Travel photography offers a captivating way to document your adventures and share them with the world. With numerous online courses available, you can hone your skills and elevate your photography game. From mastering camera settings to perfecting post-processing techniques, there's a course tailored for every skill level and interest.
Top Online Travel Photography Courses and Platforms
To master travel photography, explore courses available on various online platforms, each offering a blend of content, duration, and expertise from seasoned instructors. Let's examine the specifics:
Udemy Travel Photography Courses:
Udemy offers detailed courses aimed at different expertise levels. One standout is "iPhone Photography School" by Emil Pakarklis. Ideal for beginners who just have their smartphones. This course covers composition and editing essentials with an easy-to-follow structure. Total duration is 6 hours and 2 minutes, filled with practical examples.
Skillshare:
Skillshare's portfolio includes "Travel Photography: Seeing, Shooting, and Editing" by Dan Rubin. Rubin's course spans over 1 hour and 13 minutes. It's a versatile fit for complete beginners since it focuses on creative techniques across various camera types—whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone. Skillshare also offers a free trial, making it an accessible start.
Domestika:
Domestika's "Lifestyle and Travel Photography" course by Julia Nimke runs for 2 hours and 46 minutes. Nimke, an accomplished lifestyle-travel shooter, blends creative photography tips with actionable steps to build a story in your travel shots. Ideal for enhancing your Instagram game and editing skills.
MasterClass:
MasterClass offers Jimmy Chin's "Adventure Photography." This 4-hour, 18-lessons course is designed for experienced photographers eyeing a leap into evocative outdoor shots. Learn about composition, lighting setups, and post-processing directly from a National Geographic photographer. Monthly subscription offers flexibility and access to other courses too.
Laurence Norah's Travel Photography Course:
Laurence Norah's Travel Photography Course spans over 10 weeks with 60 lessons. With a one-time payment of $129, participants gain lifetime access to modules covering everything from camera settings to advanced techniques like HDR and astrophotography. Norah's course design caters to different skill levels, blending detailed video tutorials with hands-on homework assignments.
Photography Pro by Alex Strohl:
Alex Strohl's "Adventure Photography Pro" covers planning, storytelling, scouting, and editing. It's built for those aiming to work on commercial projects and comes with insider tips on attracting clients and building an audience. Use the discount code VAGABOND20 for 20% off.
The Business of Photography by Chris Burkard:
Chris Burkard's course on growing your photography business covers pricing, working with agents, modern marketing techniques, and diversifying your revenue streams. Discount code VAGABOND20 makes it a budget-friendly option.
Wildlife Photography Workshop:
Charly Savely's "Wildlife Photography Workshop" is recorded in Alaska's Katmai National Park. It encapsulates Savely's techniques for photographing animals, understanding camera settings, and composing impactful frames.
Creative Live:
"Travel Photography: The Complete Guide" by Creative Live offers over 10 hours of content. Tutor Ben Willmore guides through essentials and advanced post-production skills. It's an ideal pick for beginner to intermediate photographers aiming to elevate their craft through structured learning.
These courses across various platforms provide robust training grounds suited to diverse needs and skill levels. Choose a course aligned with your goals and elevate your photography game.
Key Course Components and Features
A well-organized course typically begins with foundational principles, gradually increasing in complexity to cover advanced techniques. This method ensures that learners acquire a comprehensive understanding of photography, making it easier to progress steadily. Introductory lessons might cover basics such as camera settings, exposure, and composition.
Practical assignments enable students to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, reinforcing their learning. Courses like "Travel Photography for Beginners" integrate shooting assignments that help embed class concepts, ensuring learners practice and perfect their skills.
Access to professionals is also vital. Personalized feedback from experienced photographers can significantly enhance learning. For example, in Laurence Norah's course, students can directly email him for troubleshooting and feedback, while also participating in interactive webinars and expert interviews.
Interactive elements such as webinars and exclusive Facebook groups foster a sense of community, offering opportunities for peer feedback, regular challenges, and discussions with like-minded individuals. They make learning more engaging and dynamic, promoting continuous improvement through collaborative efforts.
