Photography Summer School

ByCity Academy

Photography

Improver

An improver-level digital photography course covering street, portrait, food, product and wildlife photography through assignments and portfolio development.

About this course

The course explores technical and aesthetic approaches across several photography genres, including street and documentary work, portraits, food and products, and wildlife. Participants work with natural and studio lighting, experiment with camera modes, and consider composition, storytelling and visual style. Assignments provide material for a developing portfolio. Teaching also covers image critique, workflow refinement, basic editing, selecting work for presentation and preparing images for print, alongside an introduction to the principles of developing a photography business.

What you'll learn

  • Apply camera techniques across street, portrait, food, product and wildlife photography
  • Use natural and studio lighting in different photographic settings
  • Control aperture and camera modes to influence image appearance and exposure
  • Critique and edit images, then select work for a portfolio
  • Prepare photographic work for printing and consider basic commercial photography principles

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for improvers who already understand their camera’s functions and have a good grounding in shutter speed, ISO and aperture. It involves varied photographic assignments, work in changing environments and feedback on images developed during the course.

  • A prior understanding of core exposure controls is expected
  • Suitable for photographers seeking experience across several genres
  • Portfolio development and tutor critique form part of the course

Before you go

  • Participants need a mirrorless, DSLR or compact camera with full manual controls. A camera can be borrowed during class time, but not outside it.
  • A flash and tripod may be brought if available.
  • Comfortable shoes should be worn.

Class teachers

  • Lyndon Ives

    Class teacher

  • Matt Taylor

    Class teacher

Where this course runs

City Academy

London's leading performing arts academy

20 photography courses on Learn.London

Upcoming classes

10 classes

Selected date

Thu 29 Oct 2026

18:30 – 21:00 • 4 weeks

£295

City Academy, Farringdon

Lyndon IvesClass teacher
Book this class →

Other available dates

  • Sat 28 Nov 2026

    10:30 – 13:00 • 4 weeks

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Matt Taylor

    £295

  • Mon 7 Dec 2026

    10:00 – 16:00 • 5 days

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Photography team

    £595

  • Wed 13 Jan 2027

    18:30 – 21:00 • 4 weeks

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Photography team

    £295

  • Mon 18 Jan 2027

    10:00 – 16:00 • 5 days

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Photography team

    £595

  • Mon 8 Feb 2027

    18:30 – 21:00 • 4 weeks

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Photography team

    £295

  • Mon 15 Mar 2027

    10:00 – 16:00 • 5 days

    Photoion Studio, Waterloo

    Photography team

    £595

StartsScheduleLengthTeacherVenuePrice
28 Nov 2026
Saturdays
10:30 - 13:00
Short course4 weeks
MattTaylor
City AcademyFarringdon
£295.00
7 Dec 2026
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Short course5 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£595.00
13 Jan 2027
Wednesdays
18:30 - 21:00
Short course4 weeks
FilmmakingTutors
City AcademyFarringdon
£295.00
18 Jan 2027
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Short course5 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£595.00
8 Feb 2027
Mondays
18:30 - 21:00
Short course4 weeks
FilmmakingTutors
City AcademyFarringdon
£295.00
15 Mar 2027
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Short course5 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£595.00
21 Jun 2027
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Short course5 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£595.00
6 Sept 2027
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Short course5 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£595.00
13 Dec 2027
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Short course5 days
CityAcademy PhotographyTutors
Photoion StudioWaterloo
£595.00
  • Thu 29 Oct, 18:30 - 21:00

    Book now
    4 weeks
    City Academy
    4 weeksThu 18:30£295
    LyndonIvesCity Academy
    LyndonIves
    £295
  • Sat 28 Nov, 10:30 - 13:00

    4 weeks
    City Academy
    4 weeksSat 10:30£295
    MattTaylorCity Academy
    MattTaylor
    £295
  • Mon 7 Dec, 10:00 - 16:00

    5 days
    Photoion Studio
    5 daysMon 10:00£595
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £595
  • Wed 13 Jan, 18:30 - 21:00

    4 weeks
    City Academy
    4 weeksWed 18:30£295
    FilmmakingTutorsCity Academy
    FilmmakingTutors
    £295
  • Mon 18 Jan, 10:00 - 16:00

    5 days
    Photoion Studio
    5 daysMon 10:00£595
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £595
  • Mon 8 Feb, 18:30 - 21:00

    4 weeks
    City Academy
    4 weeksMon 18:30£295
    FilmmakingTutorsCity Academy
    FilmmakingTutors
    £295
  • Mon 15 Mar, 10:00 - 16:00

    5 days
    Photoion Studio
    5 daysMon 10:00£595
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £595
  • Mon 21 Jun, 10:00 - 16:00

    5 days
    Photoion Studio
    5 daysMon 10:00£595
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £595
  • Mon 6 Sep, 10:00 - 16:00

    5 days
    Photoion Studio
    5 daysMon 10:00£595
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £595
  • Mon 13 Dec, 10:00 - 16:00

    5 days
    Photoion Studio
    5 daysMon 10:00£595
    CityAcademy PhotographyTutorsPhotoion Studio
    CityAcademy Photography
    £595

Showing 1 to 10 of 10 classes

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