I am discounting this course so that you will get an idea of how I train. I'm hopeful that you will be interested in becoming part of the FotoMaker community where you'll receive monthly training lessons along with image critiques and Q&A sessions.
If you are already a part of the the FotoMakers Community, no need to purchase! My Camera Fundamentals courseΒ is included in your membership!
Thoroughly understand your camera!
26 lessons covering all aspects of using your camera effectively to create whatever your want. You'll feel powerful as you are confident in any situation. The camera will essentially "disappear" as you focus on your subject rather than camera settings.
Over FOUR hours of video!
Along with manuals and quizzes, you'll enjoy training videos that include animated illustrations and real-world examples.Β
Learn from Eric step by step!
I will teach you everything you need to know about using your cameraΒ in 26 different lessons.Β Eric will guide you through many foundational principles that will give you the knowledge to handle any light, group, model, or location. You will feel very versatile.
Course Outline
Camera Fundamentals
-
Control Exposure and Motion Blur with Shutter Speed.
7 lessons- What is Shutter Speed.
- Quiz: What is Shutter Speed?
- Shutter Speed Affects Exposure and Motion Blur
- Quiz: Shutter Speed Affects Exposure and Motion Blur
- Unwanted Motion Blur
- What Can Be Done Creatively Using Shutter Speed?
- Quiz: What can be done creatively using shutter speed?
-
Control Exposure and Depth of Field with F-Stop
6 lessons- What is an F-Stop and How Do You Change It?
- Quiz: What is the F-stop and how do you change it?
- F-Stop and Narrow Depth of Field.
- Quiz: F-Stop Affects Depth of Field
- When You Need a Larger Depth of Field.
- Quiz: When you need a larger depth of field.
-
ISO Controls Exposure and Pixelation
2 lessons- ISO Controls Exposure and Pixelation.
- Quiz: ISO Controls Exposure and Pixelation
-
Camera Settings compensate for each other.
2 lessons- Shutter Speed and F-Stop Control the Artistic Factors of the Image.
- Quiz: Shutter Speed and F-stop Control the Artistic Factors of the Image
-
Focus Effectively
2 lessons- Focus Correctly (when you don't have eye detection)
- Quiz: Focus Effectively
-
Understand Other Significant Camera Settings
13 lessons- Av and Tv.
- Quiz: Av & Tv
- Servo and Single Shot.
- Quiz: Servo vs. Single Shot
- Drive Settings.
- Quiz: Drive Settings
- Back Button Focus.
- White Balance & Metering Modes.
- Quiz: White Balance & Metering Modes
- Image Quality and Reviewing Images.
- Quiz: Image Quality
- Review Images.
- Quiz: Review Images
-
Distance Affects Depth of Field
4 lessons- Objects Reflect Light in Different Directions.
- Quiz: Objects Reflect Light in Different Directions
- Distance Affects Depth of Field.
- Quiz: Distance Affects Depth of Field
-
A Speedlight Can Make You More Versatile
4 lessons- How to Use a Speedlight
- Quiz: How to Use a Speedlight
- Three Steps to Making a Speedlight Look Natural.
- Quiz: Three Steps to Making a Speedlight Look Natural
-
Distance and Lenses Can Distort
4 lessons- Distance and Lenses Can Distort.
- Quiz: Distance and Lenses Can Distort
- First Point of Contact Often Distorts.
- Quiz: First Point of Contact Often Distorts
-
Choose Beautifying Camera Height.
2 lessons- Close Up and Full Length Camera Height
- Quiz: Camera Height
-
Which Lenses Are Best for Portraits?
4 lessons- What about Kit Lenses?
- Quiz: What About Kit Lenses?
- Which MM is Best for Portraits?
- Quiz: What MM is Best for Portraits
β’Β Gain Confidence
β’ Get Inspired
β’Β Learn and grow
β’Β Create beautiful portraits!
