Description
Welcome to our beginner photography course in Sydney!
Learn photography from the ground up with our 8-week, 19-hour beginner photography course in Sydney. Taught by working professional photographers, this course is hands-on, practical, and designed for absolute beginners — no prior experience needed.
You’ll learn how to get the best out of your DSLR or Mirrorless camera and start capturing images you’re proud of — whether for fun, work, or a future creative career.
We’ll explain camera settings in simple terms and help you develop both technical control and artistic confidence. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to shoot portraits, landscapes, travel photos, and more with purpose and style.
Bonus Field Trip:
In Week 6, we head out for a 3-hour afternoon-to-evening shoot around Sydney’s Harbour Foreshore. You’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice — shooting across changing light from day to dusk, sunset, and night — all with the guidance of your tutor.
In Week 8, we finish with a slideshow celebration of your best work and an online exhibition featuring the top 30 images from the course.
Please note: You must have a camera with full manual controls. Compact cameras without this feature aren’t suitable.
Field trip weather check will be made on the day via BOM. Light showers may proceed, but the session will be postponed if storms or heavy rain are forecast.
N.B. Classes are run subject to acquiring minimum numbers.
Expert Guidance From Skilled Photographers
Your tutor is a multi-award-winning working photographer with years of experience behind the camera — and in front of the class. You’ll get real-world insights and personal guidance throughout the course to help you build skills and stay motivated.
Hands-On Practical Learning
This is not just theory. Every week includes hands-on shooting and guided practice to help you understand your camera and grow your confidence. We’ll help you go beyond settings to think like a photographer — learning how to see light, compose with intent, and tell stories through your photos.
You’ll also be learning alongside a group of like-minded people and sharing your work for feedback in a supportive, creative space.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Over 8 weeks, you’ll cover the essential foundations of photography. We’ll demystify camera modes, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus control, white balance, exposure, composition techniques, and creative thinking — all broken down in a way that makes sense.
This is a course designed to teach you how to take control of your camera and shoot with intention.
Practical Tips and Techniques
Throughout the course, we’ll share real-world tips that photographers use every day — from how to find good light and frame a shot, to shooting sharp handheld images, working with available light, and editing for impact.
You’ll finish the course with techniques you can use straight away and a clear understanding of how to keep improving.
Comprehensive Course Notes
Each student gets access to an Online Course Companion — a detailed set of notes that covers everything we teach, plus extra explanations, diagrams, and visual examples. You can review the content any time, even after the course ends.
Learn More About Photography With Sydney Photographic Workshops
Whether you want to turn photography into a profession or just want to shoot better photos for yourself, our beginner photography course in Sydney will give you the tools and confidence to get started.
Join us at Sydney Photographic Workshops and take the first step toward seeing the world differently through your camera.
Still have questions?
Contact us — we’re happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions – Beginner Photography Course in Sydney
Who is the beginner photography course for?
This course is perfect for anyone wanting to learn photography from scratch. It’s ideal for absolute beginners with no experience, hobbyists looking to improve their skills, or anyone who owns a DSLR or Mirrorless camera but isn’t confident using it yet.
Whether you want to shoot travel, family, portraits, or just better everyday photos — this course will help you understand your camera and get more creative with your photography.
How much does it cost for the beginner photography course?
The full 8-week course, including the bonus field trip and course companion, costs $450 AUD.
Your fee includes the following:
- 19 hours of face-to-face tuition
- Full course notes (Online Companion)
- Light refreshments throughout the class
- Studio equipment for demonstrations
- 3 hour photographic expedition field trip
- Expert guidance from professional photographers
Contact us for more information.
How long is the beginner course?
Our comprehensive beginner photography course runs for 8-weeks in total – which includes a BONUS 3 hour Field Trip on the Sunday of the 6th week. Our students can attend either a 7pm-9pm course or a 12pm-2pm course.
The photography course runs for a period of 8 sessions for 2 hours each session. Each session runs from EITHER :
7pm to 9pm on the NIGHT you have chosen to attend each week
OR
12pm to 2pm on the DAY you have chosen to attend each week
Please be sure that you have enrolled correctly in your choice of Day or Night. Should you have made an error – please contact us immediately.
Should you not be able to make a particular day or night throughout the course you may be able to attend another day or night that week (subject to availability) by making a request via email at info@spw.net.au
What can I expect to learn from the course?
