Photography is no longer restrained as a hobby; you can become a very successful professional photographer if you are guided well. It is said that photography is not just art but a merger of art, science, and imagination. If you are a photographer enthusiast and see it growing to become your passion, then it is the litmus test that you might be best suited for the profession. There are many testimonies that hobby and turned into a happy career option. We are here to guide you through this journey of career-building or career switching. It is never too late to start something new. This blog has covered the best photography colleges, offering the best photography courses for the beginner and experienced photographer.
Table of Contents
Are you ready to pursue photography as your career?
When you scroll down the newsfeed of any social media website, a great photograph can make you stop and admire the subject. So, the question is, what makes a good photograph? Yes, the skills and creativity of a photographer. Many photography enthusiasts love to capture shots. However, there are quite a few who are passionate about it. If you find yourself in the latter group of people, you can pursue photography as a career. You can sharpen your photography skills with every click if your passion is given a proper direction. You must focus on the subject’s details, imagination, creative ability, instinct, and discipline. You also need to have interpersonal skills. As it is said, heroes are not born, but heroes are made. Likewise, great photographers are made with proper guidance and mentorship.
Career Scope and Job Prospect
As digital media is blooming daily, the demand for professional photographers is rising. There is no field of business that doesn’t require a photographer. Today the career scope and opportunities are ocean deep, and there is a high rate of success if you excel in your genera. The advertising, wedding, industry, fashion industry, and other fields have a high requirement of new-age creative photographers. Following are some photography genre which has high job aspect.
- Press Photography
- Feature Photography
- Product Photography
- Commercial Photography
- Wedding Photographers
- Advertising Photography
- Fashion Photographers
- Scientific Photographer
- Wildlife Photography
- Freelance Photographer
Best Photography Institutes in India
Demand is the mother of all developments. As the market of photographers is growing, many photography schools and colleges have opened up in India. Here, we have picked the best photography colleges in India that could be your next academic destination. We have also informed you of photography courses, eligibility criteria, fees, duration, links, and reviews.
1. The Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation (IIDAA), Delhi
IIDAA is a world-class institute for digital art established in 2008. It offers the graduation and bachelor degree course for the students. The forte of the college is its advanced animation courses. If you wish to learn photography with an infusion of animation, this is one of the country’s best options. It offers the course on designing online games as well. Various universities across the nation affiliate the institute.
Photography courses:
- Three years of Degree courses in Animation and Photography.
- One year Diploma courses Animation and Photography
- Diploma in Photography & Videography
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary School
Fees: Rs.5.1 lacs
2. Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNTU), Hyderabad
Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University is a division of well-known Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Universities. The University offers various courses like fine arts painting, fine arts sculpture, fine arts photography, and architecture. For our concern, we will focus on the courses under photography.
Photography courses:
- 4 year bachelor degree program
- 2 years Master of Fine Arts (Photography & Visual Communication) Degree
- Bridge Course (Photography)
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary School
Fees: Rs.1.80 Lacs
3. Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai
Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Arts offers the best photography courses in Mumbai. The courses of fine arts include photography, Graphic Designing, Illustration, typography, stagecraft, and more. This photography college offers a Masters of Fine Arts with 25 students per batch.
Photography courses:
- Post Graduate Course in Masters of Fine Arts
- Apprentice Training Course
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Maters in Fine arts- Rs.10,200 per term
Apprentice Training Course- Rs.4500/-
4. Pixel Institute of Photography, Delhi
Pixel Institute offers the best photography courses best suited for present needs. The institute was founded by Suresh Aggarwal, who has built up a high-quality infrastructure for photography students. You can also choose from a genre like landscape, macro, portrait, and others. It also offers E-commerce Photography, Fashion Photography, Commercial and Advertising Photography, Wedding Photography, and wildlife photography courses. You can also enroll for a filmmaking course in this institution.
Photography courses:
- 2 month Diploma Program for professional Photographers
- 4 months Diploma Program for professional Photographers
- 1 year Diploma Program for professional Photographers
Eligibility: Passed Middle/Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Ranges between Rs.5000 to Rs.5 lacs
5. National Institute of Photography, Mumbai
The National Institute of Photography in Mumbai offers some best photography courses in the country. You can enroll in various photography genres, including nature, sports, portrait, macro, etc. The students will get in-depth knowledge and technique of photography as art.
