Photography courses have gained popularity due to the easy availability of cameras. Many young people choose a career in photography and study professional courses in photography to improve their skills. One can learn the finer details of photography through various modes. There are degree courses, diploma in photography, certificate courses and even online courses in photography, to choose from. Here in this article we will discuss the details on how one can adopt a career in photography. In case you desire to become a photographer, then check out the various course options in photography available for you.
What is Photography?
Photography is an art or process to take photographs and process them. This can be done with the help of cameras, lenses, and computer software (for editing). In the olden days, the cameras were not easily accessible. Once the camera became accessible, it could take only a limited number of pictures and one had to buy their own camera roll. Then the photos had to be taken to the stores for development.
But now as technology has evolved, the cameras have also been modified. Now, one can take as many photographs as they want and can save it on cell phones or laptops. Professional photography is becoming a very popular course in recent times. A person full of passion for photography with a creative mind is the best candidate to pursue a course in photography.
Types of Photography
There are about 50 types of photography. People can specialize in any type as per their interest. Some popular styles of photography are:
Landscape Photography
It captures the nature and large regions of space. It displays the size and look of the environment. The people who love to capture nature’s beauty can specialize in landscape photography.
Wedding Photography
The person who specializes in this type of photography should have good editing skills and should be an expert in portraiture. There is a huge demand for wedding photographers.
Black and White Photography
The fashion of capturing images in black and white is still very popular. It brings out the natural beauty of the subject. The photographer has to make extensive use of shadows and contrasts to click a realistic image.
Macro Photography
In this, the photograph is shot at a very close range so as to capture the details of the subject. The main subjects of this type of photography are flowers, insects, and interwoven things like baskets.
Candid Photography
This type of photography is gaining immense popularity. It is the art of clicking an image in a completely natural state. It captures the magic and uniqueness of the event.
Sports Photography
These photographers are specialized in capturing a decisive moment in a sports event. It is a very difficult form of photography and requires a lot of practice.
Fashion photography
In this, the photographer has to capture fashion models in glamorous lights wearing glittery and beautiful outfits and shoes. This is mostly conducted for fashion magazines.
Wildlife Photography
This type of photography focuses on animals and their natural habitats. The main requirement to do this type of photography is patience. One also needs a good camera, several lenses, and a strong flashlight.
Aerial Photography
In this, the photography is done from a high altitude. One can take photos from parachutes, planes, air balloons, and skyscrapers. These pictures give a larger view of the subject.
Portrait Photography
This is one of the oldest types of photography. It can be a portrait of family members or any friends or pets. It is called portraiture.
Eligibility criteria for photographer courses
Photography courses require a lot of practical training in addition to a few theory lessons. A candidate can enrol into a UG Degree course in photography or a Diploma course after completing class 12. After completing class 12, one can also opt for a short term certificate course in photography. As far as the subjects are concerned, anyone can pursue a course in photography irrespective of the stream of study that he has opted for. Also, in general, one needs a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying exam to get admission into a photography course. However, the eligibility criteria may vary for different institutions and courses.
Required Skills to become a photographer
A person who possesses some of these major qualities is sure to become a class photographer. The qualities of a good photographer are as follows:
- Creativity
- Patience
- Concentration
- Passion for photography
- Good communication skills
- Loves to travel anytime
- Technical expertise
- Computer and software skills
Types of Courses in photography
There are 4 types of photography courses in India to pursue a career in photography. They are:
1. Bachelor’s Degree Courses
The Bachelor’s degree courses come under the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts categories. The candidate should pass HSC from any stream from a recognized board to pursue these courses.
Fees of UG courses- Course fee ranges from Rs.10,000 to Rs.7 Lacs depending on the college and specialization.
Photography Bachelor’s degree course duration– 3 years
Types of degree courses in Photography
- BA Photography
- BA Visual Arts and Photography
- B.Sc. in Photography and Video Visual Production
- B.Sc in Photography and Cinematography
- BFA Photography
Some courses like Journalism & Mass Communication, Media Production, Visual Communication also teach photography but in a generalized form.
