For those eager to step into the world of photography and transform that daunting DSLR into your best friend, Udemy’s “Beginner Canon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography” course promises to be a gateway. Whether you’re a total newbie or someone who’s fiddled with a Canon but never fully grasped the settings, this course aims to build confidence through a blend of learning and doing.
Instructor Reputation
The instructors behind “Beginner Canon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography” bring a robust blend of professional experience and teaching acumen to the virtual classroom. Led by JP Pullos and Lydia Billings, the team at JP Teaches Photo has established a noteworthy presence in the photography education scene. JP Pullos, the primary face of the course, has a professional photography career spanning over six years, during which his work has been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, GQ, and New York Magazine. This extensive exposure to diverse photography assignments adds a layer of real-world expertise to his teaching, providing students with insights that are both practical and inspirational.
Lydia Billings, the lead teacher alongside JP, holds a BFA in Fine Art Photography and has been actively teaching photography since her graduation in 2013. Her professional journey as a wedding, portrait, and lifestyle photographer enriches the course with varied photographic styles and techniques, catering to a broad audience. Together, they have taught over 40,000 students, a testament to their effectiveness and popularity as instructors.
Their educational approach is not just about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring creativity and self-expression through photography. This philosophy is reflected in the enthusiastic reviews and high ratings they have received across their courses. The instructor team’s commitment to making photography an enjoyable and accessible art form resonates with students, many of whom praise the engaging and easy-to-understand teaching style that JP and Lydia employ.
Course Structure
The structure of “Beginner Canon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography” is meticulously designed to ensure that students not only learn the technical aspects of using a DSLR camera but also develop an intuitive understanding of photography as an art form. The course is divided into concise modules that cover various fundamental topics, including exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and the different shooting modes available on Canon DSLRs. Each module is designed to build on the previous one, ensuring a cohesive learning journey from start to finish.
The course kicks off with an introductory video that sets the stage for what students can expect to learn and how these skills will enhance their photography. Following the introduction, the core content is delivered through a series of video lectures totaling approximately an hour. These lectures are supplemented with practical exercises that encourage students to apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach helps in cementing the knowledge gained and makes the learning process more engaging.
Additionally, the course includes various visual examples to illustrate key concepts, which aid in visualizing the effects of different settings on images. This is particularly beneficial for visual learners who can see the theory in practice. To further enhance understanding, each exercise is thoroughly explained, ensuring that students know not just how to perform the task but also why it’s important.
The overall course structure is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing students to progress at their own pace, which is ideal for those balancing learning with other commitments. The clear, step-by-step structure ensures that no prior knowledge is assumed, making this course suitable for absolute beginners as well as those who have some familiarity with their camera but have not fully mastered its capabilities. Through this structured yet flexible approach, the course aims to demystify DSLR photography and make it accessible to a wide audience, regardless of their prior experience level.
Content Quality
The “Beginner Canon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography” course on Udemy is designed with a strong emphasis on high-quality content that is accessible and actionable. The curriculum is well-rounded, covering fundamental photography principles such as exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and understanding the different modes on a DSLR. Each topic is broken down into digestible segments that simplify complex concepts into understandable terms, making the technical aspects of DSLR photography approachable for beginners.
The video lectures are a core component of the course content quality. These videos are detailed and paced in a way that makes it easy for students to follow along without feeling overwhelmed. JP Pullos and Lydia Billings use clear language and provide examples that connect theory with practice, which helps in translating technical photography jargon into practical knowledge. Moreover, the inclusion of real images as examples serves to visually demonstrate how adjustments to camera settings can impact the final photograph, which is invaluable for learners.
However, some students have noted areas where the course could improve. For instance, feedback from a student mentioned that the audio levels in the videos were inconsistent, with the instructor’s voice being too soft at times. This can detract from the learning experience as it might require students to adjust volume frequently or strain to hear instructions. Additionally, while the course does offer practical examples, some learners felt that an even greater variety of visual examples could further enhance understanding, especially in demonstrating more nuanced photography techniques or effects.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the exercises provided are thorough and encourage students to apply their learning immediately, which is a critical aspect of effective learning. These exercises not only reinforce the lecture content but also boost confidence as students see the effects of their newly acquired skills firsthand.
Overall Course Rating – 8.5/10
Considering the comprehensive content, effective teaching methods, and student feedback, I would rate the “Beginner Canon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography” course on Udemy an 8.5 out of 10. This rating reflects the high quality of instruction and the course’s ability to make complex photography concepts accessible and engaging.
This course is an excellent resource for those new to DSLR photography or looking to solidify their understanding of basic camera functions and creative settings. The instructors, JP Pullos and Lydia Billings, bring a professional background and a genuinely engaging teaching style that significantly enhances the learning experience. They successfully demystify the technical aspects of photography, making it enjoyable and informative.
The structure of the course is thoughtfully designed, offering a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, which is crucial for mastering a hands-on skill like photography. While the course could benefit from improvements in audio quality and a broader variety of visual examples, these issues do not significantly detract from the overall value of the course.
For anyone looking to transform their Canon DSLR from an intimidating gadget into a powerful tool for artistic expression, this course proves to be a worthwhile investment, equipping students with the necessary skills to start capturing better photos with confidence and creativity.
