Discover Photography

Now Only

$389

AUD

35% off

$599 AUD

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
21500 Students

Learn how to take better pictures by understanding your camera and how to use it in a variety of situations.

Master your digital camera and learn the secrets behind outstanding photos! Whether you have a digital SLR, a point-and-shoot camera, or something in between, you'll learn how to use it the way you want to in this hands-on course! You also have the opportunity to have your lesson assignments critiqued by our knowledgeable teaching team of professional photographers.

You'll see how to choose the best photographic equipment for you and how to compose images with style. Exposure topics like aperture, shutter speed, metering, and ISO settings will all make sense as we break them down into simple concepts. If you want to work with manual exposure on your digital SLR, we cover that, too! We'll also explore natural and artificial lighting, freezing or blurring motion, portraiture, children's photography, pet photography, photojournalism, and digital editing options.

With each lesson, you'll have an assignment to apply the lesson topic using your own camera and, if you wish, your teaching team and your classmates will comment on your assignment images in a safe, constructive and positive environment.

After graduating, you'll see the difference in your photographer's eye and your photos! Secrets of Better Photography is also an excellent class to prepare you for the more advanced class, Travel Photography for the Digital Photographer.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In this first lesson, you'll learn how to see the subject of each photograph—before you press the shutter button. This information will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the class.

As we move to the technical side of photography, we'll take a look at the options available in camera equipment. Whether you have a point-and-shoot camera or the latest digital SLR, you'll gain a better understanding of the equipment and tools photographers use.

Returning to artistic elements in this lesson, you'll learn how to develop your photographer's eye and incorporate compositional guidelines as you take better pictures. This information will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the class.

Light is the essence of photography. In this lesson, we'll explore how to control and use light to your advantage. You'll compare the advantages of natural light, available light, and artificial light and see when you'll want to use each to capture the special effects you're after.  You'll also learn how to use the ISO and white balance settings on your camera to make the most of the light you have.

Today we'll explore the options for using your camera and other tools to get sharp, crisp images.  Photography often requires compromise to accommodate conflicting priorities, and after this lesson, you'll be able to decide what's most important to you.  Becoming aware of screen resolution, camera shake, stabilization, and focus options, as well as preprogrammed modes, will give you a variety of tools to put to work.  You'll also see how to test your lenses and cameras and evaluate your equipment.

Using manual exposure settings opens up a whole new world of professional and creative options.   In this lesson, you'll begin an exploration of how to get the most out of your camera's features, starting with Aperture Priority and the control it gives you over depth of field.  Whether you want to create an image with a soft background highlighting your subject or a far-reaching landscape shot with all the details in focus, controlling your aperture settings puts that power in your hands.

You'll see how to capture motion in this lesson as we continue the topic of manual exposure settings.  Whether you want to freeze the action of fireworks or merge a waterfall into a velvety illusion, shutter speed is the key!  Setting your shutter speed gives you the control you need to get the images you want, and it's easier than you might think.  You'll have lots to practice with as you finish this lesson.

In this lesson, you'll learn the tricks of portrait photography. Whether you're working professionally or just as the family photographer, these techniques will help you take better portraits.  You'll see how to pose people so they'll look their best, when to use digital editing, and how various lighting techniques will help you create pleasing portraits.

Photographing children, pets, and groups is a challenge for even the most seasoned professional photographer. In this lesson, you'll learn some techniques and strategies to bring out the best in your pictures.

Now that you know how your camera works and what you want to do, it's time to take a look at how to handle challenging situations. When the light is low or the subject just seems out of reach, you want to know how to get the shot! In today's lesson we'll focus on how to use your tools and knowledge to beat the challenges and come away with the pictures you're after.

Photojournalism is a fascinating field for photographers. This fast-paced world presents challenges of its own. In this lesson, you'll see how the pros handle this type of work. We'll also discuss how to get started in the field. <h1>

Digital editing is a real bonus for photographers. In this lesson, you'll learn about the basic and artistic editing techniques available to all photographers, as well as some of the technical issues of digital photography.

Beverly Richards Schulz

Beverly Richards Schulz is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography and an award-winning photographer. She has been teaching photography for more than 15 years. Since her first class with ed2go in 2000, she has written more than 30 onli... Read more Read Beverly Richards Schulz's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

From day one, I felt the lessons were providing valuable information and techniques that have improved my ability to take pictures. The supplemental information was invaluable. Although I did not contribute to the discussion groups, I did review them and found a lot of information and positive feedback from the instructor and assistants. Great course, thank you.

Verified Student

I really improved my photographic skills. My husband said that my photos look like they were taken by a pro. (Prior to this course he wouldn't comment!!) I enjoyed the instructor's writing style. She made the online course feel much more personal by sharing her own experiences. The TA's responses were prompt, pleasant, and helpful. Thanks!

Verified Student

This is the second photography course I have taken with Beverly and feel she is an excellent instructor. I have really enjoyed the assignments after each lesson and appreciate the feedback on the photos from her or one of her assistants.

Verified Student

See More Reviews

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Discover Photography you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Still looking?

Check out the following courses related to Discover Photography:

Nature Photography

Photographing People

Travel Photography Digital Photography

Photoshop Elements 12 Digital Photography

Discover more online courses

Discover Photography

$599

$389AUD

Save 35%

Mystery Writing

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
2792 Students

Using vivid examples from bestselling mystery novels, this course will teach you the techniques you need to become a successful author.

What makes a mystery?

