Very broadly speaking, there are three main types of photographers out there: The Snapchat and Insta folk; the people who are dead-set on becoming the next Ansel Adams or Annie Leibovitz; and the people who just want something that at least resembles fine art to put in their frames at home. (All lofty goals, to be sure.) No matter which camp you're in, though, every photographer can benefit from these seven courses and accessories:
1. Live Courses: Adobe CC & Digital Photography Bundle
Learn how to take and edit stellar photos by dedicating a few hours each week to this live webinar series. This bundle includes access to four indispensable classes:
- Diploma in Photography, a crash-course in manual photography
- Introduction to Graphic Design & Adobe Creative Suite, where you'll discover how to design stunning content for print
- Introduction to Photoshop, a 10-lesson class that covers the industry's most popular photo manipulation program
- Mastering Adobe Lightroom, a course on organizing and fine-tuning images using the professional-grade editing software
Sale price: $29.99, 98% off the original price of $1,580. Buy it here.
2. Flexible Tripod for Smartphones & Cameras
This lightweight, flexible tripod is like the Selfie Stick 2.0: Not only will it help you snap from the perfect angles, but its legs are capable of bending and wrapping around various objects so you can take pictures from hard-to-reach spots and creative perspectives.
Sale price: $8.99, 55% off the original price of $19.99. Buy it here.
Your neck and shoulders will be ever so grateful for the BOOMR, a heavy-duty camera strap that minimizes the strain of hauling around your gear with the help of military-grade bungee technology and a cushy, memory foam pad. It's a must-have if you're regularly shooting long events like a wedding, taking an extended vacation, or embarking on an outdoorsy adventure.
Sale price: $19.99, 50% off the original price of $39.99. Buy it here.
4. Hollywood Art Institute Photography Course & Certification
Over the course of 22 modules, the Hollywood Art Institute's course will teach you how to take high-quality pictures without bogging you down (and wasting time) on all sorts of obscure technical jargon. You'll get the scoop on various photography techniques through articles, ebooks, flashcards, quizzes, a pro article database, and more. All the lessons are taught by industry pros whose cameras have helped them earn a living and make a name.
Sale price: $19.99, 99% off the original price of $2,595. Buy it here.
5. Adobe CC Essentials Training Bundle
Don't even think about becoming a photographer without familiarizing yourself with the Adobe Creative Cloud. This bundle includes courses on three of its most popular software programs — Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro — that will help you master design basics for both print and digital use.
Sale price: $29, 97% off the original price of $1,197. Buy it here.
6. The Ultimate Photography & Photoshop Bundle
Designed by photography hotshots for aspiring photography hotshots, this course covers everything from fine art techniques to determining exposure to editing images on Photoshop. With one-on-one online help and support, 24/7 access to all 27 instructional units, plus the aforementioned expert instruction, it's no wonder this class has been recognized by the International Association of Online Training Standards.
Sale price: $19.99, 97% off the original price of $799. Buy it here.
Hate to break it to you, but that smartphone camera can only get you so far. Learn how to use a DSLR camera like the best of 'em by exploring components like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture across this 24-lecture class.
Sale price: $10, 85% off the original price of $69. Buy it here.
