NelsonARowe Loc: North Georgia USA

I recently received an email about a photography class online called How to Master Travel Photography. It’s an online course that has 8 weeks of lessons, photographers lectures and homework assignments. It costs three payments of $33 or a one time payment of $89. Has anyone taken this class and if so do you think it’s worth it or just a bunch of stuff I could easily get from YouTube. I would appreciate any feedback and thanks.

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

The second option. I would not pay $90 or $100 for an online course - for that you could go to YouTube for free or buy several books to teach you the same thing.

jeweler53

If you have a good handle on the exposure triangle (ISO, Shutter speed and aperture), the best way to learn how to "take pictures" is to take pictures. Lots of them. Look at them critically and avoid mistakes you have made in the past. We used to have a saying (when I was a film photographer with my own darkroom) "Film is cheap." Today, film is FREE.

jeweler53

If you have a good handle on the exposure triangle (ISO, Shutter speed and aperture), the best way to learn how to "take pictures" is to take pictures. Lots of them. Look at them critically and avoid mistakes you have made in the past. We used to have a saying (when I was a film photographer with my own darkroom) "Film is cheap." Today, film is FREE.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

The only way to know if it's worth it is to go to the class and find out. I went to a class in my community held at a local high school in the evening, I think the payment was $35.00 for 4 weeks. And yes, it was worth it, the instructor kept it interesting. Most local community colleges have photography classes. You can probably get the same thing on You Tube but it's much better being in a class room with people interested in photography while talking to a professional photographer. Good luck.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Part of the process with a class, if you follow the instructions, is that it is structured and something specific is expected of you so you may actually do it. I've learned photography lots of ways over the years and I find that the classes, since they expect me to do something in a specific timeframe or way, helped me to move forward. If you are capable of setting up your own structure then just viewing info online may work out well for you. If you do go with just the online info, I suggest that you set up at least specific goals to ensure that you actually do move forward in the process of learning photography.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Great feedback from all posters.
I learned on youtube and websites and tried to repeat / recreate. Drove my passion to learn. Shoot semi-professionaly now.
However...
I too have been thinking about taking a course for all the reasons noted by others in this thread.
Reignite passion, structured approach, pickup some tips...

My concern is that I may spend time and money to discover I am in a class of newbies learning the "scene" modes on their entry level dslrs.

..took a free class on a cruise ship recently. There was great value in that AFTER the class, the instructor and I spent an hour 1v1 sharing tips and we both learned a lot!

I think some youtube time and well worded questions on the Hog will give you 90% of what you need.

However...taking a class for the 10% PLUS meeting new people and sharing tips with THEM will be worth it :-)

Let us know how it works out and if you learned anything new that was not evident online...

repleo Loc: Boston

I take a lot of 'in person' photo classes and workshops. Yes, you can usually find all of the content, advice, material on-line or in books. The most valuable part of the classes is the assignments. They make you think hard and get you out with a purpose. The critiques and reviews are enlightening as is seeing the work of other class members. You won't get that from YouTube. If the assignments are reviewed and critiqued by a suitably qualified person, I think the course might be of value.

Of course, you could create your own assignments and post the results here for review and critique.

OneShotOne18

I think in my peculiar case of learning - I'm unique. By that I mean, I ask a lot of questions to the point ( I think ) people think I'm obnoxious. But, I really don't care what they think as long as I get my answer. To the point of learning photography, I'm at a S-L-O-W stage. I pick up info here on the Hog, YoTub, or wherever else I can read about it. I have read and re-read about ISO, A, M , S, and P vs Auto so many times and while I get some of it, mostly I don't get it all. It so confusing to try to understand how each are related to the each other. You make and adjustment here and the if you don't make a corresponding adjustment on something else you get either a bad photo or you might get a lucky shot. Probably my best solution is either a combination of get with someone who is well versed, attend a class and just keep practicing 'til " I get it". Oh, I have kept my Fuji PnS but have bought a Nikon D3300. It's a long way from some Pro camera but at this stage, I have no business with a high end camera until I learn to do with what I got.
Nelson, I too have had the opportunity to enroll ina Travel photography course by Great Escape Publishing. I have found loopholes in their company whereby I can get SOME photography info without actually paying for their course. I do think the company is legit.....in that, I can't find any dirt on them. Not saying there isn't though. Buyer beware. A couple of people here on the Hog have suggested books for beginners in digital photography on Amazon that are very good. I believe, that I am more inclined to go that route or attend a hands on class rather than pay for an on line or downloaded course from a travel company.... just my two cents.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

If you don't have time restraints, Creative Live offers free classes. You can purchase that class if you cannot watch it the day it is offered.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Many great suggestions here already, particularly about the imposed structure of a class - whether online or at a facility. I paid for a couple online (simultaneously) and found I hated the feeling of having to produce by a deadline.

One possible opportunity for free training videos is lynda.com via your local library. You could ask or check your library's website in the e-learning section. Several of us on UHH (from locations all over the world) have been able to enjoy that site for free. I very much liked the setup of how to keep your playlist in one place for easy return to view, or browse for whichever you want to see next + how short each chapter is within a series. Quite a few different instructors too, in case you end up with a favorite.

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

But this is not in a classroom - it's online. Not the same!!

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

I don't think you can do that for an online class - you pay and you get what you get. No money back!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

If this is the course the OP is referring to
https://superstarblogging.nomadicmatt.com/alt-travel-photography/
they do offer a refund for up to 30 days.

The two online classes I took were through Bryan Peterson School of Photography and had a refund policy limited to 7 days.

Photocraig

You don't have to travel to learn Travel Photography. Aside from the logistics of actually being in transit and lodging, any location is a destination for somebody else. Within 100 miles of anywhere are enough destinations to allow you to complete any number of projects highlighting, interesting people, architecture, cultural sites, natural scenes and "icons." B&H Explora and Adorama Learning have some Travel presentations. Check 'em out and assign yourself the various genres of travel and shoot 'em. And, don't overlook "Environmental" Portraits, Festivals and FOOD!