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The near ubiquitous video sharing platform, YouTube, has opened up incredible learning opportunities for people all over the world by providing free videos for those wishing to learn new skills and connect with educators.
Every possible field is covered by experts on the platform and photography is no exception. No matter what you want to learn more about, whether it’s a specific genre or a new technique, you’ll find in-depth videos covering the topics in an engaging and user-friendly way.
Is It A Good Idea to Learn Photography through YouTube – What are the Pros and Cons?
The Pros.
- One of the significant advantages of learning photography using the YouTube platform is that you can access the videos for free, providing you have an internet connection and a device. This makes YouTube a fantastic resource no matter what your budget is. There are opportunities and ways that you can support the video creators if you want to, and can afford it, but otherwise you can watch thousands of videos about photography without paying a dime.
- You can access YouTube from anywhere in the world. This means if you’re on the move, during your commute, or sitting at home on the couch, you can enjoy the learning opportunities that the platform affords. Having an educational resource available to you anywhere, anytime, means that you can easily fit the learning into your schedule. You can watch a short 5 minute video while you’re waiting at the doctor’s office or work through a longer and more detailed video when you have more time.
- YouTube can be used in conjunction with other educational resources to supplement your learning and fill any gaps that a course you are doing might have skipped over. The sheer number of videos on the platform means that you can pick up on a particular subject or area of photography to deliver any information you might need.
- Video learning is an extremely engaging way to learn new information. Studies have shown that information retention is maximized when it is learnt in a visual format. This is especially useful for people who struggle with hefty books and pages of text.
- When you learn using YouTube you can tailor the content to your needs in a highly focused and precise way. This lets you create your own learning experience and avoids wasting money or time on courses which don’t fit your personal requirements.
- You can always rewind and review the videos if you missed some information. If you’re taking notes as you follow along with the video you can always pause the video to catch up. Having the opportunity to re-watch videos also means that you can go back later on to brush up on the subject any time you want.
- If you find one educator or video creator hard to follow you can always find others teaching the same topics. This gives you a wide choice as to which teacher or creator you follow to make sure the format of their delivery suits you the best. The platform has creators who produce content that ranges from highly detailed information rich videos to more chatty and informal approaches to learning.
The Cons.
- One of the problems that the educational and teaching sectors have on YouTube is that the information is not always 100% correct or reliable. If you’re learning something new it might be hard to judge whether the information is completely correct. Some creators may have a personal agenda or simply not be well enough informed themselves! One of the ways that you can overcome this potential problem is to watch more than video on any given subject to cross reference the information and technical details for yourself. Once you do find a content creator that you have come to trust then you can follow their channel going forward.
- You’ll need to have an internet connection to access the content on YouTube. Fortunately most people in the world now have access to the web and with internet package prices coming down all the time the chances are you will be able to get online! Most city centers have free wifi available and most public transport now provides internet access which you can make use of while you’re traveling.
- Many of the videos have advertisements which can be off putting and waste your time. Not all of these adverts are relevant to the videos you’re watching and can get quite frustrating. Luckily, there is free software available, such as Adblocker, which blocks most of the adverts, not only YouTube but also on other sites.
What’s the Best Way To Learn From Videos on YouTube?
Depending on the subject matter and exactly how information heavy it is, simply watching a video may not be the best way to learn from it. There are practical steps that you can follow though to get the most out of the video and make sure that you have understood what is being conveyed.
Step 1 : Watch the video.
Step 2 : Rewatch the video, taking notes as you go through it. Feel free to pause it or rewind at any moment if you get behind.
Step 3 : Investigate further by searching for some other videos about the same topic, or by reading a few articles or book chapters that address similar things. This will give you a broader understanding and allow you to incorporate a variety of opinions and perspectives.
Step 4 : Apply your new knowledge by trying it out for yourself. If, for example, you’ve learnt a new way to light your studio then experiment with this and see what works for you.
Step 5 : Try to discuss the subject with other photographers. You can do this on forums, in the comments section under the YouTube video or in photography groups on social media. Talking to other people about what you’ve recently learnt is a tried and tested way of increasing the information retention.
It goes without saying that once you’ve learnt a new technique, method or practical approach in your photography you need to practise it! Try to use the new information in your current projects and in experimental photoshoots. This will develop the skill and as you do start to incorporate it in your own work you’ll naturally adapt it to suit your own photographic style of working.
The Pros Far Outweigh the Cons of Learning from YouTube.
When you consider the amazing possibilities that YouTube can open up to you it’s clear that the pros outweigh the cons. Most of the cons are fairly easy to overcome and once you find some great creators to follow your learning experience will be varied and fun.
It’s certainly worth learning photography on YouTube but there is no reason why you can’t use it in conjunction with other resources such as structured courses and photography books and blogs.
Of course, no matter how you learn about photography the most important part of the experience is to practise as you go! Try to make time each day to take some photos and experiment with the new things that you’ve picked up. Another valuable part of the learning experience is to get feedback from other people and talk about any new ideas that you have about what you’ve been studying and trying out.
Learning Photography from YouTube is a Free to Use Platform to Suit All Needs.
Video tuition has made a huge impact in the modern world and as this educational tool goes from strength to strength it’s bound to be at the heart of the future of learning. Video learning emerged about 30 years ago and has proved to be extremely popular and highly engaging for the viewers.
YouTube is one of the most exciting video platforms where you can follow some amazing channels and tailor your learning experience to meet your personal requirements. The top photography channels on YouTube are not only highly educational but entertaining and also have engaging communities that you can become a part of.
Did you learn photography from YouTube?
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