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Rosie Parsons

Photography for Beginners - DSLR Photography Camera Settings is the key to finally getting to grips with your DSLR.

"I love, love, love Rosie's courses. She is a fantastic instructor and engaging (I am a teacher by profession and can say she is a really great teacher). I have taken a bunch of other beginning DSLR classes and was overwhelmed. I was totally frustrated by my camera. THIS course was the first one I have taken and able to apply all that I learned right away.

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Photography for Beginners - DSLR Photography Camera Settings is the key to finally getting to grips with your DSLR.

"I love, love, love Rosie's courses. She is a fantastic instructor and engaging (I am a teacher by profession and can say she is a really great teacher). I have taken a bunch of other beginning DSLR classes and was overwhelmed. I was totally frustrated by my camera. THIS course was the first one I have taken and able to apply all that I learned right away.

This course is short, sweet, to the point. The difference in my photos has been amazing. She uncomplicates camera settings for you. I can go out and now know exactly where to start in manual mode and how and what to adjust. Her modules give just enough information without too much. It is enough to get you started taking beautiful photographs right away.

Her case studies at the end are particularly helpful as well. Start with this class and then add on her Creative Fundamentals class after. I love Rosie as a teacher and would definitely enroll for any of her other classes she creates in the future. Rosie - I'd love a beginning Lightroom class from you :-) .

Highly recommend this class for the beginning photographer and useful whether you have a Nikon or Canon camera".

- Nichole Churchill (five stars)

Do you enjoy photography and have a gorgeous fancy camera but always find yourself using it only on auto mode?

Or perhaps you briefly tried out the different settings but ended up feeing completely confused and overwhelmed by photography?.

It's really exciting when you buy a new camera - you have all these hopes and visions for beautiful photography, but the reality of loads of confusing knobs and dials when you get it out of the box can be frustrating.

If you've felt disappointed with the photography you've been shooting on your DSLR (a camera where you can change the lenses) or bridge camera then this is the perfect photography course for you.

"I have just completed this photography settings course and I could have never imagined when I started out that I would be able to demystify all of the confusing settings and buttons on my camera. Now that I am done I feel perfectly confident that I can take great pictures in any environment." (five stars)

I'm Rosie Parsons, owner of Rosie Parsons Photography - an award winning professional photographer with 12 years photography experience. My photography has been featured on the cover of Professional Photographer and in OK. Magazine among others. 

I would love to come alongside you, to be your guide and help you discover the easy, step by step path to understanding your camera and improving your photography.

"Rosie's photography course is amazing. I have learnt so much in the past few weeks. So much detailed information which allows me to understand what photography is. Understanding how the aperture, shutter speed & ISO works, I can now take photos using the Manual Mode with confidence. I am so glad to get a chance to enrol in Rosie's photography course and looking forward to increasing my knowledge and make photography as a career. Thanks Rosie" (five stars)

In my Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings Course we take things at a really easy pace, thoroughly explaining all the key photography settings you need to know, how to adjust them and how to choose the correct photography settings in any given situation from dark rooms to bright sunny days. You'll get to watch me in action as I photograph events like a christening and how I adjust my photography settings inside the dark church, and what settings I choose outside in the bright sunshine to capture great family photos and candid photography.

"I found Rosie's photography course insightful, fun and inspiring. Her informal manner made the lessons feel like I had invited a friend round to teach me the basics of photography, and as a result, I  think I digested the bite size tips more quickly. I feel like I've learnt a lot about photography in a very short space of time thanks to her clear communication and obvious talent. The fact that I can dip in and out of the videos at my leisure made the whole experience easy and enjoyable."

- Nicola Moyne, Marie Claire Magazine

"I love this course . Rosie is great at breaking it down for you . Her lessons are well thought out and organized. I love the quizzes at the end of the chapter. Im getting the answers right so I know I'm learning. I took my camera out for the first time yesterday. I was able to easily apply what I learned. Each chapter builds on the next. I dont have a Cannon or a Nikkon camera. Familiarizing myself with my camera setting prior to taking a lesson was extremely helpful. Although I have a Sony A7RII I was able to follow along after I learned to navigate my camera's settings. Her lessons apply to any camera. I love her smile and and assuring attitude. I will take another course from Rosie."

- Jessica Cortez

Take this photography course with its easy to follow, bite sized lessons and photography challenges (plus our exclusive Facebook community only for students of this course) and enjoy a huge improvement in your photography skills.

You've made your biggest investment by buying your fantastic camera, now let's make the most of what it can do.

Enrol now in my Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings course and let's get you started on your fast track to amazing photography.

Enroll now

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Finally feel super confident with your camera and what photography settings you need
  • Know your photography settings for beautiful photos when it's bright and sunny
  • Have confidence choosing the right photography settings for low light situations
  • Know how to adjust your photography settings to make the background blurred for lovely portraits
  • Be aware what photography setting to change when you want to photograph more than one person
  • Enjoy creating photography effects like the motion of water while photographing waterfalls
  • Know how to use a flashgun for indoor photography at night

Syllabus

See how your camera settings can improve your photography, learn how to choose a lens to create a specific effect, discover the equipment I use in my work.
Read more
How understanding your camera settings will help your photography!
Lenses - how different lenses affect the look of your photos
What do I use for my photography? My own camera and lenses plus recommendations

Test out your photography knowledge so far with our first quiz!

