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Pong Lizardo

Impress your family and friends with amazing photos. They’ll be so impressed they’ll think you used a big sophisticated DSLR instead of a little point-and-shoot camera.

1000+ students enrolled and gave an overwhelmingly positive review of the previous version of this course. This new version is even better. It’s not only improved, I incorporated my Basic Photo Composition Course in this course. It’s like getting two courses for the price of one.

What previous students say:

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Impress your family and friends with amazing photos. They’ll be so impressed they’ll think you used a big sophisticated DSLR instead of a little point-and-shoot camera.

1000+ students enrolled and gave an overwhelmingly positive review of the previous version of this course. This new version is even better. It’s not only improved, I incorporated my Basic Photo Composition Course in this course. It’s like getting two courses for the price of one.

What previous students say:

“What a great course. Easy to follow and understand. I've never liked photography because it seemed so complicated. This is such an easy to follow course, and the instructor does a great job and making this all look so simple.”

–Suzanne Price

Unlike YouTube where you could scroll through how-to videos forever or other online courses which drown you with information, this photography course shows you what you need to know in bite-size chunks. No fluff. No overly technical details which confuses more than it helps. I removed all the technical details which don’t really make a difference so we could focus on what really matters: making amazing photos.

With simple quick video lectures (about 1-3 mins each) you’ll get easy to digest chunks of information you could apply right away.

This point-and-shoot photography course is the simplest photography course you’ll ever take.

ENROLL NOW.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Make amazing photos even on auto!
  • Make your little point-and-shoot camera shoot like a big dslr!
  • Impress family and friends with your amazing photos using your point-and-shoot, mirrorless camera, or any camera for that matter!.
  • Feel confident using your point-and-shoot camera or your mirrorless camera.
  • Know which camera setting to use in any situation.
  • Compose amazing photos with effective composition techniques.

Syllabus

SECTION 1: Introduction
Welcome!
The Point-And-Shoot Advantage
How Cameras Work
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Simplifies complex photography concepts into easy-to-digest chunks, allowing learners to quickly improve their skills and take better photos with minimal technical jargon
Covers essential composition techniques like rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing, which are fundamental for creating visually appealing photographs regardless of camera type
Explores aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which are core concepts for understanding exposure and achieving desired effects like blurred backgrounds or capturing motion
Includes activities and visual guides to reinforce learning and provide practical application of concepts related to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
Teaches P-Mode and other settings, which allows learners to move beyond full auto and gain more control over their camera's functions without diving into full manual mode
Focuses on older camera models, which may not be fully applicable to the latest point-and-shoot and mirrorless cameras with advanced features and interfaces

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Reviews summary

Improve photos with simple cameras

According to learners, this course is excellent for beginners and those looking to improve their photography using simple cameras like point-and-shoots or mirrorless models. Students frequently praise the bite-sized lectures that make complex concepts easy to digest and apply immediately. Many highlight how the course helps them move beyond just Auto mode, build confidence, and take impressive photos. The inclusion of composition techniques is seen as a significant positive addition in the updated version. While praised for its simplicity and focus on essentials, some note that it's primarily geared towards fundamentals and may not delve into the advanced technical details desired by experienced photographers.
Introduces Auto, P, A, S, and M modes simply.
"It gave me a good overview of what the different modes like Aperture and Shutter Priority do."
"Learned the basics of the exposure triangle and how it relates to the different camera modes."
"Explained P-Mode and why it's often better than just full Auto."
"A helpful introduction to getting off Auto mode step-by-step."
Short, focused videos are easy to watch and learn from.
"I loved that the videos were short and to the point. It made it easy to fit learning into my busy schedule."
"The bite-sized format prevented me from feeling overwhelmed by information."
"Each lecture covered just one concept, which made it very easy to absorb and remember."
"Great for quick learning and review; the short videos are a real plus."
Strong focus on composing visually appealing shots.
"The section on composition alone was worth it! It completely changed how I look at taking pictures."
"I learned so many great composition rules that immediately made my photos more interesting."
"Incorporating the composition course into this one was a brilliant idea. It's made a huge difference in my results."
"The composition tips were practical and easy to apply right away."
Helps get amazing results from basic cameras.
"I can't believe the difference this course made in my photos, just using my old point-and-shoot on Auto!"
"My pictures look so much better after applying the simple tips from this course, even with my phone camera sometimes."
"Finally, I feel like I can take good photos with my mirrorless camera without needing a heavy DSLR."
"This course delivered exactly what it promised – amazing photos without needing fancy equipment or complex settings."
Clear, simple explanations perfect for novices.
"I'm completely new to photography, and this course made everything so clear and easy to understand. It didn't overwhelm me."
"Perfect course if you're just starting out and want to learn the basics without all the jargon."
"As a beginner, I found the pace and explanations just right. I feel much more confident with my camera now."
"The instructor breaks down concepts into really manageable parts, which is fantastic for someone with no prior knowledge."
Primarily basic concepts; less on advanced topics.
"While great for beginners, those with some experience might find it a bit too basic."
"Don't expect deep dives into complex DSLR settings or advanced editing techniques."
"It's exactly as advertised: a focus on point-and-shoot fundamentals, not an advanced course."
"Good foundation, but I'll need another course for more technical details on manual controls."

