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Intensive Beginners Photography Course

Get to Know Your Camera and Start Taking Better Pictures

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Intensive Beginners Photography Course in London

Our photography course for beginners will explain the science and art of photography from the ground up, providing plenty of hands-on activities along the way.

It will get you familiar with your digital camera in no time and allow you to have more creative control over your photography.

Is this course for me?

This 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.

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? Want to learn photography fast and start capturing all the beautiful images you see with your eyes? 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 – 4:00pm
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) and how to set up your camera for best results?
  • How to use camera colour profiles to change the look of your pictures.
  • 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.
  • What are all the different focusing modes and when to use them: AF-A, AF-S, AF-C, One-Shot, AI-Servo and manual focus – MF.
  • The secret behind sharp pictures and your camera autofocus hit or miss! Focus areas explained – from the single, flexible spot, group or zone, to dynamic, lock-on and 3D-tracking.
  • Never miss a photo opportunity – your camera drive modes: Single, Continuous/Burst, Quiet Mode, Self-Timer and  Remote.
  • Learn how to read the camera light meter and get perfect exposure every time!

Start using your camera CREATIVELY

  • 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 and focus of a picture.
  • Learn which aperture is best for portraits with a blurred background and which aperture you should use to achieve detailed landscape shots.
  • Capture moving subjects without blur – from children at play to sports, action shots and wildlife.
  • Colours – how to make sure they’re the colour you want them to be.
  • How to take pictures at night (Milky Way, Nothern Lights) or in challenging low light conditions.
  • Learn simple concepts and rules that can dramatically improve your photography: “rule of thirds”, “leading lines”, “filling the frame”…
  • Practical lens guide – choosing the best lens for your photography needs, and desired creative effect.
  • How to clean and troubleshoot your camera.
  • Photography gear purchase recommendations: filters, tripods, backpacks and more…
how to photograph nature and wildlife
how to photograph fireworks
how to take better pictures of flowers

Our Intensive 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? Would you like to take better portraits of your family? Are you going on an amazing trip abroad?

If you want to learn photography fast and start capturing all the beautiful images you see with your eyes

then this course is for you!

who is this one day intensive digital photography course for

The Intensive Beginners Photography course is our most popular and most comprehensive workshop for beginners and photography enthusiasts.

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

The first part of the Intensive course covers similar material as the half-day Beginners photography course – 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 break for lunch around 1:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 4.00 pm, we look at more intermediate topics, problems in low light situations, lenses and their use, composition and camera troubleshooting.
There is always time for questions and advice, and we’ve prepared plenty of creative exercises in a studio (artificial light) and outdoor (natural light).
By the end of the day, you will know how to use your camera to its full potential 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

After two years of playing around with my camera it was great to attend this course and finally learn the techniques I needed to get the results I wanted. Fantastic photography course. Highly recommended!”

Damon SiustaNikon D7000

I got this course as a gift and I must say that it was the best gift I have ever got! I always used automatic settings for my photography but after this course I am looking forward to take all of my pictures in fully manual. Thanks!”

Jana BreaksNikon D3200

“The course was bought for me as a gift for my birthday. It was a fantastic class and very well suited to beginners such as myself. The tutor was thorough and passionate which always leads to enjoyment.”

Jake SmithNikon D5300

🥳  Backed by Hundreds of Five-Star Reviews  🤩

Read Reviews on Google
296 Voices of Satisfaction
Reviews on TripAdvisor
236 Tales of Discovery
Reviews on TrustPilot
92 Endorsements of Trust
Reviews on Facebook
280 Stories of Inspiration

Take advantage of our Special Offer 🌟

Save £30 on all Intensive Photography Courses

The price has been reduced from £175 to £145

Start Learning Today!

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
23 Mar 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm only 2 left £145.00 Book now
24 Mar 2024 Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm sold out £145.00 Waiting list
28 Mar 2024 Thursday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm sold out £145.00 Waiting list
06 Apr 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 4 £145.00
10 Apr 2024 Wednesday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm only 3 left £145.00 Book now
25 Apr 2024 Thursday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 5 £145.00
27 Apr 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 4 £145.00
02 May 2024 Thursday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 6 £145.00
11 May 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 6 £145.00
15 May 2024 Wednesday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 5 £145.00
19 May 2024 Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 6 £145.00
26 May 2024 Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 6 £145.00
27 Jul 2024 Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 6 £175.00
08 Aug 2024 Thursday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 6 £175.00

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

£ 145

6 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 intensive 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 course, 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 this course will be due, we will send you a quick email 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 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 – please email us for details: [email protected].

If you have a gift voucher and would like to use it as part or full payment for the course, please get in touch with your gift voucher number and we will make a reservation for you.

What should I bring to the 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 Intensive 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?

If you find that you can’t make it on the day of the course but you give us at least 14 days notice, you will be given the choice of a full refund or a credit for another course.

If you can’t make it on the day but you give us at least 7 days notice, you will be given the choice of a full refund only if we manage to re-sell it or fill this place from the standby list, otherwise, we will refund 50% of the total paid for the course.

If you notify us less then 7 days in advance and if we manage to re-sell your place or fill that place from the standby list you will receive a full refund or a course credit. Otherwise, unfortunately, we will not provide a refund.

If we are only notified 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 most 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, night photography, in that case, 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 factors – your 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:

What is your max budget for a camera and a lens?
Do you want to take pictures of something specific?
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:

Nikon D3500 – a very friendly beginner DSLR camera
Canon EOS 2000D DSLR
Canon EOS M50 – fantastic mirrorless system
Fujifilm X-T200 mirrorless system

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?

Intensive Beginners Photography Course is our most popular and most comprehensive course for beginners and photography enthusiasts.

It is a full-day introduction, that covers all the fundamentals of photography and some creative techniques.  Most importantly you will have plenty of practice in the studio and outdoors.

We also have a half-day version of this class called the Beginners Photography course.

I am not claiming that the Intensive Course 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 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…

The Intensive Beginners Course is our best and most comprehensive class for beginners and photography enthusiasts. A full-day, 10am-4pm, and we limit the number of participants to 6 only. The cost is only £145.

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 half-day version of this class called the Beginners Photography Course. This is a stripped-down version of the Intensive course. If you can not attend the full-day version, this is also a great workshop to get started. It is two hours shorter, hence the price is only £95.

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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