Watch Fundamentals of Photography

2012
1 Season

Fundamentals of Photography from The Great Courses is an in-depth exploration of the art and science of photography. The course is taught by professional photographer Joel Sartore, who has over three decades of experience working in the field. He covers everything from the basics of camera technology to the nuances of composition and lighting, providing a comprehensive overview of the craft.

The course is structured in a logical, easy-to-follow way, with each lesson building on the one before it. Sartore starts by discussing the basic components of a camera, including lenses, shutter speeds, and ISO settings. He then goes on to cover more advanced topics such as exposure compensation, flash photography, and working with different lighting scenarios.

One of the standout features of this course is Sartore's teaching style. His explanations are clear and concise, and he has a way of breaking down complex subjects into simple, manageable pieces. He is also a skilled photographer himself, and brings his own work into the course to illustrate key concepts.

Another key strength of this course is the practice exercises that are included with each lesson. These exercises allow students to put into practice what they have learned, and to receive feedback on their work from Sartore and their peers. The course also includes a discussion forum where students can ask questions, share their own work, and engage with other photography enthusiasts from around the world.

In addition to the technical aspects of photography, Sartore also covers the creative side of the craft. He discusses composition and design principles, and provides examples of how different photographers have used these concepts to create impactful images. He also talks about his own creative process, and how he approaches different types of photography assignments.

Throughout the course, Sartore emphasizes the importance of practice and experimentation. He encourages students to try new things, to take risks, and to learn from their mistakes. He also stresses the importance of developing one's own unique style and vision, rather than simply copying what others have done.

Overall, Fundamentals of Photography from The Great Courses is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to improve their photography skills, whether they are a beginner or an experienced photographer. The course provides a solid foundation in the technical aspects of the craft, while also emphasizing the importance of creativity and experimentation. With its clear explanations, engaging examples, and interactive exercises, it is a comprehensive and effective way to learn the art and science of photography.

Fundamentals of Photography is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between November 20, 2012 and on The Great Courses

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Seasons

24. Telling a Story with Pictures--The Photo Essay

November 20, 2012

Close out the course with a fascinating look at telling stories with your photographs. Using his photo essays on Alaska's North Slope; people at Leech Lake, Minnesota; and dwindling biodiversity, Mr. Sartore leaves you with a greater appreciation of how photographers are not just observers but actual storytellers.

23. Editing--Choosing the Right Image

November 20, 2012

Hone your editing skills by combing through groups of images to select the ones that stand out. It takes time and practice--but once you can narrow your photographs down to the best of the best, you can sharpen your critical eye and improve the way you shoot in the future.

22. After the Snap--Workflow and Organization

November 20, 2012

Regardless of whether you're shooting with film or on a digital camera, you need an effective system to organize your pictures. Here, get practical tips on everything from storing film negatives and naming your digital pictures to touching up your shots and archiving all of your work.

21. Advanced Topics--Problem Solving

November 20, 2012

In order to be a better photographer, you need to be a visual problem solver. Mr. Sartore, using his own career experiences, takes you through varying levels of difficult situations--such as shooting in Antarctica, on a snowy road, or throughout a massive city--to illustrate the importance of mastering this skill.

20. Advanced Topics--Low Light

November 20, 2012

Low light used to be the bane of Mr. Sartore's profession. Now, it's all he wants to photograph in. Learn how to take advantage of low-light situations by picking the right gear (including lenses that give you wide apertures) and techniques such as using objects to block bright spots in your frame.

19. Advanced Topics--Macro Photography

November 20, 2012

Examine how to capture the remarkable (and often overlooked) beauty in miniature subjects such as insects, flowers, eyes--even a pile of money. Learn the best equipment to use, lighting techniques to capture specific features of your miniature subjects, and common mistakes to avoid (such as not getting enough depth of field).

18. Advanced Topics--Research and Preparation

November 20, 2012

Despite what you may think, researching is an important part of any well-planned photo shoot. In the first of several lectures on advanced topics in photography, learn from Mr. Sartore's own diverse shoots around the world about ways to research and prepare for photographing in more complicated situations.

17. Let's Go to Work--Family Vacations

November 20, 2012

Transform the way you think about and take photographs during vacations. How can you avoid taking the same dull pictures like other tourists? What are some good ways to capture the story behind a famous landmark? Who can you ask for help about the best places for photo opportunities in your destination?

16. Let's Go to Work--Special Occasions

November 20, 2012

Special occasions come loaded with moments that beg to be captured with a camera. Taking the knowledge you've gained from previous lectures, investigate ways to anticipate and better prepare for candidly photographing the range of emotions, moods, and scenes that can be found at any wedding, party, or holiday event you attend.

