When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
Welcome to Course One of Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR! In these first 4 Modules you will gain the knowledge and the confidence that will help you make good choices as you consider qualities of the camera you own, and the qualities of the other types of digital cameras you might be considering. You will learn about the basic functions that most digital cameras have in common. You will also go beyond the "technical" matters and learn about how you can make exciting pictures by emphasizing the aspects of Frame and Vantage Point to interpret old subjects in new ways. Discovering accessories that photographers find useful, and the types of camera bags from mini to carry-on sized, is also in store for you. You will also make your first photographs and, if you are a subscriber to the specialization, upload pictures to the web gallery and start interacting with your fellow learners in our "Gallery." Let's get started with Module One!
Welcome to the Module One of Course One, where we will begin our journey together to gain the knowledge and skills that will help you take control of your photography! The world of digital photography presents so many "tech" options that it can be quite confusing. Throughout this Course and Specialization, we will be sorting through the various functions, menus, and also the good old focus and exposure and camera craft aspects, so you can build a foundation for success. We'll start with some Basics, and keep building!
What's included
9 videos7 readings4 assignments1 peer review
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 64 minutes
MEET MSU and THE SPECIALIZATION: a welcome from College of Arts & Letters Dean, Dr. Chris Long•4 minutes
MEET THE PROFESSORS: PETER Glendinning•5 minutes
MEET THE PROFESSORS: MARK Sullivan•8 minutes
MEET THE COURSE: an overview by Mark and Peter•2 minutes
Basic Elements of Photography: CAMERA/LENS•15 minutes
Basic Elements of Photography: SENSOR/SHUTTER•9 minutes
Basic Elements of Photography: SHUTTER+APERTURE=EXPOSURE•8 minutes
Workflow of Digital Photography step-by-step•7 minutes
Full Auto Shooting Mode!•6 minutes
7 readings•Total 70 minutes
Websites for your viewing pleasure: L'oeil de la photographie and ASMP and PDN!•10 minutes
Peter Glendinning websites/Instagram•10 minutes
Mark Valentine Sullivan - social media photography sites•10 minutes
About the Peer Review Process•10 minutes
Some additional info on the history of photography!•10 minutes
Learn more about your professors!•10 minutes
Private FACEBOOK group for our Learners!•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Camera/Lens•30 minutes
Sensor/Shutter•30 minutes
Shutter/Aperture/Exposure•30 minutes
QUIZ 1.1.1•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Nice to Meet You!•120 minutes
Camera capabilities: differences and similarities
Module 2•7 hours to complete
Module details
In Module Two we will survey different types of digital cameras that are in widespread use today, discuss their different capabilities and characteristics, and help you determine which might be most appropriate for the uses you plan to make of your photographs. Whether you need to make photographs to capture the important moments of personal experience with friends and family, or need to make photographs for purposes related to your employment or small business, you will find an overview of information to help you here. Along with the time you spend learning about cameras, you should continue to experiment with your own camera and your own interest in photography!
What's included
10 videos1 reading5 assignments1 peer review
Show info about module content
10 videos•Total 119 minutes
Camera Capabilities and You•6 minutes
A Basic Vocabulary of Capabilities•20 minutes
Capabilities of Point & Shoot and Compact Cameras•14 minutes
Capabilities of DSLR Cameras•16 minutes
Capabilities of Mirrorless Cameras•13 minutes
Apple iPhone 6 Camera•9 minutes
Samsung Galaxy 6 Camera•9 minutes
Three essential Smartphone accessories•8 minutes
Program Mode and ISO settings for greater control•9 minutes
"Working a Scene"•14 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
About the Peer Review Process•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 150 minutes
Point & Shoot and Compact Cameras•30 minutes
DSLR Cameras•30 minutes
Mirrorless Cameras•30 minutes
QUIZ 1.2.1•30 minutes
QUIZ 1.2.2•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Working a Scene in Program Mode•120 minutes
Setting up yourself and your digital camera: Menus, Settings, and baggage!
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
In Module Three you will be guided through the critical steps of "Setting Up" your Digital Camera. Digital cameras of all types offer many options to choose from, allowing you to customize the way the pictures are recorded and to be more successful in achieving your goals in photography. This is NOT just a checklist of functions, simply guiding you as to which buttons to push! You will learn the practical significance of what the settings mean and how they impact the way a picture looks, and how your camera works. You will understand not only HOW but also WHY! Whether you have a brand new camera or have been making digital photographs for a while, this information is critical to your success.
What's included
7 videos4 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 84 minutes
Setting Up the Camera by First Setting Up Yourself•11 minutes
Setting Up the Camera - Part 2•6 minutes
Setting Up a Digital Camera Part 3a 1.3.3•5 minutes
Setting Up a Digital Camera Part 3b 1.3.4•21 minutes
Camera Setup Four•9 minutes
Camera Bags, from Mini to Carry-On Sizes•19 minutes
What is in PG's BAG?•13 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Camera Set Up 2•30 minutes
Camera Set Up 3•30 minutes
Quiz 1.3.1•30 minutes
QUIZ 1.3.2•30 minutes
Picture Decisions: The Vantage Point and Frame
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
In Module Four we will turn to concepts related to the way photographs look, and how practical decisions that are unique to photography can have dramatic effect in terms of what their creative content might be. We examine the aspects of Vantage Point and Frame as essential choices that must be made by photographers no matter what their ultimate goal for image-making. We also introduce the Peer Review process for paid-Learners, and the ways we can learn about our own ideas through using "terms of art" in written reviews the photographs of fellow Learners.
What's included
7 videos3 readings2 assignments1 peer review
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 87 minutes
What is "normal" Vantage Point?•10 minutes
The effects of Vantage Point choices.•17 minutes
Responding to Photographs•8 minutes
The Frame: what to include, or exclude.•9 minutes
The Frame and composition•13 minutes
The Frame and Content•20 minutes
Mark & Peter each discuss their own VP and Frame Photos 1.4.7•10 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
About the Peer Review Process•10 minutes
Garry Winogrand: Frame, Vantage Point, and Content•10 minutes
The History of Photography in 5 Minutes•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Vantage Point•30 minutes
QUIZ•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Your World Transformed by the Frame•120 minutes
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Learner reviews
4.8
5,335 reviews
5 stars
80.82%
4 stars
15.48%
3 stars
2.47%
2 stars
0.46%
1 star
0.74%
Showing 3 of 5335
R
R
5·
Reviewed on Dec 22, 2017
This course was very informative and provided just the right amount of challenge for me to stretch my creativity and newly obtained knowledge. I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to the next course.
J
JA
4·
Reviewed on Oct 7, 2016
As a novice in Photography, this course taught me the necessary basics when you are starting out to become a photographer. Videos about content and composition of the photo are extremely helpful.
E
EA
5·
Reviewed on Nov 8, 2021
This is a great introduction to your camera and compsing photos. There are some aspects that are very basic, but that is needed so they can build on that knowledge. I am glad I took this course.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.