Discover the Best Photography Classes in Los Angeles
Almost everyone knows how to take a picture at the most basic level, but what about going beyond that level? Many of us have cell phones or even a basic camera that we use to take the occasional selfie or family photo. Still, there are so many more layers of learning photography and probably many features you aren’t using on your camera; this is part of what makes photography so fascinating.
Why You Should Learn Photography in Los Angeles
If you’ve ever been to Los Angeles, then you know they have some pretty “Instagrammable” places, so finding a source of inspiration in this city should be easy. Having a lovely backdrop might not be the only reason to get into photography, but it makes it easy to shoot a stunning photo when surrounded by art. Aside from being an easy-to-shoot location, Los Angeles, the City of Angels, is known for bringing it all together. Joining other ambitious photographers in LA might be all you need to do to achieve this idea. Learning photography can help you find a new network of friends or even colleagues to discuss your ideas, trade industry secrets with, or learn from. Finally, California also is known for celebrities, Hollywood, music, and movies. Tapping into this skill could give you access to a lucrative career in this popular industry. Whether it’s for the glam of Hollywood, the connection with new friends, or the inspiration from Venice Beach, Los Angeles is a great place to learn photography.
In-Person Photography Classes in Los Angeles
In Basic Photography—Part 1, students can anticipate learning basic camera operation, all the controls and functions on their digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera, and the fundamental photography concepts. Students can also expect to engage in meaningful discussions about essential photography concepts such as composition and light, how to stop or blur motion, when to use a tripod, and appropriate lenses for a desired effect. The course is divided into six sessions, each session is 3 hours long. This course is in-depth and covers a lot of content. The instructor gives weekly assignments and provides feedback during the next class session, a great way to improve your skills and grow. Students are expected to own a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) or a Mirrorless camera.
The Crash Street: A One-Day Adventure, also offered as LACP, is an exciting class that provides a full eight hours of the basics of street photography. Students can expect to hear about many topics, including how to find great backgrounds, approach the people they want to shoot, and use their instinct when shooting. In addition, this course will have lectures, sessions out in the field, and group critique. While The Crash Street is for all levels, students are expected to know how to shoot in manual mode on their cameras. At $295, you can expect an inspiring day of learning and picture-taking.
Digital Photo Academy (DPA) is a photography school with numerous locations in multiple states. DPA is known for small class sizes that group students with colleagues of similar skill levels to keep the classes exciting and welcoming. For example, you could find a Master Your Digital Camera Controls (Los Angeles) class for $81 at the Long Beach location. Much like the title suggests, this class will help students learn the ins and outs of their camera and takes place in four sessions at an hour and a half each. It’s best to take this course if you just purchased a Digital SLR Camera/ Point and Shoot camera and you want to learn how to make simple creative changes to improve your photos. This class has a 5-star rating, so you can anticipate learning a lot while having a good time.
After mastering the basics, you might be interested in another class DPA offers, Digital Photography Live In-the-Field @ Long Beach. This all-day course provides students the opportunity to learn composition and camera setting expertise. Students will spend this three-hour session learning how to shoot strategically after training in the foundations of improving their photos. A DPA instructor will guide students through various photogenic locations throughout Long Beach. You’ll walk away from this session with great images, knowledge, and possibly new friends. This live-in-the-field course is also offered at other California locations such as Hollywood, Griffith Park, and Santa Monica Pier, allowing you to experience any of these iconic locations through your camera lens.
Virtual Photography Classes
Suppose you aren’t particularly interested in driving to classes, taking photos in the streets, or prefer your own space; online photography classes might be better for you. It is salient to consider that taking a course online instead of in-person could limit your ability to connect with new artists and could be a little challenging if you want to take more candid, in-the-field shots. Virtual photography classes still provide a lot of great options.
Still Life Lighting Basics is a great virtual course that will help you learn the basics of still life. It’s an all-day course that works through lighting with natural light and creative lighting methods at home. Students then spend four hours taking their photos in their homes while asking the instructor questions through Zoom, the final two hours of this eight-hour day are spent getting critiques of your work.
You could also take a Creative Solutions for Mid-Career Photographers seminar from the comfort of your home. The seminar is 90 minutes and will help students understand the business of photography, learn new photography techniques, and closely examine the work of other professional photographers. Students can expect a 60-minute lecture and 30 minutes of a moderator-guided question-and-answer series. This webinar is great for all levels of expertise and is a great way to get feedback on your current work.
If you want to design your photo book, Self-Publish & Design Your Own Photo Book—Level I is a great course. It’s broken into four sessions, and at $775, you will gain a great deal of knowledge. Students need to bring 12-15 related images to learn how to sequence and be prepared to discuss design considerations. The course explores what makes a good book design, how to develop a framework for your own book project, editing, typography, and cover design. These classes are proof that you can still gain knowledge without being in-person.
Private Group Photography Classes in Los Angeles
Private group classes are a great option to connect with others without leaving your home. CourseHorse offers live online group classes and even the ability to tailor to your needs. For example, if there are no private group photography classes in Los Angeles listed on their site right now, don’t let that be a deterrent. If you want to plan your own virtual group activity, you can contact their free event planning team, and they will do all the work. You can contact them directly using the contact me form on their website; someone will get back to you in two business hours. You must provide your group size, preferred dates, and information about the type of class you’re looking to plan. With the provided information, CourseHorse will handle the booking with no added fees and confirm within 24 hours. All you have to do is attend and enjoy your private class from your living room.
