Beyond basics: fundamental photography techniques

Lesson 1: Portrait photography techniques
Do you want to take better portraits? Find out how to use light, backgrounds, depth of field, lighting and portrait photography poses for great results. This lesson guides you through techniques that pros use to achieve high-quality portrait photos.

In this lesson:

• Welcome to the course
• Where in the world? Selecting a background
• Shedding light on portrait photography
• Shooting with artificial light
• Tips for using your camera's built-in flash
• Avoiding red-eye
• The right angle: selecting a vantage point
• Posing your subjects

Lesson 2: Architecture and landscape photography techniques
Nature, landscape and architecture photos can be boring or breathtaking, depending on how you shoot them. A large part of capturing such photos is learning how to view the scene. Find out how to take photos that will wow anyone who sees them.

In this lesson:

• Composing landscape and architecture photos
• Using depth of field
• How light and weather affect nature and architecture photos
• Photographing architecture

Lesson 3: Black and white photography techniques
Think of the stunning black and white landscapes and portrait photos you've seen and you're bound to agree—shooting in black and white gives photos an ageless feel. This lesson introduces you to some techniques for great taking black and white photos.

In this lesson:

• Creating dramatic black and white photos
• What makes a good black and white photo?
• How to capture or create a black and white photo

Lesson 4: Understanding macro photography
There are so many things in our world you want to get close to and photograph. Find out how to set up your shot, get the most from your zoom lens, control depth of field and use close-focus for effect.

In this lesson:

• Understanding macro photography
• Using aperture to control depth of field in macro photography
• Finding enough light for close-up pictures