How To Start Learning DSLR Photography With 11 Free Online Courses For Nikon + Canon Cameras

Online Photography Courses for Nikon + Canon Cameras
Online Photography Courses For Nikon + Canon Cameras

If you have just unboxed your new Canon or Nikon camera, you may need a free online course for Nikon instead of reading a 150+ booklet on how to use your new DSLR camera.

Because let’s be honest, who actually reads those when they can learn from seasoned photographers. 

So instead of wasting your time away, here are some great free online courses that will show you exactly how to use your Canon or Nikon camera.

Below, you will find courses that can be used as a template to learn your camera controls and also more specific class further below. Let’s begin!

Learn DSLR Photography With 11 Free Online Courses Nikon & Canon Cameras 2024


1. Beginner Photography Workshop (Canon & Nikon) (Skillshare)

Beginner Photography Workshop (Canon or Nikon or other brand) (Skillshare)

For this class, all you need to have is a camera that allows you to set those controls yourself. So, the brand could be Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji, or any other camera.

Even though each camera is different, the control icons are almost always the same, which makes to course great for both Canon and Nikon camera users.

In this 1 hour of on-demand video training, author and professional photographer Steve Weinrebe will show you how to take control of your camera. It’s beginner level, but is also a nice refresher for anyone who has owned their camera for a while but still needs a little more guidance.

Some of the subjects you will learn are the basic rules of composition, using selective focus, deep depth of field, lightening up shadows, and all about ISO.

Steve will also go into different modes in Canon and Nikon cameras such as shutter priority modes, aperture priority mode, adjusting frame rate, shutter speeds, video mode, and heaps more! Overall, a great crash course on how to use your new camera!

  • Beginner level
  • 1 hour on demand video
  • Useful for all brands
  • Taught by professional photographer
  • Class projects
  • Online community

Activate FREE Skillshare Trial

2. DSLR Photography Camera Settings (Canon & Nikon) (Skillshare)

Photography for Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings (Canon or Nikon or other brand)

Also designed as a general photography course, this class taught by Chris Parker who is a professional photographer of 30 years. In this course, Chris will walk you through the core components of your Canon or Nikon camera so you can take the best photographs possible!

A little more than an hour of on demand video instruction, this class also has its own downloadable cheat sheet to help you follow along.

Lessons touch on basics of camera operation such as focusing, composing, and what files types to use, along with discussing white balance, the exposure modes, and when and how to take full manual control.

There are also multiple class projects to complete, giving you hands-on experience to supplement the course lectures. Like the above course, this one too can be taken by both Canon and Nikon users.

  • Beginner level
  • 1 ¼ hour on demand video
  • Useful for all brands
  • Taught by professional photographer
  • Class projects
  • Downloadable resources

Activate FREE Skillshare Trial

3. Canon DSLR Photography: Getting Started with Your DSLR (Skillshare)

Canon DSLR Photography: Getting Started with Your DSLR

With this course, you’re not going to spend a lot of time on creative or artistic techniques. It is geared primarily as technical instruction for using Canon digital cameras, especially their DSLR line up.

It is a beginner level course, but also great for experienced photographers using Canon for the first time. A lot of time is spent on some of the controls that are specific to Canon DSLRs such as the focus modes, control wheels and buttons, and deep menu items.

In 3 hours 15 minutes of on demand video you also learn all about using video modes in Canon cameras along with the different audio capabilities.

Some other topics covered in this course are setting white balance, wi-fi, the smartphone apps, setting up color profiles, using an external flash, viewfinder controls and much more.

  • Beginner level
  • 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Professional photographer instructor
  • Specific instruction for Canon DSLRs
  • Online resources
  • Class projects

Activate FREE Skillshare Trial

4. Beginner Canon DSLR Photography Masterclass 2019 (Skillshare)

Beginner Canon DSLR Photography Masterclass 2019

Even if you haven’t purchased your new Canon DSLR yet, this is a great course to enable you to hit the ground running once you get your new camera. As an added bonus, this class is constantly updated so you will be receiving the most relevant and up to settings relating to Canon.

Your instructor is David Weatherston, a professional photographer and artist who has a wealth of experience to share in this 3.5 hour long course.

Some of the topics covered are adjusting ISO, shutter speeds, aperture, zoom exposure and the list goes on. David also dives into other areas of full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras such as speed lights, prime lenses, remote control option and more.

So for a full-fledged course that covers everything Canon in an easy to follow manner, this is a great course! To learn more, also check out my guide on the best Skillshare courses!

  • All levels
  • 3 hours 20 minutes
  • For Canon cameras
  • Pro photographer instructor
  • Class project
  • Guidance for purchasing decisions

Activate FREE Skillshare Trial

5. Learning Your Nikon DSLR Camera (LinkedIn Learning)

Learning Your Nikon DSLR Camera

Nikon fans, you get taught, too! Regardless of what Nikon DLSR you have, this course will help you get the most out of what it can do. From entry-level APS-C format cameras to full-frame models made for professionals and everything in between, Nikon camera controls are similar.

