Course Details
Photography can be taught at several levels of programs, provided by a good number of institutes in India. Most of these institutes impart traditional courses in photography, whereas some institutes offer photography as a secondary subject. One can even opt for part-time or full-time professional courses and crash courses in photography, ranging from 7 days to 3 years in duration. Photography can also be learnt by pursuing degree/diploma/certificate courses, according to his/her own choice and convenience. These courses are offered in several domains of photography, such as fashion photography, professional photography, motion picture photography, basic photography, advanced photography, fashion photography, digital photography, and photo journalism. After completing 10+2 level examination, one can enroll for a Bachelor’s degree, Diploma, or Certificate program in photography and its related areas.
Career Prospects
Upon completion of educational training in photography, the professional world offers a number of opportunities in different fields. Umpteen career paths are available in the diverse realm of photography, such as press photographer or photo journalist, ad and fashion photographer, portrait photographer, industrial photographer, feature photographer, wildlife photographer, forensic photographer, and scientific, technical and medical photographer. As a professional photographer, one can expect sufficient job offers in advertising agencies, newspapers, magazines, fashion and design houses, news channels, industrial houses, and various government departments. Photographers can work on specific themes and click pictures of brochures, catalogues, product manuals, company layouts, and newsletters in advertisement agencies and industrial houses. What’s more, working as a freelancer on wildlife photography, travel, wedding, sports and environmental photography is always open for creative and innovative professional photographers.
Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Numerous institutes in India offer several courses in photography. The most prominent institutions are: National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; Sir JJ School of Applied Arts, Mumbai; Shari Academy of Photography and Digital Imaging, Mumbai; Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad; College of Art, Delhi University; Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai; Ambitions 4 Photography Academy, Chennai; National Academy of Photography, Kolkata; National Institute of Photography, Mumbai; Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication, New Delhi; Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Academy of Photography, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata; Film and Television Institute of India, Pune; Creative Hut, Ahmedabad; Ravishankar University, Raipur; Fergussen College, Pune; Vineye Photo School, Maharashtra; Delhi School of Photography, New Delhi; Garware Institute of Career Education and Development (GICE), Mumbai; Quick Photographic Technical Institute, Thiruvananthapuram; Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata; and Southern Film Institute, Thiruvananthapuram.
Remuneration
There is no predictable salary structure in professional photography. It is very difficult to start your own business or become a freelancer in the early stages of the career. Hence, it is best to join a studio or assist a senior photographer to learn the nuances and details of professional photography. At the entry level stage of assisting, you can earn about Rs. 7000 per month. However, if you are fortunate enough to get recruited in a commercial photography organization as a fresher, you can get a pay package of Rs. 15,000 per month, which is bound to increase with time and experience. Once established, you can make hefty earnings, depending upon the assignments taken up.
