Course Description
Award-winning photographer, author and teacher Michael Freeman teaches you the foundations of photography, from using your camera to composing photos, using light and framing your photos.
You'll receive a thorough grounding for pursuing photography seriously. This course uses the original Basic Course at the Bauhaus as its basis.
You'll learn all aspects of photography, and develop your own portfolio of photos and style as you learn.
Choose Expert option to receive personal feedback from Michael on your work.
The course covers all aspects of composition to be the basis for further photography courses.
Composition is nothing less than the underpinning of photography.
Henri Cartier-Bresson, the master, wrote, “This recognition, in real life, of a rhythm of surfaces, lines, and values is for me the essence of photography; composition should be a constant of preoccupation, being a simultaneous coalition – an organic coordination of visual elements.”
Composition is the way in which photographers turn real, chaotic life in front of them into images within a frame. As such, composition begins with a clear understanding of what the subject is, what it means to you, and what you want to say about it.
Cartier-Bresson again: “You can’t compose gratuitously; there must be a necessity, and you can’t separate form from substance.”
This Foundation Course will equip you to create distinctive, meaningful images that express your personal way of seeing, an essential first step on the path to developing your own photographic style. Find out more
You'll learn:
- how to compose a photo
- using frames and framing, and light in your photography
- applying contrast and balance to your photos
- how to create a portfolio of photos
The course includes:
- 8 on-demand video lessons - presented by Michael Freeman
- lifetime access to the videos, notes and interactive class
- flexible classes - join and learn when and where you like
- downloadable lesson notes
- practical photography assignments (with tutor feedback available)
- access on your mobile, PC, Mac or laptop
- small interactive online classroom - chat online to students from around the world and share your creative ideas
Time to complete the photography foundation course:
Every student is different but in general we think the whole course will take around 28 hours 15 minutes to complete including:
- Video lessons: 4 hours 15 minutes in total
- Course notes: 30 minutes per lesson
- Your photography assignments: at least 2 hours per lesson
- Interactive classroom time: 15 minutes per lesson
- Tutor feedback review (Expert level): 15 minutes per lesson
Ready to get started?
Just add the course to your basket above - choose the 'Expert' option for personal feedback from Michael on your photos.
If you know someone who'd love this course then give it as a gift - just tick "This is a gift" at the checkout.
Any questions? Contact us by clicking on the orange speech symbol - we'd love to hear from you.
Requirements
You will not need any special photographic equipment for this course. A DSLR is preferable, but a compact camera or even a camera phone could be used to complete the assignments. A tripod would be useful, but not essential, as well as a selection of prime or zoom lenses ranging from wide angle out to telephoto zoom.
We also recommend purchasing The Photographers Eye and The Photographers Eye: A Graphic Guide as a way of enhancing your learning experience, as additional reading is suggested in the course notes.
CPD Accreditation
Course activity has been accredited by the CPD Standards Office (CPDSO). The course equates to 28 hours, 15 minutes of CPD learning.
Course outline
Photo Composition
Frame and Framing in Photography
Contrast and Balance
The Viewer's Eye
The Graphic Elements
Photographic Elements
Composing with Light and Colour
The Process of Shooting
Choose how you want to learn
The Expert option
RecommendedDevelop your learning further with marked assignments and personal tuition from Michael Freeman
- Start course whenever you like
- 8 weeks tutor access for personalised assignment feedback & coaching
- 8 assignments marked by Michael Freeman
- Certificate of completion and CPD hours
- Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
- 8 lessons with expert videos & notes
- Group chat & direct message with tutor & classmates
- Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
$395The Peer option
Discover the benefits of group learning in an online interactive classroom of no more than 20 people. Get the most from shared knowledge and community study
- Start course whenever you like
- Practise what you learn with your peers
- Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
- 8 lessons with expert videos & notes
- 8 course assignments
- Group chat & direct message classmates
- Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
$140
NewBuy this course for a business or group
You can now buy this course through your business or organisation for individuals and groups up to 20
Photography classroom - how it works
Start anytime
Watch video tutorials led by expert tutors
Test yourself
Practice what you learn with inspiring assignments
Personal tuition
Get assignment feedback from expert tutors
Share ideas
Collaborate and chat directly to classmates
Meet Michael Freeman
Michael Freeman, is one of the world's most respected and prolific photography writers and teachers.
Much of his work has focused on Asia, beginning in the early days with Thailand, expanding outwards through other countries in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, with several books published on Angkor and other Khmer sites. This was followed by several years photographing in Japan, and more recently, China. His most recent book of documentary reportage is Tea Horse Road, tracing the ancient trade route that began in the 7th century between southwest China and Tibet. Before that was the 2005 Sudan: Land and People, still the only full visual record of the (now two) countries.
On the craft of photography, Freeman's best-selling volume is The Photographer's Eye, which has sold more than 800,000 copies to date. He conducts photography workshops in locations as varied as the Gulf states, Indonesia, Singapore and China, and speaks regularly on photography, at venues varying from the the Royal Geographical Society, to the Smithsonian in Washington and the Asia Society in New York.