Photography tutors and private tuition

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to learn photography

Why learn photography online? 

With social media, the photography profession has grown, and many people are looking to learn photography online. It’s not compulsory to have a diploma to become a photographer. Against this backdrop, learning photography with a private tutor is the easiest way to get good photos in a short time.

In addition, by learning photography online, you will have access to numerous tools that will make it easier for you to learn. You can watch videos, watch photography tutorials, check out question and answer forums and live streams with photographers from all over the world. To complement your online photography lessons, you can meet with groups of photographers to perfect your technique and put your knowledge into practice.

How online photography classes work 

The online photography classes will focus on the needs of each student. Generally, the tutor will teach from beginner to advanced depending on the level and topics of interest. Learn some basic steps to learn how to photograph:

• Personalised lessons according to your level. Your private photography tutor can ask you some questions and ask to see your photos to level up your knowledge.
• Theory of photography. As with learning anything, the theory of photography is very important when starting to photograph. The basics of ISO, aperture, composition and camera operation are part of the initial lessons in photography
• Studio lighting. Many photographers find it difficult to shoot with studio lighting, as it requires not only technical knowledge but also the structure to learn, such as focusing, tripods and backgrounds. In this case, it is most common for the class to take place in a rented or tutor-owned photo studio.
• Practical work. After the theory of photography, it is time for practical work. The photographic outings can be carried out individually by the student or together with the private tutor. There are also groups of photographers who get together to exchange knowledge and go out to take photos. Afterwards, you can show the results to your tutor so that they can assess your photographs.
• Image editing and processing. The image editing and processing part may require additional hours of research on the part of the student. There are many tutorials on the Internet for learning Photoshop and Lightroom. Your private photography tutor may be able to give you some hints or in-depth instructions on how to tinker with image editing softwares. 

How long does it take to learn photography?

The time it takes to learn photography will depend on the dedication of each student. In many cases, photography classes are held twice a week, and many students then require a few extra hours to deepen their studies and put into practice what they have learnt. People who start photography from scratch can usually enter the job market within 6 months.

Remember that it is very important to know the theory, because only with a camera in your hand can you learn to photograph. You can look for materials on the Internet as photography exercises and go out shooting in your city, try different apertures, composition, colours and types of photos. Some types of photography are more specific and take longer to learn, such as studio photography.

What you need to learn photography online

There are some things you will need when learning photography online, and some things that will help you get closer to your goals: 

Professional camera: Also known as a reflex camera or DSLR camera, the professional camera will be your main tool for photography lessons. At first, equipment can be expensive if you buy the latest model, so you can always opt for second hand cameras and lenses. The most commonly used brands of photographic equipment are Nikon, Canon, Sony and Fuji. 

Internet connection: A good internet connection will allow you to learn photography online from anywhere. Make sure you have good or at least stable wifi to take lessons with your private tutor and find out how to photograph online.

Electronic device: A tablet or a computer will suffice as an electronic device to take online photography lessons. It is also possible with a mobile phone, if you have one with a large screen for better communication with your tutor.

Additional tools: A few extra tools will give you a boost when learning photography online. Use photo editing applications such as Photoshop and Lightroom, video tutorials to answer specific questions or even to compare cameras. Another way to learn photography is to be inspired by the photos of great photographers, either in their printed books or on the Internet.

Which camera should I buy if I am a beginner?

A good camera to start photographing will depend on many factors. You need to consider the make, model of camera and lens, and it is advisable to know what kind of photography you want to do. We have separated 11 SLR camera models so that beginners can take high quality photos: 

• Camera Canon EOS 2000D, D7500, t8i, 90D, M50 (mirrorless) 
• Nikon D3500, D5600, Z50 (mirrorless)
• Sony A6400 (mirrorless), Cyber-Shot DSC-HX400V 
• Kodak Pixpro AZ 652 Camera

Lenses that every beginner photographer needs 

Normally, the lens that comes with your photography kit is the 18-55mm and our recommendation is that you practice a lot with your initial equipment. This is because we don't always know what kind of photography we want to do and the lens has a big influence on the final result of a photo. Learn about the three most common types of lenses for beginners: 

1. Fixed target

The best known fixed lens for beginners is the 50 mm lens. The passion of many, when used on a full frame or full frame camera, comes close to the human field of view. In addition, fixed lenses are the highest quality lenses, as they capture the most light: they have the largest aperture. Other prime lenses include 35mm and 85mm lenses, which are ideal for portraits.

1. Wide-angle lens

Known for their wide field of view, wide-angle lenses are lenses where you can "see everything". That is why they are widely used for shooting landscapes, architecture, events and any situation where you need to capture several elements in the same photo. A wide-angle lens for beginners can be, for example, the 10-22mm lens.

1. Zoom lens

A zoom lens is great for capturing details at a distance, for example for bird photography with an 18-200 mm lens.