Web Development
Python
SQL
JavaScript
Data Science
Artificial Intelligence
IT & Software
IT Certifications
Hacking
Arduino
AWS
3D Modeling
Graphic Design
Photoshop
Drawing
Digital Painting
UX Design
Business
Data Analysis
Communication Skills
Project Management
Leadership & Management
E-Commerce
Digital Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Marketing
SEO
Google Analytics
Branding
Office Productivity
Excel
Finance & Accounting
Bitcoin
Video Editing & Animation
Photography
Adobe Premier Pro
Adobe Lightroom
Personal Development
Health & Fitness
Music
Guitar
Teaching & Academics
Language Learning
Engineering
Lifestyle
This list is for anyone who wants to take better photos: beginners with a new camera, phone photographers, people who shoot food or property for work, and anyone who wants to edit in Lightroom. Our photography category lists 284 courses and our Lightroom category 77 more. These nine are the ones we would pick for each camera and each need. They have more than 152,000 student reviews between them and are rated 4.4 to 4.7. Four were updated in 2026; in some of the older ones, phone and software screens have moved since filming, and we say so below.
Every rating, review count, length and last-update date on this page comes from our catalogue and is refreshed with it. The pros and cons are written by CourseDuck’s editors from the course syllabus and a sample of the written student reviews, and checked against both; no course pays to be on this list. Udemy prices move with its sales, so treat the price on each card as the current one, not a fixed one. Four of the nine come from Phil Ebiner, whose Photography Masterclass is the most-reviewed course in this field. Lightroom needs an Adobe subscription; the phone course uses the free Lightroom mobile app.
How to pick
- You want one course that covers everything: Photography Masterclass.
- You want the basics in an evening: Photography Fundamentals for Beginners.
- You have a DSLR and shoot on auto: Ditch Auto (free), or Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR cameras for a slower pace.
- You shoot on your phone: iPhone Photography.
- You shoot food or property: Food Photography, or Mastering Architecture and Real Estate Photography.
- You want to edit in Lightroom: Adobe Lightroom CC Photo Editing, or Master Adobe Lightroom Classic & Lightroom CC.
Start here: the complete course and the basics
1. Photography Masterclass: Your Complete Guide to Photography
Phil Ebiner’s Photography Masterclass is the most-reviewed photography course in our catalogue: about 78,800 reviews at 4.7 and more than 414,000 students. It runs from exposure basics through composition and lighting to a dozen kinds of work, including portraits, travel, real estate, product, drone and weddings, and on to Lightroom editing, in about 121.3 hours over 702 lectures with a 276-page printable guide. It was updated in September 2026. Reviewers say camera settings finally made sense. About 43 of those hours are critiques of student photos, which some found padding.
Pros
- Presenters feel like friends explaining things, and reviewers say their camera settings finally made sense
- Free 276-page printable guidebook, Lightroom presets and a student community come with it
- Still being updated as of September 2026, with new lessons and weekly photo challenges
- Covers real estate, travel, drone, product and wedding work, not just the basics
Cons
- About 43 of the 121 hours are student photo critiques, which some reviewers found padding
- Background music, typos in articles and a buggy assignment uploader come up in reviews
- Editing is taught in Lightroom only, so it is not a fit if you use Affinity Photo
What students say
Anthony DedinsJust starting this course and I am letting it play in order. Seeing the photo dash was a good insight to the different styles you can play with when taking photos. It's nice to see the guys adjust in real-time while up against the clock as well.
Jon ThompsonThe presenters are real and personable. The explanations are easy to understand and detailed enough that it is easy to equate what the presenter is talking about to my camera and photo taking. Top notch, one of the most valuable courses I have taken on Udemy.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
2. Photography Fundamentals for Beginners: 1-Hour Crash Course
Phil Ebiner’s crash course covers aperture, shutter speed, ISO and composition in plain language, for DSLR, mirrorless, point-and-shoot and phone users alike, in about 1.6 hours over 19 lectures. It has about 9,600 reviews at 4.6 and was last updated in April 2024. Several reviewers say exposure finally clicked. Roughly 42 of the 93 minutes are a photo contest review rather than teaching, and photographers already out of auto mode may find it too basic.
