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Kit Fanner

This course will teach you everything you need to know to become a much better photographer. It will adjust your mindset when you think about wanting to take a photo in the way a professional photographer would. This course is based on the iPhone but all concepts are the same across most modern-day smartphones. It is designed with simplicity in mind and how to change your view, adapt skills and change your mindset before and after lifting any camera. It will take your photography to the next level.One of the biggest misconceptions is that the smartphone cameras can’t be used for anything else other than for fun photography, as they are not as good as a DSLR. While DSLR cameras are technically better, the quality of a photo depends on the skill of the photographer and their creative vision. With the right knowledge and the right techniques, you can use your iPhone to create amazing photos, and videos covered in another course. The most important thing with photography is to get it right in the camera first time. The key to every photo no matter what it's taken on is to control Focus, Light, Composition & Movement. Learn to have a photographer’s eye and mind. When you walk up to a shot be thinking of this, and in time it will become all automatic and you will be taking stunning photos.Everyone is a photographer, but not everyone is a great photographer. It's not about having the best, most expensive equipment; it's about having good equipment that you know how to master. The modern-day smartphone such as the iPhone is a brilliant camera for many situations. I’ve shot both photos and video for the media as a press photographer. It's not about the equipment you use, it's about knowing how to use what you have got.As we know there are many versions of iPhones on the market, in this course, I will try and cover as many variations of the features available and the differences in the iPhones as possible. This is to ensure everyone benefits with what you use and that you're not disappointed that you can’t find the feature described when it may not be available on your iPhone.You'll learn all the basics of professional photography, allowing you to take photos that stand out from the rest. This step by step course gets straight to the point and covers more than you think it might with many tips and tricks. Take the course at your own pace and just get out there, practice what you have learnt and see your skills developed into second nature skills that happen without you having to think.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The step-by-step course gets straight to the point to help you understand the basic skills of camera set-up, professional photography, editing and accessories allowing you to take photos that really stand out.
  • As part of this course we teach you how to set up the iphone to ensure you maximise your photography, often missed how by so many.
  • This course will teach you how to control focus, light, composition and movement to create great images.
  • With the right knowledge and a few key skills you will be using your iphone to create amazing, dynamic, colourful photographs like a dslr.
  • We share our top tips and tricks that we use in our professional photography.
  • Just as important as the photography, we teach your the basics of editing explained in full, the difference is amazing.
  • You’ll be surprised how quickly your skills develop and become second nature. you will start to think like a photographer and produce creative photographic images that you want to share.
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Syllabus

Introduction

This course will teach you everything you need to know to become a much better photographer. It will adjust your mindset when you think about wanting to take a photo in the way a professional photographer would. This course is based on the iPhone but all concepts are the same across most modern-day smartphones. It is designed with simplicity in mind and how to change your view, adapt skills, and change your mindset before and after lifting any camera. It will take your photography to the next level.

Read more

This is a full run-through of all the elements that we will be teaching to help you understand and perfect in the future after changing your iPhone settings or developing your skills. An important note is the first main videos are explaining the setup of the camera, which when done and understood will assist you in creating better photos. So the first part of the course is a bit techie and boring BUT is a must to understand and have knowledge of.

This is a brief video explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the iPhone with photography and video alike.

Making sure you capture the action quickly and don't miss a shot is very important. Here we explain the importance of the camera app position.

With true tone turned on, the display on your iPhone will change color with your environment just like a white balance has an effect under different lighting conditions. So here we explain the importance of knowing of True Tone and turning it on if you can.

This is a bit of a boring subject but a massively important one. With the ease of being able to take photos and videos, sometimes we forget how much space they take up, especially if our iPhone only has a 16GB storage capacity. So let's run through the best way to manage your storage.

Once again such an important video to understand the difference between the iCloud library, Photostream, and the camera roll for storage and how to maximize storage.

If you don’t want to pay the minimal cost for storage, you can always transfer your photos to an external hard drive.

Another option is a different cloud storage app such as Zenfolio which has been a market leader for many years. Let's see more about this in this video.

It's so important that if your iPhone gets lost or stolen you have a backup. This includes all your photos, which are priceless memories. This video will show you how to check that your backup is turned on.

Just a quick video to show how and where to check your iPhone camera settings to maximize all photography opportunities.

In this video, you will learn how to preserve your last camera setting rather than the camera always defaulting to a standard photo.

Grids are very useful for checking your photos horizons are straight and give you a guide to the “Rule of thirds”, let's see how.

