Learn the process, systems, and algorithms needed to design and craft amazing photos.

If you rely on frameworks to make sense of the chaos and think creatively, you're in the right place. This self-paced photography course was specifically tailored for technical-minded individuals who obsess over the "how" of photography, rather than how it makes you feel. Learn a methodical approach to your photography which will allow you to become comfortable and confident photographing in any situation you encounter.

  • Growth minded photographers ready to level up

  • Disciplined learners willing to put in the work

  • Individuals willing to invest time into learning their craft

Your camera should spark creativity... not confusion.

There are a million ways to take a photo with your camera. If that's overwhelming to you, you're not alone. Learn to sift through the infinite possibilities by recognizing patterns. Patterns of light. Patterns in composition. And patterns in which post-processing techniques make good photos even better.

The best photographers understand light and lines.

I hate to break it to you, but your camera can only take you so far. Great photos are taken by great photographers (not their expensive cameras), but becoming a great photographer isn't as difficult as you may think. It's as simple as learning two things: how to recognize beautiful light and how to combine shapes and lines to create captivating images.

Show others how you see the world.

It's more than just taking pictures. Photography can empower you to immerse yourself in a scene, craft a story based on your unique perspective, and visually communicate it to the world. You just need the correct blueprint to unlock that power. Armed with the tools and techniques, it's time for you to see, understand, and create bold and compelling photographs.

What's Included

A self-paced online course with video lessons, exercises, and photography assignments that are designed to apply what you've learned in real-time.

  • 8 hours of instructional video content

  • Photography assignments to apply what you've learned

  • Lifetime access to video lessons & updates

Learn how to engineer a captivating photograph.

The guesswork ends, and the process begins.

  • Light is everything

    Put an end to the inconsistency in your photos. Develop a deep understanding of light, and learn to utilize the natural light sources in your surroundings at their full potential.

  • Communicate with composition

    Stop pointing your camera aimlessly. Learn a geometric approach to combining visual elements that draws the viewer into the photo and creates visual interest.

  • Truly understand photography

    Finally approach a scene without intimidation. Have a systematic way to navigate creative decisions. Feel in control of the photos that you choose to create.

The Process

Learn the process steps required to engineer a good photograph for ideation to post-production. Know the goal of the image, understand the situational constraints in terms of light and space, and develop a plan to execute your vision. Familiarize yourself with tools and techniques for prototyping, testing, and refining your ideas until your final vision is actualized

Learn to See Light

Learn how to recognize all the possible light sources in your environment and understand how to categorize them based on direction, size, quality, and color. Know when and how to manipulate your subject's position and your camera's perspective in relation to the light. Truly understand how to capitalize on the strengths of the natural light around you.

Geometry-based Composition

Learn how to scan your environment for shapes, lines, and textures. Understand the visual framework behind my favorite geometry-based composition techniques. Develop the skills and techniques required to refine your composition and framing into images that strike the perfect balance between visual interest and simplicity.

Practical Editing Workflow

Adopt a mindset that embraces editing as a method for refinement, not transformation. Understand the inner workings of each Lightroom slider, button, and dial. Learn my signature editing process for Adobe Lightroom Classic, CC, and mobile which strikes the perfect balance of speed, practicality, and quality.*

Watch a Sample Lesson

Each lesson is presented in lecture format and is an edited recording from a previous live cohort of the Light & Lines Photography Bootcamp.

Learn at Your Own Pace

  • 1

    Module 1: Engineering a Good Photograph

    • 01: Welcome

    • 02: Backstory

    • 03: Process Overview

    • 04: Defining the Problem

    • 05: Research

    • 06: Brainstorming

    • 07: Assess and Plan

    • 08: Prototyping

    • 09: Testing

    • 10: Evaluate

    • 11: Refine

    • 12: Communicate and Share
  • 2

    Module 2: Learning to See Light

    • 01: Recap of Engineering a Good Photo

    • 02: Light and Lines

    • 03: 3 Questions

    • 04: Where are all the possible sources of light?

    • 05: Scanning the Scene

    • 06: Scan the Scene - Exercise 1- Outdoors Clear

    • 07: Scan the Scene - Exercise 2- Shade

    • 08: Scan the Scene - Exercise 3- Window Light

    • 09: Scan the Scene - Exercise 4- Indoor Ambient Light

    • 10: Possible Light Sources

    • 11 :Q&A - How practice seeing light without a camera?