Additional resources like editing tutorials and gear advice are indispensable for a rounded educational experience. Editing is a crucial part of photography, often bringing an image to life. Comprehensive courses like "Mastering Lightroom & Photoshop" by Andrew Kerns explore post-processing techniques, equipping students with valuable skills. Similarly, gear advice guides learners to invest in what truly benefits their style and needs.
A travel photography course rich in structured lessons, practical assignments, professional access, interactive elements, and supplemental resources offers a complete and enriching learning experience. This multifaceted approach ensures that aspiring photographers are well-prepared to capture the beauty of the world.
Highly Rated Travel Photography Courses
"Travel Photography for Beginners" stands out for its beginner-friendly approach, breaking down the fundamentals of travel photography in a digestible way. The course covers essential topics such as:
- Capturing dramatic travel shots
- Choosing the right gear
- Staying safe while traveling
- Earning money through travel photography
It is taught by expert instructors who provide hands-on learning through shooting assignments, making the class both practical and engaging.
"The Travel Photography Course" by Laurence Norah is structured over 10 weeks and 60 lessons, catering to photographers of all skill levels. The course thoroughly covers camera settings, composition, lighting, and advanced techniques like HDR and astrophotography. What sets this course apart is the lifetime access it offers for a one-time payment of $129, which includes:
- Direct email access to Laurence for personalized feedback
- Interactive webinars
- A private Facebook group for additional support
"Travel Photography: Seeing, Shooting, and Editing" by Dan Rubin on Skillshare is a favorite among beginners. It stands out due to its compact duration of 1 hour and 13 minutes, making it highly accessible for those with tight schedules. Rubin's creative teaching style encourages experimentation with various camera types, including DSLRs, mirrorless, and smartphones.
Domestika's "Lifestyle and Travel Photography" by Julia Nimke offers an intimate insight into blending lifestyle and travel photography to tell compelling stories. Julia Nimke's course includes practical tips for enhancing your Instagram presence and editing skills, all while following her adventures through Madrid.
MasterClass's "Adventure Photography" by Jimmy Chin provides 4 hours of intensive learning spread across 18 lessons, focusing on the intricacies of adventure photography. Students gain insights into handling lighting, composition, and post-processing while learning directly from a National Geographic photographer.
Ben Willmore's "Travel Photography: The Complete Guide" on Creative Live examines every aspect of travel photography, from gear recommendations and composition to advanced post-production techniques using Photoshop and Lightroom. Willmore's expertise and detailed tutorials make this course ideal for beginners and intermediates looking to elevate their skills comprehensively.
Alex Strohl's "Adventure Photography Pro" is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and those interested in commercial photography. Strohl's extensive course covers planning, storytelling, scouting, and editing, with practical examples from real commercial projects. What sets this course apart is its focus on the business side of travel photography, providing insider tips on attracting clients and building an audience.
These highly-rated travel photography courses each bring unique strengths to the table, from beginner-friendly content and hands-on assignments to exploration of advanced techniques and professional insights. They are designed to cater to a wide range of skill levels and interests, ensuring that there's a perfect course for everyone looking to master the art of travel photography.
Choosing the right travel photography course can significantly enhance your ability to capture stunning images on your journeys. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine advanced techniques, these courses provide valuable insights and practical knowledge. Remember, the best course for you will depend on your current skill level, learning style, and specific goals in travel photography.
"Photography is the story I fail to put into words." – Destin Sparks
So, embark on your learning journey, and soon you'll be telling your travel stories through captivating images that speak louder than words.
- Sparks D. The Art of Travel Photography. New York, NY: Aperture; 2019.
- Norah L. Mastering Travel Photography: A Comprehensive Guide. London, UK: Focal Press; 2020.
- Chin J. Adventure Photography: Capturing the World's Wild Places. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books; 2018.
- Strohl A. The Business of Adventure Photography. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books; 2021.