This is a little techie but back when iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra was upgraded Apple introduced two new industry-standard media formats HEIF and HEVC. What does this mean?

This has nothing to do with you composing your photos. This is about you having the ability to preserve some of the missed photos or videos when you have zoomed in too much. Don't miss this one, can be very useful if you have a newer iPhone.

HDR or High Dynamic Range, what does this mean, understand the concept, and how this enhances your photography knowledge and skills?

Geo-tagging, the perfect way to remember where you took the photo. Let's see how to turn this on.

As you well know, the iPhone has a front and rear camera and some with multiple lenses such as the iPhone 11 Pro. So what's the difference between them and how does this affect your photography?

This was introduced on the iPhone 6S Plus and all phones since but how does this help your photography?

Why mute the shutter sound and how? There are two ways that you can turn off the sound of the shutter being released.

Now we get into the main part of the camera and photography. We do touch on a couple of items associated that are video-based but as they appear in the camera menu, it seems only right to touch on them briefly. These are Time Lapse, Slow Motion, and Video itself plus a little about Square. We go into greater detail on these in our video course.

What is a time-lapse and when would you use this?

Slow Motion and what is it used for?

The square format and what is the purpose and when would you use this?

The live photo was introduced in iOS 9 as a special feature for the iPhone 6S and later. When taking a live photo, the camera will take 1.5 seconds of video before and after the shot. So, what's the point of a live photo?

Flash, not just to use in the dark, find out more.

It’s a belief that you can’t get good low light photos with an iPhone. In 2019 Apple introduced night mode to the iPhone 11 range. Later I will go through the tips on night mode but for the non 11 users here's how to get better low light shots.

There are some limiting factors with iPhone photography and one of them is the zoom function. So let's explain the difference between the two, Optical or digital zoom digital?

Even though we are talking about taking your photography to the next level, there's always the times when you want to snap away capturing special quick moments. But every photo taken has the purpose of capturing a memory and is as important as the last. So here are a few tips to ensure you capture the perfect memory.

So, what is composition?  Composition is arranging what you have in your frame for a purpose. What do I mean by a purpose, let's find out?

Now this may seem strange to cover these together as they are completely different subjects but all will become clear why very soon. So here we are going to cover Tap Focus, Exposure and Auto Exposure/Auto Focus Lock.

Burst mode is a great feature for capturing the perfect frame from fast-moving action. The camera can take up to 10 frames per second. So, what can you use it for?

A self-timer is a great tool and shouldn't be underestimated, as it will help you perfect the sharpness and focus of your photos.

Portrait mode allows you to take amazing professional looking portrait photos where the subject’s face will be perfectly sharp, while the background appears beautifully blurred. Let's see how?

On the App Store, there are a few panoramic apps available, but the native iPhone in-camera app does a great job of creating panoramas. Let's see how to perfect pans.

So what is HDR, it stands for High Dynamic Range and is the method of blending images with different exposures together to create a final photo. But how do you achieve this through the iPhone?

Just some tips on how to get the best sharpness in your photos.

Even though the iPhone is a brilliant piece of modern technology, it does have some limitations such as shooting in Raw. In time, I’m sure that Apple will bring in much needed manual controls and other photo recording formats such as RAW. But in the meantime lets see how you can shoot in Raw until then.

One of the biggest problems that we see in editing, is that most people don’t understand the concept of editing. Let's find out to edit correctly with impact.

This is something that is so important but often overlooked, let's see some quick top tips.

Let's go through some tips and tricks that will help enhance your photography and help you out in some situations, and some of the basic accessories that you may consider.

Lightroom is ranked as one of the best photographers' apps for fine-tuning photos. The backend system of this app is incredible, too much to go through in this training, but I wanted to give you all the basics you need to know to make a massive difference.

