0 Courses and Certifications

Online Photography Courses & Certifications

“I have seized the light. I have arrested its flight”. This quote by Louis Daguerre sums up the entire saga of photography. Though man has learned to capture memories from cave drawings to portraits, he lacked the technology to capture light and copy what his eyes saw right onto a surface. That changed in the 19th century. Started by Joseph Niépe (the first man to take a photo) the journey of photography has led to videography and it still continues. 

But the aesthetic of photography, ‘of still life’ is and always will be an art. From the world of fashion to the beauty of nature and to the horrors of human actions, man has photographed the vast expanse of life.  Every aspect of life is captured by billions every day, but the shots of a professional photographer always stand out. Sought after by every industry, photography is an art-turned-profession.

 If you have the eye for a good shot, then there are myriad photography classes (certification, Diploma, UG & PG) to give you a good start. For starters, there are several online photography courses available to learn from. Free photography courses can help those who are at the beginning and want to get started with photography. Online learning has provided a huge resource to people who are interested in a particular field. Almost all fields have their online courses and certifications, hence there is a lot to choose from. Online education helped several to pursue their careers without burning a hole in their pocket or time.

What is Photography?

In technical terms, Photography means to capture light with a camera to create an image. In the old days, the image would be created into a film which would be developed later. But in the past few decades, photography has gone digital as well. From mobile phone cameras to satellite cameras which can capture pictures of things millions of kilometres away, the industry has so many tools that one can count. You can even capture wavelengths of light invisible in normal sight (UV, infrared, and radio).

Who Can Pursue Photography Courses?

  • You are a creative soul and wish to make art out of the beautiful moments in life.
  • Photography is how you express yourself. The camera is your third eye.
  • You want to combine your creativity with technical skills as well.
  • You have keen observation skills and know when to take the perfect click.
  • Light is your friend and you know how to use it and take the best shot.

If you find yourself in the above lines, then photography courses are ideal for you.

Eligibility Criteria for Photography Courses

If you have an interest in honing skills in photography, there are many photography classes available at different educational levels. You can pursue certification and diploma courses right after class 10. There are also photography courses after 12th including UG, certificate and diploma programmes.  But this norm may vary in some institutes and you will be required to have a minimum qualification of (10 + 2) with 50 % aggregate. For UG photography courses, it is mandatory that you have to complete (10 + 2) with a minimum aggregate (50 %). There usually are not any entrance exams, but a good portfolio to demonstrate your skills would land you in prestigious institutes. 

You can also enrol in online photography courses to learn photography from the comfiness of your home. Usually, the photography online courses require the general basic qualification of 10+2. Free photography courses only need the passion to explore photography and a fundamental understanding of the topic. 

Important Skills Required for Online Photography Courses

Both while pursuing professional photography courses and working as a photographer, you need to have certain skills. Having particular skills such as creativity, a sense of colour and the like will be very critical to get full advantage of the programme pursuing and climbing the career ladder. Plus, possessing the technical skills including the setting of the camera and its parts is also very important to have a lucrative career in photography. To become a professional photographer, you need to have the following skills:

  • Creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to use lighting to beautify a scene
  • Ability to use the natural light to one’s advantage
  • Ability to choose the right frame and angle
  • Ability to capture a shot with the right patterns, forms, and colour

Technical skills

  • Hardware (cameras, lenses, tripods, lights)
  • Photo-editing software (Adobe Creative Suite)
  • Electronic Image Handling
  • Development of film
  • High-resolution imaging
  • ISO Speeds
  • Printing 
  • Resizing images

What Will You Learn in Online Photography Courses?

The syllabus of photography classes can differ based on the institution offering them, the educational level, the mode and the like. What you will learn in the photography online courses varies based on the level of the programmes such as beginner, intermediate and advanced. The free professional photography courses and professional photography classes are also varied in content as the free courses will be more or less discussing the fundamentals. Photography courses hone your creative and technical skills. You will be able to

  • Utilise efficiently various camera angles.
  • Understand different types of frames
  • Work using natural light properly
  • Design a good portfolio
  • Master various types of shots (portrait, landscape)
  • Studio lighting

Popular Providers Offering Photography Certification Courses

Many institutions offer professional photography classes that students can take after the 10th and 12th in the offline modes. Many online platforms offer online photography classes for various levels of candidates, namely, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Candidates who want to learn the basics of photography need to pursue free online photography courses in India. Some of the best online photography courses offered by top providers are tabulated below. 

