Jacky's Photograpy

If you're thinking about taking digital photography classes to help you become a better photographer, but aren't sure where to begin, here are the most common ways to take an affordable photography class.

1. Online Digital Photography Classes

Online photography classes are one of the quickest and easiest ways to get started. Unlike real world (as opposed to the internet world) photography classes, you don't need to wait for the class to begin, worry if there will be room, or if it meets your schedule. Instead, with online classes you can start right away and set your own pace and schedule. Another great benefit of online classes is that you usually get to participate in forums and online galleries with other students where you can receive constructive critiques on your photographs. And there is usually an instructor who you can email with and get guidance from (the best online courses will offer this). There are some great online courses out there for between $100-$200 that include everything.

2. eBook Digital Photography Classes

eBook digital photography classes are also a great way to learn photography. Like online classes, the benefits of an eBook class is that you start when you want and go at your own pace. eBook learning is a one person experience, if you prefer to learn on your own, this is the way to go. The drawbacks: no instructor to offer guidance, and no other students to interact with. eBooks usually offer much more instruction and assignments then real world classes or some online digital classes. This is because there is no overhead expenses like class room space or website/forum hosting costs. You can find eBook photography courses for anywhere between $29 - $99.

3.Local Real World Digital Photography Classes

The benefits of real world photography classes are that you meet your instructor and other students face to face, and work side by side during the class. It also means you can team up to go out on shoots together. If you're a people person who learns best when around others, this might be the way for you to go. The drawbacks are that usually these classes are very focused on one part of photography, and don't give you as much information and instruction as online or eBook classes can. If you decide to go this route, supplementing it with a good eBook course would fill in the gaps. And of course, you are on their time schedule.

There are also digital photography classes offered at Universities but you generally need to be an enrolled student to get into one. And there are photo workshops that take you to some wonderful spot for 5-7 days, and teach you how to shoot a specific type of photography (ie. landscape photography). But these are generally very expensive as you have to pay for travel, hotel, and meals. These types of photography workshops should be done only if you already know a lot about photography and/or earn an income from photography.