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Beginners Photography Course in London

Get to Know Your Camera and Start Taking Better Pictures

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Join Beginners Photography Course in London and kick-start your learning!

This half-day beginners photography course is aimed at total beginners who own a digital camera like a DSLR, mirrorless or bridge, and want to unpack some of its amazing potentials.

You will learn how to operate your camera in manual mode M to gain more creative control over your photography, make correct exposures, and understand the basics like aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

Is this course for me?

This half-day beginners course is suitable for everyone – from a complete novice with zero photography experience to those who have owned a digital camera for a while but are still struggling to get off the automatic programmes.

We also have a full-day Intensive course that starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. The Intensive Beginners Photography course is our best and most comprehensive! However, if you can not come for the whole day but still want to learn photography fast – then this course is for you!

Is my camera suitable?

All DSLR cameras, mirrorless and bridge systems from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax are very welcome. Generally, any digital camera that allows manual exposure should be suitable for this beginners course. If in doubt – please get in touch.

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Course key facts

Course level 1 Beginners Photography
Group size 6 students optimal tutor attention
Duration 1 day 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location London
DSLR Photography Courses
Wimbledon Art Studios
10 Riverside Road
London SW17 0BB

Get to know your camera!

  • Learn how your camera works and all the essential buttons.
  • What are the different modes – Auto, Scenes, P, A/Av, S/Tv, M
  • What is the difference between RAW and JPEG formats?
  • Learn about all the technical aspects of photography – What is aperture and how to use f-stops? What do different shutter speeds do? How does ISO affect a photo?
  • No more blurry pictures! How to take control of what’s in focus in your images using focus points.
  • Learn how to read the camera light meter and get perfect exposure every time!

Learn creative techniques!

  • Take creative control over your camera by using manual mode and start taking pictures the way you want!
  • Understand the concept of Depth of Field and how this affects the clarity in your pictures.
  • Learn which aperture is best for portraits with a blurred background and which aperture you should use to achieve detailed landscape images.
  • Capture moving subjects without blur – from children at play to sports, action shots and wildlife.
  • Photography gear purchase recommendations: filters, tripods, backpacks and more…
student on beginners photography course in London

Our half-day Beginners Photography Course is suitable for everyone – from a complete novice with zero photography experience to those who have owned a digital camera for a while but are still struggling to get off the automatic programmes.

Have you just bought a camera? Are you frustrated with all the buttons and the menus? Feel disappointed by the quality of the pictures on auto?

If you want to learn photography fast and can not attend our most comprehensive full-day Intensive Beginners Photography Course

then this short half-day intro course is for you!

who is beginners photography course for

The half-day Photography Course for Beginners is our second most popular class for beginners and photography enthusiasts.

This course will explain the basic science and nature of photography and introduce some hands-on practical exercises during which you will learn how to control and combine all the different camera functions creatively.

The course explains all the technical aspects of photography like aperture, shutter speeds, ISO, metering and focusing, as well as goes through the most useful camera buttons and settings.
We usually start at 10am and finish around 2pm. Because this is only a half-day course, we do not take a long lunch break. Only 5-10 mins tea/coffee break.
By the end of the course, you will know how to use your camera in fully manual mode, navigate focus points and be more creative with your photography!

Since this is a beginner level course, there are no prerequisites as such.

All DSLR cameras, mirrorless and bridge systems from CanonNikonSonyFujifilmOlympusPanasonic, Pentax etc are very welcome. Generally, any digital camera that allows manual exposure should be suitable for the Intensive Beginners Photography workshop.

We will be explaining all technical aspects of photography and introducing plenty of hands-on exercises to get the creative juices flowing.

If you’d like to double-check your camera suitability before making a booking, please call us on 020 8947 8118, or email [email protected]

We offer free camera and lens hire for the duration of the course.

Tripods are not required.

Creative, Inspiring, Enjoyable

We’ve already helped over 14,950 of photography enthusiasts, and here’s what some of them had to say!

London photography courses satisfied students

“I came to the half day photograpy course for beginners and it was amazing! Roland was attentive and patient. He walked us through theory and answered all questions effortlessly transitioning into practice. We shot at various locations and settings. I'll be coming back for more! Thank you!”

Maria SteffaniCanon 5d MK IV

“I attended the beginners photography class and learnt a lot in the 4 hours with Katerina. The class was well structured with plenty of opportunity to practice. It was great to learn about what my camera can do and I feel a lot more confident in using it and experimenting with the techniques learnt.

Katrina TognazziNikon D3300

“Great beginners course, very thorough and with plenty of practice. I very much enjoyed my time there and can say I left much more confident around the use of my camera and excited to try all its features. Roland was extremely professional and made us all feel very comfortable. Thanks!”

Sara Herrero GozaloCanon 4000D

🥳  Backed by Hundreds of Five-Star Reviews  🤩

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280 Stories of Inspiration

Take advantage of our Special Offer 🌟

Save £20 on all Beginners Photography Courses

The price has been reduced from £125 to £105

Better Results Guaranteed!

With groups no larger than 6 students we can guarantee that everyone will get a high level of attention and personal tips.