Pros
- Explains aperture, shutter speed and ISO in plain language; several reviewers say it finally clicked
- Roughly 50 minutes of actual instruction, easy to finish in one sitting
- Works for DSLR, mirrorless, point-and-shoot and phone users; no gear or prerequisites required
- 4.6 rating from about 9,600 reviews, with 5 and 4 stars making up the large majority
Cons
- 42 of the 93 minutes are a photo contest review, not teaching
- Too elementary for anyone past auto mode; no assignments or practice steps
- Composition gets about 15 minutes across two short sections
What students say
Gwynneth ResultaPhil is great at explaining photography concepts clearly, removing the intimidation of photography settings that felt difficult to me prior to taking this course.
Trent MillerThis is an excellent beginner course. Basics were explained very well. Short and to the point. As a beginner i learned a lot. A must for people who enjoy taking photos.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Get off auto: DSLR and phone
3. Photography: Ditch Auto - Start Shooting in Manual
Jerad Hill, a working wedding photographer, gets DSLR owners off the auto dial and into manual: shutter speed, aperture and ISO, with advice on photographing people and using flash, in about 4.7 hours over 37 lectures with five quizzes. It is free and has about 8,100 reviews at 4.5. Several reviewers say they were shooting in manual for good by the end. Much of it is him talking to camera with few on-screen demos, and it was last updated in April 2021.
Pros
- Free, with 4.7 hours split into seven short sections and five quizzes
- Reviewers say the shutter speed, aperture and ISO explanations are easy to follow
- Taught by a working wedding photographer, so the people and flash advice comes from real jobs
- Several reviewers say they were shooting in manual for good by the end
Cons
- Long stretches of the instructor talking to camera, with few on-screen demos of settings or results
- Frequent ums and a dry delivery; one reviewer counted 50 in two lectures
- Last updated in 2021 and first published in 2013, so some of the gear on screen may be dated
What students say
Aravind KolarToo good a course, Excellent. The way the course is conducted, the interest and curiosity increases and I enjoyed listening to Jerad Hill, even though he claims he speaks fast at times. The speed is perfect. I would like to be in touch and also attend other courses, preferably the free ones.
MichaelJerad's class "Ditch Auto - Start Shooting in Manual" is a great introduction to photography. Each session is comprehensive and provides enough information to take your camera and begin working on a topic. Jerad Hill is a great instructor. Classes are interesting and complete. In short: an excellent class.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
4. Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR cameras
Villiers Steyn’s course is the calm version for Canon and Nikon DSLR owners: settings first, then light, composition and creativity, in short two- to five-minute lectures that repeat the key idea at the end, about 2.4 hours over 58 lectures in all. It has about 3,900 reviews at 4.5. Reviewers say the slow delivery suits true beginners. Owners of other camera brands had to hunt for the settings, there is little guided practice, and it was last updated in November 2023.
Pros
- Short 2 to 5 minute lectures, with key ideas repeated at the end of each one
- Calm, slow delivery that reviewers say makes it easy for true beginners to follow
- Covers settings first, then light, composition and creativity in separate sections
- At about 2.4 hours it is easy to finish, then go out and practice
Cons
- Demos center on Canon and Nikon; a Lumix owner was put off and a Pentax owner had to hunt for settings
- Only one quiz and no assignments, so it stays at the basics with little guided practice
- One four-star reviewer picked up only a few new things, so seasoned hobbyists may find it light
What students say
Harold HallI really enjoyed this course! I had just bought a new DSLR camera and was determined to not spend all that money and they just use "auto". I liked the fact that I could sit with my camera in hand and walk through the settings with the instructor. I learned a lot, and have already successfully used some of what I've learned. Very good course
Steve LewisI have finally made time to improve my photography skills. I had picked up a bargain second hand Canon EOS 7D, and wanted to learn how to use it to its full capability. This course met my needs and I enjoyed Villers' presentation style. It helped that Villers also focused on the Canon EOS family in his demonstrations on how to change settings.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
5. iPhone Photography: Take Professional Photos On Your iPhone
Dale McManus, a photographer and YouTuber, teaches phone photography with no camera gear: composition, light and about 30 minutes of editing in the free Lightroom mobile app, in about 1.4 hours over 27 lectures. It has about 34,500 reviews at 4.5 and more than 121,000 students. Reviewers like that it gets to the point. It was last updated in February 2023, so owners of newer iPhones find some settings have moved, and it stays at the basics.
