Anyone who has taken photography courses or videography classes knows about Adobe software applications such as the classic Adobe Photoshop and the more recently released Adobe Sensei. For video editing, though, you can’t beat Adobe Premiere.
If you’re trying to decide which editing tool you should learn to enhance your photos and videos, we recommend learning Adobe Premiere. It is the best tool for taking your video production to the next level.
What Is Adobe Premiere?
Adobe Premiere is a video editing software that uses a timeline-based system. It is part of the Adobe Creative Suite and is designed to be used by amateurs and hobbyists, as well as experts and professionals. Everyone from web designers to professional filmmakers use this software.
As with all Adobe applications, Adobe Premiere can be purchased either on its own or in a bundle with other video editing software such as Adobe After Effects. You may also choose to upgrade to a version of Adobe Premiere that has extra tools.
What Is Adobe Premiere Used For?
Adobe Premiere is a video editing software application that can be used in all aspects of video editing.
- Converting video clips. One big issue videographers run into is that their video format, size, or quality do not match those that can be used on social media or certain websites. Premiere makes it easy to convert video clips to match different formats.
- Adjusting volume and sound. Sometimes when you record something, the audio picks up strangely. Whether it is from background noise or an actor’s voice being too quiet, Premiere can be used in post-production to adjust the volume of the sounds within a video clip.
- Editing out parts of videos. One of the most fun parts of Adobe Premiere is using it to edit out pieces of a video clip and replacing it. Some consider this to be a part of Premiere’s “expert mode,” as it is used to create flawless videos.
- Adjusting video color. If you have ever tried to film something in bad lighting, you’ll understand how important it is to be able to adjust the color of a video. Adobe Premiere has tools such as color grading and guided edits to make color adjustment a breeze.
Types of Adobe Premiere Software
While Adobe Premiere itself is a fantastic tool, it is also good to be aware of the other versions of the software. Depending on what you use the program for, one of the other versions may be better for your work.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is the software application to use if you are involved in professional film work, or are pursuing a film degree. This version contains all of the tools you will need to make professional-quality videos. You can try it out with a free 30-day trial through Adobe, then pay $20.99 per month if you decide to continue using the application.
Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush is a version of the application that has been specifically designed to be used the same way across all devices, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets. In this version, you can easily create and share videos with your friends and followers. You can either use the free, limited version of the app or subscribe for $9.99 per month.
Adobe Premiere Elements
Adobe Premiere Elements is basically the lite version of Adobe Premiere Pro. If you think you want to learn Premiere Pro but aren’t quite sure, Elements is a great place to start. With an easier user interface and limited but useful tools, this version of Premiere is perfect for those who are not yet serious about videography.
Learning Adobe Premiere
Learning Adobe Premiere can be challenging, as it isn’t something you will study in a traditional learning environment. However, with a unique mixture of classes, tutorials, books, and online resources, you can easily master this software.
Since everybody learns differently, it is important to consider your learning type and which of the following resources will work for you. There is no set path to learning Premiere, so you can customize your studies in any way you want.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Adobe Premiere?
Again, learning Adobe Premiere is not something that is usually done in a traditional classroom environment. How long it takes for a person to learn depends on the method of learning that a person chooses.
For the average person who is dedicated to studying and taking courses, it can take around four to five months to fully learn Adobe Premiere. However, many professionals who work with Premiere every day say that they are still in the learning process even after years of continuous use. It simply depends on the person.
How to Learn Adobe Premiere: Step-by-Step
- Purchase and install the software. First thing’s first, purchase your preferred Adobe Premiere software and install it. Without the software, you won’t be able to practice.
- Read the user manual. We know, user manuals are boring and almost no one reads them. But, when it comes to learning a new and complex piece of software, the manual has a lot of crucial information.
- Learn the basics. On Adobe’s website, you can find many resources to help you learn the basics of all of their programs. Go to the Adobe Premiere section and take some time to get to know the application before diving deep into your studies.
- Enroll in classes. If you decide classes aren’t your thing and you’d rather just wing it, that’s OK. However, many find that enrolling in even one or two courses can make the learning process much smoother.
- Practice, practice, practice. Remember the phrase “practice makes perfect?” Well, in this case, it is completely true. Practice is half of the learning experience and is one of the best ways to continually develop your skills.
The Best Adobe Premiere Courses and Training
Taking classes may not be the first idea that pops into your head, but doing so can help you learn Adobe Premiere much quicker. We have rounded up a few of the best Adobe Premiere classes you can take in-person, online, and even for free.
Best In-Person Adobe Premiere Classes
Adobe Premiere Pro CC Bootcamp
- Provider: Think BIG. Learn Smart. – Baltimore, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC
- Time: January 11 – January 14, 2021 (4 days)
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $1281- $1590 depending on the employer
Think BIG. Learn Smart offers an excellent four-day Adobe Premiere Pro CC bootcamp both online and in-person in Baltimore, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. If you are taking this course as part of your job, the cost will likely be covered by your employer.
