The Course
Photography Courses in Melbourne
DJB Photography School runs one photography course in Melbourne: the DSLR & Mirrorless Express Course. Three hours, on foot through Melbourne CBD, on your own camera. You learn full manual mode - shutter speed, aperture, and ISO - with a maximum of two students per session. It runs Fridays or Saturdays and costs $499.
135 reviews
95 reviews
79 reviews
126 reviews / 371 students
A Photography Course That Runs on Melbourne's Streets
This is not a classroom course. The three hours are spent walking and shooting through Melbourne CBD - laneways with street art, glass-roofed arcades, colonnades, trams, and open streets. Each location asks for different settings, which is the point: you set exposure by hand, see the result, and adjust. Taught by Daniel Bilsborough, who has been teaching photography in Melbourne since 2011.
Sessions are capped at two students. Every question gets answered on the spot, and the instruction follows your camera and your photos rather than a fixed slideshow. The course has 414+ reviews averaging 4.9 stars across four platforms.
Mid-course in a CBD laneway, July 2026.
Working a colonnade for leading lines and low light.
What You Learn: Full Manual Mode on Your Own Camera
You start with shutter speed while the camera handles the rest, then add aperture, then ISO - the same progression written up in the manual mode guide. By the third hour you are setting all three by hand and reading the light yourself. The exposure triangle stops being a diagram and becomes the way you operate the camera.
- Full manual mode on your own camera, including your specific dials and menus
- Shutter speed, aperture, and ISO - what each does and when to change it
- Reading light in real conditions, from dark laneways to open sun
- Composition on location: leading lines, reflections, street scenes
- What to do with your photos next, including RAW and editing
A Photography Course in Melbourne for Beginners
The course is built for beginners. No prior experience is required, and most students arrive having only ever shot in auto mode. Any camera with a manual mode works - DSLR or mirrorless, any brand, including the kit lens it came with. Students have learned on everything from entry-level Canon R100s to medium-format Fujifilm bodies; the student stories show real sessions on real cameras.
Still choosing a camera? The best camera for beginners guide covers what to buy, and you can bring whatever you end up with. There's also a dedicated beginners photography course Melbourne page covering how the course works when you're starting from zero.
What Students Say About the Course
414+ verified reviews across Google, TripAdvisor, Airbnb and WeTeachMe
I had an exceptional experience in todays class with Daniel. He was patient honest clear knowledgeable and intuitive. The course structure was well thought out and covered the essential elements of photography. I gained valuable insights and confidence to use my camera in many ways. I am looking forward to taking his Lightroom masterclass. I recommend this class to anyone new to photography.
Josefina
19 July 2025
I was nervous to undertake this course. I am a long time photography lover and finally committed to try it. From the start Daniel was reassuring and patient. The course was very hands on and useful with Daniel being a patient and thorough teacher. I now have the confidence to take my camera off automatic mode and experiment with manual settings. Thank you.
Jeanette
14 July 2025
Booked in for a one on one photography course with Daniel and it was the best thing I did for myself. Daniel was patient with my questions, informative and taught me how to see things from a different perspective. I recommend this course for anyone who wants to learn the basics of using a camera.
Yoshi
20 April 2025
This class was fantastic. Daniel is a great teacher. He is patient and explains things in an easy way to understand. Once he took me through each part of the theory he then got me to practise it until I had mastered it. We had fun walking the graffitied laneways and photographing them. Daniel promised at the beginning that I would finish the class able to use my camera with confidence and he was right. I recommend this class no matter how inexperienced you are.
Jo
22 March 2025
If your preferred way to learn is by doing it then Daniel is your perfect teacher. Highly knowledgeable and experienced Daniel takes you through the fundamentals of ISO shutter speed and aperture in a clear and unhurried walk around the Melbourne CBD. His relaxed manner makes it easy to ask questions. I finished feeling more in control of my camera and confident in taking the photos I want. I recommend Daniels class.
Tony
14 March 2025
I am glad I did this course. The course was very practical and Daniel made it easy to understand the fundamentals and how to use my DSLR to its full potential. Best introduction to photography. I feel confident about shooting manual mode and will not go back to shooting auto again. I recommend this course. I learnt so much in three hours. Thanks Daniel.
Tina
30 January 2025
Dates, Price, and Where It Runs
When
Fridays or Saturdays, morning start. Live dates are on the booking page.
Where
Melbourne CBD, starting near RMIT University. The exact meeting point is sent when you book.
Price
$499 per person for the full 3-hour session.
Class size
Maximum 2 students. Book both spots to make it a private session for two.
Bring
Any camera with a manual mode and a charged battery. No tripod needed.
Weather
Light rain is fine and often produces great photos. If it's too heavy, the group reschedules together - no one loses out.
More questions are answered on the FAQ page, or you can get in touch. The course is also available as a gift voucher.
After the Course
Most students leave shooting full manual and never go back to auto. The natural next step is developing your RAW files - the online Lightroom course covers the full editing workflow. If you want more locations to practise, the Melbourne photography spots guide maps eight CBD locations worth shooting.