Β
Diane Owen
I have always loved photography and knew it was a hobby I enjoyed, but I wasn't sure if I could make it a career. I loved getting experience in all kinds of portrait photography and getting a feel for what I loved. The quality of the education was top notch, and I loved that I could refer back to my reading materials after I finishedΒ when I needed to brush up on something. I have now been a professional photographer for almost 7 years, getting a start with so much knowledge and confidence under my belt really helped move my business forward. Β I have since earned my Certified Professional Photographer and Master Photographer degrees from Professional Photographers of America, as well as been published in several magazines and have won awards for my photography in competitions. I owe it all to my solid start fromΒ Eric Adams!
Jani Rogers
Eric was myΒ very first introduction to photography. I had never even touched a full frame dslr before. He taught meΒ the basic fundamentals, knowledge and community to start a photography business. I donβt think any other mentorship or online education would have been as successful if I hadnβt had a great intro dive into all that photography is. I learned about gear, tools, software, posing, lighting, expression and client interaction among many other subjects. The most valuable thing I took from this apart from the education was the friendships and connections I made in the industry. Iβm glad this was my first photography education because I was able to develop good building blocks, skills and habits to grow from there. Throughout the years I have been able to reach back out for advice and mentorship.Β
Jennifer Gardner
Β When I started photography, it was just something I wanted to learn, and quickly it turned into the source of income for my family, and now we are well Β known in the corporate world, and one of the best in SLC.Β Thanks to Eric Adams for giving me the opportunity to go through the programΒ to make me able to grow a successful and lucrative business.Β Thank you to Eric Adams for giving me the opportunity to learn valuable skills, which in turn, has helped me grow a successful and lucrative business.
Meet your instructor.
Hi! I am Eric. I am a fourth generation photographer beginning with my great-grandfather. I have been a professional photographer since 1992. For the last twenty years, I have been focused on training new photographers. In that time, I've trained over 2,000 photographers from scratch. Meaning, they were beginners when they started with me and were professionals at the end. I have developed a method that works for all types of learners. If you understand the mechanics and key principles, you will feel supremely confident as you create portraits of any kind.
What's included?
- 26 lessons.
- MostΒ lessons includes an e-manual, video and quiz.
- Over FOURΒ hours of video content.
- A full two years of access to this course.
You canΒ be a master of your camera!
Eric will help you developΒ your talent!
Do I need an expensive camera to take this course?
Do I need to be an experienced photographer?
What if I don't learn from this course?
Give yourself a chance and
see what happens!
Β
If you are already a member of FotoMakers, no need to purchase! This natural light course is already included in your membership!
INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE
Stop fumbling with settings. Start creating.
Learn how your camera actually works β shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focus, lenses β so the technical side disappears and you can focus entirely on your subject.
INTRODUCTORY PRICE
$9 one-time β’ 2 full years of access
Already a FotoMethod member? This course is included in your membership.
30-day money-back guarantee
After this course, you'll be able toβ¦
π·
Shoot in Full Manual
Understand shutter speed, aperture, and ISO so well that you set them by instinct β no more guessing or relying on auto mode.
π―
Nail Focus Every Time
Know exactly which focus mode to use, where to place your focus point, and how to get tack-sharp eyes in every portrait.
β¨
Control Depth of Field
Create that beautiful blurry background on purpose β and know when to pull everything into focus for groups and scenes.
π¨
Freeze or Blur Motion
Use shutter speed creatively β freeze a child mid-jump or capture flowing motion β instead of getting accidental blur.
β‘
Use a Speedlight Naturally
Add flash when you need it and make it look like it was never there. Three simple steps to natural-looking flash.
π
Choose the Right Lens
Understand which focal lengths flatter faces, which distort, and exactly which lenses are worth investing in for portraits.
SOUND FAMILIAR?
Your camera shouldn't feel like the enemy.
If any of these sound like you, this course was built for exactly where you are right now.
"I keep it on auto because I'm afraid I'll mess up the shot."
Auto mode is a safety net β but it's also a ceiling. Once you understand what shutter speed, aperture, and ISO actually do, you won't need it. And you'll get far better results without it.
"I bought an expensive camera and my photos still look like phone pics."
A great camera doesn't make great photos β the person using it does. This course teaches you the skills that unlock what your camera is actually capable of. The difference will be immediate.
"I've watched YouTube videos but nothing sticks."
