Lesson 02 · Finding your way around
Your student portal, explained
Before we get into camera settings, let’s get you comfortable with the place you’ll be learning. This lesson covers finding your courses, tracking your progress, using lesson resources and connecting with the Shutter Mastery community.
By the end of this lesson
- You’ll know how to find and return to your enrolled courses.
- You’ll understand where to find lessons, resources and progress information.
- You’ll be ready to personalise your profile and start learning at your own pace.
1. Find your course and get started
The Courses page is where you can explore the available courses. Check the course listing to see whether it’s free, available to purchase or still on its way.
| Course listing | How to access it |
|---|---|
| Coming Soon | The course isn’t available yet. Check back for its release. |
| Free course | Sign up as a student and enrol to access the content. |
| Paid course | Purchase access and complete enrolment to start learning. Any available promotions will be shown with the relevant offer. |
Once you’re enrolled, open your course and select Start Learning to begin.
2. Log in and find your dashboard
- Select the login icon at the top of the website or use the login link in the footer.
- Enter your account details.
- If you’re using your own device, you can select Keep me signed in. Leave this unticked on a shared or public device.
- Open your dashboard to find your enrolled courses and progress.
Think of the dashboard as your starting point whenever you return. It brings together your profile, enrolled courses and course activity so you can pick up where you left off.
Keep an eye on your progress
Use the progress information to see which courses are active and which lessons you’ve completed. You can also review completed courses and return to material you want to practise again.
3. Make your profile your own
Open your profile settings to review your account information. Complete the details you want to share and keep your contact information up to date.
- Personal details: review your name, email address, phone number and biography. Your username may also be displayed, although it may not be editable.
- Profile images: add a profile picture and cover photo using the available upload options.
- Social links: add any supported profiles or your personal website if you’d like to share them.
- Password: use the password settings when you need to update your login.
- Billing details: review the billing information associated with your paid course purchases.
Do I need to complete every profile field?
Focus on the required account information first. Optional details, such as your biography, photos and social links, can be added later. Only include information you’re comfortable sharing.
4. Find your way around a lesson
Inside the course, the module list appears on the left-hand side on desktop. Expand a module to see its lessons, then select the lesson you want to open. On smaller screens, you may need to open the course navigation panel first.
| Feature | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Video controls | Play, pause and use full screen to follow demonstrations. Adjust playback speed where the player provides that option. |
| Overview | Read the lesson summary and revisit the main teaching points. Use any supplied transcript to review explanations. |
| Exercise Files | Download supporting files and reference material where they’re included with the lesson. |
| Notes | Use the note-taking tools to record useful settings, questions and ideas you want to try. |
| Quizzes | Check your understanding with the quizzes included in the course. These may use multiple-choice or true/false questions, and questions may appear in a different order. |
Watch before moving on
Most lesson videos require you to watch at least 80% before progressing. Give yourself time to follow the explanation and try the technique, rather than treating the percentage as the goal.
What should I check if I can’t move to the next lesson?
First, check whether you’ve reached the video’s required viewing percentage. Then look for any lesson completion action or required quiz shown on the page.
If you’ve met the requirements and still can’t continue, make a note of the lesson title and any message displayed so you can describe the problem clearly when asking for help.
Pause the lesson. Pick up your camera. Give the idea a try.
5. Learn alongside other photographers
You don’t have to work through every challenge on your own. The Shutter Mastery community is a place to share your progress, ask questions and see how other students approach their photography.
- Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself.
- Share photographs from your exercises and explain what you were practising.
- Celebrate your progress and course achievements.
- Follow @ShutterMasteryTV on Instagram for updates and photography tips.
Join the Shutter Mastery Facebook group
6. Take your learning further
Keep an eye on the platform’s event listings for opportunities to put your skills into practice with other photographers. Availability, dates and booking details will be listed as events are announced.
- Shutter Mastery Live: seminars and workshops.
- Photo walks: opportunities to get out with your camera and practise.
- Masterclasses: focused learning experiences, including sessions lasting one to three days.
- International trips: opportunities to explore photography further afield when available.
Your next small task
Take a quick tour
Practise these simple actions now so the portal feels familiar when you return:
- Find your enrolled course on your dashboard and check its progress information.
- Open your profile settings and review your account details.
- Return to this lesson and locate the Overview, Exercise Files and Notes tabs.
- Save a short note about something you want to practise with your camera.
- Expand the next module in the course navigation to see what’s coming up.
Ready to start learning
- Return through your dashboard. Find your courses and keep track of your progress.
- Use the whole lesson. Videos, summaries, notes, quizzes and available downloads support your learning in different ways.
- Keep your profile current. Review your account details and personalise the optional sections if you wish.
- Get involved. Share your practice, ask questions and learn with the community.
- Watch for new opportunities. Explore workshops and events as they become available.
Now you know your way around, it’s time to get to know your camera.