So that is the end of this course for now, but a beginning for you and me. For you, to start discovering photography in a new light and for me, I would love to continue this journey with you and hear how you are getting on. I would love to see a link to some of your work.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to control focus, light, composition, and movement, which are fundamental elements for creating compelling photographs
Covers iPhone-specific features and settings to maximize photography potential, ensuring users get the most out of their device's camera
Explains the basics of editing, which is just as important as the photography itself, and helps learners understand how to enhance their images
Emphasizes that the quality of a photo depends on the photographer's skill and creative vision, not just the equipment, which is encouraging for smartphone users
Covers multiple iPhone models and their features, but some users may be disappointed if their specific iPhone model lacks a feature described
Recommends using Lightroom, which may require a separate subscription, to fine-tune photos, which may be a barrier for some learners

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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 iPhone Photography - A masterclass on taking awesome photos with these activities:
Review Basic Photography Principles
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental photography concepts like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and composition before diving into iPhone-specific techniques.
Browse courses on Aperture
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining the exposure triangle.
  • Practice adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in a virtual simulator.
  • Review the rules of composition, such as the rule of thirds.
Read 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson
Deepen your understanding of exposure, a critical element in photography, by reading a highly-regarded book on the subject.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson.
  • Read the chapters on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
  • Experiment with different exposure settings on your iPhone.
Practice Composition Techniques
Improve your composition skills by practicing different techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry.
Show steps
  • Choose a composition technique to focus on.
  • Take at least 10 photos using that technique.
  • Review your photos and identify what worked well and what could be improved.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Photo Series on a Theme
Solidify your understanding of the course material by creating a photo series that showcases your skills and creative vision.
Show steps
  • Choose a theme for your photo series (e.g., 'Urban Landscapes,' 'Portraits of Strangers').
  • Plan and shoot at least 5 photos that fit your theme.
  • Edit your photos to create a cohesive look and feel.
  • Share your photo series online or with friends and family.
Build a Photography Portfolio
Showcase your best iPhone photos in a professional portfolio to demonstrate your skills and attract potential clients or collaborators.
Show steps
  • Select your best 10-15 iPhone photos.
  • Create a website or use a portfolio platform to showcase your work.
  • Write a brief artist statement about your photography style and vision.
  • Share your portfolio with others and solicit feedback.
Read 'The Photographer's Eye' by Michael Freeman
Enhance your understanding of photographic composition and design principles by studying a well-regarded book on the subject.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Photographer's Eye' by Michael Freeman.
  • Read the chapters on composition, design, and visual language.
  • Analyze the photos in the book and identify the compositional techniques used.
Help Others on Photography Forums
Reinforce your learning by helping others with their photography questions and challenges in online forums.
Show steps
  • Find online photography forums or communities.
  • Answer questions from other photographers, sharing your knowledge and experience.
  • Provide constructive feedback on other photographers' work.