Follow along with videographer/photographer Richard Harrington, one of LinkedIn Learning’s more popular instructors, as he guides from entry-level basic knowledge all the way through some of the most advanced camera features available in digital photography.

You will learn general camera controls, deep menu features, flash photography, lens choices, custom white balance, panoramas, video features, and focus points. You will even learn how to safely clean your camera sensor.

  • All levels
  • 3 hours on demand video
  • Professional photographer and videographer as instructor
  • Nikon cameras
  • Includes video features
  • Certificate of completion

Visit Linkedin.com

6. Learning to Shoot with the Nikon D3200 and D3300 (LinkedIn Learning)

tilt waite cornish dc deserted devins marians necessities putneys begging critters elsborg the stranger haydens kane rolls stacy borel stefanie van mol susan hawke tatiana mier tia giacalone trisha messmer willow monroe heart's insanity on the clock milner uniting wheaton haris loveday quests renos sahin the lake the rekindling connollys guthrie madigans camy harrisons talty kory jasinda jezz burning lorens mcculloch the matchmakers choosing chuckles conceited pretty lies principal punk charming currie guimond lehman when a taker dreams been there bitterwood commons mita sapphire flames viggo clara coulson esther e schmidt sweet confections foodie montana mistletoe hopper adrianne rainey stephanie evanovich tobin wolfheart aleya hazzard helix klaus koenings twink on top conley anisa border patrol eberhart flown by the billionaire hauf pack- tal unsticky discomfort elsa black fowler hebby roman luxury diploma allegro court austenistan roseanna classmate decorating discreet hellhound kansas crossroads poitevin sire sixty kantra keely nome rosario 4ever beetle kassidy markham s r mallery veil vicki tharp ad bartenders beacon brianna clea flaubert hutch kittys nails nineteen piper saras the hunchback of notre dame catfishing ficción gillham milburn recycled tessa bowen vapour advice break-in holloway mackintosh madras osmond the chateau the islanders touchpoint burnz christy jeffries josh lanyon kit kyndall luanne rice mary calmes trust in advertising aimees amanda martinez caro dodos imperfect chemistry mccrees step on it 2017 brand dantes jewish romance wolves titi birdy currant duran firesong flask starlets the barter tracey cramer-kelly humor mcphee the lord celos gambler head-on ruth hartman thayers griffin hart humans lock a duke in disguise baumann iris chacon lou marc marlene michaela panhandle sallys stacey espino the bridesmaid acker albion blarney crackers delias flyaway jen luerssen karina bliss keela laken moan the made the rush traci hunter abramson je parker jennifer rayes jessica marin 101 caps dating holland palms bouncers burrowes catered gail chianese jacobsons saville tawni odell cameron harlequin intrigue kyra davis numb od odette peles she stoops to conquer surrey the agreement the semester unboxed archers circus conte js maternity minger misty morgans unicorn resisting the sheik's commands romance plus size renee dahlia rose briner rs medina divya sood olsen becky cheerleader monique schuyler slapshot affair borders brians charleston cooking doc dolan eva hammond kathleen woodiwiss ky lantern lemon milan noble orange planner sorrows warrant cabeza coach destino place the dance the trilogy their love barristers berkeleys goldilocks linda cajio orgeron walters barn buddy canon changes essence ground heartbreaks kellee strickland killers mackenzie parrot post-it roulette the auction virginias coronado invaders nans seahorse suede the destiny viking australia barbary dade grays micheal nichols quail support could it be gens raineys victor aerie alene ambitious gail dayton stealing venice blackbirds carved chameleons conor daddy-to-be dangerous dusk guess ices jacaranda jingle this kelsey lilian nicole jacquelyn science sydney watkins waxing wilcox fertile brats lederman lets misbehave the empire lynn hammond mia vincy molly sloan amelia antonio beauty- covington dans dias eleanors fays hector kato leas mina resisting roots shanghai suite balla beggar billionaire-the by the rules danielle dart frigid gower kwans mansell sandra tamara mataya woodiwiss kailyn pythagoras ryman alisha avril tremayne camila elena moreno handcock mackays marlow samms the unhallowed 26 always room for cupcakes drei benn bracelets deshon dreamz ii- in the st kayt miller lab lulu fifi mackenzies marcys romeo sat sewing spaniard to arizona trois unmasking vest vesuvius whitney cassius 13 ballet chemistry clay corrals lanes love belvin marsh melissa pain safekeeping anytime designated hitter kelana hyde lowrance mesmerist mistrals daughter pedestal quarterback rl merrill ryann strout tit for tat zana grinding imperfectly perfect interracial erotica lynetta halat stiff competition successor trimbles usual aylin crockwell drizzle mayer shunned springwater 25 batter betrayals celebrity fantasy fates fireman mccabe precious proposition selenas shane the painting thome wendi sotis bronwen kd harp mosse flack constantines etan garrison pickleball reigning burner fiesta san antonio snowden strangely normal electric candle heaton karolyn seldon 738 marlina pendulum draven's it happens a e via manors orphaned tianna

Nikon’s entry level APS-C format DSLR cameras, the D3200 – D3500 series, are very full-featured for being so simple to use. Beginner users may not fully realize how much extra these modern digital cameras can do, regardless of brand.

