Photography courses are among the most popular new-era courses offered by several top colleges across India. Its duration can range from 3 months to 3 years, depending on the type of Photography course. Photography courses enable the candidates to understand the utility of different camera parts, working out the lights while clicking pictures, and the art of taking candid shots. Those who are highly passionate about learning the workings of cameras and different technologies based on them can go for Photography courses.
Photography subjects that the candidates can learn are Studio Lighting, Photo Corrections, Film Cameras and Processing, Portrait Photography, Sports Photography, Designing Portfolios, and many more Various types of Photography courses are offered to candidates, including certificate Photography courses, diploma Photography courses, undergraduate, and postgraduate Photography courses. After the completion of a course, candidates can find various Photography jobs including Photojournalists, Fashion Photographer, Event Photographer, Freelance Photographer, Feature Photographers, Fine Art Photographers, and more.
Photograpy salary for a beginner can range from INR 1.5 LPA to INR 4 LPA. Experienced professionals can earn up to INR 20 LPA. Photography courses have always been in high demand and therefore different Photography colleges have come up with some professional courses. These days, online Photography courses are the preference of the youth. There are several options for online Photography classes that come with flexible timings and course duration. If you are interested in Photography admission, then find all the important details about Photography courses below.
Given below are some of the Photography courses highlights that candidates must consider for their photography education.
Particulars | Details |
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Course Name | Photography |
Photography Courses Type |
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Photography Courses Duration |
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Admission Type | Entrance/Merit |
Average Course Fees | INR 15,000 - INR 50,000 (Per term) depending on course type |
Job Roles |
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Recruitment Area | News and Media Houses, Advertising Agencies, Online Commercial Sites |
Annual Starting Salary | INR 2 Lakhs to INR 5 Lakhs |
There are some notable outcomes that a candidate can explore through photography courses. Be it a certificate in photography courses, a diploma in photography, or undergraduate photography courses, candidates experience some valuable benefits through it. Photography courses make students able to work both collaboratively and independently. Whatever the mode they opt for their work, they are taught all the ways to achieve the target set for a photography project. Some of the photography courses benefits are detailed below:
Photography is an extensive field with various areas to specialize in. When enrolling in a Photography course, a student must explore the different types of courses available at various levels of study. Mentioned below are the various types of Photography courses available in India.
Travel photography is a type of photography that covers portraits, landscapes, architecture, street scenes, and tourism. The purpose is to capture great images, tell stories, educate, and inspire people. Travel photographers show the world from unique angles and reveal various aspects that people may not ordinarily see. To be a good travel photographer, one must be flexible, organized, outgoing, and able to tell stories and convey emotions.
Wildlife photography involves capturing pictures of animals in their natural environment. To take great wildlife photographs, photographers need photography skills and field craft skills. Photographers also need to know how to approach animals and predict their behaviour. Basic equipment may be used, but specialized gear such as macro lenses and long focal length lenses may be required for certain types of wildlife.
Landscape photography captures the beauty of natural and human-made features. It can depict rural or urban settings, industrial areas, or nature. The aim is to showcase the purity and untouched beauty of nature. The language used is simple and familiar, avoiding jargon and legal language.
Architectural Photography is divided into exterior and interior photography. Exterior photography focuses on capturing the textures of buildings, monuments, bridges, and other structures from the outside, while interior photography concentrates on capturing the textures and architecture of the inside of structures. The most challenging aspect for exterior photographers is lighting, and they must know how to work with natural light. The goal of architectural photographers is to create a visual narrative that captures the beauty and essence of each structure they photograph, showcasing the most aesthetically pleasing parts of a structure.
Fashion photography is a career option that is creative and fast-growing. A fashion photographer takes photographs that enhance fashion trends and products and make them appealing to consumers and buyers. They work in a variety of locations and need to be skilled in various photography techniques while possessing good communication skills.
Street photography is capturing candid pictures of people and things in public places to capture important or meaningful moments. The photographer frames the shot and waits for the right moment to take the picture. Although typically associated with urban environments, it can be done anywhere and can capture people's behaviour, much like social documentary photographers. However, ethical considerations and laws of privacy, security, and property must be considered when taking these types of photos.
Documentary photography is a type of photography that captures important historical events, as well as everyday life. It can be done professionally or as a hobby. The photos are meant to tell a story and provide a visual record of what happened. They can be used for journalism, research or artistic purposes.
