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Self-Paced Manual Camera Settings: DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras 6 Week Course

Completed by 33 learners
Ages 12-17
Self-Paced Course
In this 6 week intermediate photography course, students will learn how to choose the best aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to use their camera settings and create images that look exactly the way they want with good exposures.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(483 reviews)
Star Educator

6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content

Enroll Now, Start Anytime

Go at your own pace
Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.
Start when you want.
Learn at your own pace
Access course material for a full year.
Get hands-on support from teacher.

What's included

6 pre-recorded lessons
average 21 mins per video
6 weeks
of teacher support
2 hrs 5 mins
total video learning hours
1 year access
to the content
Homework
1 hour per week. Students will have homework every week which will be to take around 5-10 photos with specific goals.
Letter Grade
included

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11
Intermediate - Advanced Level
This 6-week self-paced course guides students through mastering manual camera settings, focusing on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for achieving well-exposed photos. Each week, learners will watch a video lesson and practice taking photos in different modes, progressing from auto to manual. Students will upload their images to the classroom, where they’ll receive personalized feedback and engage in discussions with peers. The course is designed for beginner photographers who want to take full creative control of their camera and improve their technical understanding of exposure.

Each week, a new video lesson will be posted in the classroom for learners to watch at their own pace. Students will explore key camera settings, beginning with auto mode and gradually transitioning to full manual mode by the end of the course. Learners will complete photography assignments based on the weekly lesson, sharing their work for feedback and participating in group discussions. Personalized feedback will be provided for every submitted image, helping students refine their skills and gain confidence in manual photography.

This course provides a structured yet flexible introduction to manual photography, encouraging learners to develop their technical skills while receiving individualized feedback.

Learning Goals

Learners will understand and apply the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) to achieve well-exposed images.
Learners will practice using their camera in auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes to explore different settings.

Syllabus

6 Lessons
over 6 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Camera setup
 Learners will begin with camera setup and will take photographs in auto mode. 
17 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Exposure Triangle
 Learners will be introduced to the exposure triangle. 
We will discuss the difference between good and poor exposures and will take photographs in auto mode. 
20 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Aperture
 Students will learn about apertures or f-stops and begin taking pictures in aperture priority mode. 
23 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Shutter Speeds
 Students will learn about shutter speeds and begin taking pictures in shutter priority mode. 
22 mins of video lessons

Other Details

Learning Needs
With a Master's in Special Education, Erika designs our courses to support diverse learners. Our hands-on, interactive lessons foster engagement, and we are open to accommodating any specific needs to ensure success.
Parental Guidance
Some students may need grown-up assistance with uploading photos from their cameras until they get the hang of it.
Pre-Requisites
I recommend taking a photography fundamentals course like my Level 1 Course before learning manual mode.
Supply List
Camera with manual settings - DSLR or mirrorless 
Memory cards
Memory card reader 
Computer to upload photos
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Offered by

4.9
483reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Erika Hatfield
Master's Degree in Education from Western Governors University
Erika Hatfield
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Phoenix
Erika Hatfield
Erika is a Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America, and she holds two degrees in education. Her experience combines practical photography skills with a strong educational foundation, allowing us to create engaging, interactive lessons that encourage learners to express their creativity through photography. Our goal is to inspire students to explore their artistic vision while mastering essential photography techniques.

Reviews

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