Cinematography Online Courses 2025: Platforms, Duration, Fees & Careers

Cinematography Online Courses are for the learner who wants to study the art of visual storytelling, cameras, video editing and lighting. The online course duration can be 4 to 8 weeks or 6 to 12 months. It can vary as per the platform. The distance learning course will help you understand about Cinematography. Some of the online platforms provide the free course with a certificate to the learner. But on some platforms, you need to pay the fee to get the certificate or take video tutorials. The online course fee can be different as per the platforms, but the average fee is ₹5,000 to ₹80,000. Many top platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, edX and Coursera provide the Cinematography Online Courses. The course is flexible for learning, while sitting at home, you can study cinematography.
Cinematography Online Courses: Quick Highlights
The table has all the information about the Cinematography Online Courses:
Category | Details |
Course Level | Beginner to Advanced |
Duration | 1 week to 6 months |
Platforms |
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Average Fee | ₹2,000 to ₹50,000 (varies by platform) |
Certificate | Available on most platforms |
Skills Learned |
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Job Roles |
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Top Recruiters |
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Best Cinematography Online Courses
Top online learning platforms provide cinematography courses for different levels. Here are the top 4 online platforms that provide the course:
Google Cinematography Online Courses
Google, with its other online partner, provides the cinematography online course to learners:
Course Name | Trainer | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Basics of Cinematography | Google Experts | Self-paced | Free | 4.5 |
Storytelling with Camera | Google Creator Academy | 4 weeks | Free | 4.6 |
Lighting and Composition | Google Experts | 6 weeks | Free | 4.4 |
Coursera Cinematography Online Courses
Coursera provides the cinematography online course for learners with different levels:
Course Name | Trainer | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Filmmaking: From Script to Screen | University of London | 3 months | ₹3,500 to ₹10,000 | 4.7 |
Camera, Sound & Editing Basics | California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) | 2 months | ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 | 4.6 |
The Language of Film | Wesleyan University | 4 weeks | ₹2,500 to ₹7,000 | 4.5 |
Udemy Cinematography Online Courses
Udemy provides the cinematography online course for learners with different levels:
Course Name | Trainer | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Cinematography Masterclass | Patrick O’Sullivan | 10 hours | ₹499 to ₹2,000 | 4.8 |
Lighting Techniques for Film | David Miller | 8 hours | ₹699 to ₹2,500 | 4.7 |
DSLR & Mirrorless Filmmaking | John Peterson | 12 hours | ₹999 to ₹3,000 | 4.6 |
edX Cinematography Online Courses
edX provides the cinematography online course for learners with different levels:
Course Name | Trainer | Duration | Fee | Ratings (Out of 5) |
Introduction to Filmmaking | University of London | 6 weeks | Free / ₹4,000 for certificate | 4.7 |
The Art of Visual Storytelling | HarvardX | 8 weeks | Free / ₹6,000+ for certificate | 4.6 |
Lighting and Camera Techniques | University of California | 10 weeks | Free / ₹7,000 – ₹12,000 | 4.5 |
Instructors of Cinematography Online Courses
These are the instructors for cinematography online courses on the different online platforms. They will help the learner to understand about the elements of cinematography.
Instructor Name | Platform | Specialization |
Patrick O’Sullivan | Udemy | Cinematography Masterclass |
David Miller | Udemy | Lighting Techniques |
Prof. Sarah Jones | Coursera | Film and Media Studies |
Ryan Booth | Skillshare | Natural Light Shooting |
Prof. James Clark | edX | Visual Storytelling |
Top Indian Colleges Offering Cinematography Online Courses
Many top Indian colleges provide cinematography online courses to learners. Check the India cinematography online course:
College | Fee |
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune | ₹40,000 to ₹80,000 |
Whistling Woods International, Mumbai | ₹35,000 to ₹70,000 |
₹30,000 to ₹60,000 | |
₹25,000 to ₹50,000 | |
Jain University | ₹20,000 to ₹45,000 |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education | ₹25,000 to ₹55,000 |
Free Cinematography Online Courses
Many online platforms provide the course but some ask for the learner to pay for the course. Here is the list of online platforms that provide free cinematography courses:
Course Name | Platform |
Basics of Filmmaking | Coursera |
Cinematography for Beginners | Udemy |
Visual Storytelling | FutureLearn |
Lighting for Film | Alison |
Digital Cinematography Basics | edX |
Cinematography Online Courses Free with Certificate
Check the online courses platform that provides free courses with certificates:
Course Name | Platform |
Basics of Cinematography | Alison |
Introduction to Filmmaking | Coursera (Free with Financial Aid) |
Visual Storytelling | SWAYAM |
Camera & Lighting Mastery | NPTEL |
Digital Filmmaking Essentials | FutureLearn |
Eligibility Criteria for Cinematography Online Courses
If you want to do online courses in cinematography, you need to enroll yourself in the platforms. Check the online course:
Criteria | Details |
Education | 10+2 or Graduate (no strict requirement) |
Age | No age limit |
Skills | Creativity, storytelling interest, basic technical knowledge |
Language | English understanding required |
Why is it Important to Learn Cinematography Online in 2025?
Here are some important points about why it is important to learn cinematography online in 2025:
- Learn filmmaking skills from anywhere at your own pace.
- Affordable compared to film schools.
- Growing demand for content creators in OTT, films, and ads.
- Access to global industry experts.
- Certifications add weight to professional portfolios.
- Useful for YouTubers, filmmakers, and creative entrepreneurs.
- Provides practical knowledge with real-world projects.
Job Opportunities after Completing Cinematography Online Courses
After completing the course, you can get a job in various sectors. Check the table, which has details about job opportunities:
Job Role | Average Salary |
Cinematographer | ₹4 to ₹10 LPA |
Videographer | ₹3 to ₹7 LPA |
Film Editor | ₹4 to ₹8 LPA |
Director of Photography (DoP) | ₹6 to ₹15 LPA |
Lighting Designer | ₹5 to ₹12 LPA |
Creative Producer | ₹8 to ₹18 LPA |
Cinematography Online Courses: FAQs
Ques: What are the best online cinematography courses for beginner learners?
Ans: These are the best online cinematography courses for beginner learners:
- Udemy: Cinematography Basics
- Coursera: Filmmaking Specialization
- Skillshare: Camera Angles and Shots
- MasterClass: Werner Herzog Filmmaking
- LinkedIn Learning: Cinematography Foundations
Ques: What are the Udemy cinematography courses?
Ans: These are Udemy cinematography courses:
- Cinematography Basics
- Cinematic Lighting Techniques
- Videography and Cinematography Course
- DSLR Filmmaking for Beginners
- Mastering Camera Angles and Shots
Ques: What are the free courses for cinematography?
Ans: These are the free online course lists that are provided by the best online platforms:
- Coursera: Filmmaking Courses (audit mode free)
- FutureLearn: Digital Storytelling and Filmmaking (free access for limited time)
- Alison: Diploma in Digital Photography and Cinematography
- Skillshare: Free Trial, Camera and Lighting Basics
- OpenLearn: Digital Film School Basics
Ques: What are the Coursera cinematography courses?
Ans: These are the Coursera cinematography courses:
- Filmmaking Specialization
- Camera, Exposure, and Photography
- The Language of Hollywood: Storytelling, Sound, and Color
- Script Writing and Storytelling for Film
- Creative Video Production
Ques: Will I get a certificate after completing the courses?
Ans: Yes, after completing the online course, learners will get the certificate of course completion. The certificate will help you to get a job and it will be good for your career.