Week One Photography Challenge
Learn what settings you absolutely need to use to improve your photography
What is manual mode and why will it help me take the best photos?
The easy way to know you have your photography settings right - metering
Burst Mode / Rapid shooting
Week Two Photography Quiz
Week Two Photography Challenge
Discover the key ways to make sure your photos are in focus every time
Photography in focus - adjusting the viewfinder
Setting up your focal point
What do AI Servo etc mean and how to adjust them
Photography Image File Types - RAW vs Jpeg
Week Three Photography Quiz
Week Three Photography Challenge
Discover how adjusting your photography ISO settings will help you take better photos whether it's very dark or bright and sunny
What is your photography ISO and how to adjust it for better photos
Real life photography case study - ISO (indoors and outdoors)
Photography ISO Quiz
Week 4 Photography Challenge
You'll learn how to adjust your aperture to create beautiful blurred backgrounds and to adjust it when you need more in focus, for example when photographing groups
What is aperture and how to adjust it to gain control over depth of field
Real life case study - aperture (portrait photography and group shots)
Photography Aperture Quiz
Week Five Photography Challenge
Learn how adjusting your shutter speed will let the right amount of light into the camera and discover the best shutter speed setting for most photography
What is shutter speed and when to adjust it
Photography Shutter Speed Quiz
Shutter Speed Photography Challenge
Learn how to adjust your camera's white balance settings for different lighting situations for natural photography
White Balance
Photography cheat sheet for working out your settings (print out and keep)
Recap on photography settings
Photography Settings Quiz
Photography in action: See how I use all the settings together to photograph a christening in a dark church, on a bright sunny day with group photos
Photography Case Study - Christening at a Church
Photography - Christening Recap Quiz
Photography in action: Discover how I adjust my settings to photograph a newborn baby at home
Photography Case Study: Newborn at Home
Photography - Newborn Recap Quiz
Photography in action: Discover how to adjust your settings to capture the movement of water while keeping the rest of the scene sharp
Photography Case Study: Photographing Waterfalls
Photography - Waterfalls Recap Quiz
Photography in action: See how I adjust where I stand and my settings to get great shots in a home environment
Photography Case Study: Rainy Day at Home - baking, craft and cuddles!
Photography - Rainy Day Quiz
Learn how to create natural looking photography with flash
How to bounce flash for natural looking night photography

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners and provides a comprehensive path for learning the basics of photography
Taught by an experienced and award-winning professional photographer, Rosie Parsons
Offers a comprehensive coverage of essential photography settings, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance
Provides real-life case studies and photography challenges to reinforce learning and practical application
Features a combination of videos, quizzes, and discussions for a multi-modal learning experience
Guides learners through various lighting situations and how to adjust settings accordingly

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Reviews summary

Highly-rated beginner's guide to dslr photography

Learners say that Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings is a largely positive course that provides engaging assignments and easy-to-understand explanations about how to use DSLR cameras. The course is well-received by beginners, especially those who are new to photography or just getting started with a DSLR camera. Reviews mention that the course is well-structured, with knowledgeable and easy-to-understand instructors. Students appreciate the engaging assignments and find the lectures and readings to be easy to follow.
Organized and easy to navigate
"Very informative and great fit for me.Course was clearly presented as I am new to online learning."
Experts in the field
"knowledgeable and easy to understand"
"The teacher is great."
Interactive and hands-on
"yes. It seems to be a good fit."
"It’s very engaging so far"
"Easy to listen to and engaging"
Great for beginners
"Loved the course. It was easy to learn as Iam beginner"
"Easy to understand for beginners."
"very interesting and very well presented"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings with these activities:
Review the basics of photography
Refresh your memory on the fundamentals of photography, including camera settings, composition, and lighting, to prepare for this course.
Show steps
  • Review your camera's manual or online tutorials to familiarize yourself with the different settings and functions.
  • Practice taking photos in different lighting conditions to understand how aperture and shutter speed affect exposure.
  • Experiment with different compositions to improve the visual appeal of your photos.
Read 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson
Expand your knowledge of photography by reading a classic book on exposure, providing a deeper understanding of the principles covered in this course.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Apply the knowledge gained from the book to your photography practice.
Join a photography group or online community
Connect with other photographers, share your work, receive feedback, and engage in discussions to enhance your learning and stay motivated.
Browse courses on Peer Feedback
Show steps
  • Join a photography group or online community.
  • Participate actively, sharing your photos and providing feedback to others.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Practice adjusting camera settings for different scenes
Reinforce your understanding of camera settings by practicing how to adjust them for different lighting conditions and photographic goals.
Browse courses on Camera Settings
Show steps
  • Take a series of photos of the same scene, varying the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings to observe the effects on exposure and depth of field.
  • Experiment with using different white balance settings to correct for different lighting conditions.
  • Practice using exposure compensation to adjust the overall brightness of your photos.
Create a portfolio of photos showcasing your skills
Demonstrate your progress and solidify your learning by creating a portfolio of photos that showcase your skills in composition, lighting, and editing.
Browse courses on Photo Editing
Show steps
  • Select a variety of photos that represent your best work.
  • Edit and refine your photos using photo editing software.
  • Organize your portfolio in a visually appealing and cohesive manner.
Create a photo series or personal photography project
Challenge yourself by embarking on a photo series or personal photography project, allowing you to apply and expand your skills in a focused and creative manner.
Browse courses on Creative Photography
Show steps
  • Brainstorm and develop a concept for your photo series or project.
  • Plan your shots, including locations, lighting, and compositions.
  • Execute your photo series or project, taking a variety of shots to capture your concept.
  • Edit and refine your photos, ensuring they align with your artistic vision.
  • Share your photo series or project with others for feedback and appreciation.

