You don't need a college degree to learn photography. And while you can be a "self-taught" photographer, at some point, you're likely going to need to take a class. There are plenty of options available for learning and fine-tuning your craft as a photographer - whether you're an absolute beginner or an experienced photographer wanting to refresh your skills or take them to the next level.

You can look for individual photography courses at your local college, university, technical training school, and even online. Yes, online. Online courses and degrees are more popular than ever, so we want to discuss that option.

One significant advantage of online learning is that you can take courses to meet your needs and geography or commute times don't have to be an issue. No matter where you live in the world, you can learn almost anything online, and photography is one of those things you can learn online. The convenience is obvious: many courses today can be done from the comfort of your home at your convenience.

The role of tech

Technology has changed how we learn photography and how we shoot images. It's become much easier to take terrific pictures without a lot of training or equipment. Look through any social media platform, and you'll see better than ever quality images. Take Instagram, for example. It's easy enough to snap a picture, apply one of their filters, and post a great image to your account.

Phone cameras are also better and cheaper than ever and are used widely around the globe for taking pictures. But the role of technology doesn't stop there. It's also changed how you can study photography whether you shoot with a $2k DSLR or a camera phone. Online courses mean studying when, where, and how you want.

Here are several online programs for you to consider. (We aren't endorsing any of these courses, just posting them for your information. You should always research any program for yourself before investing in it.)

Photography Basics: Cameras, Technique, and Composition with John Greengo is a course if you're just starting out in photography! Award-winning photographer John Greengo teaches you all the basics (including composition).

The Award-Winning iPhotography Training: Lifetime Access includes 80 hours of content, one-on-one mentoring from pro photographers, assignments, and access to an extensive download library to supplement your education.

The Complete Outdoor Photography Bundle is an ideal course if you're interested in outdoor, wildlife, and landscape photography. You'll learn the essentials to master this genre including how to capture animals in their natural habitats, post-processing techniques, and how to capture the best light.

Hollywood Art Institute's online photography course and certification offer 22 modules and 56 hours of content. Experienced professional photographers teach the classes which include instructional materials, videos, E-books, videos, and more. The course includes a free five-year subscription to the Pro Article Database.

Photography Diploma Master Class is a four-week course you can start at your convenience. It includes about three hours of coursework a week. Among other things, you'll explore various photographic styles, learn about different types of cameras, and how to master manual shooting.

The Complete Photography Professional Bundle: If you're ready to take your amateur photography to the next level, this is a great class for you. Learn how to master the essentials at a professional level including how to shoot in manual, edit in Mac Photos, and capture stunning candid street photographs. You'll also learn how to generate revenues as a pro photographer.

While you can learn a lot online, one of the most important things you can do as a photographer is to practice and talk to other photographers. There's a lot to learn by making mistakes which is why taking notes while you're shooting can be beneficial to learn from what you got wrong.

Talking to other photographers, maybe by joining a local photography group, meet-up or club, is another way to learn more about photography.

Talking to other photographers allows you to ask questions about equipment, places or venues to shoot, advice on running a business, even information about formal instruction.