Photography Basics and Beyond (Michigan State University on Coursera) review

Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR is the most school-like option here. Michigan State University instructors Peter Glendinning and Mark Valentine Sullivan built it as a five-course series rated for beginners, and Coursera estimates about 3 months at 10 hours a week. Course 1, Cameras, Exposure, and Photography, runs about 21 hours and Course 2, Camera Control, about 16 hours, before the program moves into composition and creative concepts and finishes with a capstone project of your own photographs. It works with any camera, including a smartphone. Assignments are peer reviewed, so you get comments from other learners rather than the instructors. The specialization is included with Coursera Plus, which costs $59 a month after a 7-day free trial, and completers receive a certificate from Michigan State University. Coursera lists 160,879 people enrolled and a 4.7 rating from 6,741 reviews. It is light on editing software, so pair it with a Lightroom course if post-processing matters to you.

Who it is for

beginners who want a structured course and a certificate

Price

Included with Coursera Plus at $59 per month after a 7-day free trial.

or $59/month after a 7-day free trial
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Five-course series rated beginner level with no prior experience required
• About 3 months at 10 hours a week
• Works with a smartphone, compact, mirrorless or DSLR camera
• Peer-reviewed photo assignments and a capstone project
• Certificate of Specialization from Michigan State University

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Clear sequence from exposure to camera control, composition and a final project
• Strength: Coursera lists 160,879 learners enrolled and a 4.7 rating from 6,741 reviews
• Strength: Included in Coursera Plus if you already subscribe
• Weakness: Feedback comes from fellow learners, not the instructors
• Weakness: Fixed course structure with deadlines suits some people less than a free-form library
• Weakness: Little editing software training compared with KelbyOne

Key facts

• Courses: 5
• Time: 3 months at 10 hours a week
• Level: Beginner
• Credential: Michigan State University certificate
• Free trial: 7 days

Where it ranks

Photography Basics and Beyond (Michigan State University on Coursera) is No. 3 in our Best Online Photography Courses verdict.