Udemy Photography Courses & CertificationsShaw Academy Photography Courses & Certifications
Coursera Photography Courses & CertificationsFuturelearn Photography Courses & Certifications
Swayam Photography Courses & CertificationsEduonix Photography Courses & Certifications
GetSmarter Photography Courses & CertificationsInternshala Photography Courses & Certifications

Career Opportunities After Online Photography Courses

Online photography courses with certificates open a wide variety of career opportunities as it is the part of various sectors and areas. With the advent of social media, photography was merged into various sectors leading to evolving new avenues of photography such as food photography, wildlife photography, news photography, sports photography and the like. Photographers can work in magazines, newspapers, and other media companies. They can also work as freelancers. Some of the career options available in the photography are listed below. 

  • Wedding Photographer
  • Wildlife Photographer
  • News Photographer
  • Sports Photographer
  • Photojournalist

Salary Trends

As in any sector, the salary scale can vary based on various factors including the nature of the company you work for, the work experience you carry, the country you work in and the skills you possess. The salary scale can be also different whether you work in public or private companies and organisations. The salary will rise gradually as you climb up the career path and acquire more skills and experience. Here Careers360 tabulated the average base salary provided to photographers in India.

Experience in Years 

Average Base Salary p.a.

< 1 

Rs. 3,10,096/-

1-4

Rs. 3,85,150/-

5-9 

Rs. 4,10,933/-

10-19 

Rs. 4,86,961/-

** Source of Salary Details: PayScale

Note: The above salary may vary depending on experience, sector, company, and location. 

Scope after Photography Courses

Photography is an exceptional career and it offers job opportunities in various sectors such as the media industry, wildlife, food, fashion, sports and the like.  When it comes to fashion and entertainment (sports, film industry, tourism) it has a glamorous appeal. When it comes to journalism, it takes a serious turn. It unbiasedly shows the real world in all colours. Mastering some of the best photography courses will put you in a place of high demand. Those who complete photography courses can go for job opportunities inside and outside India as industries that need photography like media, fashion and the like are flourishing across the globe. 

Top Recruiters in Photography

Various organisations including magazines and studios recruit photographers. There are many multinational companies (MNCs), national companies and start-ups that require photographers to offer job opportunities for photographers for various positions like art director, assistant photographer, photo editor, digital marketer and whatnot. Some of the recruiters from the media industry that hire photographers are tabulated below. 

National Geographic

The Guardian

Vanity Fair

Time

The New Yorker

The Hindu

The Indian Express

Reader’s Digest


FAQs

Q: What is Photography?

A: Photography is an art form where you capture the light to create an image. A craft which has aged gracefully, photography is both an art and a profession. As a career, it is high in demand.

Q: What are photography courses?

A: Photography courses teach various aspects of photography. (technical skills, camera movement) It could either cover all aspects or specialise in specific skills. To get an idea you can enrol into online photography courses which are short in duration.

Q: Is there a high demand for photographers?

A: From fashion events to government affairs, photography is a necessity. The reason is that there is a need for documentation of events. As a photographer, you will be sought after on a day-to-day basis.

Q: Do photographers have a good salary?

A: In the beginning, like most professions, you will get an entry-level salary. But with experience, you can earn more. Also, it will depend on your talent. You could become an overnight celebrity with that one era-defining shot.

Q: How to become a successful photographer?

A: Taking a good photography certification course will help as you learn all the basics. It would be wise to work under professional photographers. With the right mentor, you will reach great heights.

Q: Are there any online photography courses?

A: Yes. There are many online photography certification courses available. You can enrol and study from the comfort of your home.

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