If you consider the books you've read most recently, you may be surprised to discover that many--if not all--are mysteries. From Dan Brown to Dennis Lehane, mysteries are hot items on today's best-seller lists.

This course will teach you the techniques you need to know if you want to become a best-selling mystery author.

Mystery Writing begins by introducing the four story types and then explains how they relate to mysteries. It then reveals the three-act story structure, which is any story's key to success. Next, it shows you how to propel the action forward to a climax, followed by a catharsis in which your readers feel the release of tension that accompanies a great finish.

The difference between story and plot is one of the most important distinctions in fiction writing--and one that many professional authors don't fully understand. But you will have mastered it by the end of this course. You'll also get a chance to experiment with viewpoints and see which one works best for your mystery. And you'll write a complete scene from your story and learn the internal structure that makes every scene feel right.

Finally, you'll delve into the special techniques that apply to mysteries, including crime scene description, MacGuffins, and the use of red herrings to misdirect your readers and create suspense.

Examples from real mystery novels will show these techniques in action. Then, following each lesson, you'll get to practice on your own story. And when you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in a dynamic, interactive discussion area.

This information-packed online course combines the best advice of many writing professionals, tempered with the instructor's own experiences as a mystery writer. Follow the guidelines taught in this course, and you'll be well on your way to writing a successful mystery of your very own!

You're probably wondering if you can really write a novel or screenplay. You may have already started one—maybe even several—and then run out of steam. In this first lesson, you'll begin finding out the secret that guarantees success. It's the secret of knowing where you're going before you start. We'll also take some time today to discuss what makes a mystery great, and to explore a number of real-world examples.

Did you know that there's a big difference between story and plot? Amazingly, even many professional authors are confused about this. Today you'll learn that plot is physical while story is emotional. Balancing the two is one of the keys to writing fiction that will satisfy your audience.

This lesson is about the dramatic elements at the heart of every story: passion, theme, character, and premise. Your passion is what drives you to tell your story and the theme is the underlying message it carries. To convey your theme, you create characters that represent it—either positively or negatively. Put these elements together and you've got your premise.

Character is what story is all about. Without a character—and a change in him or her—there can be no story. Today, you'll discover why the best characters are flawed. We'll explore you main character—the protagonist—and the opposing force of the antagonist. And then we'll look at tricks and techniques for creating characters that are memorable.

In this lesson, we'll explore the structure underlying almost every great story. That's right: Nearly every successful story has the same structure—a structure that virtually guarantees success! Like Sherlock Holmes, we'll examine each element of it under our writer's magnifying glass. Then we'll test our theories against some well-known mysteries. By the end, we'll have solved the mystery of story structure.

This is the first of three lessons in which you'll construct your story outline, act-by-act. In Act 1, you'll hook your readers. Then you'll fill them in with some character history called backstory. Finally, you'll exit Act 1 with a bang by triggering a traumatic event in the life of your protagonist.

Today, we work on Act 2 of your mystery. If Act 1 ended with a bang, Act 2 starts with a whimper. Your protagonist begins in crisis—an emotional state brought on by his or her flaw. And because of that flaw, your protagonist will struggle throughout the act as the antagonist deals setback after setback. Fortunately, at the conclusion of Act 2, your protagonist finally figures out the source of all this emotional distress and overcomes it.

The epiphany that ended Act 2 has prepared your protagonist for triumph in Act 3. So it's time to devise a plan. The result will be a final confrontation with the antagonist. This lesson looks at the best way to defeat the antagonist—it's not what you might guess. Then, with that dramatic climax behind you, you'll be ready to tie up all your story's loose threads in the ending.

We've accomplished a lot and you've gotten pretty comfortable with story structure. This is the lesson where we put it all together. We're going to move from story idea, to story outline, to developing scenes. From these little seeds, we're about to grow a forest.

In this lesson, we'll unravel the internal structure of every piece of fiction you've ever read. This is different from story structure and it's something I bet you never even knew existed. It's called scene and sequel. After today, you'll never forget it.

One of the most important choices an author makes is viewpoint. It affects every aspect of story—from theme, to pacing, to suspense. Today we'll look at the three most common viewpoints: third person omniscient, third person limited, and first person. We'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each by considering examples from real-word mystery novels.

Much of what we've talked about in this course applies to all types of fiction, not just mysteries. So, in learning how to write a great mystery, you've also been learning to be a better writer in all genres. But in this final lesson, we'll examine some elements unique to mystery writing. Then we'll wrap up with ideas about how to follow the roadmap you've created and actually reach your goal of a finished novel or screenplay.

Steve Alcorn

Steve Alcorn is the published author of a wide range of fiction and nonfiction works including the mystery A Matter of Justice, the historical novel Everything in Its Path, the romance Ring of Diamonds (under the pseudonym Sha... Read more Read Steve Alcorn's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

What people are saying about our courses

Every person considering writing any type of fiction should take this course with Steve Alcorn. It contained concise information, writing assignments and quizzes, as well as comprehensive review by the instructor. Mr. Alcorn was in his classroom available for instruction and assistance when it was 2:00 a.m. and I was in my pajamas! The class was strikingly beneficial, fun and up-to-the-minute with instructional responses. He has my highest recommendation.

Verified Student

During the course I wrote a mystery using your guidelines. I finished it last week and sent off a query letter. The publisher has requested the complete manuscript!

Verified Student

Having this course being taught by a published author was immensely valuable. It is great to be taught by someone who has the success and experience, yet can still relate to us beginners and cares that we are successful too. Wonderful!!

Verified Student

See More Reviews

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Mystery Writing you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.