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Online Photography Course
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| Benefits: You get direct feedback on your photos from world-acclaimed, professional photographers. You can learn photography in this way from anywhere in the world. |
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Jim ZuckermanIn 1970, I decided to abort my intended career as a doctor in favor of photography and have never regretted it. Photography has enriched my life more than I can tell you. My career has taken me to over 60 countries, and I've seen and photographed wondrous things.
I specialize in wildlife and nature, international travel, and digital effects. In addition, I also shoot nudes, photo- and electron microscopy, children, and other subjects that stimulate my visual or emotional sensibilities.
For 25 years, I shot a medium format camera, specifically the Mamiya RZ 67, for its superior quality. When I would lecture, I’d project the large, glass mounted transparencies, and it was really an incredible experience to see the brilliant color saturation and resolution of these slides. However, I went digital in 2004 because the technology finally equaled or surpassed medium format. I now shoot the Canon 1Ds Mark II digital camera with a variety of lenses.
I am the author of 12 books on photography. My work is sold in 30 countries around the world, and my images have appeared on scores of magazine and book covers, calendars, posters, national ads, trade ads, brochures, and corporate promotions.
For many years I've led photography tours to exotic places. These include Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Burma, Greece, The Czech Republic and Slovakia, Spain, Morocco, and Peru.
 © Jim Zuckerman |  © Jim Zuckerman |
View photos by previous students. You can make pictures like this too!
 © John R. Williams |
 © John R. Williams |
Lesson 1: Composition, Part 1
Rule of Thirds, leading lines, symmetry, framing.
Assignment: Show each of the three compositional concepts in this lesson: Rule of Thirds, framing, and leading lines. You can use previously taken photographs, but to really grasp these ideas, you should take new images and specifically concentrate on the lesson. Any subject matter is fine.
Lesson 2: Composition, Part 2
Negative space, the concept of balance, ‘S’ and ‘C’ curves, space in front of moving objects.
Assignment: Show any of the composition concepts I've discussed in this lesson. For example, all your shots can show the idea of balance or you can submit shots that demonstrate balance and two other that show negative space and moving into the frame.
Lesson 3: Graphic Design
A detailed look a one of the most important aspects of great pictures: shape and form.
Assignment: Submit photos of any subject showing either good graphic design or design that is flawed, and in the caption tell me - briefly - whether you think the graphics are successful or not. You may use photos taken just for this course or any image from your stock library of pictures.
Lesson 4: The Power of Lines
Simplicity, directional lines, the power of diagonals, repetition of line.
Assignment: Show distinctive lines contributing to the success of your pictures. You can choose any of the types of lines discussed in this lesson. Just remember that having a nice line isn't an excuse to forget about the other factors that go into making excellent photographs, like lighting, clean backgrounds, and compelling subjects.
Lesson 5: Patterns
One of the easiest ways to immediately create striking photographs is to seek out patterns. Patterns are essentially color, texture, and design and usually there is no center of interest.
Assignment: Submit photos showing any kind of pattern. Try to make the patterns compelling in terms of color, graphic design, or lighting. Make sure that you have enough depth of field so we can see and appreciate all the rich detail in your shots.
Lesson 6: Color
Complementary colors, harmony, shock value, super saturation, muted.
Assignment: Submit photos where you use any of the concepts in this lesson: complementary colors, shocking colors, manipulation of color temperature, and super-saturation. As with all of my assignments, taking pictures of exceptional colors is not an excuse to forget about other important principles in photography like composition, graphic design, and light.
Lesson 7: Creative Perspectives
Once you discover that there are new and unique ways of looking at the world, you will start to see many possibilities. Your creative potential will be stretched, and the ways in which you normally think about composing pictures will take a new turn.
Assignment: Submit photos showing one or more of the creative perspectives described in the lesson. Make sure that you don't forget about the other aspects that make good photography, like lighting, composition, compelling subject matter, etc. Without these things, a great perspective won't give you a great picture.
Lesson 8: Breaking the Rules
When it is desirable to bend or break the rules of composition, color harmony, and design.
Assignment: Submit photos showing where you successfully break the rules to create an artistic composition. If you wish, use the captions to explain your thoughts to explain why you broke the rules and why you feel your shot is the better for it.
Review: Voting on Best Work
 © Jim Zuckerman |  © Jim Zuckerman |
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 © Jim Zuckerman |  © Jim Zuckerman |
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