Over the course of the medium’s history, photography’s primary tool, the camera, has evolved from a bulky box and light bulb to the compact, efficient lens on your smartphone. New technology makes starting and honing your skills more accessible than ever.

Whether you want to master the basics of shooting in black and white or on film, set up your darkroom, gain an academic understanding of the medium, or learn from some of today's most celebrated photographers, there are online photography courses you can take from the comfort of your own home.

After all, picking up a camera is the first step in showing others how you see the world.

Harvard University’s “Exposing Digital Photography” course is freely accessible through the OpenCourseWare program. Since it is a course that was once offered at the Ivy League university’s Extension School, you don’t need to officially enroll: you have the freedom to follow the course at your own pace.