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Masterclass in Photography PART 1: Cameras & Manual Exposure (Udemy.com)

Which camera is right for You, the kit you do and don't need, manual mode made easy and why it's so important

Created by: Mike Browne

Last updated October 2024

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What you will learn

  • Do you really need an expensive camera? Kit you do and don't need
  • Camera jargon explained
  • 3 Useful filters
  • Different types of camera lens - which one will suit your needs?
  • Picture Control settings - make the camera take pictures looking how you want them
  • Timer single shot and burst modes
  • Manual mode explained & why you need it
  • How to read the light meter
  • Shutter speed, aperture and ISO explained
  • How to master manual mode - it's easy
  • To feel and be a confident photographer

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Course Description

In Masterclass In Photography Part 1 you’ll learn which camera is best for you, I mean do you ‘need’ an expensive pro level camera and lenses for the kind of photography you love doing?

You’ll learn why manual mode is vital to understand for creative reasons (covered in PT2 of this series) and how easy it is to use on a mirrorless, DSLR or bridge camera.

Most photography courses concentrate on gear and tech, but cameras don’t take pictures! You take pictures and you are often overlooked in favour of the latest gadget or upgrade.

If you've been photographing for years but still have lingering doubts about any of these things, Masterclass Pt1 will bring them together and replace confusion with clarity and confidence

If you've just got your first camera, you'll have clarity from the start and confidence will quickly follow - you'll shortcut years of trial and error

What Will You Learn?

  • How a camera works so you can creatively exploit it to the max

  • Photography jargon explained

  • Menus and feature setups you need

  • Camera and kit you need - and what you don’t!

  • Exposure modes explained

  • Different types of lenses and what they do

  • Introduction to types of image files

  • Three useful filters

  • How to tell the camera how you want your photos to look

  • Why manual settings are vital - and how simple they are to use

  • The exposure triangle - trust me it's easy

  • Exposure settings

  • How to easily shoot in manual mode

  • The camera settings I use any why I used them

  • Practical exercises to grow your skills and confidence

Photography is not as complex as some make out. It’s a bit of knowledge and a lot of practise - which is great news because you already love taking pictures right?

First you’ll master the 3 exposure controls so you’ll know what they do, why they do it and be able to choose which settings to use. Exposure is not rocket science. It's just 3 controls and if you can get online and enrol on a course you can easily master 3 camera settings.

Manual mode is pretty simple TBH, and it's vital because cameras can’t think for themselves and sometimes get it wrong. Ever taken a photo of bright snow or a white sand beach in sunshine? Did it come out dark and dull looking? - That’s what I mean.

Which Camera Do I Need For This Course?

This photography course is designed for cameras that have settings. DSLR, Mirrorless and Bridge cameras. Though there are benefits for compact camera and phone photographers, it is not designed for these.

Cameras don't take pictures - you use a camera to make pictures, in the same way a musician plays an instrument or an artists uses a brush.

The camera is your instrument. First you learn how to play it, then how to make beautiful music with it - and there are only five controls you need to do that.

Great photographers of the past took stunning photos on the most basic of cameras with only three controls. They understood the creative relationship between settings, composition and light - the bedrock upon which great photos are built. If they could do it with their clunky old cameras, there's no reason why you can't too.

If you don't agree I'll give you your money back no quibbles. Far enough?

Mike


PS: Exposure settings have creative superpowers too and the next step is learning what they are and how to choose settings for creative reasons. Every photo you take is your photo and Masterclass PART 2 will put you in control of how you want it to look.

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Instructor Details

Mike Browne

Photographer, teacher, speaker

I'm flattered to have been called "The UK's friendliest Photography Tutor" (Thanks 500px!). I'm proud to have made hundreds of videos and spent thousands of hours teaching people like you to see more beauty in the world every day (and to capture that beauty), by thinking like a photographer.

My YouTube channel has served more than 28 Million views and has more than 265,000 subscribers. I've appeared on TV shows, run photo workshops worldwide, teach and speak at some of the best photography events on earth, such as:

Xposure International Photography Festival, Sharjah, UAE

The Photography Show, Birmingham, UK

I even trained as a teacher so that I could reach my full potential and enable others to reach theirs.