    • 12: Bootcamp Subject

    • 13: Where is the Best Light?

    • 14: Direction

    • 15: Q&A - Side Lights vs 45 Degree Light

    • 16: Q&A - Subject looking toward light

    • 17: Works in all Situations

    • 18: Size

    • 19: Quality

    • 20: Distance

    • 21: Subject to Background Ratio

    • 22: Q&A - Clarification of subject to background ratio affect on depth of field

    • 23: Q&A - Do you use different lighting situations in a photo session?

    • 24: Q&A - How does light distance affect outdoor shooting?

    • 25: Q&A - How does light distance affect contrast?

    • 26: Color

    • 27: White Balance

    • 28: Tint

    • 29: 3 Ways to Set White Balance

    • 30: Ability to Adjust White Balance of RAW

    • 32: Q&A - What causes reduced contrast for backlit scenes?

    • 33: Q&A - How to expose backlit scenes?

    • 34: Q&A - Is there light you don't shoot in?

    • 35: Q&A What are you looking for when doing the "hand trick"?

    • 36: Q&A - What is contrasty light?

    • 37: Q&A - What causes washed out colors?

    • 38: Q&A - Do you use a UV filter on your lens?

    • 39: Q&A - Do you storyboard your shoots?

    • 40: Q&A - How do I add variety to my shoots?

    • 41: Q&A - How to approach photographing kids?

    • 31: Minimizing Mixed Color Temperatures

    • 42: Directional Lighting Assignment
  • 3

    Module 3: Methods for Improving Light

    • 01: Recap of Side Light vs 45 Degree Light

    • 02: Recap of Engineering a Good Photo

    • 03: 3 Questions

    • 04: How does it feel? Exercise 1

    • 05: How does it feel? Exercise 2

    • 06: Spectrum of Moods

    • 07: Deconstructing Each Mood

    • 08: Q&A - How do you avoid making subdued lighting look boring-

    • 09: How do you create catchlights in eyes?

    • 10: Q&A - Why is the light and airy style popular for wedding photography?

    • 11: Q&A - How to get subdued light independent of the weather conditions?

    • 12: Ways to Change the Mood with Light

    • 13: Fine-Tune Direction

    • 14: Fine-Tune Posing

    • 15: Q&A - Clarifying Broad vs Short Light

    • 16: Watch Shadows-Highlights

    • 17: Adjust Framing

    • 18: Q&A - Which metering mode to use for different lighting moods?

    • 19: Focus vs Feather

    • 20: Adding Dimension

    • 21: Q&A - Adding dimension without buying more gear/things?

