Level 1 - Take control of your camera
Learn aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focusing, lenses and the essential settings that help you move confidently beyond Auto mode.
Friendly, jargon-free photography training
Beginner Photography Courses - Learn to Use Your Camera with Confidence
Whether you have just bought your first camera or you already understand the basics, I will help you take control of your settings and create photographs you are genuinely proud of.
Lifetime online access
Personal feedback
No prior knowledge needed
Watch my free beginner lesson and see how I teach.
Course finder
Which course is right for you?
Choose the answer that best describes where you are now, then decide how you would like to learn.
1
Where are you in your photography journey?
2
How would you like to learn?
A clear learning journey
What the levels actually mean
Level 2 - Make stronger photographs
Develop composition, visual flow, storytelling and consistency so your photographs feel more intentional and recognisably yours.
Complete course - Level 1 and Level 2
Work through the full journey in the right order, from understanding your camera to confidently making creative decisions.
Free beginner photography guides
Build your photography knowledge step by step
Use this free learning hub alongside your course or whenever you need a refresher. Start with exposure, then work through camera control, focusing, colour and file quality.
01
Start with exposure
Understand the four foundations that determine brightness and the creative appearance of your photographs.
Exposure Triangle
See how aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together rather than treating them as separate settings.
Understand the exposure triangleAperture
Learn how aperture controls light, depth of field and how much of your photograph appears sharp.
Learn about apertureShutter Speed
Learn how shutter speed freezes action, creates movement and affects the amount of light recorded.
Learn about shutter speedISO
Understand when to raise ISO, when to keep it low and how it interacts with aperture and shutter speed.
Learn about ISO
02
Take control of the camera
Once exposure makes sense, learn how the camera measures light and how to make faster decisions in changing conditions.
Camera Modes
Understand Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual mode.
Understand camera modesExposure Compensation
Quickly correct photographs that your camera makes too bright or too dark.
Learn exposure compensationMetering Modes
Understand Matrix, Evaluative, Centre-Weighted and Spot Metering.
Understand metering modesPhotography Histogram
Read shadows, highlights and clipping instead of relying only on how bright the screen looks.
Learn to read a histogramAuto ISO & Minimum Shutter Speed
Let ISO react to changing light while protecting the shutter speed you need.
Learn how Auto ISO worksExposure Lock (AE-L)
Meter one part of a scene, lock that exposure and then recompose without the camera changing it.
Understand Exposure LockExpose for the Highlights
Learn why protecting bright detail can be important and how RAW files and the histogram help.
Learn to protect highlights
03
Get sharp photographs
Learn the difference between how autofocus behaves, where the camera searches and how much of the scene appears sharp.
Autofocus Modes
Understand AF-S, AF-C, One Shot, AI Servo and which autofocus behaviour suits your subject.
Understand autofocus modesFocus Area Modes
Learn when to use Single Point, Zone, Wide Area and subject tracking.
Understand focus areasBack Button Focus
Learn how separating autofocus from the shutter button works and when it is genuinely useful.
Learn Back Button FocusDepth of Field
Learn how aperture, focal length and distance work together to control background blur and sharpness.
Understand depth of field
04
Colour & file quality
Finish the foundations by understanding colour temperature and what your camera actually saves when you press the shutter.
White Balance
Understand Auto White Balance, Kelvin, colour temperature, presets and colour casts.
Understand white balanceRAW vs JPEG
Compare image quality, editing flexibility, file size, white balance and when each format makes sense.
Compare RAW and JPEGRAW File Drawbacks
Understand the extra storage, processing, compatibility and workflow involved in shooting RAW.
Understand RAW file drawbacks
Ready to put it into practice?
Reading helps. Using these controls on your own camera is where it starts to click.
Level 1 takes these individual ideas and turns them into a practical camera workflow. You will learn what to change, why you are changing it and how the settings work together in real photographs.
Included with your training
Support that continues after the lesson
Clear explanations
No unnecessary jargon or confusing technical talk.
Practical exercises
Use what you learn rather than simply watching.
Assignment feedback
Send work for critique and personal guidance.
Lifetime access
Return to your online materials whenever needed.