Digital Photography for Beginners Courses

ByCity Academy

Photography

Beginner

Beginner photography course combining classroom instruction, practical exercises and London location shoots to develop control of a camera’s manual settings.

About this course

The course introduces the technical and creative foundations of digital photography through classroom-based theory, practical exercises and location shooting. Participants work with exposure settings, lenses, focus, white balance, file formats and composition, applying each technique in different shooting situations. Teaching combines guided instruction with exercises and constructive feedback. The course covers manual and semi-automatic camera modes, depth of field, motion effects and ways to make deliberate choices about framing, light and focus.

What you'll learn

  • Set exposure using ISO, aperture and shutter speed in manual and semi-automatic modes
  • Select suitable focal lengths and lenses for different subjects
  • Control depth of field, focus points and autofocus modes
  • Apply composition techniques to create balanced images
  • Freeze or blur movement using appropriate camera settings
  • Choose between JPEG and RAW formats and set white balance for changing light

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for complete beginners and learners with basic photography knowledge. Participation combines classroom learning with practical exercises and outdoor location shoots, including work in different shooting environments.

  • Suitable for learners starting from no previous photography experience
  • Includes practical shooting at London landmarks, with locations subject to variation
  • A camera with full manual controls is used during class

Before you go

  • Bring a mirrorless, DSLR or compact camera with full manual controls, or borrow a camera for use during class.
  • Bring the camera manual, a fully charged battery, an empty memory card, comfortable shoes and a light bag.
  • A lightweight tripod and external flash may be brought if available.

Class teachers

  • Holly Falconer

    Class teacher

  • James Ross

    Class teacher

Where this course runs

City Academy

London's leading performing arts academy

20 photography courses on Learn.London

Upcoming classes

22 classes

Selected date

Sat 7 Nov 2026

10:00 – 16:00 • 2 days

£285

Photoion Studio, Waterloo

James RossClass teacher
Book this class →

Other available dates

  • Sat 21 Nov 2026

    10:00 – 16:00 • 2 days

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Holly Falconer

    £285

  • Sat 5 Dec 2026

    10:00 – 16:00 • 2 days

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Holly Falconer

    £285

  • Tue 8 Dec 2026

    18:30 – 20:30 • 6 weeks

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Photography team

    £285

  • Mon 4 Jan 2027

    18:30 – 20:30 • 6 weeks

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Photography team

    £285

  • Sat 9 Jan 2027

    10:00 – 16:00 • 2 days

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Photography team

    £285

  • Fri 22 Jan 2027

    18:30 – 20:30 • 6 weeks

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Photography team

    £285

StartsScheduleLengthTeacherVenuePrice
21 Nov 2026
Saturday
10:00 - 16:00
Weekend course2 days
HollyFalconer
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
5 Dec 2026
Saturday
10:00 - 16:00
Weekend course2 days
HollyFalconer
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
8 Dec 2026
Tuesdays
18:30 - 20:30
Short course6 weeks
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
4 Jan 2027
Mondays
18:30 - 20:30
Short course6 weeks
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
9 Jan 2027
Saturday
10:00 - 16:00
Weekend course2 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
22 Jan 2027
Fridays
18:30 - 20:30
Short course6 weeks
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
30 Jan 2027
Saturday
10:00 - 16:00
Weekend course2 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
9 Feb 2027
Tuesdays
18:30 - 20:30
Short course6 weeks
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
13 Feb 2027
Saturday
10:00 - 16:00
Weekend course2 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£285.00
  • Sat 7 Nov, 10:00 - 16:00

    Book now
    2 days
    Photoion Studio
    2 daysSat 10:00£285
    JamesRossPhotoion Studio
    JamesRoss
    £285
  • Sat 21 Nov, 10:00 - 16:00

    2 days
    Photoion Studio
    2 daysSat 10:00£285
    HollyFalconerPhotoion Studio
    HollyFalconer
    £285
  • Sat 5 Dec, 10:00 - 16:00

    2 days
    Photoion Studio
    2 daysSat 10:00£285
    HollyFalconerPhotoion Studio
    HollyFalconer
    £285
  • Tue 8 Dec, 18:30 - 20:30

    6 weeks
    Photoion Studio
    6 weeksTue 18:30£285
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £285
  • Mon 4 Jan, 18:30 - 20:30

    6 weeks
    Photoion Studio
    6 weeksMon 18:30£285
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £285
  • Sat 9 Jan, 10:00 - 16:00

    2 days
    Photoion Studio
    2 daysSat 10:00£285
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £285
  • Fri 22 Jan, 18:30 - 20:30

    6 weeks
    Photoion Studio
    6 weeksFri 18:30£285
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £285
  • Sat 30 Jan, 10:00 - 16:00

    2 days
    Photoion Studio
    2 daysSat 10:00£285
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £285
  • Tue 9 Feb, 18:30 - 20:30

    6 weeks
    Photoion Studio
    6 weeksTue 18:30£285
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £285
  • Sat 13 Feb, 10:00 - 16:00

    2 days
    Photoion Studio
    2 daysSat 10:00£285
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £285

Showing 1 to 10 of 22 classes

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