A video plays the same way for everyone who watches it. In a class, the instructor looks at the photos you took last week. That difference is so important and a major reason why a photography class is always worthwhile.
What Happens When Someone Reviews Your Photo
In Eliot’s wide-ranging teaching experience, he sees the same gap in students’ understanding who have tried to learn from videos alone:
“Most students who only watch videos don’t learn how to evaluate their photos and then make the proper adjustments. They might recognize that something is blurry, poorly exposed, or not well composed, but they don’t understand what factors have led to that outcome. In a class, while looking at the photo together, we can discuss what went wrong and how to make better adjustments next time.”
That conversation is the heart of a class. You bring a photo that did not turn out, and you leave knowing which setting caused it and what to change on the next shot.
What YouTube Digital Camera Tutorials Cannot Do
YouTube digital camera tutorials are recorded once for a general audience. They do not see your camera, your settings, or your photos. Questions go to a comment section. Maybe there are replies, maybe not! The order you learn in depends on what the algorithm sends your way, and different videos can give conflicting advice on the same setting. Also, any setting changed in the camera impacts other settings as well. It’s often the relationships between the settings that needs to be explained in more detail.
Camera brands add another gap. Aperture priority is marked Av on many Canon cameras and A on many Nikon and Sony cameras, and the menus differ by brand. A video made for another camera can point you to a button yours does not have.
| Live Class with Eliot | YouTube Tutorials | |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback | Your photos are reviewed on screen | Your photos are not reviewed |
| Questions | Answered during the session | Left to the comments |
| Structure | Each session builds on the last | Depends on the videos you find |
| Your camera | Menus and settings shown on screen | Cameras in general |
What You Get in a Hands-On Photography Class
Digital Camera Basics is a hands-on photography class that runs for three live sessions over Zoom. Each session lasts two hours in the evening, and the class is limited to six students. The $189 fee covers all three sessions.
You shoot with your own camera and bring photos from the week to share on screen. Eliot shows camera menus and settings for each camera as he teaches, so you see where each control sits. The first session covers relevant camera menus, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. The second introduces depth of field and exposure compensation along with a review of participant photos. The third has another review of participant photos as well as a discussion of composition and available light.
The Digital Camera Basics class is quite in depth. Even people who have been using their camera for a while, but in an unstructured manner will benefit. If you want clarity on what the buttons and dials do, or a better understanding of what to consider as you set up a shot, this class will be very helpful. It goes far beyond the basics.
And for people who have relied on Auto, you would move away from Auto at the beginning of the first class.
This walkthrough shows what a typical session looks like, from the review of last week’s material to the questions asked along the way.
Where to Take Digital Camera Photography Classes
Washington Photo Focus offers digital photography classes online in Washington, D.C. and serves students across Northern Virginia and Maryland. Digital camera classes online meet over Zoom, so you join from home. Some classes also meet in person at locations around Northern Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. See all current classes for dates and formats.
If a group schedule does not fit, individual instruction sets up one-on-one sessions in person around the DC area or by video call. Washington Photo Focus is rated 5.0 from 25 Google reviews, as of October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are photography classes worth it?
Yes, if you want feedback on your own photos and a structure to the exercises and learning. A class shows you why a photo turned out the way it did.
Can YouTube tutorials teach me how to use my digital camera?
YouTube tutorials explain camera settings in general terms. They do not review your photos or answer questions about your own camera.
Do I need a camera or will a phone suffice?
Classes use cameras, because phones do not have all the controls that cameras have. A DSLR or mirrorless camera works best, and any camera that lets you set ISO, shutter speed, and aperture can work.
How much does a digital camera class cost?
Digital Camera Basics is $189 for all three sessions. For individual instruction, email Eliot to discuss fees.
Want to see which class fits you or have further questions, email Eliot at eliot@washingtonphotofocus.com, and he will get right back to you.