List of top colleges to pursue a degree course in photography is:
- Osmania University, Hyderabad
- Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai
- Delhi College of Photography, Delhi
- The Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation, Kolkata
- National Institute of Photography, Mumbai
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
2. Diploma Courses
Many private institutes all over India offer diploma courses in professional photography. The diploma courses are of three types namely, beginners, intermediate, and professional courses. The student has to clear HSC to get admission to this course. Some colleges have their own special entrance exam to pursue diploma courses.
Fees of Diploma courses– The average course fee for photography diploma course ranges from Rs.5000 to Rs.5 Lacs.
Photography Bachelor’s degree course duration– The course duration varies among different institutions but is generally around 1-3 years. Some institutions also offer a 6-month course.
Diploma Course For a Photography
- Diploma in Digital Photography
- Diploma in Fashion Photography
- Diploma in Digital Cinematography
- Diploma in Photography and Digital Imaging
- Diploma in Photography and Cinematography
- Diploma in Professional Photo Journalism
- Diploma in Advertising and Commercial Photography
- PG Diploma in Photography
List of top colleges to pursue photography diploma courses is:
- YMCA Institute for Media Studies and Information Technology, New Delhi
- World University of Design, Sonepat
- MIT World Peace University, Pune
- Bareilly College, Bareilly
- Light and Life Academy, Ooty
- Bharati Vidyapeeth School of Photography, Pune
- Guru Kashi University, Bhatinda
- Raviraj Institute of Art and Culture
3. Certificate Courses
There are various certificate courses that are of a shorter duration of about 3-6 months. The student should clear HSC to do the certificate courses.
Fees of certificate courses- The course fee of certificate course in photography ranges from Rs.8000 to Rs.1.3 Lacs.
Photography Certificate course duration– 3 to 6 months
Some well-known certificate courses in photography are:
- Digital Photography
- Photography and Image Editing
- Fashion and People Photography
- Commercial Photography
Top colleges for certificate courses in photography are:
- AJK Mass Communication Research Center
- Sri Aurobindo Center for Arts and Communication
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Department of Film, TV, and Animation Studies)
- International Media Institute
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Noida University
4. Online courses
There are many online photography courses available on the internet. One can find the best suitable courses and can pursue their dream to become a photographer. There are free as well as paid online courses. But, paid online courses have some added advantages over the free ones.
Fees – As the course structure of these online courses varies from masters level degree courses to certificate courses, there is a wide range of fee structure. Also, there are a few courses which can be availed free of cost.
Duration – The duration of an online photography course also varies according to the course content and level of teaching involved. There is a lot of variety and one can either opt for e 3-4 month certificate course, or a 6 month Diploma course or a 1 year long Masters level course in photography.
Top online Photography courses are:
- Photography Class by Michigan State University: Smartphone to DSLR
- R-photo class
- Skillshare Photography Composition
- The Harvard University Introduction to Digital Photography Course
- Cambridge in Colour Photography Course
- Udemy Introduction to Photography Course
- Lifehacker Photography Course
- Photography Courses.net- Beginner Photography Course
- Jerad Hill: Start Shooting Manual
- Stanford University Photography Lecture
Jobs and Career opportunities for A Photographer
A photographer can work individually or under supervision with other photographers. One can open their own photo studio or can work for any newspaper, magazine or website. Following are some very popular job positions for a photographer:
- Photojournalist
- Still Life Photographer
- Photo Editor
- Fashion photographer
- Sports Photographer
- Graphic designer
- Event Photographer
Income of a photographer
The average annual income of a freelance photographer ranges from Rs.5 Lacs to Rs.8 Lacs. The salary depends on the role and specialization of a photographer.
Conclusion
Photography has reached great heights and has become a very popular career option. It is an amalgamation of both art and science and requires a lot of patience, natural instincts, and observation power. A photographer needs to intermingle all the details with his/her creative ability. This is a great course with a very bright future.