    • 22: Lighting Mood Assignment
  • 4

    Module 4: Creating Thoughtful Compositions

    • 01: 4 Questions

    • 02: Scan the Scene - Exercise 1

    • 03: Scan the Scene - Exercise 2

    • 04: Scan the Scene - Exercise 3

    • 05: Train your Eye

    • 06: Symmetry

    • 07: Q&A - Mirrored Reflection Shot

    • 08: Symmetry Continued

    • 09: Sub-framing

    • 10: Q&A - Directing vs Documenting for Composition

    • 11: Q&A - Switching Lenses during a Shoot

    • 12: Sub-framing Continued

    • 13: Leading Lines

    • 14: Balance

    • 15: Layering

    • 16: Q&A - Focusing Tips for Layered Compositions

    • 17: Q&A - How to Compose Better with Telephoto Lenses

    • 18: Q&A - How to Manage Expectations for Self-Conscious Clients

    • 19: Q&A - Client RAW files and Watermarks

    • 20: Q&A - Data Workflow and Backing Up
  • 5

    Module 5: Methods for Improving Composition

    • 01: Recap of Engineering a Good Photo

    • 02: Recap of 4 Questions for Composition

    • 03: Can you Simplify the Image-

    • 04: Frame Padding

    • 05: Subject Padding

    • 06: Distracting Colors

    • 07: Q&A - Breaking Composition Rules

    • 08: Distracting Highlights

    • 09: Can you Improve the Image with Framing or Perspective

    • 10: Horizontal and Vertical Lines

    • 11: In the Field vs After the Fact

    • 12: Focal Length for Straight Lines

    • 13: Symmetry

    • 14: Perspective Distortion

    • 15: Background Intersection

    • 16: Composition Aids

    • 17: Q&A - Tips for Top Down Shots

    • 18: Q&A - Culling - How do I choose the images to deliver-

    • 19: Demo - Culling a Client Session

    • 20: Assignment - Reworking an Old Photo
  • 6

    Module 6: Realizing Your Vision Through Editing

    • 01: Intro to Lightroom

    • 02: Catalogs - What they are and the Power of Metadata

    • 03: Tour of Lightroom

    • 04: Lightroom Classic vs Lightroom CC

    • 05: Panel Shortcuts

    • 06: Library Mode Deep Dive

    • 07: Develop Panel and Slider Deep Dive

    • 08: Fujifilm Film Simulations in Lightroom

    • 09: Lightroom Mobile

    • 10: Crop Overlays

    • 11: Editing Background Color

    • 12: Color Grading

    • 13: Lens Correction

    • 14: Editing to Refine Image to Your Vision

    • 15: Presets and Toolkit

    • 16: Editing Example Balanced Lighting

    • 17: Reference View and Sync Settings

    • 18: Sync Photos Recap

    • 19: Backlit Photo

    • 20: Molding the Light

    • 21: Luminance Range Mask

    • 22: Black and White Photo

    • 23: Re-order the Panels

    • 24: Bonus - Off-Camera Flash
  • 7

    Bonus

    • Understand the Exposure Triangle

    • Quick Start "Semi-Auto" Exposure for Fujifilm Cameras

    • Nailing Manual Exposure

    • Lens Choice & Focal Length

Bart P.

"I felt that I was technically capable of producing OK snapshots, but it was never intentional. I have achieved the ability to produce pictures that I am genuinely proud of. Even though I'm not a native English speaker, I was still able to ask questions due to the easy-going small class size. I'm really surprised by the evolution that I have made in only 5 weeks. I was certain that I would improve over the course of the Bootcamp, but would never have dreamt that the amount of improvement was going to be so huge.

Binh N.

"Before the Bootcamp, I had difficulty determining the quality of light at a location and how to properly compose a photo to draw viewers’ eyes to my subject. My day job takes up a lot of my time so it did conflict with the course. Although difficult, it forced me to plan out my photos as much as I can ahead of time, and make the best of the photography time I had. After going through the Bootcamp, my ability to see light and composition has dramatically improved since I started. I can utilize direct lighting on my subjects. I can see compositional patterns and incorporate them with my subject to create a more engaging photo. I feel empowered to be able to create photos that I envision instead of just taking photos. I feel like a photographer. My wife always tells me that I take horrible pictures of her. Through the process of this Bootcamp, I was able to hear her say “I love this photo.” It feels amazing to be able to make someone, especially my wife, happy through my photos.

From the Instructor

Reggie Ballesteros

I'll be honest: I'm not a creative person.

I excel at doing research, learning the fundamentals, testing my ideas in the real world, and analyzing what actually works and what doesn't. Repeating this cycle over and over again.

After 11 years of pursuing photography -- and shooting professionally for 8 years -- I've been able to develop my own process to create what most people perceive as "good photographs".

I'm not an artist. I'm an engineer. And I've taken my way of thinking into the world of photography.

Over the years, I've been constantly refining my photographic process based on patterns I've observed from my experiences in real-world shooting situations. Patterns in light. Patterns in composition. And patterns in what type of editing will make an already good photograph even better.

Some people are inspired by and thrive by chance, organic moments, moods, and emotions. But I take a different approach.

I plan my shoots for the best possible lighting. I have systems and structures for composing my frames. I have algorithms and decision flows for dealing with less than ideal conditions.

I show up knowing what I'm looking for and am constantly prototyping my ideas until the final photograph manifests into how I designed it in my head.

This approach isn't for everyone. And for the longest time, I kept it a secret just in my head. But after having discussions with fellow creatives, I felt the need to share it for the sake of those who thought, felt, and photographed in the same manner I did. For those who obsess over the "how" of photography as opposed to how it makes you feel.