Portrait photography is a type of photography that captures the personality and mood of an individual or group. It includes both candid and posed photos, focusing on the face and eyes of the subject. Lighting and backdrops are important in setting the tone and evoking emotions. This type of photography includes senior portraits, family portraits, engagement photos, and professional headshots. A skilled portrait photographer should make their clients feel comfortable and meet their expectations.
Product photography is a specialized field of commercial photography where the goal is to capture the best possible images of products. It involves careful consideration of various factors such as lighting, background, camera settings, and editing. Product photographers work closely with clients to ensure they achieve the desired results. There are different types of product photography, such as individual, group, lifestyle, scale, detailed, and packaging shots. To succeed in this field, one needs excellent planning skills, good client relationships, and knowledge of photo editing software.
Photography courses can be pursued by candidates at any level; be it undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma. The most popular photography courses are mentioned below:
Name of the Programme | Type of Programme | Duration |
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B.A. in Visual Arts and Photography | Undergraduate Course | 3 years |
B.A. (Hons) Communication Design - Photography | Undergraduate Course | 3 years |
MFA in Photography | Postgraduate Course | 2 years |
M.Sc. in Photography | Postgraduate Course | 2 years |
Certificate in Camera and Photography | Certificate Course | 3 to 6 months |
Certificate in Photography | Certificate Course | 1 year |
Certificate in Digital Photography | Certificate Course | 11 months |
Certificate in Professional Photography | Certificate Course | 11 months |
Certificate in Advanced Photography and Photo Journalism | Certificate Course | 3 to 6 months |
Diploma in Photography | Diploma Course | 1 year |
Diploma in Digital Photography | Diploma Course | 1 year |
Have a look at the Photography syllabus for different types of courses:
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
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Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
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Basics of Photoshop | Portfolio Production | Basic Lighting and Flash techniques |
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Advanced Lighting Techniques | Writing for Photography | Basics of Digital Photography |
History of Photography 1 | History of Photography 2 | Photojournalism |
Documentary Photography 1 | Documentary Photography 2 | Portraiture: Environmental/Location |
Introduction to Image Making | Street Photography | Creative Writing |
Studio Portraiture | Still Life | Commercial Photography |
Research: Theory and Practice | Documentary Research and Project | - |
Fundamentals of Photo Editing | Aperture & Shutter Speed | Studio Lighting Techniques |
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Outdoor Photography | Principles of Photography | Portrait & Product Photography |
Depth of Field | Framing & Composition | Working with ISO & Exposure |
Auto & Manual Focus | Still Life | Street Photography |
The photography course eligibility criteria are different for different types of courses. Typically, admission to photography courses is based on the merit of a candidate in different types of assessments conducted by the institute. Candidates may have to appear for entrance exams, personal interviews, or aptitude tests depending on the admission criteria of the institute. In some cases, admission is granted on the basis of prior academic background. Since there are no standard eligibility criteria for photography course admission, it is advisable that candidates check the eligibility requirements for admission at their preferred institutes before applying for photography programs. Check the eligibility criteria for the various types of Photography courses mentioned below.
Photography course admissions are based on several factors and different institutes have their own admission criteria. Typically, admission to photography courses is based on the candidate’s academic background and merit in the Class 12 final examination or their performance in entrance examinations. Different types of Photography entrance exams are conducted at national, state, and university levels. Candidates must be aware of the Photography entrance exams when planning on pursuing photography courses. Depending on entrance exam scores, candidates are selected for admission or further rounds of the selection process for photography courses. The most popular Photography entrance exams are mentioned in the table below:
Photography Entrance Exam | Conducting Body |
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Delhi University Entrance Test | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Common University Entrance Test | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
JMI Entrance Examination | Jamia Millia Islamia |
XIC OCET | Xavier Institute of Communications |
Presidency University Bachelor Degree Entrance Test | West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board |
SET Exam | Symbiosis International (Deemed University) |
AU Entrance Exam | Andhra University |
Delhi School of Photography Entrance Exam | Delhi School of Photography |
Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film Entrance Exam | Creative Hut Institute of Photography |
Photography admission in India is done either based on merit or performance in the entrance exam/aptitude test and interview. Students are offered admission to a diploma course in photography based on the institute-level aptitude test followed by a personal interview. Pointed below are the key stages of photography admission:
With the growing passion for Photography among students these days, many colleges have started offering Photography courses at various levels in different modes. Some of the top private and government colleges offering Photography courses in India are mentioned in the table below.
