That depends on what you want to photograph, how often you shoot, the type of subject matter, and whether someone knowledgeable can review your photos along the way to offer guidance. Most people start to feel comfortable with their camera after a short class, and continue building skills over a longer period. A structured class definitely gives you a clear starting point.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Digital Photography?
Depending on your background and experience, the first important step can come in a single session. People who have relied on Auto move away from Auto at the beginning of the first class. With some clear instructions people can easily learn the role of ISO (sensitivity to light), and the use of the shutter to ensure sharp clear photos. Usually this becomes straightforward after the first class discussion. Often other “misunderstandings” get clarification in that first session as well.
Aperture and factors that influence depth of field might take a little more practice, but they also are better understood after a class discussion and some picture taking on the students’ part.
Depending on what you are hoping to photograph there could be other considerations such as burst shooting and the focusing system of your camera. These are all discussed in class as well.
What Does a Basic Photography Course Cover?
A basic photography course starts with the controls that shape every exposure: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Digital Camera Basics covers them in three live sessions over Zoom, and Eliot shows menus and settings for each camera, so you see where each control sits.
| Session | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Relevant camera buttons and menus, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture |
| Session 2 | More on aperture, understanding depth of field, and exposure compensation, along with a review of participant photos |
| Session 3 | Another review of participant photos, plus composition, available light, filters and tripods |
How Many Hours Does a Digital Photography Course for Beginners Take?
Digital Camera Basics, a digital photography course for beginners, is six hours in class. That is three evening sessions of two hours each. The class is limited to six students, and the $189 fee covers all three sessions.
You shoot with your own camera and bring photos from the week to share on screen, so the learning continues between sessions. The class draws on Eliot’s wide-ranging teaching experience.
What Comes After Your First Class?
Many students want more feedback once the settings feel familiar. Digital Photography: Next Steps is a two-session class limited to 8 participants. It offers even more compositional ideas and feedback and an opportunity to perfect techniques related to sports and wildlife photography.
The class assumes you already use shutter priority, aperture priority, or manual exposure. It works with the histogram and the blinking highlights warning to make exposure more predictable, and it looks at autofocus options for scenic, action, or wildlife shots.
Students upload a folder of their own images for discussion. Is there a kind of photo you keep wanting to improve?
Where Can You Take Digital Camera Photography Classes Online?
Washington Photo Focus offers digital camera photography classes 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 digital photography classes online 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
How long does it take to learn digital photography?
It depends on your goals and how often you shoot. In Digital Camera Basics, people who have relied on Auto move away from Auto at the beginning of the first class.
How many hours is a basic photography course?
Digital Camera Basics is three live evening sessions of two hours each, so six hours in all. The $189 fee covers all three sessions.
Can I take digital camera photography classes online?
Yes. Digital Camera Basics meets over Zoom, so you join from home, and the class is limited to six students.
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.
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.