Adobe Premiere Pro Training Class
- Provider: CertStaffix – various locations
- Time: 3 days
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $1,330
CertStaffix specializes in courses for businesses and employee groups. This three-day Adobe Premiere Pro Training Class is intended for beginners who have little to no experience with the software. Employees will train in simple tasks such as using smart tags and smart trim, keyboard shortcuts, and applying motion graphics templates.
Best Online Adobe Premiere Courses
Comprehensive Study of Premiere Pro CC
- Provider: Future Media Concepts
- Time: March 8 – March 12, 2021
- Prerequisites: Basic computer navigation, basic knowledge of editing terminology
- Price: $2,195
Future Media Concepts is known for offering quality classes both in-person and online. In this specific five-day course, you can expect to get an in-depth look at all of the basic functions of Premiere Pro.
Premiere Pro CC for Beginners
- Provider: Udemy
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $99.99
Udemy is well-known for offering useful technology-related videos, and this Premiere Pro CC for Beginners course is no different. In it, you will learn to carry out a project from start to finish, including using all the Premiere Pro updates. For only $99.99, this course is well worth the money.
Best Free Adobe Premiere Courses
Getting Started with Adobe Premiere Pro
- Provider: edilume
- Time: 1 hour
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
While this course may not take as long as some of the others on this list, it is free and will help you learn how to edit a basic video. By the end of edilume’s Getting Started with Adobe Premiere Pro course, you will understand how to use all of the basic tools offered in Premiere Pro.
Premiere Pro 101
- Provider: Udemy
- Time: 1 hour
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
Udemy offers both paid and free courses, and this is one of the free gems. By the end of this one-hour Premiere Pro 101 lesson, you will have actually edited and uploaded an entire video. Don’t expect anything too advanced from this short course, just get ready to create your first Premiere Pro project!
Best Adobe Premiere Books
If you’re looking for a way to supplement your learning that doesn’t involve looking at a computer screen, pick up one of the books listed below to learn about the program the old-fashioned way.
Adobe Premiere Pro for Dummies, Keith Underdahl
Part of the classic “For Dummies” series, Keith Undedahl’s Adobe Premiere Pro for Dummies is an awesome book for those just starting to learn the ins and outs of the software application. This book has chapters on everything you need to know about Premiere Pro, like how to edit audio clips, video effects, and add intros and outros.
Adobe Premiere Pro, Maxim Jago
This Adobe Premiere Pro book is a part of Maxim Jago’s iconic “Classroom in a Book” series. This book reads similar to a college textbook and explains everything from the most basic to the most advanced Adobe Premiere Pro tools.
Adobe Certified, David Mayer
David Mayer’s Adobe Certified isn’t just about Adobe Premiere. The book also contains all the information you will need to pass the Adobe Certification Exam in each of the different Adobe applications. This is a great resource if you want to become certified in Adobe Premiere, but need a bit of help preparing.
Adobe Premiere Certifications
Many career fields require you to have certification, and while earning one in Adobe Premiere may not be necessary, it can benefit your career. Most employers are looking for people who can prove they have aced multiple training classes and certifications are the best form of proof.
Adobe Certified Professional Certification
Offered through Future Media Concepts, the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification is the big one that employers look for. It shows that you have been officially certified by Adobe as an expert in one or more of the software’s applications.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
While this specific certificate is for Adobe Premiere, you can earn as many as you want in various Adobe applications. Listing a few of these on your resume is sure to gain the attention of potential employers.
Complete Adobe Premiere Pro CC Course Certification
This Complete Adobe Premiere Pro CC Course by Udemy comes with a certification at the end to prove you are a pro at Premiere. It costs $94.99 to enroll in the short class that culminates with a certificate you can include on your resume.
Beyond looking good on your resume, this tutorial is also likely to teach you some valuable information. With 9.5 hours of step-by-step video tutorials and 67 downloadable resources, this certificate course has everything you need to become an Adobe Premiere Pro expert.
Online Adobe Premiere Resources
Even if you think you have learned all there is to learn about Adobe Premiere, you will likely find yourself looking for more information in the future anyways. Whether you need short Adobe Premiere Pro tutorials or help with a simple task such as how to animate skies, these online resources have you covered.
Adobe
Adobe’s website is extremely useful if you’re looking for resources to learn more about Premiere. On the website, you can find all of the information you will need to learn the basics of the application. There are also many video tutorials, from beginner to expert levels, FAQs, and of course, the user guide.
Creative Cow
The creative community website Creative Cow has an online forum specifically for questions related to Adobe Premiere Pro. It is a fantastic resource because you may often find that while using the video editing software, you encounter a very specific problem that is not covered in any regular coursework online.
On this forum, you can ask questions directly to a community of savvy Adobe Premiere Pro users.
Should You Study Adobe Premiere?
Between Adobe Premiere, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Premiere Elements, setting out to master video editing can be quite the undertaking. But, for the sake of creating high-quality, appealing videos and landing your dream job, studying Adobe Premiere is something you should definitely consider.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.