3 Free Online Photography Courses with Certificates

Whether you’re looking for more “likes” on your next social media photo, or aiming to begin a new career, these 3 Free Online Photography Courses with Certificates can help you reach your photography dreams. For me, I’m most interested in capturing landscapes and architecture while trekking around a city in a faraway country, using my Nikon DSLR. While it seems everyone these days owns a fancy DSLR camera, not everyone is exactly fluent in the art of photography. It’s just a lot easier to always shoot on “auto”, right? Wrong. Believe it or not, it takes a lot more than just pointing and shooting an expensive camera to get a great photo.For years, I shot on automatic until I found out the difference it makes just learning about a few different settings on my camera. I still have a long way to go in learning more about my camera and could definitely benefit from putting in a few hours with a course. I mean, if you’re going to invest your money on a camera, why not invest your time to some of the best online photography courses for beginners from the comfort of your own home? These courses guarantee you will learn the various (and sometimes hidden) settings to your camera that will take your photos to the next level.

No matter your level of photography skills, it can be an expensive hobby. A new DSLR camera can cost you anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. With companies like Apple and Samsung constantly competing for the best camera on a phone, cell phone photography is at an all-time high. There are so many options out there when it comes to photography, it can get a little overwhelming. Whatever you choose, learning the rules of composition, lighting, and white balance are terms that apply to all photography regardless of the device.

Now that you’ve decided to start the online journey to becoming a skilled photographer, you’re probably wondering where to get started. Luckily, it’s not hard to find courses on the web thanks to a large market (which you can learn more about with the 10 Best Websites Like Coursera, Udacity and Other MOOCS). If you’re looking start a business and add a little extra to your CV, a few free classes will provide you with an official certification at the end of your course. So, whether you plan on using your iPhone or a regular camera, there’s no shortage to online beginner photography courses.

In order to create this list, we searched Google to find what they recommended for free online photography courses that provide a certification. While there’s no way to rank which of these free online photography courses is better than the other, we organized them based on how easily they can be found by a quick search of the web.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at 3 free online photography courses with certificates.

3. Shaw Academy

For a limited time, Shaw Academy is offering its online photography course at no cost. The academy says it offers courses for advanced students as well as beginners. Beginning students can sign up for their “Foundation Course” that includes 10 different lessons and five tests on those subjects. Once you pass the tests, you’ll be rewarded with an accredited diploma.

2. iPhotographyCourse.com

iPhotographyCourse promises to teach beginners the “nuts and bolts basics” learning at your own time and pace. Their award-winning, interactive online module platform offers information on everything from shutter speed to editing ensuring you’re well versed by the end of their 18 lessons.

1. Harvard University 

You read that correctly. Even Harvard University offers an online, extensive photography course without hitting your pockets. Harvard’s free online photography course has been around since 2013 and can be found on the online learning service, ALISON. Similar to iPhotographyCourse, Harvard’s course offers modules on a number of photography courses (12 to be exact). After working through the 12 modules, the student can take an exam to test their knowledge. Pass the exam with at least 80% and you’ll receive your very own Harvard certification to hang on your wall.

If you’re making a resolution to increase your photography skills this year and want something (besides great photos) to show for it, these 3 Free Online Photography Courses with Certificates are waiting for you to sign up.