Yes. All the lessons, simulators, the glossary and the cheat sheet are free and you don't need to sign up. If you'd like to support the project, you can make a voluntary contribution by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

No. Any camera or your phone will do. The simulators let you practice the settings before you go out to take photos.

How much time do I need?

Each lesson takes between 9 and 16 minutes to read, about 3 hours in total, plus whatever practical exercises you want to do.

Is my progress saved?

Yes, in your own browser. It isn't sent to any server, so if you switch devices you'll start from scratch.

If you've never used the manual modes, start with lesson 1 and follow the order. If you already know how to control exposure, you can jump straight to level 2.

Free · 16 lessons · no sign-up

Learn photography
from scratch

A free beginner photography course: sixteen short lessons across two levels, with interactive camera simulators and no sign-up.

Start lesson 1 See the lessons

Learn by doing

Every lesson includes a camera simulator. Change the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length or light and instantly see what happens to the photo: the background blurs, the cyclist freezes or leaves a streak, noise appears.

Then a practical exercise has you apply it with your own camera or your phone.

f/2, 1/30 on a tripod: blurred background and the cyclist in motion.

Lessons

Each lesson has a simulator with challenges and exercises to do outside. When you finish one, mark it as completed. Keep the glossary and the cheat sheet handy.

0 of 16 lessons completed

The basicsControl the camera, the light and the framing.8 lessons Genres and projectsApply what you've learned to each type of photography. Best if you've done level 1 first.8 lessons

Level 1: the basics

Control the camera, the light and the framing.

1
Your camera and its modes
Types of camera, their parts and what each mode is for, from auto to manual.
13 min
2
Exposure
Aperture, shutter speed and ISO: how to decide how much light gets into your photo.
16 min
3
Focus and depth of field
Where to put the focus and how much of the photo comes out sharp.
14 min
4
Light
Hard and soft light, direction, golden hour and white balance.
13 min
5
Composition
The rule of thirds, lines, framing and point of view.
12 min
6
Lenses and focal lengths
Wide-angle, standard and telephoto: what changes in your photos.
12 min
7
Phone photography
How to get the most out of the camera you always have with you.
9 min
8
Basic editing
RAW or JPEG, the basic adjustments and apps to get started.
12 min

Level 2: genres and projects

Apply what you've learned to each type of photography. Best if you've done level 1 first.

9
Portraits
Light, posing, focusing on the eyes and backgrounds that help the subject.
11 min
10
Landscapes
Foreground and background, depth, the best light and using a tripod.
10 min
11
Street photography
Observing, anticipating and capturing everyday life respectfully.
10 min
12
Night photography
Long exposures, light trails and starry skies.
11 min
13
Flash and lighting
Bounce flash, fill light and how to make the most of a single light source.
11 min
14
Macro and close-up
Getting close to small things: focus, light and very shallow depth of field.
9 min
15
Video basics
Frames per second, the 180-degree shutter rule and steady shots.
10 min
16
Telling stories with photos
Series and sequences: how to choose and order your best images.
10 min

About the course

Primer disparo is a photography course for beginners, designed especially for young people who want to start on the right foot. You don't need any prior knowledge or an expensive camera: your phone works for most of the exercises.

Each lesson combines clear explanations with a camera simulator. Change the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length or light and see the effect instantly: the background blurs, the cyclist freezes or leaves a streak, noise appears. Then a practical exercise has you apply it with your own camera.

Frequently asked questions

Is the course free?: Yes. All the lessons, simulators, the glossary and the cheat sheet are free and you don't need to sign up. If you'd like to support the project, you can make a voluntary contribution by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Do I need a DSLR?: No. Any camera or your phone will do. The simulators let you practice the settings before you go out to take photos.
How much time do I need?: Each lesson takes between 9 and 16 minutes to read, about 3 hours in total, plus whatever practical exercises you want to do.
Is my progress saved?: Yes, in your own browser. It isn't sent to any server, so if you switch devices you'll start from scratch.
Where do I start?: If you've never used the manual modes, start with lesson 1 and follow the order. If you already know how to control exposure, you can jump straight to level 2.