Name of the College | Approx. Fees (in INR) |
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Nagpur University | 4,000 |
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University | 5,000 |
Punjabi University | 17,000 |
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University | 24,000 |
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | 30,000 |
University of Kashmir | 30,000 |
Department of Social Communication, Sophia College | 40,000 |
AJK Mass Communication Research Centre | 74,000 |
Lucknow University | 75,000 |
NIFT, Delhi | 1,00,000 |
College of Fine Arts, Hyderabad | 40,000 to 2,00,000 |
Name of the College | Approx. Fees (in INR) |
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National of Photography | 10,000 to 90,000 |
Delhi School of Photography | 12,000 to 1,00,000 |
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science | 50,000 to 2,00,000 |
Lovely Professional University | 81,000 to 3,00,000 |
Amity School of Communication | 1,00,000 |
MIT-WPU | 1,00,000 to 8,00,000 |
Asian Academy of Film and Television | 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 |
Creative Hut Institute of Photography | 3,00,000 |
Guru Nanak University, Hyderabad | 3,00,000 |
Pearl Academy | 3,00,000 |
School of Design, UPES | 12,00,000 |
Photography courses can be an excellent career choice that individuals can make if they are interested in the same field. Photography itself can be a very lucrative career, especially if candidates have a knack for the art of photography. Photographers who have a significant amount of experience in the field and hold a good level of creative and technical expertise are always in high demand. Additionally, if a photographer can establish themselves in a niche market, they can easily build a career in the same segment of the photography industry.
Photography is a field that has numerous segments and areas which cater to different types of industries. This is one of the reasons why photography is a popular choice, due to the availability of so many specializations. For instance, areas like wildlife photography and advertisement photography are some of the most popular segments of the photography field where the demand for talented photographers is always sky-high. A photographer with just a few years of experience can earn up to INR 80,000 to INR 100,000 per annum in these areas.
One of the most important advantages of pursuing photography courses is that students can easily start their own business ventures and independent work after graduation. Freelancing is one of the most common career paths for photographers, especially for young professionals who want to work self-reliantly. If freelancing is not something that a photography enthusiast is interested in, working under an experienced photographer is another viable option that is often chosen by students after pursuing a photography course. Finally, students can also pursue higher education in the field of photography as it has become such a popular profession all over the world.
Students can pursue Master's courses in Photography if they can make the required financial and time commitments. On the other hand, candidates can also pursue certificate Photography courses if they wish to increase their knowledge and experience in a particular area of photography. That being said, there are a multitude of industries that require photographers for various types of job roles. Some of the top industries for photography graduates are as follows:
Photography is an ever-blooming field with numerous job opportunities as well as business opportunities. Various media agencies and news agencies hire photographers to post on their news channels, newspapers, magazines, and websites. Some of the popular Photography job roles in India are mentioned in the table below.
Job Profile | Description |
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Photo Journalist | A Photojournalist captures images and produces them on national and global news platforms. A photographer who possesses a good journalistic sense and a proper education can play this role very well. |
Fashion Photographer | A Fashion Photographer knows the state of the art and clicks photographs of models wearing designer clothes with the purpose of advertising. |
Event Photographer | An Event Photographer possesses expertise and knowledge in photography of different events like weddings, parties, commercial gatherings, etc. |
Freelance Photographer | A Freelance Photographer work on multiple photography projects and target to meet the client’s requirements. They take up different projects from different clients and submit them within the deadline. |
Product Photographers | A Product photographer does research on a specific product, finds props, and uses them to enhance the appeal of the product. The end goal for him is to meet the requirements of the brand he works for. |
Fine Art Photographer | Fine Art Photographers are the artists of fine art who choose photography as a medium of conveying their art, emotions, and innovations. |
Forensic Photographers | Forensic Photographers are associated with law enforcement and they capture photos to store evidence for criminal cases. |
Travel Photographer | A Travel Photographer travels for taking photographs including travel destinations, cultural subjects, events, etc. |
Individuals who wish to build a career in photography can check out the average salaries of some of the most popular photography job roles mentioned below.
