Graham Holmes
- Jan 17, 2023
- 3 min read

Learn to Take Photographs: How I Did It.

Updated: Jan 20, 2023

Landscape Photography - Seascapes - Travel Ideas - How-to's - Camping

Online Learning: Where I Found the Best Teachers

The internet makes it so easy to find "How-To's" or "Lessons". But how do you know which one will get you to where you want to be? This was the dilemma I faced when starting out in my photography journey.

Sure there are a ton of videos on YouTube that cover the basics, some good, some not so good. I remember being frustrated when I would start a video and then only to find it wasn't what I needed.

There are pros and cons to learning on YouTube. Some of the pros include:

Accessibility: YouTube is widely available and can be accessed from almost any device with an internet connection.
Cost: Most videos on YouTube are free to watch, making it a cost-effective way to learn.
Variety: There are a wide range of educational videos available on YouTube, covering a variety of subjects and learning styles.

Some of the cons of learning on YouTube include:

Quality: The quality of educational videos on YouTube can vary greatly. Some videos may be produced by experts in their field, while others may be less reliable.
Distractions: YouTube can be a distracting platform, with recommended videos and other distractions vying for your attention.
Lack of structure: It can be harder to stay motivated and focused when learning from YouTube, as there is no set curriculum or schedule to follow.

I definitely needed something more structured. I stumbled on a YouTube video in which they recommended "Skillshare". I was a little skeptical at first as it was a subscription service, but the subscription was pretty low and for what I could see it offered, it seemed good value.

Example of One of My Seascapes

Don't Be Fixated on What Type of Photography - Just Yet!!

What do I mean by that? Well; you need to understand the basics first. Then you can try any genre and have a good basis. Learn to use your camera and the core principals of photography and you can take that anywhere you want.

One of the best online classes I have ever taken was one I took when I first started in photography. I am not a very focussed learner, but this class gripped me. The teacher was clear, methodical and very easy to understand. They gave great examples and step by instructions so that you can try it while you learn.

I had that "ah ha" moment so many times while working through that class. The class was on Skillshare and taught by Frank Mingella - "DSLR and Mirrorless: The Fundamentals of Photography"

The really great thing about Skillshare is that there are a huge number of classes available. So if one doesn't work for you, then there are plenty of others. And because of this, as you progress you can take more advanced classes.

So What's Next?:

Practice, practice, practice.

Now this is the really fun part. Go and take a l lot of photos. Practice different settings and see how they affect your results. The beauty of digital cameras is that it doesn't cost anything to shoot lots of images.

I cannot stress enough, get out and shoot as often as you can. Shoot anything. Try different things and think about what you are trying to achieve.

Over time it all starts to click. I used to get frustrated, but then I would think about what I was trying to achieve and why it didn't work out (incidentally I still do). The next time I would try again using what I had learned.

So is That It?:

No! not even close. I am far from done learning. My journey has only just begun and I make a point of trying to learn every time I pick up my camera. I think that's part of the enjoyment, its a never ending journey.