Pros
- Gets to the point: 27 short lectures with no filler, according to reviewers
- The 30-minute Lightroom mobile editing section is the part some students found most useful
- Teaches on a free app and a phone, so there is nothing to buy beyond the course
- A quiz section that one reviewer says showed him what he had learned
Cons
- Last updated February 2023; iPhone 14 and 17 owners report settings like HDR are no longer where he shows them
- Very basic; one two-star review says the tips could be googled in ten minutes, and others want more shooting examples
- Over a third of the runtime is Lightroom editing, and one reviewer got no reply to a Lightroom question
What students say
Christoph WallnerThe course greatly improved my understanding of smartphone handling and post-processing photo editing. Thank you for that. I can highly recommend it.
Maressa Fornazieri de MedeirosSuper útil, amei descobrir mais sobre as funcionalidade do iphone e também gostei do pequeno tutorial do lightroom
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Food and real estate photography
6. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen
Phil Ebiner’s food course is shot in a home kitchen: natural light, a white sheet and poster board instead of studio gear, five demo shoots on setup, styling and angles, a water-splash workshop and free Lightroom presets, in about 2.9 hours over 38 lectures. It has about 3,300 reviews at 4.7 and was updated in September 2026. Beginners find it easy to follow and a longtime SLR shooter still picked up ideas. Editing gets little time, and several reviewers wanted bigger scenes such as whole tables.
Pros
- Lighting setups use a white sheet and poster board, so there is little to buy
- Five demo shoots show how setup, styling and angles come together
- Easy to follow for beginners, yet a 35-year SLR shooter still found new ideas
- Adds a water-splash workshop and free Lightroom presets
Cons
- Editing gets little time, and one reviewer could not see the buttons being clicked
- Presets are Lightroom only, which leaves Affinity Photo users out
- Several reviewers wanted more content, including whole tables and multi-dish scenes
What students say
Paul HannagenCourse is delivered at a great pace. Love the way its divided into topics, really appreciate the language used to deliver the information and I'm looking forward to the rest of the course! Gave it 4/5 as I haven't learnt anything new just yet but I've only just completed the first 5 'sections'.
Susan Collins-SmithI took this course because I'm taking on some duties related to the food section of a blog. This helped me understand how to set a camera for still photos of food and get a good photo by setting up the right environment. But the bonus, I think, is learning how to style the food with items on hand. I found it really helpful.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
7. Mastering Architecture and Real Estate Photography
Charlie Borland, a professional photographer for more than 30 years, teaches lighting, shooting and editing homes and commercial interiors for agents, architects and builders, in about 19.8 hours over 134 lectures, with practice photos and a full Lightroom editing series. It has about 4,100 reviews at 4.4 and was last updated in December 2024. One reviewer rates its interior lighting lessons the best they have seen. Older videos look dated, the editing sections repeat, and it expects intermediate camera skills, a wide lens and a tripod.
Pros
- Lighting lessons for interiors that one reviewer rates as the best they’ve seen on the subject
- Explains why a shot is failing and what causes it before showing the fix, drawn from real client jobs
- Full Lightroom editing series added in a 2021 update, plus a section critiquing a student’s real estate photos
- Practice photos to download and a 20-hour syllabus covering exteriors, interiors and commercial properties
Cons
- Older videos look dated and one low-star review calls the picture quality poor
- Editing sections run long and repeat similar adjustments room by room
- Leans on flash and lighting gear and expects intermediate camera skills; nothing on shooting listings with a phone
What students say
Rafael Gomes Maranhao PintoI'm enjoying all the knowledge im getting from it. I just don't give 5 stars because I was expecting something more modern, up to date. The photoshop in this course seems old version even thought all the methods can be applyed independently of the adobe version. Furthermore, some of the houses seems too old . Some of the design concepts are not the same anymore. Besides that, I agree with most of...