The Light & Lines Bootcamp is the compilation of what I've learned and mastered over 10 years of photographing, condensed into a single online photography course. Binge it all at one or learn and apply it over time. The choice is yours. Regardless, it is designed with lessons, exercises, and assignments to apply what you learn -- so you can truly understand my creative process flow.

You will see what I look for. You will understand why it actually looks good. And you will develop a way of seeing and thinking that leads to consistent photographic results.

This Bootcamp reduces the creative overwhelm by showing you the patterns, teaching you my systems, and walking you through my decision process.

There are natural artists who can feel and see what looks good instinctively. And there are people like you and me who need frameworks to rely on so they can make sense of the chaos and think creatively.

If this sounds like you, I'd be happy to join you on your photography journey.

Light & Lines Photography Bootcamp

Stop being overwhelmed by the millions of ways to take a photograph. Learn a systematic framework behind how to "engineer" a good photograph, and finally feel confident about photographing the world around you with this accelerate, intense, and highly actionable course.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When does the course start and finish?

    All lessons are pre-recorded video lectures that can be watched at any time and at your own pace. With that said, the course is designed to be completed in 5-weeks, 1 week per photography module.

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    You will get lifetime access to all lesson content and updates.

  • What are the photography assignments like? I don't have any shoots or gigs coming up, will they still be doable for me?

    The photography assignments are actually based on intentional practice of the concepts taught rather than shoots/gigs. The students are to choose one “bootcamp subject”. This subject can be a toy, figurine, pet, or family member, or friend. What is important is the subject is something or someone you can have consistent access to throughout the entirety of the course. That way you can apply the skills to the same subject and build up the skill set over time. The most rewarding part is looking back at your first photos of your bootcamp subject and comparing them to your photos at the end of the course.

  • I don't have a Fujifilm camera. Can I still take the course?

    Light, composition, and the fundamentals of photography transcend any camera brand or gear, so you can still benefit from the course no matter what type of camera you own. Most if not all example images and demonstration videos will be shown using Fujifilm cameras, and you are welcome to ask questions about your individual camera. But formal instruction on how to use and operate Fujifilm cameras are not part of the official curriculum of the course.

  • *What editing software will be taught? I don't have a computer for Lightroom, will I be missing out?

    The editing portions of this course will be centered Adobe Lightroom Classic (with a short lesson on Adobe Lightroom CC for iPad and mobile). Capture One will NOT be covered at this time. I believe only in teaching software and workflows that I am experienced in, and I have zero experience working with Capture One. When it comes to the photo editing lesson, while I will be teaching lessons using Adobe Lightroom Classic for the desktop, the reasoning and how-to for each tool, slider, and workflow will be applicable to both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC (for iPad and mobile). The only difference is that Lightroom CC may require different inputs based on the tablet/touchscreen interface. Rest assured, I will be including instructions specifically to address which workflow adjustments will need to be made for those editing on tablets and mobile phones.

  • What if I'm unhappy with the course? Can I get a refund?

    The Light & Lines Photography Bootcamp comes with a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee. If you're not happy with the results, if in fact you don't understand lighting, composition, don't feel confident in real-world photography situations, and don't feel happy with the photographs you create, then I refuse to keep your money.

  • Is this course useful for all skill levels?

    This course is designed to be accessible to complete beginners and actionable for hobbyists and amateurs who want to improve. If you are a professional looking for a more systematic approach or more visual consistency, then you may also find value in learning my unique creative process. With that said, this course is designed to be quick, highly actionable, and requires time invested outside of watching the video lessons. Sign-up and enroll if you are ready to dedicate at least 1-hour to photograph for your photography exercises/projects.

  • Can't I learn this for free on my own?

    Yes, you definitely can. You can find many resources on the topic taught on YouTube, blogs, articles, etc. With that said, this course has been designed to condense my ten years of photography experience down to a single actionable online photography course -- complete with best practices that I've only learned through shooting as a professional wedding photographer for eight years.

  • I am a previous student. How is this different than your Fujifilm Photography Bootcamp or the previous live Light and Lines Bootcamp?

    If you are a previous student of either the Fujifilm Photography Bootcamp and/or the live 5-Week Light and Lines Photography Bootcamp, the pre-recorded video lesson content and curriculum of this course will be exactly the same. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any more clarifying questions.