Study Photography at Home
Learn the skills required to work taking photos, selling photographic supplies, processing photos or managing a photo industry business.
This course was developed by professional photographers. It includes lessons in photographic technology, photographic practice, photoshop and a number of interesting electives.
This is a rapidly changing industry; and our courses are continuously updated to keep pace with these changes.
It will give you a sound foundation for a career in the photographic industry.
Student Comment (from N. Huettmann, Germany)
"Yes, I do learn a lot....I'm absolutely satisfied....because I already run my own business as a photographer, the freedom to handle the course whenever I find the time is just great".
Your assignments are practical and tutors provide individual feedback on your images.
Modules
Note that each module in the Certificate in Photography is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
What is photography?
Photography is "capturing an image". Many different technologies can produce images. The quality of those images will eventually be judged by our own eyes. This interaction between eye and lens, the relationship between photographer and subject must be developed (alongside your technical skill) to create outstanding photos.
Course Structure
The certificate consists of six modules covering:
Introduction to Photography
- The principles underpinning photography and its evolution into digital technologies.
- How photographic images are captured on film.
- How photographic images are captured by digital cameras.
- How to improve your photographs.
- The appropriate use of photographic equipment.
- How digital images can be transferred effectively from a digital camera.
- How photographic film is developed.
- Enlarging photos.
- Altering digital photos.
- Working with light when taking photos.
- Identifying and avoiding common faults in photographs.
Photographic Practice
- Composing photographs to match a predetermined aim.
- Taking better photos of people.
- Taking better photos of landscapes and other natural subjects.
- Appropriate use of colour and black and white photography.
- Visual affects using special techniques.
- Taking better photographs for use in print or electronic media.
- Business opportunities in photography.
Photographic Technology
- Describe in technical terms, how an image forms when a photograph is taken.
- The nature of light and how this relates to the finished photographic product.
- How photo sensitive surfaces work.
- Manipulation of white and coloured light to create different photographic images.
- The chemical process that occurs in producing a colour film photograph.
- How the photographic image may be manipulated by using optical filters or other camera attachments, other than lenses.
- How the photographic image may be manipulated by using lenses.
Digital Photography
- Appropriate equipment for use in digital photography.
- How digital images are captured.
- Comparing different digital cameras and selecting an appropriate camera for a particular application.
- Controlling the effects in a digital photograph.
- Capturing images from film, photographs, or graphics.
- Transferring digital images to a computer, video monitor, television set, etc.
- Processing digital photographs to achieve improved or altered images.
- Digital special effects.
Photoshop
- Opening digital files using Photoshop.
- Resizing images and saving them in multiple file formats.
- Creating original graphics using the Photoshop tools.
- Manipulating individual elements of a graphic composition or image.
- Improving the quality of an image - cleaning it up.
- Applying interesting filters and effects.
- Preparing your files for the web, print or email.
Photographic Lighting
- The nature of lighting as relevant to photography.
- How different light sources will affect your images.
- Using filters to create different lighting effects.
- Different types of light meters.
- Equipment for achieving more desirable light conditions for photography.
- How to compensate for imperfect light conditions.
- Sudio lighting versus location lighting.
To view detailed outlines of each of the modules click on the modules above, one by one.
WHY CHOOSE US?
• Reputation and Experience: exceptional faculty staff highly qualified and experienced in professional photography
• Industry focus: courses designed to suit industry needs and expectations
• Different focus: develop problem solving skills that make you stand out from others
• Hands on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills
• Lots of help: dedicated and knowledgeable tutors.
• Efficient: prompt responses to your questions
• Reliable: established in 1979, independent school with a solid history
• Up to date: courses under constant review
• Resources: huge wealth of constantly developing intellectual property
• Value: courses compare very favourably on a cost per study hour basis
• Student amenities: online student room, bookshop, ebooks, acs garden online resources.
