Magnum Photos launch online lessons

Magnum Photos has just released its first online photography course, The Art of Street Photography, and we got a sneaky first look.

The course – which is made up of just under three hours of in-depth video and tutoring from Magnum pros – goes beyond traditional street photography.

There's a plethora of different approaches to be had, but all of them show what's required to become a successful street photographer.

What's in the course?

The Art of Street Photography comprises 10 in-depth video lessons: Learn what's required to become a successful street photographer, understand framing, how to photograph people, discover alternative approaches, and how to create meaning from chaos through the editing process.

Discover an alternative approach to the street with Mark Power

Discover an alternative approach to the street with Mark Power

Magnum photographers share practical advice and insights into how to photograph people

Magnum photographers share practical advice and insights into how to photograph people

Who's teaching the course?

Seven world-class photographers including Bruce Gilden, Martin Parr, Susan Meiselas, Richard Kalvar, Carolyn Drake, Peter van Agtmael and Mark Power, plus industry leaders.

These pros have contributed their unique insights, knowledge and experience to the lessons, and guide the pupil through the process of honing their photography skills via intimate and honest interviews and on location demos.

GB. ENGLAND. Westbay. 1996.

GB. ENGLAND. Westbay. 1996. (Image credit: Martin Parr)

USA. New York City. 1986.

USA. New York City. 1986. (Image credit: Bruce Gilden)

What did we think?

Having watched all 2hrs 45mins hours of the insightful video tutorials, our first impressions are very positive. 

The video content is well thought out in both structure and order, but it's the 'In-Focus' sections with big names such as Martin Parr that really stand out.

These provide a fascinating behind the scenes look of a master in action, and it's fascinating to see tips being practised, rather than just reading about them.

That being said, each of the ten sections has an accompanying workbook to go through, too.

In one lesson, the user is given unique access and insight into Martin Parr's working methods through behind-the-scenes access to him working on assignment and his editing process

In one lesson, the user is given unique access and insight into Martin Parr's working methods through behind-the-scenes access to him working on assignment and his editing process (Image credit: Magnum Photos)

Learn more

The Art of Street Photography course costs $99 and is live here

Each lesson is accessed online, so you can learn at your own pace anytime. Plus, the videos have subtitles in Spanish, French, English and Chinese.

Lauren Scott
Freelance contributor/former Managing Editor

Lauren is a writer, reviewer, and photographer with ten years of experience in the camera industry. She's the former Managing Editor of Digital Camera World, and previously served as Editor of Digital Photographer magazine, Technique editor for PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, and Deputy Editor of our sister publication, Digital Camera Magazine. An experienced journalist and freelance photographer, Lauren also has bylines at Tech Radar, Space.com, Canon Europe, PCGamesN, T3, Stuff, and British Airways' in-flight magazine. When she's not testing gear for DCW, she's probably in the kitchen testing yet another new curry recipe or walking in the Cotswolds with her Flat-coated Retriever.