As a photographer, I'm proud to have won multiple awards:

Petapixel TopTen Youtube Trainers list

x3 Xposure Exhibition Awards

Fuji Commercial - X2 Fuji Wedding

Kodak Gold Award

14 Master Photographers Association Awards

I've been lucky to have had exhibitions at prestigious venues such as:

The Master Photographers Association

Royal Photographic Society

Romanian Embassy (London)

Xposure Photography Festival - others...

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Reviews

4.6

1,412 ratings on Udemy

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By Prateek Kashyap on 3/6/2026

First ever class on photography. And now it feels like how itis to learn under the master. the pace of class is good. And I am not overwhelmed by the thousand things that I need to learn. Instead I can just focus on the things that will get those thousand things done. going for Part 2. Will come again to Part 1 Class 21 to get a pinch of motivation.

By Debbie Vazquez on 11/29/2025

Is overwhelming the information

By Cory Wall on 10/23/2025

"Argue with your camera's settings." "Think of light as a liquid." These two saying are earmarks of a master. I struggled with finding a passion for photography because it seems like too much when you pick up a DSLR camera these days. Mr. Browne thoroughly explains the exposure triangle and constantly reassures his students that they will succeed. I can't wait to complete this series, but I will take my time...just like he suggests. I will take my camera with me on a walk...take some shots!

By Salvatore Geraci on 1/2/2024

When I purchased this course , I I had a lot of expectations, especially looking at the course content. After finishing the course , I have to say I am delighted with the high quality of this Masterclass in Photography course. I have learned so much about the techniques and concepts ,especially about composition and the use of light , and I am sure that this will help me to improve and increase my photographic skills. Last but not least , the way the instructor explain the concepts is very pleasant and effective . A big thanks to the instructor, Mike Browne.

By Zento Avila Inoue on 11/24/2023

I wanted to express my gratitude for the exceptional photography course you provided. Your expertise and passion for photography truly shone throughout the sessions. Here are some aspects that particularly stood out to me: Comprehensive Content Engaging Teaching Style Accessible Resources Overall, I feel more confident in my photography skills after completing this course. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to ensuring your students’ growth and success. Your course has been instrumental in my journey as a photographer.

By Rose-Marie Gallagher on 5/8/2023

Outstanding information beyond just the basics, presented masterfully with loads of practical examples. Learning the “whys” behind the theories makes them meaningful. Practice assignments are relevant and because of Mike’s excellent demonstrations and talking through the processes as he models them, are some of the few practical activities I’ve felt motivated to follow the with on my own. Really worthwhile class!

By Prasanth Pillai on 11/18/2022

Earlier updated only with stars, updating with comments now. I went through this tutorial twice before buying my first mirrorless camera(Nikon Z30) and after also. This is my first professional camera and too much excited to try out all those excellent learnings sir has taught. Lot of fun learning and he had kept engaging through the session with a mix of theory and practical in perfect proportion with apt example locations. I most liked the part where he explained about various camera modes, which was really funny ! :)

By Karen Pocock on 8/18/2022

An amazingly excellent course - so simply set out yet gives full understanding of the complex subject of photography. I have really enjoyed doing this course, especially because the area in which it is set is familiar to me. It has really helped me to understand how I can take good pictures in my own local area and I would highly recommend this course to anyone. Thank you, Mike!

By Subabrata De on 6/20/2022

I purchased this course on April 11 2022. Then this course had more than 8 hours content. To be honest I paid for the entire eight hours content. yesterday when I decided to revisit this course, to my surprise I found that this course has been divided in to five parts and I can access only the first part. This is unfair. This is something that I didn't expected

By Sandra Salmon on 9/29/2021

Typically, I don't leave comments but this course was exceptional. Mike Browne made this course easy to follow with excellent examples that demonstrated the material he was teaching. Each of his lessons opened the world of photography up for me and made me eager to grab my camera and use the information I learned to take better, more impressive photos. Mike Browne is a great teacher and I hope I will be able to take more of his courses in the future.

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Overall Score : 92 / 100