Here are the best mobile apps to help you learn photography. Whichever one you choose to use, you can expect professional guidance from expert instructors to help you become a better photographer.
1. Elements of Photography
Elements of Photography is a mobile guide to learning photography. It is appropriate for beginners and advanced users.
You can start learning with illustrations and guides that help you practice in real-time. Also, the app features 2 chapters on the basics and other chapters about Camera Modes, Flash Photography, and Videography.
You’ll be able to test your knowledge at the end of each lesson with a quiz and an advanced level test. Most importantly, the app features tools like a Depth of Field (DoF) Calculator and an Exposure Value (EV) Table/Chart. It also offers a lot of tips to help develop your photography skills.
However, when using the free version of the app, you’ll only have access to the first chapter of the program. You can acquire the rest of the app’s features as in-app purchases.
Download: Elements of Photography for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
2. Photography Tutorials
Photography Tutorials is considered the largest mobile repository of online tutorials on photography. It features tutorials covering topics relevant to every level of experience, from beginner to professional.
You can find content on just about any subject in photography from the app’s curated list. The app has all the tutorials arranged based on the subject they address. The subject categories you’ll find include Photography Concepts, Camera and Equipment, and so on.
Each featured tutorial has the URL to the website highlighted. However, it lets you open them in-app. You can also comb through the app’s numerous content for any specific tutorial by using the Search feature.
You’ll find Photography Tutorials very useful, although it doesn’t include tests or a certification.
Download: Photography Tutorials for Android (Free)
3. YouTube
YouTube is a large hub of content for learning just anything. Which makes it a great place for you to start learning photography if you’re on a budget.
YouTube provides you a continuous stream of video content by professional photographers, agencies, and even big organizations. You can get started by just inputting “learn photography” in the app’s search bar.
The app lets you find photography channels you can subscribe to, and get an alert whenever there’s new content for you as you learn. You can learn for free using YouTube, although it doesn’t offer any certificates.
Also, you can save photography videos to watch later. You can leave comments or ask questions in the comments section and get constructive responses from the content creator and other professionals.
Download: YouTube for Android | iOS (Free, in-purchases available)
4. Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform that features numerous video courses, including some on photography. You can find and start learning from photography experts on Udemy at discounted prices.
Learning on Udemy can be quite seamless with the Download feature. With this feature, you can download and save your lessons to your mobile for offline study. In addition to that, you can take notes while taking your lessons in-app using the Notes feature.
You can also set reminders for your lessons using the Learning Reminder feature. The settings let you choose what days and times you’ll like to get prompts to do your lessons.
Udemy issues you a Certificate of Completion when you successfully complete your course. Some instructors also add a perk like skill endorsement on LinkedIn to help boost your credibility.
Download: Udemy for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases are available)
5. SkillShare
SkillShare is an app dedicated to learning creative skills. Learning photography on this app would be a wonderful experience. Besides, photography is one of its most popular categories alongside animation, graphics design, etc.
You can get access to courses on portrait photography, smartphone photography, or any other kind of photography you wish to learn. The app features long extensive courses. It also offers subject or concept-based videos as short as three minutes.
Then again, the courses include a Project feature that allows you to share your projects. It also has a Discussions feature, where you can interact with the instructors and other students. While you don’t get a Certification of Completion from learning with this app, you’ll have finished projects for your portfolio.
Furthermore, to fully participate in a photography course on this app, you have to subscribe to the premium class.
Download: SkillShare for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases are available)
6. Coursera
Cousera gives you access to a platform with photography resources for your learning. Photography courses on Coursera are mostly designed by the world’s leading art colleges, universities, and industry professionals.
The app offers regular courses and specialization programs in photography for all learning levels. It delivers lessons as videos and may include audio and PDF documents, depending on the course’s design.
Every course includes regular tests, projects, a certificate, and a community for interaction to help speed up your growth. Although this app offers paid courses, you can access a course’s material by using the Audit Course feature. However, to receive a Certificate of Completion, you have to pay for the privilege.
You can also get a partial scholarship in some courses with the Financial Aid Available attribution.
Download: Coursera for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
7. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an e-learning app that helps you learn photography and get regular tips from professionals. You can download the course videos on your mobile, although the courses are completely online.
Companies, agencies, professionals, and institutes design the photography courses that are available on this app. These courses are delivered as videos but may also include support materials like audio and editable PDF documents for projects.
In the end, you earn at least one certificate. On top of that, you might be on your way to landing your first side gig or job, by leveraging the app’s broad community of professionals on LinkedIn.
Although there are free courses available, this app features mostly paid courses. However, you can get a one-month free trial for premium as a first-time user.
Download: LinkedIn Learning for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
Learn Photography at Your Pace, Fast or Slow
Learning with any of these apps is self-paced, which means you can develop your photography skills at the speed that suits you. However, when using the apps, always check reviews by other users before enrolling for any course to ensure that it’s the best option for you.
