Photography courses can help you learn composition techniques, lighting principles, and post-processing skills. You can build expertise in portraiture, landscape photography, and product photography, along with understanding color theory and storytelling through images. Many courses introduce tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, that support editing and enhancing your photos, as well as camera equipment and software that help you capture and refine your vision.

Skills you'll gain: Photo Editing, Generative AI, Adobe Photoshop, Image Quality, Data Import/Export, Editing, Graphic Design
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Marketing Budgets, Social Media Content, Photo Editing, Social Media Marketing, Social Media, Marketing Materials, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Marketing, User Accounts, Entrepreneurship, Business
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Adobe Photoshop, Photo Editing, Photography, Graphics Software, Creative Design, Graphic Design, Image Quality, Creativity
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Photo Editing, Instagram, Social Media Content, Social Media, Content Creation, Social Media Marketing, Photography, User Accounts, Dashboard, Graphic Design
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Design, Web Content, Web Development, UI Components
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: Issue Tracking, Timelines, Design, Graphic Design, File Management, Collaborative Software, Data Management
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Style Guides, Video Production, Data Import/Export, Content Creation, Branding, Animations, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Graphic and Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Photography, Typography, Marketing
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Browse the photography courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.
Start by thinking about your purpose—are you capturing portraits, learning manual camera settings, building a portfolio, or editing with tools like Lightroom or Photoshop?
These beginner-friendly courses are ideal if you're new to photography or want to switch from auto mode to manual:
Yes. You can start learning photography on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in photography, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
Your motivation, whether to become a professional photographer, enhance your hobby, or improve your social media content, will guide your learning. Regular practice, including taking and editing photos, is necessary. Join photography communities like Flickr or Reddit’s r/photography for inspiration and feedback. Work on real projects such as photo challenges or creating a portfolio.
Photography courses cover a variety of topics essential for mastering the art and technique of photography. These include the basics of camera settings, composition, and lighting. Learners will explore topics such as portrait photography, landscape photography, and post-processing techniques using software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Advanced courses might cover areas like studio photography, commercial photography, and advanced editing techniques. Practical exercises and assignments help learners apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to capture and edit stunning photographs.
A certificate in photography can open up various career opportunities in the creative and media industries. Common roles include professional photographer, photojournalist, commercial photographer, and photography instructor. These positions involve capturing and editing photographs for various purposes, including events, portraits, commercial projects, and media publications. With the growing demand for high-quality visual content, earning a certificate in photography can significantly enhance your career prospects and opportunities for advancement in fields such as advertising, journalism, fashion, and education.