Career center

Learners who complete Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Photojournalist
Photojournalists take pictures that communicate news. Knowledge of photography settings is important for this profession, as photographers often work on-site without the time to set up gear. This course can help aspiring photojournalists understand how changing camera settings will affect their images.
Photographer
A Photographer takes pictures primarily for commercial or documentarian purposes. While this course concentrates on settings related to digital SLR cameras, it also emphasizes camera settings in general, thus helping those interested in a career as a photographer.
Film or Video Editor
Film or video editors cut and piece together film footage to create a seamless video. They must be able to understand the style and intent of the film or video and cut footage to communicate it to the audience. A course on photography settings can help aspiring film or video editors understand how changes to camera settings affect the footage they're editing.
Camera Operator
Camera operators film television programs and motion pictures, and work closely with the director and cinematographer. A Camera Operator must position and maneuver the camera so as to create the desired shots. This course can help train camera operators on how to get the most out of their equipment.
Art Director
Art Directors oversee the visual style and aesthetics of various media, including film, television, and advertising. A background in photography settings can help aspiring art directors to better understand the technical aspects of photography and thus guide others in creating the visual style they envision.
Creative Director
Creative directors are responsible for the overall artistic vision of a creative project. They oversee all aspects of the project, from concept development to final execution. Creative directors often work with photographers, so a background in photography settings can be helpful in understanding the technical aspects of photography and communicating with photographers to achieve desired outcomes.
Advertising Account Executive
Advertising Account Executives manage relationships with clients, help develop advertising campaigns, and oversee the creation of advertising materials. They must be able to speak intelligently about photography and understand how different camera settings can affect the final product. This course can help aspiring Advertising Account Executives develop this understanding.
Event Planner
Event planners organize and manage events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. They must be able to work with photographers to capture the event's atmosphere and share it with attendees. This course can help aspiring event planners develop a foundation in photography settings.
Social Media Manager
Social media managers use social media platforms to promote brands, products, or services. They must be able to create engaging visual content, including photographs. This course can help aspiring social media managers develop a foundation in photography settings.
Public relations manager
Public relations managers manage the public image of organizations and individuals. They must be able to work with photographers to create positive press coverage. This course can help aspiring public relations managers develop a foundation in photography settings.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They must be able to understand the visual aspects of marketing, including photography. This course can help aspiring marketing managers develop a foundation in photography settings.
Artist
Artists create paintings, sculptures, drawings, and other works of art. Some artists use photography to create or enhance their works. This course can help aspiring artists better understand how camera settings can affect the final image.
Graphic designer
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course may be useful in helping aspiring graphic designers strengthen their understanding of digital photography.
Web Designer
Web designers are responsible for the visual layout and functionality of websites. This course may be useful in helping aspiring web designers to better understand digital photography.
Teacher
Teachers plan and deliver instruction to students in schools and other educational settings. While this course is not directly related to teaching, it may be useful for teachers who want to incorporate photography into their lessons or who want to improve their own understanding of photography.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings.
Provides an in-depth explanation of the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. It valuable resource for photographers of all levels who want to improve their understanding of exposure.
Teaches the principles of composition and design, which are essential for taking great photographs. It valuable resource for photographers of all levels who want to improve their compositional skills.
Provides a comprehensive overview of photographic lighting, including natural light, artificial light, and flash photography. It valuable resource for photographers of all levels who want to improve their lighting skills.
Collection of essays on the art of photography. It valuable resource for photographers of all levels who want to learn more about the history and theory of photography.
Provides a clear and concise explanation of exposure, with step-by-step instructions on how to use your camera's settings to take great photos. It valuable resource for beginner photographers who want to learn the basics of exposure.
Classic guide to the art of photography, with timeless advice on composition, lighting, and exposure. It valuable resource for photographers of all levels who want to learn more about the history and theory of photography.
Provides a comprehensive overview of composition and design, with specific examples from the author's own work. It valuable resource for photographers of all levels who want to improve their compositional skills.
Provides a clear and concise explanation of exposure, with step-by-step instructions on how to use your camera's settings to take great photos. It valuable resource for beginner photographers who want to learn the basics of exposure.

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