Lenspiration Course

Explore with your camera
A video series to help photographers experience the benefits of photographing in full manual!
Experience the benefits of shooting in full manual
Photograph special effects in-camera!
Start learning what the pros know in photography
“This is a wonderful video series that I purchased soon after I got my first DSLR. I can still say that this is one of the most helpful courses on special effects that I have taken so far! All of the sudden I was constantly taking pictures that included starbursts, light trails, and silky water. Love the new updated version!”
“It has been a privilege to be able to do this course and joining Lenspiration has been a really good experience for me and a good change for me to go out and actually find the things I need and do some practical things. I'm really blessed to be able to do this course.”
Testimonials
Here’s what people are saying about it
Course Overview
This Course is Composed of 9 Video Lessons
Explore with Your Camera
Using the manual modes on your camera can be a daunting experience for beginners . . . How do you know what camera settings to use to capture the effects that professionals are able to capture? How do you photograph water that has that smooth, silky effect? How do you intentionally capture background blur? How do you capture starbursts? Or action? Or light trails?!
These are the sort of questions you will find answers to in this video series! Whatever the effect you want to capture, this series will show secrets to capturing it!
By the end of this course:
You will begin experiencing the benefits of photographing in full manual!
Take control of the settings on your camera so you can capture special effects in-camera like the pros!

Here’s how it works:

Access the Course
Log in to your account, click on “My Courses” at the top menu, and then select your course (first time, click “Take This Course”).


Do each Lesson

Take each Quiz


Fulfill each Assignment

Get Help Along the Way
Post your coursework on the Lenspiration Forums for feedback, interaction and general accountability.

Continue to the End
Do all the videos, quizzes and assignments for all the lessons in the course.

Celebrate Accomplishment!
When you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Course Syllabus
The Explore With Your Camera video series in a nutshell

Video 1: How to Capture the Silky Water Effect
Ever heard of the silky water effect? You know, that fascinating effect that adds a professional touch to photos of flowing water? In this video, we learn 4 simple steps you need to know to create that effect!

Video 2: How to Create Beautiful Background Blur
Background blur adds a definite element of beauty to photos, but why? And how do we get it? There are 4 specific things you can do to influence the amount of blur in the background when you are taking photos.

Video 3: How to Create the Starburst Effect, In-Camera!
Some folks might think that those amazing starbursts they see in photos are always added in Photoshop. But did you know they can actually be created in-camera? This lesson teaches how to distinguish starbursts from “starburst look-alikes.”

Video 4: Exploring Focal Length Effects
Focal Length actually has a huge effect on your photos, more than you might realize. It makes a difference in how the background looks, how the subject looks, the perspective of a photo, the depth of field, and even the emotion in a photo.

Video 5: The Amazing Panning Effect!
Ever wondered how to do the amazing Panning Effect? Do you even know what it is? Well, in this video, we’ll look at what panning is, and how you can start incorporating it into your photos!

Video 6: Getting the Right Exposure in High Contrast Situations
If you’ve been in photography for any length of time, chances are you’ve come across a “high-contrast situation.” Often, our cameras don’t seem to know how to deal with it, so that’s the subject we tackle in this video.

Video 7: How to Take Great Photos in Low Light
It’s a common question: “How on earth do I take good pictures in places where there’s not much light?” If you have asked this question, or are afraid of shooting manually in low light, this lesson is for you.

Video 8: Exploring Different Times of Day
There are five distinct times of day, and each offer a host of unique opportunities to explore! Learn what each of these times of day are, and how you can make the most of each one.

Video 9: Principles for Photographing Light Trails
In this lesson, we talk about the advanced topic of light trails in photography! It’s really hard to get light trails with anything other than a DSLR or mirrorless camera, and you will need to know how to shoot in full Manual.
Minutes
Videos
Epic Course
here’s how to get it
Experience the benefits of photographing in full manual!
Course Only
Take the Course without being a Lenspiration Member- Forever access to the entire Explore With Your Camera video series: 9 video lessons with assignments, quizzes, and access to the Lenspiration Forums.
100% Off!
Take the Course as a Lenspiration Member- Access to the entire Explore With Your Camera video series: 9 video lessons with assignments, quizzes, and access to the Lenspiration Forums.
- Lenspiration Members have free access for as long as their subscription is active.
This Course is Part of Lenspiration’s Photography Program
The three phases of the Lenspiration Photography Program are designed to help you systematically learn photography from a beginner to advanced level. They are designed to be used as part of a high school elective but can be utilized by any age. Follow the recommended schedule in each workbook or take it at your own pace.
Phase I
Walk through the Foundations of Photography course and get to know your camera through supplemental resources! Plus, join monthly live Photo Coaching Webinars and get hands-on experience with real-life Photo Assignments.
Phase II
Through training articles, videos and the Explore with Your Camera video series, you’ll learn how to push your camera to its limits and explore special effects like silky water, bokeh, sunburst and light trails. Continue joining monthly live Photo Coaching Webinars and participating in Photo Assignments.
Phase III
Gain hands-on experience in a variety of photography genres, step into advanced photography through the Mastering Composition course, learn the Secrets of Photo Editing, and streamline your post-processing workflows through the How to Share Your Photos With the World course.
Join the Lenspiration Membership to pay per month for unlimited access to all the training.