You’ll learn how to use your DSLR or Mirrorless camera in full manual mode and gain a strong understanding of the key principles of photography. Topics covered include:
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Camera settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus)
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How to expose your images correctly
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Creative composition techniques
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Using natural light and understanding different lighting conditions
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How to take sharper, more interesting photos in real-world situations
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An intro to post-processing and photo editing
You’ll also learn how to think like a photographer — not just shoot.
What camera do I need for the photography course?
You’ll need a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with full manual controls.
Your camera must allow you to manually adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. If you’re unsure whether your camera is suitable, feel free to contact us before booking.
Please note: Compact or point-and-shoot cameras without manual mode are not suitable for this course.
Why choose Sydney Photographic Workshops for the course?
We’ve been teaching photography in Sydney for over 20 years. Our courses are designed by working professional photographers who are passionate about sharing what they know.
What makes us different:
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Small groups for personal attention
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Real-world shooting practice, not just classroom theory
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A creative and relaxed learning environment
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Award-winning tutors with industry experience
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5-star reviews from thousands of past students
We make learning photography simple, fun, and practical — no jargon, just results.
Where is the course held?
The course is held at our dedicated photography studio in Alexandria, Sydney.
It’s a central location, easily accessible by public transport or car, with street parking nearby.
Only a short (7 min) walk from Redfern Station, through South Eveleigh.
Do I need any photography experience before joining?
Not at all. This is a beginner-level course, and we assume no prior knowledge. We’ll walk you through every concept step-by-step and support you throughout the course.
What happens if the weather is bad for the field trip?
A final weather check is made on the day of the field trip using the Bureau of Meteorology. If conditions are unsafe (heavy rain or storms), the field trip will be postponed. Light rain may still proceed — we’ll keep you informed.
Will I get feedback on my photos?
Yes. We encourage you to share your work during the course, and you’ll receive feedback from both your tutor and fellow students. In the final week, you’ll also showcase your best shots in a digital slideshow and online group exhibition.
Do I get any course notes?
Yes. Every student gets access to our Online Course Companion, a detailed set of notes that covers everything we teach in class.
It includes clear explanations, diagrams, and photo examples so you can revise at your own pace — even after the course ends. It’s designed to help you remember what you’ve learned and keep building your skills with confidence.
Before starting the 8-week beginner’s course, I didn’t know much about camera settings or composition. Now, I feel confident shooting in manual mode and am excited to keep improving my photography skills. Daniel is an excellent instructor – knowledgeable, friendly, and really good at explaining things so beginners can understand. The course was thoughtfully structured and well-paced. The field trip was fantastic and helped me put what I’d learned into practice, with Daniel giving helpful feedback along the way. Big thanks to Wendy too for answering my questions and keeping us informed throughout!
This course went beyond what I expected, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to learn or get better at photography.
The 8-week beginner course was amazing! Super professional, really flexible and such a friendly team. I honestly loved every minute of it!
The 8-week Beginner Photography Course was fantastic. The instructors were knowledgeable and friendly, making it easy to talk to them and learn in a relaxed setting. The highlight of the course was the field trip to Sydney’s landmarks.
I recommend offering a “Beginner+” option. Students would submit five images weekly based on that weeks learning for feedback. This could help them enhance their skills faster.
The course offers great value, great teaching, and a solid foundation for anyone wanting to move beyond auto mode. I highly recommend it.
This was my first photography course, and I’m so glad I chose a face-to-face class. The sessions were fun and engaging, and Gleen is a highly professional and patient instructor. He constantly encouraged us to shoot, practise, review, and try again. One of his quotes really stayed with me: you take photos to capture and preserve a moment for yourself, not to show off on Instagram or TikTok.
Even the receptionist, Wendy, was warm and welcoming, which made the whole environment relaxed and enjoyable for learning. I plan to take some time to practise, and once I feel ready, I’ll definitely return for the intermediate course.
The field trip was a highlight—getting to photograph the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the best vantage points was unforgettable.
Overall, I highly recommend Sydney Photographic Workshops: excellent teaching, a talented instructor, a friendly atmosphere, and very reasonable prices.
I learned a great deal from this course and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The instructor had a genuine passion for photography and took a sincere interest in what I was aiming to achieve. I wholeheartedly recommend this course and look forward to attending future workshops with them.