Date Day Time Course Places Price
22 Mar 2024 Friday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm only 2 left £105.00 Book now
13 Apr 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 4 £105.00
04 May 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 £105.00
08 May 2024 Wednesday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 £105.00
25 Jul 2024 Thursday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 £125.00
11 Sep 2024 Wednesday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 £125.00
28 Sep 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 £125.00
17 Oct 2024 Thursday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 £125.00

One to One Tuition

One to One photography tuition with an experienced photographer is the best way to learn about your camera and how to use it to its full potential.

Your 1to1 session will be 100% tailored towards your photographic needs and your camera gear.

You will get plenty of hands-on practice, instant feedback on your pictures, and lots of tips.

Private photography lessons in London are available on weekdays and weekends.

Please feel free to get in touch with questions.

1to1 Tuition

Gift Vouchers

Photography Courses Gift Vouchers make perfect presents to celebrate a Birthday, Fathers Day, Christmas or any other occasion

Group Course

£ 105

4 hours class
  • In-person tuition
  • Up to 6 participants
  • Many dates available
  • Professional tuition
Buy Now

One to One Tuition

£ 265

4 hours tuition
  • In-person tuition
  • Your own private tutor
  • You choose the date
  • 100% tailored to your needs
Buy Now beginners photography course gift voucher

How do the gift vouchers work?

To redeem a gift voucher, its recipient must visit our website, choose a suitable date, and register on the course. We will send a welcome reply email with the booking confirmation, course outline and directions to the studio.

If you have a voucher for a 1to1 tuition – please get in touch. We will arrange everything to suit your calendar and your photography needs.

All our photography gift vouchers are valid for 12 months – giving recipients plenty of time to redeem their gifts.

What happens after I buy a voucher?

It is very important that you provide us with the full name of the gift voucher recipient. If you haven’t done so during the checkout process, please email us. Without that information, we can not print and send the voucher.

Along with the glossy voucher, you will receive a beautiful handmade card, a copy of the course outline and information on how to use the voucher.

There is plenty of space inside the card for your personal message or Christmas wishes.

Have a Question?

No problem! To get started, select a tab on the left.

I registered for the beginners photography course in London, what now?

First of all – thank you for booking a photography beginners class with us!

If you booked a group course you will shortly receive a confirmation email with the course outline, meeting place and all the joining instructions.

Also, one week before your course will be due, we will email you a quick reminder.

If you booked One-to-One or online tuition, we will email you soon to arrange this training for you.

How can I pay for the beginners course?

Paying for the course is straightforward, secure and only takes a second.

After completing the registration process you will be taken to the Order Summary page where you can choose to pay with PayPal using any credit or debit card.

You can also pay by bank money transfer. That’s our preferred method as HSBC does not charge us any extra fees for incoming payments. Please email us for our account details – [email protected].

If you have a gift voucher and would like to use it as part or full payment for the course, please register for the course as normal and email us with your voucher number.

What should I bring to the beginners photography course?

For the photography for beginners course, all you need to bring is your digital camera, a lens, fully charged battery, and have some space on the memory card.

But generally, you are welcome to bring as much or as little gear as you like.

Do you offer free camera hire?

Yes, we offer a free camera and lenses hire for the duration of the beginners class.

It is a popular option as you can learn about all the different camera functions before buying one.

For the beginners photography course, we have Nikon and Canon cameras available.

Please let us know before making a booking.

Where in London can I attend the Beginners Photography Course?

We are based at the Wimbledon Art Studios and that’s where we run most of our photography courses.

Our full address is:

DSLR Photography Courses Ltd
Studio 131, Wimbledon Art Studios
10 Riverside Road
London SW17 0BB

Wimbledon Art Studios can be easily reached by bus, train, tube and car.

We are approximately 10 minutes walk from Earlsfield train station or 25 minutes walk from Tooting Broadway underground station via Garratt Lane.

For map and directions please visit our Contact and Location page.

What happens if I’m late or miss a course?

We start classes promptly and keep to stated hours. Please try to arrive 10 minutes earlier to prepare your camera and all the gear that you have.

If you are running late or can not find us, please let us know so that we can help you and provide directions.

If you find out that you can not make it on the day, we would appreciate it if you notify us as soon as possible. We can try to make some alternative arrangements for you.

If you would like to cancel your attendance and give us enough notice, we can offer you a full or partial refund. Please scroll down to a relevant question about refunds and cancellation policy.

If I can not make it on the day will I get a refund or a credit for another course?

We understand that things happen, especially last minute…

If you find that you can’t make it on the day of the course but you give us at least 7 days notice, you will be given the choice of a full refund or a credit for another course.

If you notify us less than 7 days in advance and if we manage to re-sell your place you will receive a full refund or a course credit. Otherwise, depending on the circumstances, we can offer course credit or refund only 50% of the course fee.

If we are only notified the day before or on the day itself, or if you fail to present yourself at the course then we regret that there will be no refund.

What do I need as a beginner photographer?

If you’re starting in photography, there is no need to spend a lot of money upfront. The most critical element of your gear will be your camera and a lens. I would recommend getting a decent quality camera body and spending a bit more money on a versatile lens, like 18-135mm.

