Last updated: May 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology. We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on this page — it never changes what we recommend.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: The best photography course depends on your goal. To learn to shoot well from scratch, a single comprehensive Udemy masterclass is the most direct, own-it-for-life option. For a structured program with a university-issued certificate, Coursera is the better format. Our top pick for most people is the Photography Masterclass: Complete Guide to Photography on Udemy.
- Best overall: Photography Masterclass (Udemy) — shooting, composition, lighting, and editing in one course
- Best with a certificate: Photography Basics and Beyond (Coursera, Michigan State University)
- Pricing reality: Udemy is a one-time buy (often $12–$25 on sale); Coursera and MasterClass are subscriptions
- Already shoot well? Skip to editing — see our best photo editing courses
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How to choose a photography course
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Three things decide which course fits: your level, your gear, and your goal. Level — a true beginner needs the exposure triangle, manual mode, and composition from the ground up; an improver wants a specific skill like lighting or editing. Gear — most strong courses now teach across DSLR, mirrorless, and smartphone, but check before you buy if you shoot on a phone. Goal — if you just want better photos, a one-time Udemy course is the efficient path; if you want a credential to put on a résumé or portfolio, a Coursera certificate carries more weight. The picks below are sorted by that logic, and further down we point you to a course for each specific skill — from editing to color grading.
The best photography courses, by who they’re for
1. Best overall — Photography Masterclass: Complete Guide to Photography (Udemy)
This is the course we’d hand to most beginners. It’s a comprehensive, long-running Udemy masterclass that covers the whole journey — how your camera works, what gear matters, shooting in manual mode, composition, lighting, and a working introduction to editing — and it teaches across DSLR, mirrorless, and smartphone. Because it’s a Udemy purchase, you own it for life and learn at your own pace. Best for: beginners who want one dependable course that takes them from auto mode to confident manual shooting. Worth noting: it’s broad by design — for deep specialization (say, pro-level retouching), pair it with a focused course from the skill sections below.
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2. Best with a university certificate — Photography Basics and Beyond (Coursera, Michigan State University)
If you want structure, graded assignments, peer feedback, and a certificate issued by a university, Coursera’s Photography Basics and Beyond from Michigan State University is the stronger choice. It’s a multi-course specialization that works whether you shoot on a smartphone or a DSLR, and it builds toward a portfolio rather than just watching lessons. It’s a subscription, so it rewards finishing on a schedule. Best for: learners who value a recognized credential and don’t mind a monthly fee. Note: for pure speed-to-skill, the Udemy masterclass above is more direct.
3. Best for learning from world-class photographers — MasterClass
MasterClass is the inspiration layer rather than a step-by-step curriculum — it’s where you watch how the best photographers in the world approach their craft, from Annie Leibovitz on portraiture to Jimmy Chin on adventure work. It won’t teach you manual mode as methodically as the courses above, but it’s unmatched for vision and perspective once you have the fundamentals. We rank the lineup in our guide to the best MasterClass photography classes. Best for: photographers who can already shoot and want to think bigger.
Find a course by what you want to learn
Photography is really several skills. Once you know which one you’re working on, these focused guides go deeper than any single all-rounder course can:
- Photo editing courses — Lightroom and Photoshop for processing your RAW files and retouching. The other half of every great photo.
- Color grading courses — for getting a consistent, cinematic look across a set of images or footage.
- Travel & street photography courses — shooting on location, with available light, on the move.
- MasterClass photography classes — learn approach and vision from named, world-class photographers.
- CreativeLive courses — workshop-style classes if you prefer that platform’s format.
Photography courses compared
| Course | Platform | Best for | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photography Masterclass: Complete Guide | Udemy | Best overall for beginners | One-time purchase |
| Photography Basics and Beyond | Coursera (Michigan State) | University certificate | Subscription |
| Photography classes (Leibovitz, Chin) | MasterClass | Vision from the masters | Subscription |
| Photo editing (Lightroom/Photoshop) | Udemy | Processing & retouching | One-time purchase |
What about free photography courses?
There’s a lot of strong free instruction — YouTube channels run by working photographers, and roundups of free classes from outlets like PetaPixel are a good starting point. Coursera’s specialization can also be audited free if you skip the certificate. The trade-off is the same as always: free content answers a specific question well, but a single structured course gives you an ordered path from auto mode to a finished, edited photo. If you’re serious about improving quickly, that structure is worth the modest cost.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best online photography course for beginners?
For most beginners, the Photography Masterclass on Udemy is the most direct option — it covers cameras, manual mode, composition, lighting, and editing in one place, and you own it for life. If you want a university certificate, choose Coursera’s Photography Basics and Beyond from Michigan State.
Do I need a DSLR to take a photography course?
No. Most strong courses now teach across DSLR, mirrorless, and smartphone cameras, and the fundamentals — exposure, composition, light — apply to any camera. Check the course description if you shoot only on a phone, but you can learn the core skills on the gear you already have.
Are online photography courses worth it?
Yes, if you pick by goal. A one-time Udemy course is worth it to learn to shoot well; a Coursera certificate is worth it if you want a credential; MasterClass is worth it for inspiration once you have the basics. The poor value is buying a broad course when you actually need one specific skill — in that case, use our skill-specific guides above.
Should I learn to shoot or to edit first?
Learn to shoot first — good editing can’t rescue a poorly exposed or badly composed photo. Once you’re shooting confidently in manual mode, move to our photo editing courses to finish your images in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Related guides
- Best Photo Editing Courses — Lightroom, Photoshop & more
- Best MasterClass Photography Classes
- Best CreativeLive Courses
- Best Color Grading Courses