Job Role | Average Salary (in INR) |
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Photo Journalist | 3 LPA |
Fashion Photographer | 4.4 LPA |
Event Photographer | 4.4 LPA |
Freelance Photographer | 3 LPA |
Product Photographers | 3.1 LPA |
Forensic Photographers | 5.1 LPA |
Travel Photographer | 4.9 LPA |
One of the biggest reasons for pursuing photography or any type of course is the expectation of working for a well-established organization. Photography graduates are often concerned about the fact that whether they will be hired by companies after completing their course. That being said, it is important to remember that in this day and age, photography is a viable career choice since nearly every industry has a need for professional and experienced photographers for several reasons. Several industries that employ photographers for commissions are among the leading recruiters for photography. They are looking for applicants who can create a lot of photos, accurately portray their businesses, and demonstrate their effectiveness. However, it must be noted that candidates have to gain a significant amount of experience before they can be hired by some of the biggest names in the photography industry. Some of the top recruiters for photography graduates are as follows:
Photography is mostly a skill-based profession and the more skilled a photographer is, the better prospects they have in the industry. Aspirants who wish to pursue a career in photography are expected to possess certain skills that will help them become professional photographers. However, it is not mandatory that aspirants are highly skilled from the beginning of their careers since it is only with time and experience that photographers can hone their skills. To work as a Photographer, one should learn about the tools and techniques related to Photography. Grasping theoretical and practical knowledge becomes easy if the students possess certain qualities in them. Below mentioned are the required skills that a photography course student is expected to have:
The top job profiles for photography graduates are:
The average salary of a photographer varies from one job role to another. The field of photography is a lucrative one, especially if you have a certain level of experience under your belt. For instance, a Fashion Photographer can earn anywhere from INR 3 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs per annum. Photojournalists on the other hand can earn INR 5 to INR 6 lakhs per annum.
Yes, photography is a good career choice. There are many opportunities in the various creative fields that are currently available in the photography industry, many of which are daring and adventurous. A career in photography is a quantifiable and lucrative one. Therefore, photography is a good career choice for you if you have strong creative ability, compositional skills, and technical expertise, enjoy overcoming challenges, and want to see the world through a camera.
The most important skills required during a photography course and also for pursuing a career in this field include creativity, good focus, an eye for perfection, knowledge of cameras/ lenses/ frames, patience, consistency, interpersonal skills, good communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to learn and understand. Since photography is a profession that requires aspirants to have certain skills in order to excel in the field, it is important to possess and hone these skills to make the most out of a photography course.
The field of photography is a diverse one and has a lot of areas in which students can specialize in based on their personal interests and talents. Nearly all the specializations in the field of photography have good career prospects, but some are more well-known than others, such as commercial photography, fashion photography, wedding photography, and photojournalism.
No, there is generally no age limit for pursuing a photography course at any level of academic study. Candidates can pursue certificate or diploma courses in Photography at any point in their professional career. However, it is important to check the specific admission criteria for the courses and institutes before applying for admission to avoid any issues during the admission process.
A candidate who has passed their 10+2 Board exam is qualified for a diploma course in Photography, which is typically a one-year program in which candidates receive both practical training to hone their photography skills and theoretical knowledge of the fundamentals of photography. For undergraduate courses candidates have to score an aggregate marks of 50% minimum to be eligible for admission. Candidates may also have to appear for entrance tests and personal interviews depending on the institute. For postgraduate courses in photography, candidates must have a BFA in Photography or B.Sc. in Photography degree from a recognized university with a minimum 50% aggregate marks.
No, prior experience in photography is not a mandatory requirement for pursuing a basic photography course. Admission to photography courses is generally done on the basis of merit in entrance examinations. Some colleges also conduct personal interviews and aptitude tests for selecting candidates for admission to photography courses. That being said, candidates who wish to pursue advanced photography courses must have an understanding of cameras, lenses, lighting, frames, etc.
The average fee for photography courses depends on the type of course an aspirant is willing to undertake. The average fee for diploma courses in photography ranges from INR 65,000 to INR 5,00,000 annually. For degree courses in Photography, the course fee can go upto INR 13,00,000 annually for private institutions, and for government institutions it can reach upto INR 9,00,00 per annum.
The duration of a photography course is dependent on the type of photography course a student is taking. Certification courses in photography last anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. The average duration of Diploma courses in photography is 1 year. Degree courses in photography typically take 3 years to complete. Candidates must make sure to check the duration of the course they wish to pursue before applying for the same.