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 Point And Shoot Photography: Amazing Photos Even on Auto! with these activities:
Review Basic Photography Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental photography concepts like the exposure triangle, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to prepare for more advanced techniques.
Browse courses on Exposure Triangle
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining the exposure triangle.
  • Practice adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in manual mode (if your camera has it) or using exposure compensation.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
Read Understanding Exposure
Deepen your understanding of exposure by reading a comprehensive guide that explains the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson.
  • Read the chapters on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
  • Take notes on key concepts and practice the techniques described in the book.
Read The Photographer's Eye
Enhance your understanding of composition by reading a book that explores various techniques for creating visually appealing images.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Photographer's Eye' by Michael Freeman.
  • Read the chapters on composition and design principles.
  • Analyze the photos in the book and identify the composition techniques used.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Practice Composition Techniques
Improve your composition skills by actively practicing techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing in various scenarios.
Show steps
  • Choose a composition technique (e.g., rule of thirds).
  • Go to a park or public space.
  • Take at least 10 photos using that technique.
  • Review your photos and identify what worked well and what could be improved.
Create a Photo Series
Solidify your understanding of different camera settings and composition techniques by creating a photo series on a specific theme.
Show steps
  • Choose a theme for your photo series (e.g., 'Urban Landscapes', 'Portraits of Strangers', 'Nature Close-Ups').
  • Plan the shots you want to take, considering lighting, composition, and camera settings.
  • Take at least 10 photos for your series.
  • Edit your photos and write a short description for each.
  • Share your photo series online or with friends and family.
Document a Day in Your Life
Apply your photography skills to document a typical day in your life, capturing moments and details that tell a story.
Show steps
  • Plan the shots you want to take throughout the day.
  • Take photos of your daily activities, focusing on composition, lighting, and storytelling.
  • Edit your photos and create a photo essay or slideshow.
  • Share your project with friends and family or online.