15. Let's Go to Work--From Mundane to Extraordinary

November 20, 2012

A key skill for any photographer is the ability to capture the special aspects of even the most mundane subjects. Focus on developing and strengthening this talent alongside Mr. Sartore, who teaches you how to make great frames in seemingly "boring" places from hotel rooms to hog farms.

14. Let's Go to Work--People and Relationships

November 20, 2012

Using touching photographs of family and friends, Mr. Sartore demonstrates how to use your camera to best capture joy, sadness, anger, and other emotions--without interfering with your subject's behavior.

13. Let's Go to Work--Wildlife

November 20, 2012

Explore techniques for photographing wildlife, whether it's birds in your backyard or lions on a safari. Learn how to set up a blind to conceal you from your subject, where to find the best places to photograph flora and fauna, common mistakes that wildlife photographers should avoid, and more.

12. Let's Go to Work--Landscapes

November 20, 2012

Now start applying the information you've learned. Your first assignment: rural and urban landscapes. Some tips you'll discover include surveying the ground ahead of the prime light you want to shoot in, using wide-angle lenses and a little height to suggest grandeur, and focusing on a subject you can get repeated chances at capturing.

11. Composition III--Framing and Layering

November 20, 2012

Frames. Leading lines. The eyes of your subject. Layers. Learn how paying attention to--and using--these and other compositional tools can isolate the true subject of your photo and add a strong sense of dimension.

10. Composition II--Background and Perspective

November 20, 2012

Great composition also involves paying attention to background and perspective. Here, Mr. Sartore offers you numerous tips and strategies for finding the perfect background, examining the benefits and drawbacks of particular perspectives, and avoiding compositional mistakes that can ruin the power of even the most perfectly lit photograph.

9. Composition I--Seeing Well

November 20, 2012

How do you truly capture the beauty of the three-dimensional world around you? The answer lies within composition--photography's second building block. In the first of three lectures on the subject, analyze a series of pictures to get a basic understanding of how framing works.

8. Light III--Introduced Light

November 20, 2012

Mr. Sartore discusses a tricky type of light: man-made (or introduced) light. You'll learn tips for manipulating different sources of light (including firelight, car taillights, reflectors, and spotlights). Also, you'll start to see your camera's flash setting as not a pesky button but a powerful tool for creating breathtaking effects in your photography.

7. Light II--Color and Intensity

November 20, 2012

Continue exploring light and photography with a look at color--both the "color" of different types of light and colors as they appear in your photographs. Then, focus on the differences between hard light and soft light, and how to adjust your camera accordingly to maximize the potential of these key photographic elements.

6. Light I--Found or Ambient Light

November 20, 2012

In this first lecture on one of the two building blocks of photography, learn how to tap into the power of ambient light, which isn't created in a studio but is found around you. Look at how you should adjust your camera to make the most of found light, and learn the best kind of ambient light to shoot in and why. Explore front lighting, hatchet lighting, and even zebra lighting.

5. Aperture and Depth of Field

November 20, 2012

What do numbers such as f/1.4, f/2.8, or f/16 mean? Finally make sense of your camera's aperture settings, which can help create eye-popping visual effects and solve specific compositional problems. Then examine some of Mr. Sartore's acclaimed work to see the dramatic relationship between aperture and a photograph's depth of field.

4. Shutter Speeds

November 20, 2012

Your camera's shutter speed controls how much light enters the lens in a shot. Learn how to become a master at working with this critical tool of photography. You'll discover when to use fast or slow shutter speeds, study each speed's unique effects, and uncover different techniques--such as panning and ghosting--that can add great artistic touches.

3. Lenses and Focal Length

November 20, 2012

Lenses are the most critical tools of photography. In this lecture, he takes you into the field and shows you different camera lenses in action. Among them: 70-200 mm (good for blurring out distracting backgrounds), rectilinear lenses (great for photographing things with minimal distortion), and wide-angle lenses (perfect for both landscapes and for shooting subjects in tight quarters).

2. Camera Equipment--What You Need

November 20, 2012

To take a picture, you need to have good equipment. Here, get a no-nonsense guide to finding photography equipment--including cameras, tripods, and camera bags--that fits your needs. Also, take an in-depth look at a camera's controls and settings for everything from aperture to shutter speed to ISO (your film's sensitivity to light).

1. Making Great Pictures

November 20, 2012

What makes a photograph iconic? What three things must every picture have to stand out from any old snapshot? These two questions form the core of Mr. Sartore's introduction to the course. You'll also discover that a great picture doesn't rely on equipment--but on being able to see and think critically about your surroundings.

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Where to Watch Fundamentals of Photography

Fundamentals of Photography is available for streaming on the The Great Courses website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Fundamentals of Photography on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Hoopla.