Lucy OnyshchenkoThank you for this course. It taught me how to see architectural photography and truly understand it. I now have a much better sense of light, composition, and space. I also feel confident editing photos in Lightroom, which was important for me. What was missing was a section on shooting with an iPhone and the tools that go with it. Modern iPhones can compete with many cameras, but I did not find...
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Editing in Lightroom
8. Adobe Lightroom CC Photo Editing: Your Lightroom Masterclass
Phil Ebiner’s Lightroom course teaches both Lightroom Classic and the cloud-based Lightroom in separate sections, with dozens of start-to-finish edits, free presets and project files, in about 23.4 hours over 171 lectures. It has about 7,300 reviews at 4.6 and was updated in September 2026. Reviewers call it clear even for first-time editors. Some found their Lightroom version did not match the videos, and nearly half the running time is bonus edits that repeat the basics.
Pros
- Covers Lightroom Classic and the cloud Lightroom CC in one course, with separate sections for each app
- Reviewers call the teaching clear and easy to follow, even for complete novices to photo editing
- Dozens of full start-to-finish editing sessions show how a real photo gets edited, not just what each slider does
- Updated in September 2026 and comes with a set of free presets and downloadable project files
Cons
- Some students found their Lightroom version didn’t match the videos, with the color mixer or panels missing
- Nearly half the runtime is bonus editing sessions that experienced users say repeat the same basic edits
- The early lessons move quickly on basics like getting a photo open, which tripped up at least one first-timer
What students say
Jessica P. JacksonI came into this course very intimidated by Lightroom because I knew literally nothing about it despite having worked with Photoshop for some time. This is the 2nd course I have taken with Phil and I really enjoy how he walks through just about everything you could think of. I am now really excited to continue using Lightroom after this course and can't wait to take another class on a different topic with Phil soon!
BlairThis class was great! I have been practicing photography for a while now, but I always struggled with the more in depth features of Lightroom. I also really appreciated the bonus editing sessions that Phil walks you through; it's very helpful to see how someone else would edit a photo and also to reinforce things learned throughout the class. I feel confident using Lightroom now and I highly...
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
9. Master Adobe Lightroom Classic & Lightroom CC
Chris Parker, a professional photographer for 30 years, walks through Lightroom Classic module by module, then the cloud-based app, with bonus sections on a wedding workflow, portrait retouching and presets, in about 22.5 hours over 262 lectures. It is rated 4.7 from about 2,800 reviews and was updated in April 2026. Reviewers say the short, slow lessons break a complicated program into pieces. It is a bundle, so basics get re-explained, and some modules show older versions of the tools.
Pros
- Covers Lightroom Classic module by module, then the cloud-based CC app, in one purchase
- Short lessons and a slow, clear delivery that non-native English speakers say they can follow
- Bonus wedding workflow, portrait retouch and preset sections from a working pro
- Updated in April 2026 with an updates section, and 88% of ratings are 4 or 5 stars
Cons
- Bolted-together bundle: tool basics get re-explained in each bonus section, which some find tedious
- Some modules were recorded in older Classic versions, so healing and clone tools look different
- Video quality shows its age and the interface has changed a little, one 2026 reviewer notes
What students say
Denzel ModesteI am halfway through this course and I must say Chris is VERY THOROUGH in his explanation. I especially appreciate the example photos that's available for download and how you can pause and practice on the same photo that he is using in the video. I STRONGLY suggest doing this course if you are serious about photography and want to use it as a means of income.
Veronika VelkovaOustanding course in my opinion! I loved every second of it! Chris is an amazing teacher and one of my favorite, not just here on Udemy (from 105 courses I've done on Udemy so far) but at all. I wish every teacher would be able to pass their knowledge the way, Chris does. I had some challenges understanding Lightroom in the past but not anymore. Thank you, Chris!
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Where to go next
Every course above has a full page on CourseDuck with its syllabus, our take and more student reviews; the cards link to them. The rest sit in our photography and Lightroom categories, which rank every course we list by student reviews. Related guides: the best graphic design courses for Photoshop, and the best video editing courses if you want your camera to shoot video too.