LinkedIn Learning instructor Richard Harrington teaches this 2 ¼ hour beginner-level course for people who want to move beyond the full auto green dot setting and really take control. As a photographer himself, he will show that you don’t have to an exposure wizard to do that. Modern digital cameras even make that type of control more accessible.

Subjects covered are the exposure mode options, how to control focusing, video functions, and more advanced features such as panoramas, white balance, and using flash.
You can access this course on hand held devices and it comes with a certificate of completion.

  • Beginner level
  • 2 ¼ hours on demand video lessons
  • Nikon cameras
  • Professional photographer as trainer
  • Access on phones or tablets
  • Certificate of completion

Visit Linkedin.com

7. Learning Your Canon DSLR Camera (LinkedIn Learning)

Learning Your Canon DSLR Camera

Professional photographer Richard Harrington is the LinkedIn Learning teacher for this intermediate level course covering Canon DLSR cameras. In 3 ½ hours of on demand video lessons, you will learn most of the features of your camera that aren’t readily apparent.

Whether you are new to photography or just new to Canon, guidance will help you unlock the potential these cameras have. Features such as the smartphone apps for camera control, video recording in HD, exposure bracketing for HDR photography, and all of the different automatic and semi automatic modes.

A certificate of completion comes with this course and you can access it on portable devices like phones and tablets.

  • Intermediate level
  • 3 hours 22 minutes
  • Canon cameras
  • Pro photographer instructor
  • Certificate of completion
  • Phone and tablet access

Visit Linkedin.com

8. Canon Digital SLR: Tips, Tricks, & Techniques (LinkedIn Learning)

Canon Digital SLR: Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

Sometimes, even experienced photographers can use a little extra information about their gear. Have you seen the PDF instruction manuals on the upper tier cameras? A little intimidating, to say the least. This course of tips and tricks for Canon DSLRs will get you past that feeling in a little over an hour of on demand video lessons.

Professional fine art photographer Justin Reznick will take you deep into your Canon DSLR features and functions to allow you to completely take advantage of what it can accomplish for you.

Some of the deep menu functions this course touches on are exposure bracketing controls, configuring the card slots in cameras with multiple slots, setting up your own customized menus, and how to maximize working from either the viewfinder or rear screen live view.

  • Advanced level
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
  • Canon cameras
  • Pro photographer teacher
  • Access on tablet or phone
  • Certificate of completion

Visit Linkedin.com

9. Learning the Canon Rebel T4i and T5i (EOS 650D and 700D) (LinkedIn Learning)

Learning the Canon Rebel T4i and T5i (EOS 650D and 700D)

Canon Rebel DLSRs are their entry level APS-C format cameras, combining ease of use and budget friendly pricing. Just because they are entry level though, they aren’t lacking in advanced features and capabilities. This 1 ½ hour course will help you learn more about these cameras.

It’s beginner level, taught by professional photographer Richard Harrington, and covers the information in an easy to understand, comfortable manner.

Did you know that even when using your camera in programmed exposure automation mode that you still have control over exactly what settings the camera will use? Learn how to change between the different modes, how to use flash, and what video functions the camera has.

  • Beginner level
  • 1 ½ hours
  • Canon cameras
  • Taught by an established pro
  • Covers flash and video
  • Has a Quick Start lesson

Visit Linkedin.com

10. Flash Photography: Nikon Speedlites (LinkedIn Learning)

Flash Photography: Nikon Speedlites

One of the more confusing aspects of photography for many people, even experienced users, is flash. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Modern speedlights are so advanced, it can pretty much do most of what you want it to do.

What menu options and which buttons, dials, and switches to change are cause the most problems for people. This course is 2 ½ hours of instruction to help you figure all that out.

The lessons are presented by professional photographer Levi Sim are intermediate in level and are full of useful information.

He discusses what camera and flash modes to set, how to use the speedlights off camera, what the different exposure options are, and some special functions built into Nikon speedlights.

  • Intermediate level
  • 2 hours 39 minutes
  • Pro photographer instructor
  • Nikon Speedlights (flash units)
  • Lots of detail
  • Certificate of completion

Visit Linkedin.com

11. Flash Photography: Canon Speedlites (LinkedIn Learning)

Flash Photography: Canon Speedlites

Canon and Nikon flash units are not compatible with the other system. Just like with lens mounts. So, you will need information specific to Canon camera systems if that’s your brand.

This is pretty much the same course as the one listed above, taught by Levi Sim, but specific to Canon. It is all really beneficial information

  • Intermediate level
  • 2 hours 38 minutes
  • Pro photographer instructor
  • Canon Speedlights (flash units)
  • Lots of detail
  • Certificate of completion

Visit Linkedin.com