Career center

Learners who complete iPhone Photography - A masterclass on taking awesome photos will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Freelance Photographer
A freelance photographer often works on diverse projects, requiring a versatile skillset. This course, focused on mastering smartphone photography, provides the foundation for capturing high-quality images using readily available technology. The course emphasizes the importance of controlling focus, light, composition, and movement, all critical components of successful photography, regardless of the equipment used. Learners will be able to develop their creative vision to produce stunning and impactful photographs for various clients. Students who wish to enter the field should find this course particularly useful because it is grounded in the practical techniques that translate from smartphone devices to other camera types.
Social Media Content Creator
A social media content creator is responsible for producing engaging visuals, often using their own smartphone. This course provides essential knowledge and techniques to create eye-catching photographs that are key to gaining traction on various social media platforms. The course covers many areas from camera set-up to editing skills and also goes over the importance of controlling focus, light, and composition. The course focuses on making the most of smartphone cameras, making it ideal for individuals looking to produce their own high-quality content. As phones have become the camera of choice, learning to use them effectively is key, and thus any content creator should take this course.
Travel Blogger
Travel bloggers rely heavily on visual content to engage their audience. This course is extremely useful, as it teaches how to use a smartphone to capture professional-looking photos of travel destinations. Learning to control focus, light, composition, and movement, discussed in the course, allows travel bloggers to create vivid and compelling imagery. In addition, with an understanding of editing, they can enhance their photos quickly and efficiently. Travel bloggers must rely on the equipment they have available, and this course is the perfect way to maximize their output. Travel bloggers are always looking for ways to improve their content and should find this course very helpful.
Food Blogger
Food bloggers need to create visually appealing images of dishes to attract their audience. This course provides the skills and understanding to take great food shots using a smartphone. The course covers essential aspects of professional photography like focus, light control, and composition, which are critical for food photography. The insights into editing are especially valuable for perfecting food images before they are published. The ability to master these skills with a smartphone makes this course incredibly accessible and useful for those who wish to become a food blogger. This is a course that all aspiring food bloggers would find helpful.
Real Estate Photographer
Real estate photographers require the ability to capture spaces in a way that is both attractive and accurate. This course offers a strong foundation in photography principles, enabling a real estate photographer to use smartphone cameras to their full potential. The course teaches the importance of focus, lighting, and composition, which are crucial for photographing indoor and outdoor spaces. The editing section also equips users with tools to enhance their images, making them more appealing to potential buyers. Those interested in this role should learn the basics through this course, and that is the power of this technology to capture the vision they want.
Product Photographer
Product photographers need to capture images that highlight the features of an item for sales or marketing. This course teaches core photography skills necessary for product photography, even when using only a smartphone. By teaching focus, lighting, and composition, this course provides the learner with fundamental knowledge that can help create professional quality product photos. The insights in the course will help learners understand how to approach product photography with the right mindset. Product photographers who wish to learn on a phone should take this course.
Event Photographer
An event photographer is responsible for capturing the atmosphere and key moments of events. This course will assist significantly in developing the skills needed to take photos in various settings. The ability to control focus, light, and movement with smartphone cameras, which is emphasized in this course, proves invaluable for a real-world application. Learning how to approach photography with a professional mindset, and knowledge of camera setup techniques will be of great value to an aspiring event photographer. This course is a very useful starting point for those who want to begin a career as an event photographer.
Photo Editor
Photo editors enhance images to meet specific standards and requirements. This course gives students a foundation in how to use photography tools and make the right adjustments to their photos. While this is not an in-depth editing course, the basics of editing, which are covered, can still prove to be very useful to a photo editor. Understanding how photos are shot, and what kind of adjustments are needed to make them better, will give a photo editor valuable insight and a deeper understanding of the process from start to finish. A photo editor may find this course particularly useful.
Photojournalist
A photojournalist captures images that document events and stories. While this role may require more advanced gear, the principles of photography covered in this course are very useful. The emphasis on controlling focus, light, and composition when thinking like a professional photographer, is a great skill to learn. This course will help a photojournalist by enabling them to be ready to capture the best image possible with the equipment they have available. Although this course is not targeted at those with advanced needs, a photojournalist may find this course useful.
Blogger
Bloggers often use photographs to enhance their posts. This course may be useful as it covers the skills to take better photos using a phone. The focus on composition, lighting, and editing is something that a blogger might benefit from. The ability to create better visual content helps drive more engagement with online content. This course may be useful to those who want to take more appealing photos for their blogs.
Marketing Specialist
Marketing specialists often need to create or oversee visual content for campaigns. This course is helpful in understanding the principles of photography and visual storytelling. The emphasis on creative vision may provide a marketing specialist with greater insight into how images can be used effectively to enhance a marketing message. Better understanding the basics of photography can help specialists in marketing take control of visual assets. This course may be helpful for marketing specialists who create content.
Graphic designer
Graphic designers often incorporate photographs into their designs. While this course offers training on photography, graphic designers may benefit from learning more about how to capture and compose their own images. The course may also give graphic designers greater control over the visual assets they use. The focus on editing may also be valuable. A graphic designer may find this course useful as they begin to work with photography.
Social Media Manager
Social media managers are responsible for planning and executing social media strategies. While this course focuses on photography, learning more effective ways to capture images with a phone may be helpful. The emphasis on settings and control of composition may be helpful to create engaging content. Knowing the basics of editing provides additional control over the final output. A social media manager may find this course useful, especially when creating visual content. With a focus on smartphone photography, the course will ensure the visual aspect of their work is professional.
Website Designer
Website designers use images on websites to enhance user experience. This course may be useful to develop a better understanding of the principles of photography. The course focuses on controlling focus, light, movement and composition which may help designers make better decisions about their visual choices. The understanding of editing may also be useful. A website designer may find this course helpful if they are looking to expand their skillset.
Brand Manager
Brand managers are responsible for overseeing a brand's image which includes visual assets. This course provides an understanding of how to capture and edit images using a phone which may be helpful. The course focuses on camera settings, composition, and editing which gives insight into how images are created. This may be useful to brand managers to help them make better decisions about brand visuals. A brand manager may find this course useful in the content they create.

Reading list

We've selected two 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 iPhone Photography - A masterclass on taking awesome photos.
Provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the exposure triangle and how it affects your photos. It's a great resource for beginners and experienced photographers alike. It is particularly useful for understanding the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. This book is commonly used as a reference by photography enthusiasts.
Focuses on composition and design in photography. It's a great resource for understanding how to create visually appealing images. It provides a deep dive into the elements of design and how they can be used to create compelling photographs. This book is valuable as additional reading to expand on the course's composition lessons.

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