There are many places where photographic tuition and photographic education is available: commercial classes, Photographic History, local colleges, online videos and web sites and web sites (both free Adorama and chargeable Kelby One, Lynda), private tuition etc. These can usually be found from a Google search.
Also see the Tutorials section on our Resources page
Below is a list of those more relevant to BCC members because of their proximity to Bedford.
Please feel free to submit any others that you feel warrant a special mention. If anyone has attended any of these courses please submit an appraisal
This list does not imply any recommendation of or any connection with these organisations. The list is in no particular order…
Novice
Taking the first steps to get your compact, mirrorless or DSLR camera out of auto mode and take creative photos?
Park Cameras support the School of Photography Microbytes workshops
As of 2019 these are run every 3 or 4 weeks. Starts with a classroom session, a photowalk lead around Soho and a final classroom session.
Free, held at Park Cameras London shop near Oxford Street 11.30am to 15.45 (good for a cheap day train ticket?) What’s not to like?
A Year With My Camera – A free, year-long beginner’s photography online workshop. Takes you from Auto mode to confident photographer
Photographic History
A Tour Through the History of Photography – The Royal Institution, YouTube
EOS Training Academy
Based in Tackley, Oxfordshire. Canon training seminars, all levels, around £100 / day upwards
6th September 2011, Brian Hall, director, of Experience Seminars (as it was originally known when it was in Huntingdon) had offered a discount to club members, up to 25% off DVDs and £35 off training seminars and workshops. Quote CAMERA CLUB OFFER or ask in club for discount vouchers. Please ask at EOS Training Academy if this offer still exists.)
PermaJet Academy
Printing, Lightroom and Photoshop courses, many in Stratford-Upon-Avon and some print workshops in Hitchin
Aspect2i
Courses in several locations around the UK including the Epson Print Academy, Hemel Hempstead.
Bedford College
Various courses, full time and part time
Luton College
Various courses, full time and part time
Royal Photographic Society
Workshops and talks for members and non-members (the latter are usually charged a little more.) These are usually run by highly qualified photographers and offer good value for money.
East Anglian Federation
Lists workshops and events run by affiliated organisations
University of Creative Arts
Offers a broad range of artistic study to degree + level, including Creative Arts and Photography (warning, when tested some pages of their web site did not work in the Chrome browser but were OK in other browsers)
You can study for a BA at campuses in S.E. England or take distance learning, expect this to take 2 or 3 years. English University education is not cheap, the UCA fees are competitive but can still cost a few thousand pounds. Residents (including those retired) may be able to apply for a student loan to cover the course fees. Presumably this is paid back when your subsequent income exceeds a certain nationally set level, but expect your study must be taken seriously.
Distance Learning
It is possible to study for diplomas at a number of institutions, some examples of those being offered: London Art College, BIPP, British Academy of Photography
Light Stalking List
A list of free Online Photography Courses (including Stanford, MIT, Alison, Harvard and plenty more) by Light Stalking, August 2020
Photo Courses and Photographic Workshops
Bedfordshire and here-abouts
Landscape, aviation and various beginner courses, and 1-to-1 with Darren Harbar (Biggleswade) **
Animals, insects, nature Workshops. Various locations with Bob Brind-Surch (Northamptonshire, UK, Europe and Africa) **
Wildlife, wedding, landscape and others with David Hemmings (Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire areas)
Ann Miles is a highly qualified and respected photographer offering very attractive one-to-one days for those starting in DSLR, editing or Lightroom. Based near Cambridge, highly recommended
Further afield
Landscape and floral in UK and Europe with Sue Bishop **
Landscape Yorkshire with Oliver Wright
Landscape Yorkshire, Spain, Iceland, Scotland with Lizzie Shepherd
Creative landscape in Wales with Nigel Forster **
Landscape with Light and Land – Tuition with some of the best UK photographers in their field, including Charlie Waite, Sue Bishop, Joe Cornish and Paul Sanders
Creative Nature with Victoria Hillman (mostly one-day or half-day workshops in Somerset, wild orchids, bluebells, butterflies, dragonflies etc) **
** known to and recommended by BCC members
Phonar
Phonar appears to be no longer active since 2014 but might be worth an occasional check to see if it has been resurrected
A free experiment where one joins in, on-line, with the Photography Class BA Hons third year undergraduate class at Coventry University. In 2011 it was run for 10 weeks in October to December. “An essential part of this will be non-paying attendees (you) joining in with us, submitting your work, mashing up ours and other people’s, asking questions of each other and contributing answers.” This has been repeated in subsequent years, check with the organisers when the next one will be