud (also called Photoshop CC) to edit and enhance your photographic images.

Adobe Photoshop CC (also known as Photoshop Creative Cloud) is a powerful subscription software solution providing support and specialized editing tools for digital photographers and graphic artists. In this course you will master techniques to edit and enhance your digital images and add a professional polish to your work. The course offers simple, step-by-step instructions for basics like cropping, rotation, and sizing images. You will experiment with Photoshop's tools for correcting exposure, adjusting color and colorcasts, and work with Adobe's powerful layer and selection tools. You will learn how to add text, retouch, and even clone away unwanted elements from your images. You will discover how to work with raw images and prepare images for print or online use.

In this course, you will be guided through detailed explanations and instructions for using the tools that make this software so popular and unique in the world of digital editing. Whether you are a novice or accomplished photo editor, this course will give you a collection of useful techniques that will quickly show you amazing results in your images.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
• This course is written with Windows software. Mac users will need to be comfortable with the normal Windows/Mac conversion for keyboard differences, which will be provided in class. All coursework and examples are based on Windows using Photoshop CC software (not included in enrollment).

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later (64-bit), Windows 10 October 2018 update (64-bit) version 1809 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.13 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• You will need Adobe's Photoshop CC or later updates, such as Photoshop CC (2014), installed and functioning to take full advantage of the course (not included in enrollment).
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Tour of Photoshop CC
2. Corrections and Cropping
3. Get Ready to Print
4. Right Size for the Job
5. Colors and Layers
6. Adjusting Color
7. Adjusting Light and Color
8. Raw Editing
9. Text and Selections
10. Intermediate Selections
11. Advanced Selections
12. Correcting Images

Learn how to take better pictures by understanding your camera and how to use it in a variety of situations.

Secrets of Better Photography will teach you how to take outstanding photos. Whether you use a DSLR, a point-and-shoot camera, or your phone for your photography, you will learn how to get the best results from your camera.

This hands-on course will teach you how to choose the right photographic equipment to compose images with style. You can take your camera out of auto mode after learning about lighting, motion, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings. You will also explore common photography topics, including portraiture, children's photography, pet photography, and digital editing.

Each lesson includes exercises and assignments, so you can apply what you learned to your own camera. By the time you finish, you will see a difference in both your photographer's eye and your photos

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
• A digital or film camera.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

The Subject of Photography

In this first lesson, you will learn how to see the subject of each photograph—before you press the shutter button. This information will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the class.

Camera Equipment

As you learn more about the technical side of photography, take a look at the options available in camera equipment. Whether you have a point-and-shoot camera or the latest digital SLR, you will gain a better understanding of the equipment and tools photographers use.

Your Photographic Eye

Returning to artistic elements in this lesson, you will learn how to develop your photographer's eye and incorporate compositional guidelines as you take better pictures. This information will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the class.

Lighting

Light is the essence of photography. This lesson explores how to control and use light to your advantage. You will compare the advantages of natural light, available light, and artificial light and see when you will want to use each to capture the special effects you're after. You will also learn how to use the ISO and white balance settings on your camera to make the most of the light you have.

Sharp Shooting

This lesson delves into the options for using your camera and other tools to get sharp, crisp images. Photography often requires compromise to accommodate conflicting priorities, and after this lesson, you will be able to decide what's most important to you. You will also see how to test your lenses and cameras and evaluate your equipment.

Aperture and Depth of Field

Using manual exposure settings opens up a whole new world of professional and creative options. In this lesson, you will begin an exploration of how to get the most out of your camera's features, starting with Aperture Priority and the control it gives you over depth of field.

Shutter Speed and Motion

You will see how to capture motion in this lesson. Whether you want to freeze the action of fireworks or merge a waterfall into a velvety illusion, shutter speed is the key. Setting your shutter speed gives you the control you need to get the images you want, and it's easier than you might think. You will have lots to practice with as you finish this lesson.

Portraiture

In this lesson, you will 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. You will see how to pose people so they look their best, when to use digital editing, and how various lighting techniques will help you create pleasing portraits.

Children and Pet Photography

Photographing children, pets, and groups is a challenge for even the most seasoned professional photographer. In this lesson, you will learn some techniques and strategies to bring out the best in your pictures.

Photographic Challenges

Now that you know how your camera works and what you want to do, it's time to take a look at how to handle challenging situations. When the light is low, or the subject just seems out of reach, you want to know how to get the shot. This lesson focuses on how to use your tools and knowledge to beat the challenges and come away with the pictures you're after.

Photojournalism

Photojournalism is a fascinating field for photographers. This fast-paced world presents challenges of its own. In this lesson, you will see how the pros handle this type of work and learn how to get started in the field.

Digital Options

Digital editing is a real bonus for photographers. In your final lesson, you will learn about the basic and artistic editing techniques available to all photographers, as well as some of the technical issues of digital photography.