A picture’s worth a thousand words – and knowing how to work your Canon DSLR camera can make all the difference when capturing those irreplaceable memories.
I’ve spent the past few weeks scouring the internet to find the best online Canon Photography courses out there.
Whether you’re looking to learn technical basics or artistic skills (ie. utilizing the exposure triangle and perfecting composition), this article covers a range of courses so you’re bound to find something that suits you.
Best Canon Photography Courses 2023
Here are my top recommendations for the best Canon Photography courses this year:
- Canon Camera Course: Getting Started with Canon Photography (Udemy)
- Beginner Canon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography (Udemy)
- Photography Starter Kit for Canon DSLR Beginners (Udemy)
- Learning Your Canon DSLR Camera (Linkedin Learning)
- Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR Cameras (Udemy)
Our top choice is Canon Camera Course: Getting Started. It’s not only the perfect course for beginners, but also for photography experts who aren’t familiar with using Canon DSLR cameras.
With over 50,000 students and an average 4.6/5 star rating, it’s a great way to learn the basics of operating a Canon DSLR camera and the technical side of photography.
The next three on our list are all good courses for getting to grips with the technical side of owning and operating a Canon and you should check their pros and cons to work out which one best suits you.
For those looking to learn about the workings of a Canon camera, but who also want to cover the more artistic photography skills (ie. using light and reflection, composition, creativity, storytelling, colors etc) then Udemy’s Digital Photography for Beginners is a good all round introduction.
Udemy courses are all purchased individually. Linkedin Learning courses can also be bought as stand alone courses or you can get a one month free trial. This will give you access to all their online courses.
Finally, if you decide you are looking for a more general photography course, check out our best online photography course review.
Read my mini reviews below for more details …
Best Canon Photography Course reviews
1. Canon Camera Course: Getting Started with Canon Photography (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Phil Ebiner | Length: 45 video lessons totalling 3 hours and 27 minutes
As one of the top rated instructors on Udemy, Phil Ebiner has over 2.5 million students. With a background in video production and editing he definitely knows his way around a camera.
With this 8 part course, you’ll walk away with the knowledge and confidence to use your Canon Camera and start taking photos.
You will learn how to:
- Use your Canon Camera (including how to operate between the different functions and camera features)
- Use both automatic and manual settings
- Navigate the camera menu
- Utilize Camera Basics (ie. focus, white balance, burst mode, flash etc)
- Get proper exposure with settings such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO
- Connect to wifi and use the Canon Smartphone App
- Film video and record audio
- Use an external Microphone
Pros
- Easy to understand – concepts are clearly and comprehensively explained
- Well structured
- Certificate of completion available
- Additional resources available (ie.downloadable resources and articles, cheat sheets with summarized information etc)
Cons
- Quite slow Paced for those with some prior knowledge
- Only focuses on the technical side of photography (doesn’t really cover artistic skills such as composition etc)
Who it’s for: Perfect for beginners who wish to learn basic photography concepts. Plus photography experts who aren’t familiar with using Canon DSLR cameras. It aims to get novices to a place where they are comfortable using the camera to take beautiful photos.
Overall: With over 50,000 students and an average 4.6 star rating, this course is a great way to learn the basics of operating a Canon DSLR camera and the technical side of photography.
2. Beginner Canon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: JP Teaches Photo | Length: 8 video lessons totalling 1 hour and 6 minutes (including exercises, this course totals 2.5 hours)
JP teaches Photo consists of a team of teachers, many of whom are professional photographers with over 10 years of experience. If you prefer a more practical approach to learning, this may be the course for you.
You will learn:
- The basics of aperture, exposure, shutter speed and mode dials
- How to use the buttons and dials to work your canon camera
- How different camera modes work and when you should be using each mode
Pros
- Focused on experiential learning rather than memorization (learning through exercises)
- Empathetic and patient teacher
- Teaches you to become an intuitive photographer – so you don’t need to be thinking about your camera when taking photos
- Concepts are well explained
Cons
- Doesn’t cover all the basics
- Not many examples – lesson content mostly consists of the tutor speaking with occasional images on screen to illustrate points
Who it’s for: Those new to using Canon cameras or those who know some of the basics but have little/no knowledge on how exposure, aperture, shutter speed and mode dials work.