Career center

Learners who complete Point And Shoot Photography: Amazing Photos Even on Auto! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Blogger
A blogger creates and publishes content on a website or online platform. Visually appealing images can greatly enhance the impact and engagement of a blog. With the skills taught in this course, a blogger may be able to create visually appealing photos that accompany their written content. Composition skills taught here can also help them create visually balanced and appealing images.
Event Photographer
An event photographer captures images at various events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. The primary goal is to document the event's key moments while creating visually appealing images for clients. The course may help an Event Photographer understand how to use different camera settings to capture high-quality images in various lighting conditions. The exploration of composition techniques may further enable them to create more engaging and memorable photographs.
Travel Photographer
A travel photographer captures images of various locations, cultures, and experiences around the world. Their work is often featured in travel magazines, books, and websites. The course's focus on maximizing point-and-shoot cameras may help a Travel Photographer capture high-quality images while on the go, without the need for bulky equipment. The discussion of composition techniques may allow them to capture the beauty and essence of different locations.
Photography Assistant
A photography assistant directly supports photographers by managing equipment, setting up shots, and handling administrative tasks. This role often involves working with various camera types and understanding different photographic techniques. A deep dive into camera settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, as covered in the course, may help a Photography Assistant ensure the equipment is properly configured for each shot. The discussion of photo composition may further enhance their support in setting up visually appealing scenes.
Product Photographer
A product photographer specializes in capturing images of products for advertising, e-commerce, or marketing purposes. The quality of these photos can significantly impact sales and brand perception. To produce images that resonate with viewers, understanding photographic composition is valuable, which is a topic covered in this course. A Product Photographer may also benefit from learning how to use light to capture the right mood and feeling.
Real Estate Photographer
A real estate photographer specializes in capturing photographs of properties for sale or rent. Potential buyers or renters often make initial judgments based on the quality of these photos. The course's focus on maximizing the potential of point-and-shoot cameras may help a Real Estate Photographer capture high-quality images of properties, even without professional-grade equipment. Understanding exposure and composition, as discussed here, may further enhance their ability to showcase properties in the best possible light.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager is in charge of developing and implementing a company's social media strategy. They also create visually compelling content. This often involves taking or curating photos that align with the brand's identity. A course addressing basic photography techniques and camera settings may help a Social Media Manager take better, more engaging photos, even with a basic camera. Learning about composition in this course may allow them to create visually balanced and appealing posts.
Digital Content Creator
Digital content creators develop engaging content for online platforms, often involving photography. They may need to create visually appealing images for social media, websites, or marketing campaigns. To produce images that resonate with viewers, understanding composition is valuable, which is a topic covered in this course. A Digital Content Creator may also benefit from learning how to use light to capture the right mood and feeling.
Photojournalist
A photojournalist tells stories through images, often working for news organizations or magazines. They capture newsworthy events and subjects, providing visual documentation to accompany written articles. To produce images that resonate with viewers and tell compelling stories, a photojournalist can benefit from skills in composition, which this course touches upon. This learning may help a Photojournalist use light and settings to capture the right mood.
Marketing Coordinator
A marketing coordinator supports the marketing team by coordinating campaigns, creating content, and analyzing results. This role often involves creating visually appealing materials for marketing purposes. Since the ability to take good photos is useful for marketing, a course discussing basic photography techniques may help a Marketing Coordinator improve the visual quality of marketing materials. Learning about composition may also allow them to create visually balanced and appealing images.
Portrait Photographer
A portrait photographer specializes in capturing images of individuals or groups of people. They create images that capture the personality and likeness of their subjects. The discussion of composition techniques in this course may help the Portrait Photographer to create aesthetically pleasing and engaging portraits. Understanding camera settings is useful in this role, and is touched upon within this course.
Photography Instructor
A photography instructor teaches the art and techniques of photography to students of all levels. To prepare instructional material, a thorough understanding of photography fundamentals is essential. Given that this course focuses on simplification and clarity, it may provide the Photography Instructor with insights into how to present complex topics in an accessible manner. Understanding how to maximize the potential of basic equipment may further enhance their ability to teach beginners.
Web Designer
A web designer plans, creates, and codes internet sites and webpages, many of which may include incorporating graphics and images or manipulating digital photographs. As a result, a base understanding of photography principals is helpful. This introductory course may help the Web Designer take better, more relevant photos for the websites they design, ultimately saving them time and resources. Learning about composition may be useful to generating more engaging sites.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer creates visual concepts using computer software or by hand to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They might design logos, brochures, websites, and advertisements. Since graphic designers use images in their work, this course on maximizing point-and-shoot cameras may help them to take better, more relevant photos. The sections that touch on composition may be valuable as well.
Video Editor
A video editor assembles raw footage into a finished product suitable for broadcasting. They may add music, sound effects, graphics, and special effects to enhance the video's visual appeal. Since video involves visual storytelling, an understanding of photographic composition is invaluable. A video editor may find the course's discussion of composition techniques useful in making visually appealing videos.

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 Point And Shoot Photography: Amazing Photos Even on Auto!.
Provides a comprehensive guide to understanding exposure in photography. It explains aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in detail, and how they interact to create a well-exposed image. It useful reference tool for understanding the technical aspects of photography. This book adds more depth to the existing course.
Focuses on composition and design principles in photography. It explores various techniques for creating visually appealing images, such as leading lines, framing, and the rule of thirds. It is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. This book adds more breadth to the existing course.

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