Random tutorials teach random tricks. Nothing sticks because nothing connects. This course builds each concept on the one before it β like learning a language instead of memorizing phrases.
"I don't know what half the buttons and menus do."
You don't need to know all of them β most photographers don't use half their menus. This course focuses on the settings that actually matter for portraits, and skips the rest.
"My photos are blurry and I don't know why."
Blurry photos almost always come down to one of three things: shutter speed, focus technique, or camera stability. You'll learn exactly how to diagnose and fix all three β permanently.
"I feel embarrassed asking basic questions."
Every professional photographer started exactly where you are. There are no stupid questions in this course β just clear, patient explanations built for people who are starting from scratch.
COURSE BREAKDOWN
11 modules. 26 lessons. Complete camera confidence.
Each module includes video instruction, downloadable e-manuals, and quizzes to lock in what you've learned.
01
Shutter Speed
7 lessons
Control exposure and motion blur. Freeze action or create creative blur on command.
02
F-Stop & Depth of Field
6 lessons
Master aperture to control background blur and get the right amount of your scene in focus.
03
ISO
2 lessons
When to raise it, when to keep it low, and how to avoid the noise that ruins images.
04
Exposure Triangle
2 lessons
How shutter speed, f-stop, and ISO work together so you can trade one for another confidently.
05
Focus Effectively
2 lessons
Focus modes, focus points, and the technique for getting pin-sharp eyes without eye detection.
06
Essential Camera Settings
13 lessons
Av/Tv modes, servo vs single shot, drive settings, back button focus, white balance, and more.
07
Distance & Depth of Field
4 lessons
How your distance to the subject changes what's in focus β and how to use that to your advantage.
08
Speedlight Basics
4 lessons
Three steps to making flash look completely natural. More versatile than you think.
09
Distortion
4 lessons
How distance and lenses distort faces and bodies β and how to avoid unflattering results.
10
Camera Height
2 lessons
The right camera height for close-ups vs full-length shots. Small change, big difference.
11
Portrait Lenses
4 lessons
Kit lenses vs primes, which focal lengths flatter, and what's actually worth your money.
WHAT YOU GET
Everything inside the course.
β 26 step-by-step lessons
β Over 4 hours of HD video
β Animated illustrations & real-world examples
β Downloadable e-manuals for every module
β Quizzes after each concept
β 2 full years of unlimited access
β 30-day money-back guarantee
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Meet Eric Adams.
Fourth-generation photographer. 34 years behind the camera. Over 2,000 photographers trained from scratch β more than anyone else in the portrait photography industry.
I don't just show you what buttons to press. I teach you why each setting works the way it does, so you understand the mechanics and can handle any situation on your own.
TWO WAYS TO LEARN
Choose what works for you.
Start with this course, or unlock everything inside FotoMethod.
THIS COURSE ONLY
Camera Fundamentals
Master your camera at your own pace.
$9
one-time
β 26 lessons, 4+ hours video
β E-manuals and quizzes
β 2 years of access
β 30-day money-back guarantee
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an expensive camera?
Not at all. The principles in this course apply to any camera β even your phone. You'll learn how exposure, focus, and settings work, which transfers to any device you pick up.
Do I need photography experience?
No. This course is designed for beginners. I build a foundation for every concept so that even someone who's never shot in manual mode can follow along and succeed.
How is this different from free YouTube tutorials?
YouTube teaches you isolated tricks. This course builds your understanding from the ground up in a deliberate sequence β each lesson connects to the next. By the end, you understand the complete system, not just scattered tips.
How long do I have access?
Two full years from the date of purchase. That's plenty of time to go through the material multiple times and really lock in the concepts.
What if the course isn't what I expected?
You're covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you go through the material and don't feel it was worth it, I'll refund you in full. No questions asked.
Is this included in the FotoMethod membership?
Yes. If you're already a FotoMethod member, this course is included at no extra cost. If you're not a member yet, the membership includes this course plus everything else for $37/month.
For less than lunch,
master your camera.
26 lessons. 4+ hours of video. Every setting, every mode, every decision explained β so the camera disappears and all that's left is you and your subject.
Get Camera Fundamentals for $9 β
30-day money-back guarantee Β β’Β 2 full years of access