Overall: Despite its lack of visual examples and coverage of wider topic areas, this class encompasses a good approach to teaching and learning – it is well explained with a lot of practical exercises.
3. Photography Starter Kit for Canon DSLR Beginners (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Corey Reese | Length: 12 video lessons totalling 1 hour and 10 minutes
You will learn:
- How to better understand the camera’s menu settings, modes and buttons
- Basic camera terminology
- Different camera lenses and how to choose the best one for your camera
- Artistic Skills (ie. Focusing and composition techniques)
- How to think like a photographer
- Lighting techniques
- The difference between raw files vs JPEG (you may prefer to use Adobe Lightroom to follow along with this part of the lesson although this is not compulsory)
Pros
- Real life examples are used to illustrate concepts
- Covers a wide range of content (from technical camera basics to artistic skills such as composition)
- Friendly tutor
Cons
- Lessons would benefit from being split into clearer sections
- Although concepts are demonstrated with visual examples, it could be more concisely and directly explained.
- A little too relaxed – lessons resemble online vlogger content rather than a professionally edited video course.
Who it’s for: Beginners to the Canon Camera system and those who prefer learning with visual examples.
Overall: A good course which briefly covers a range of different topic areas
4. Learning your Canon DSLR Camera (Linkedin Learning)
Platform: Linkedin Learning| Teacher: Richard Harrington | Length: 54 video lessons totalling 3 hours and 22 minutes
With a 4.6 star rating, this course allows you to become acquainted with your Canon Camera. Richard Harrington is a practiced expert in photography and over the course of this 10 part program, you will learn all about the different settings and modes on your camera.
You will learn:
- The essential features and controls of Canon DSLRs
- Different shooting modes
- How to take photos AND shoot 4K/ HD Video
- How to adjust camera settings (ie. ISO)
Pros
- Earn a Linkedin Learning Certificate upon course completion
- Concepts are clearly and comprehensively explained
- Visual examples can be useful in demonstrating how to navigate between settings
Cons
- Slightly slow paced – slightly robotic feel compared to more conversational teaching approaches in other courses
- Technical focused – doesn’t really focus on creative skills
Who it’s for: Beginners and intermediates who are just starting out with photography/ are new to using Canon cameras.
Overall: A comprehensive and technical focused course which is ideal for those looking to better understand their Canon Camera.
5. Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR Cameras (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Villiers Steyn | Length: 57 video lessons totalling 2 hours and 19 minutes
Villiers Steyn is a professional photographer who has experience in travel, wedding, event and wildlife photography. As an instructor with a 4.8 rating on Udemy, his courses have taught thousands of students how to capture amazing photos using DSLR cameras.
You will learn:
- Camera Basics (ie. the different types of lenses and camera equipment)
- How to hold your camera correctly
- The limitations of your DSLR Camera
- How and when to change your camera settings
- Artistic Photography Skills (ie. using light and reflection, composition, creativity, storytelling, colors etc)
Pros
- Clear introduction – allows you to know exactly what to expect from the course and what the different sections will cover
- Organized structure – course focuses on technical skills first to enable you to work the camera. It then goes on to discuss artistic skills to hone in on your creativity as a photographer
- Short and concise lectures that last between 2 and 5 minutes each – makes things as clear and simple as possible
- Images and slideshows are used to illustrate concepts and showcase examples
Cons
- Not suitable for those who wish to learn advanced photography skills as it only covers the basics
Who it’s for: These lessons are perfect for any beginner with a Canon/ Nikon DSLR (or a camera that’s mostly used in automatic mode) who wish to take good photos.
Overall: As one of the bestseller courses on Udemy with a 4.7 star rating, Villiers Steyn’s class is a well structured and concise course which covers the very basics of DSLR Photography.
