Our comprehensive Digital Photography for Beginners Courses will give you all the technical information you need to get the most out of your camera, and begin to look at the aesthetics of photography to develop your personal style. Our expert tutors will guide you through all the manual functions on your camera, lens options and compositional techniques, giving you a deeper understanding of digital photography, allowing further creativity with your images.
The course will feature hands-on practical exercises to further your understanding of the theory of photography, giving you the confidence to produce the images that you have imagined. You will look at a range of photography genres and discover new techniques and photography styles to inspire your work.
Digital Photography for Beginners Courses CONTENT
Throughout our DSLR Photography for Beginners course, you will cover a broad range of technical and creative topics, around the master principles of photography.
- Mastering exposure using ISO, aperture and shutter speed
- DSLR/mirrorless camera handling
- Focal length and lens choice
- Manual and semi-automatic camera modes
- Understanding f/stops and depth of field
- Capturing motion
- Auto-focus modes and focus points
- Composition techniques
- Understanding file formats (JPEG vs RAW)
- Setting white balance
Examples of London locations you might visit on our digital photography for beginners course include; Borough Market, Waterloo Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Tower Bridge, Covent Garden, Soho & the West End.
Level
Ideal for beginners or those with basic photography skills
Styles
A comprehensive course, featuring classroom based learning exercises and some location shooting around London.
Equipment
Not sure if you have the right camera? Call our Student Services team on 020 7042 8833 or email info@city-academy.com
You will need:
We recommend you bring the following equipment with you to the course:
- DSLR or mirrorless camera with full manual controls (you can borrow a DSLR if you don't yet own a camera)
- Your camera’s manual
- Fully charged battery
- An empty memory card
- Light rucksack or bag
- Lightweight tripod (for some classes, if owned)
- Comfortable shoes
- External flash (for some classes, if owned)
Read Head of Photography Ross Gamble's top 10 camera recommendations for beginners.
Our Approach
Our photography classes are designed to fully equip you with the technical knowledge you need to get the most out of your photography, and provide you with projects and exercises to utilise your creativity. The classes are limited to a small size, so our tutors are able to offer you the technical support you need, give you practical hands-on experience and constructive feedback to develop your photography skills.
All of our classes involve focussed, classroom based theory learning, but major on practical exercises. We are committed to offering an enjoyable experience as we guide you through comprehensive technical training and build your confidence as you explore your creative ideas and experimenting with various techniques.
What our students say
Our Tutor has done an excellent job with us. He made sure we understood the basic principles of how to control exposure in our cameras and let us explore and put the skills into practice. He was also strongly encouraging towards leveraging our creativity and the results could be appreciated in the last session when all the students presented their photographs. The course overall strongly exceeded my expectations. Thanks a lot!
Alfonso - Photography Beginners
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book Now Click the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 31 Jul 2025 - 4 Sep 2025 | Thu | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Sold Out Add to waiting list | ||
| 5 Aug 2025 - 9 Sep 2025 | Tue | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
Our students talk us through what they learnt over the 5 days, about their camera, and themselves!
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 31 Jul 2025 - 4 Sep 2025 | Thu | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Sold Out Add to waiting list | ||
| 5 Aug 2025 - 9 Sep 2025 | Tue | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Sep 2025 - 21 Oct 2025 | Tue | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 27 Sep 2025 - 28 Sep 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 9 Oct 2025 - 13 Nov 2025 | Thu | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 25 Oct 2025 - 26 Oct 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Nov 2025 - 9 Nov 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 14 Nov 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | Fri | 19:00-21:00 | 6 weeks | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Dec 2025 - 7 Dec 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 3 Jan 2026 - 4 Jan 2026 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 8 Jan 2026 - 12 Feb 2026 | Thu | 19:00-21:00 | 6 weeks | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 17 Jan 2026 - 18 Jan 2026 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 27 Jan 2026 - 3 Mar 2026 | Tue | 19:00-21:00 | 6 weeks | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
We offer a full refund or full credit if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
10% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online, or quote the code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 31 Jul 2025 - 4 Sep 2025 | Thu | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Sold Out Add to waiting list | ||
| 5 Aug 2025 - 9 Sep 2025 | Tue | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Sep 2025 - 21 Oct 2025 | Tue | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 27 Sep 2025 - 28 Sep 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 9 Oct 2025 - 13 Nov 2025 | Thu | 18:30-20:30 | 6 weeks | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 25 Oct 2025 - 26 Oct 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Nov 2025 - 9 Nov 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | James Ross | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 14 Nov 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | Fri | 19:00-21:00 | 6 weeks | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Dec 2025 - 7 Dec 2025 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 3 Jan 2026 - 4 Jan 2026 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Jan 2026 - 12 Feb 2026 | Thu | 19:00-21:00 | 6 weeks | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 17 Jan 2026 - 18 Jan 2026 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 27 Jan 2026 - 3 Mar 2026 | Tue | 19:00-21:00 | 6 weeks | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
We offer a full refund or full credit if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
10% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online, or quote the code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
-
Photoion Studio, Waterloo
14 Lower Marsh
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
Take your pictures to the next level with our five-day Photography Summer School. Gaining a further understanding of the technical and aesthetic aspects of photography.
Use state of the art filmmaking and post-production equipment to write, direct and edit a short film in the Adult Filmmaking Summer School
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ENJOY WITH FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES
City Academy delivers bespoke workshops for groups and teams! Enjoy this course at a time and place to suit you. Whether you're a group of friends or a team looking for a creative activity, get in touch to explore ideas today.
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