Yes, there are a few essential photography gear pieces that you might want to have right away. But things like expensive prime lenses, flash, triggers and extra lighting gear, can probably wait a bit.

Once you’ve built up your photography skills, you can upgrade your camera, change lenses, or invest in more photography equipment.

 

What essential photography equipment you might need as a beginner photographer?

 

Fast SD Memory Cards – if you think of shooting action, sports or wildlife, fast cards will process data quicker, resulting in more shots in burst mode/continuous drive mode. I typically buy Sandisk Ultra 64GD cards.

SD Card Reader – this very small gadget is just super useful. Every time I come home after a shoot, I grab the card reader, put the card in, plug it into my MacBook and transfer the photos fast!

Camera Cleaning Kit – the moment you start changing lenses, you should buy one of these. If dust gets inside the camera chamber, it can get stuck on the sensor and show up on your pictures. You don’t want that! Professional sensor cleaning is an expensive venture unless you know how to do it yourself. K&F Concept Camera Lens Cleaning Kit is a good starter.

Filter Kit – there are only three filters that you are going to need. Clear UV – to protect the lens in case you scratch it or hit against something. Circular polarizer – to remove reflections. And an ND filter to block extra light. This Hoya filter kit set is a marvel, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.

Camera Strap – that’s a big one! Imagine walking for hours with a camera down your neck… Well, yes, you need something more comfortable than just a basic strap that came with the camera. Plus if a camera model is printed on that strap, you pretty much walking with a price tag. I went through a few, my favourite is Op/Tech loop strap.

Camera Bag – for regular walks you probably don’t need anything fancy. I use a regular NorthFace backpack where I can cram a few bits of gear loosely. If I am heading for an expedition – I always take my Manfrotto Pro Light backpack where my equipment is super protected.

Camera Tripod – you will probably be tempted to buy something of a “regular size”. As a starter, I would recommend getting a mini one like the Manfrotto Pixi Evo-2 tripod or a Joby GorillaPod. So easy to carry and so versatile! If you are into photographing landscapes, architecture, long exposures, or night photography, in that case, a bigger/higher tripod will be a lot more useful. I use the Manfrotto Befree Advanced 2N1 Travel Tripod and I highly recommend it as a good starter.

Which camera is best for a beginner?

Many people ask me – What kind of camera should a beginner photographer get? Or especially before Christmas, I get emails like – What is the best camera to buy for a beginner photographer?

There are really two factorsyour budget and your interests.

Price is the major one because this will determine what you can afford.

Categories like entry-level, semi-pro or pro, can indicate for whom this camera is. But if you are a beginner and can splash £1699 on a Canon EOS 6D Mark II, why would you want to buy an entry-level Canon EOS 4000D. Yes, you would save £1299, but various features would also limit your learning. Especially the use of focus areas and the number of focus points. 6D MK II has 45 and 4000D only 9… then is the ISO and other bits.

The second factor is – whether do you want to photograph something particular, like wildlife, macro, night sky (Milky Way), products or portraits. If yes, you might need a specialised lens. And this can add considerably to the budget. If you are into sports photography, you may want to have a camera with a higher frame rate – like the burst mode of 12-20 frames per second to nail that shot! Capture that critical fraction of a second…

 

How do I choose a beginner camera?

Ok, so ask yourself three questions:

  1. What is your max budget for a camera and a lens?
  2. Do you want to take pictures of something specific?
  3. Are you going to be ok with a second-hand camera or does it has to be brand new? (You can save 30-40-50% on second-hand gear!)

If you’ve only just begun, photography is a hobby, and budget somewhere around £500-650 mark – check the following models:

Hope this helps, if you have any questions about the Beginners Photography Course – feel free to contact me!

Which photography course is best for a beginner?

There are so many courses available now, in-person and online. Yes, it is hard to choose.

I think it depends on how much time you are willing to dedicate to learning photography and whether you are looking to get a degree. Or is it going to be just a hobby?

The course we are offering is a half-day introduction, that covers all the fundamentals of photography and some creative techniques.

We also have a full-day version of this class called the Intensive Beginners Photography Course. This is our most popular and most comprehensive course for beginners and photography enthusiasts.

I am not claiming it is the best photography course for beginners in London, but I hope that our photography students’ course reviews will speak for themselves.

How much does a photography for beginners course cost?

The cost of a photography course for beginners depends on many aspects. Course duration, qualifications, materials provided, the prestige of the lecturer, whether it is held in-person or online. The costs vary from hundreds to thousands of pounds…

This course is a half-day introductory workshop. We limit the number of participants to 6 only. And the cost is only £95.

If you would like to book it as private one-to-one photography tuition, on a date and time of your choice. The price is £300 for 4 hours of tuition.

We also have a full-day version of this class called the Intensive Beginners Course. This is our best and most comprehensive course for beginners and photography enthusiasts. But because it is longer it also costs a little bit more = £145.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

Contact us

If you can not find what you are looking for please submit a question to us. We aim to reply within a few hours.

Alternatively, just call us on 020 8947 8118.
Our business hours are Monday to Friday 10:00 am-4:00 pm.

You can also contact us by email[email protected].

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