What are the advantages of taking a Canon Photography Course?
There are many reasons you might wish to learn Canon Photography as a new skill, here are just a few:
- You will learn to understand the specifics of a Canon camera!
- It could become a new career – If you master the skill of photography well enough, you may be able to sell your photography or even garner a following on social media
- Capture memories that can last a lifetime – whether it’s your sister’s wedding or that amazing trip to the Bahamas you went on, never forget the moment by capturing it within your camera
- Explore and express your creativity
- Show your friends and family the love by gifting your photos
- Communicate complex ideas in visual ways
Buyers guide: what to look out for
There’s so many courses out there, it can be overwhelming to pick the best one. Luckily, I’ve got you covered! Check out the points below on things you may wish to consider when choosing the best course for you:
- Course Content – Do you want to learn all there is to know about photography or only focus on one niche area? Do you need lessons on photo editing and social media as well? Some courses cover more content generally, whilst others give very detailed accounts into one particular area only – make sure the course you choose suits your learning needs.
- Equipment Needed – Whilst not compulsory, some courses recommend access to software such as Lightroom to get the most out of the content. If this is something you don’t need, perhaps a different course might be better suited to you.
- Different Photography Mediums – Whilst all the courses mentioned in this article cover the basics of Canon DSLR Photography, some include additional content on mobile photography or point and shoot cameras – this might be preferable for students who wish to learn the art across a range of different mediums.
- Time – How much time do you have? If you’re short on time or only need to learn a specific topic area, a more niche course might be better suited to you.
- Teaching Style – Are you more of a practical learner? Or do you prefer lecture style courses? Method of teaching is extremely important to consider to ensure you remain engaged and better understand the course material.
- Price – Budget is also an important factor to take into account. But also consider value for money. A course may cost more but may be more worth it in the long run if it covers more topic areas or provides information in more depth.
How much does it cost?
The Udemy courses in this list generally range from approx. $24 – $75, although they can usually be bought more cheaply during the platform’s online sales.
Alternatively, you may wish to learn through a subscription based platform instead. This allows you to take as many courses as you wish for one set fee. A great option for those who want to take multiple courses or learn different skills!
A good example is Linkedin Learning. A subscription costs $24.99 a month (annual plan) or $39.99 a month (monthly plan). This includes access to Linkedin Premium benefits for your personal Linkedin Profile as well as certificates of completion for certain courses. They currently offer a free one month trial so you can try out the platform before deciding whether to commit to it.
How long does it take to learn Canon Photography?
On average, the courses listed in this article include video content ranging from 1 hour to 3.5 hours.
These figures do not include practice time or the time it might take for you to process information/ make notes etc – these are factors you should, however, take into consideration when weighing up how long a course might take you to complete.
Conclusion
Our top choice is Canon Camera Course: Getting Started. It’s not only the perfect course for beginners, but also for photography experts who aren’t familiar with using Canon DSLR cameras.
With over 50,000 students and an average 4.6/5 star rating, it’s a great way to learn the basics of operating a Canon DSLR camera and the technical side of photography.
The next three on our list are all good courses for getting to grips with the technical side of owning and operating a Canon and you should check their pros and cons to work out which one best suits you.
For those looking to learn about the workings of a Canon camera, but who also want to cover the more artistic photography skills (ie. using light and reflection, composition, creativity, storytelling, colors etc) then Udemy’s Digital Photography for Beginners is a good all round introduction.
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Canon Photography courses: frequently asked questions
I recommend Udemy’s Canon Camera Course: Getting Started with Canon Photography
Courses here range from $24 – $75 whilst subscription platforms can cost between $24.99 – $39.99 per month. Of course, this still works out cheaper than in person lessons!
Courses can take between 1 – 3 hours to complete however, this does not include practice time.
Jessica graduated from the University of Manchester with a First Class Degree in LLB Law. In her spare time, she enjoys learning new languages, singing, and performing.