Note: This course will run for six weeks. Two lessons will be released
each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present
when each lesson is released. Instead, you can take up to two weeks to complete
each lesson after it is released.
Important: In order to keep this material as up-to-date and informative
as possible, I reserve the right to make changes to the course content, description,
and syllabus at any time and without warning.
A new session of each course we offer starts on the second or third Wednesday of
every month. You may enroll in more than one course at a time, unless one course
is the prerequisite to another. If you are 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.
Week One
Lesson 01 - Digital Camera Basics
Wednesday
Photographing people is one of the most exciting and complicated kinds of photography. Yet, with just a few skills, you'll soon be taking better pictures of people. You'll begin this lesson by exploring digital photography equipment and learning how to set up an inexpensive home studio.
Lesson 02 - All About Exposure
Friday
In this lesson, you'll learn about exposure and the pivotal role it plays in photography. The lesson will talk about the three camera controls that affect exposure, and you'll find out how to use these controls to achieve the desired effect in your photographs.
Week Two
Lesson 03 - Indoor and Outdoor Lighting Techniques
Wednesday
In this lesson, you'll learn about light. Every photo is made from the effects of light on your digital camera's sensor, so the importance of understanding and using light has an enormous impact on your photos. You'll find out how to make the most of indoor and outdoor light and how to use some tactics to give you better shots. Then, you'll explore some difficult lighting situations and how to overcome those problems in order to take great people photos.
Lesson 04 - Composing Photographs
Friday
In this lesson, you'll learn how to compose a photo. Photo composition involves not only the primary subject and secondary objects, but also the general look and overall feeling of a photo. You'll find out how to tackle common composition problems, use the rule of thirds, put tactics to work in order to shoot sharp photos, and use depth of field to your advantage.
Week Three
Lesson 05 - Taking Portraits of Individuals and Groups
Wednesday
People photographers spend most of their time taking portraits of individuals and groups, but posing and arranging these shots can be difficult. In this lesson, you'll learn how to solve common problems with portraits and how to arrange and shoot portrait and group photos that give you a true representation of the individual or group.
Lesson 06 - Photographing Hands, Faces, and People With Their Pets
Friday
In this lesson, you'll learn how to take photos of faces, hands, and people with their pets. You'll discover how to manage composition, posing, and angles, and how to capture meaningful photos that communicate to the viewer. You'll also learn how to handle lighting with pets and how to keep their attention as you photograph them.
Week Four
Lesson 07 - Photographing Children
Wednesday
In this lesson, you'll learn how to take photos of babies and children. You'll discover some practical tips that will help you shoot those intimate, personal photos. You'll explore techniques for taking photos of children in motion, learn how to pose kids, and consider specific issues related to photographing babies and newborns.
Lesson 08 - Action Photography
Friday
Have you ever tried to get some good sports photos, only to be disappointed with the results? Maybe the image was blurry or the gym lighting made your photos have a yellow tint. Sports photography is often rather difficult, but this lesson will help you learn tools and tricks so you can capture great sports images. You'll learn all about managing shutter speed, composition, lighting, and you'll find out what makes a sports photo look great.
Week Five
Lesson 09 - Macro and Abstract Photography
Wednesday
In lesson, you'll learn about macro and abstract photography. Macro photography uses specialized lenses and lens attachments that allow you to get very close to items, while abstract photography focuses on photos that may not have a discernable subject. You'll be surprised to know that you can use both of these techniques to create beautiful photos of people, and in this lesson, you'll find out how.
Lesson 10 - Shooting Formals and Weddings
Friday
One of the more challenging types of people photography is shooting formal events, such as proms and weddings. This lesson will tackle this difficult subject and explore how to manage posing, lighting, and composition. You'll also explore how to manage distractions, problems, and even how to take great photos of inanimate objects, such as the wedding cake!
Week Six
Lesson 11 - Post-Processing Photos of People
Wednesday
In this lesson, you'll find out how to make the most of image editing software and your people photos. Even good photos sometimes need a bit of editing work to make them great, and in this lesson, you'll focus on editing techniques specific to photos of people. You'll see how to adjust composition, exposure, and how to fix common problems, such as facial blemishes.
Lesson 12 - The Business of Photography
Friday
After you master your people photography skills, you may want to begin a business. In this final lesson, you'll explore the business of photography. You'll find out how to manage your clients and services and then learn about photography contracts—a vital part of your business. You'll even be able to download a contract and customize it to meet your business needs.