Interactive online courses in photography and visual storytelling taught by the professionals

The Compelling ImageThe Compelling Image is an online school of photography offering interactive classes for photographers of all skill levels and interests - an affordable, convenient and inspiring way to learn and encourage your creativity with a camera - wherever you live.

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Our most popular online photography classesToday’s gold standard of photography education online

Photography Portfolio Review with David Bathgate

Objective evaluation of one’s own photographic or multimedia work can often be a frustrating and seemingly unattainable goal. It takes an impartial and experienced eye to

Photo Expression Through Interiors and Details

Whether it's paging through decor and lifestyle magazines, or checking out blogs and social media, we are collectively fascinated with “Interiors” - those wonderfully styled and lit images

Contemporary Fine Art Photography

Fine Art Photography is traditionally thought of as an image captured "masterfully." Think of the works of masters like Paul Strand, Irving Penn, and Dorothea Lange.

Focus on Wide Angle Photography

Wide angle lenses are for getting close, not for "fitting it all in." They're for putting you and the viewer right in the middle of the

Documentary Photography and Photojournalism

Viewing the world as a documentary photographer or photojournalist means more than taking the occasional snapshot. It involves a deeper look to uncover the facts and

Photographing Strangers

Photographing people with a long lens from across the street is one thing; capturing them at closer distances is a whole new level of photographic expression

Dramatic Photos When Light is Low

Most anyone can make well-exposed photographs by daylight. Much more challenging are good photos made at night or when light levels are at their lowest. But

Creating Unforgettable Photo Essays

You don't need to be a photojournalist or professional documentary photographer to create engaging photo essays. Photo essays can showcase any subject, from nature, to portraiture,

50mm is All You Need

A 50mm lens once came "standard" with every 35mm SLR camera purchase. Then this inconspicuous, low-light performer fell from "vogue," replaced by medium-telephoto, medium-aperture, variable zoom

A virtual classroom / social-interactive experience... As a TCI student, you’ll receive valuable critiques and advice from your instructor, timely answers to your questions and be able to discuss all that is happening on your course with fellow classmates.
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Passionate about photography? Got a knack for writing? Sold on the value and future of interactive e-learning? If so, you might be the one to design and teach the next new photography course at The Compelling Image. At TCI our goal is to guide, inspire, and nurture artistic interest and ability with the camera. If this sounds exciting to you, let’s have a conversation.