Photography courses:
- Foundation course
- Crash course
- Advance course
- Diploma in Fashion Photography
- Diploma in Tabletop photography
- Diploma in Wedding and Events Photography
- Workshop on Fashion Lightings
- Digital Photo-Editing Techniques
Eligibility: Passed Middle/Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Rs.5,000 to Rs.90,000
6. Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication (SACAC), Delhi
Location: New Delhi About the College: Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication was founded in 2003 as an institute of media arts and mass communication in Delhi, with the desire to shape generations of media professionals who can think creatively, work consciously and communicate powerfully. Name of the Course: Diploma in Photography Eligibility: 10+2 pass out Course Duration: 1 Year
SACAC is one of the best photography colleges in Delhi. The courses are well designed to cater to photography students who are aspiring to get into photojournalism or media. You can enroll in a short Basic photography course of a long term diploma course.
Photography courses:
- 1 year Photography Diploma Course
- 2 months Photography Foundation Course
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Rs.59,200 to Rs.3.35 lacs
7. Symbiosis School of Photography(SSP), Pune
Symbiosis School of photography is one of the best photography colleges in Pune. It offers a three-year intensive graduation program. The course encompasses fundamentals, visual designs, photography techniques, and contemporary topics revolving around mainstream photography. If you aspire to gain theoretical and practical photography knowledge, this is the best course for you.
Photography courses:
- 3 years Bachelors in Visual Arts and Photography
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Rs.4.7 lacs per year
8. Osmania University, Hyderabad
Founded by Nawab Osman Ali Khan, the University is now offering new courses for its students. Under the department of Fine Arts, the University offers a graduation course for photography. It is one of the best photography colleges in Hyderabad.
Photography courses:
- 3 years Bachelors in Visual Arts and Photography
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Rs.10,260 per year
9. Light and Life Academy, Ooty
This institute offers amazing photography courses, primarily on travel and natural. The college is located in a beautiful hill-station with beautiful natural scenes. You can enroll in this institution and enjoy the breath-taking beauty along with improving photographic skills.
Photography courses:
- 7 months Diploma in Travel & Nature Photography
- 16 months PG Diploma in Professional Photography
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Rs.3 lacs to Rs.6.5lacs
10. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad offers one of the best photography courses. You can get enrolled in its post-graduation degree program and learn photography focusing on design elements. It is one of a kind course in India.
Photography courses:
- 2.6 years Masters of Design in Photography design
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Rs.3.08 lacs per year
11. Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida
Situated in Noida, AAFT is beautiful campus by the riverside. You can enroll into the course of photography like still photography and food photography. The vast campus is beautified with beautiful gardens, lakes and ponds. The institute itself is like a picture book where students enjoy the stay and photography courses.
Photography courses:
- 3 months Diploma in Still Photography & Photojournalism
Eligibility: Passed Higher Secondary Examination
Fees: Rs.15,000
Career-Challenges of a photographer
Photography as a career sounds very interesting, yet it is challenging. You can apply as an in-house photographer for a media or fashion industry. You can also work as a short term hired professional. Then, you can do freelancing and work for different clients. However, these do not come easy. There are some challenges every photographer has to go through in career choices.
- Deciding on your niche of photography
The vital step towards career building in photography is how well you know about your niche of specialization? You must try your hands on various genres before assuring that you love to do one type of photography. It could be a portrait, wedding, food, wildlife, or any other photography. It is better that you become king of your niche than a jack of many types of photography.
- Clicking is not enough.
Photography is not just the ability to click a good photograph but also the way you present it. The raw photograph is not good enough for the client, so you need to learn advanced-level photo editing tools to refine and filter you.
- Self-owned Business
If you are a freelancer, you will have to be good at multitasking. You need to shoot, edit, and sell. The photography courses will help you become a holistic photographer.
- Handling clients
The vital part of the business is the way you handle clients because you will earn from your clients. Inter-personal capabilities must be good if you wish to succeed in the business.
Conclusion
The scope and prospect of photography are continuously growing. You can take advantage of the digital media to prosper using your art form. Photography is one of the skills which are mastered by few. If you have a keen interest in photography, the first step is to enroll yourself in photography courses. Learn the skill, trick, and theory, get fully armed with the knowledge to excel in your field. If you aspire to become a fashion designer, you can look at various fashion designing colleges. We hope you get the best course that matches your skill and become a renowned photographer one day.
FAQs
The best photography course varies with your genre of interest. Some photography courses are best for wildlife photography while others offer a good course in table-top photography. Go through the blog to know about courses offered by each institution.
The National Institute of Photography fees vary from Rs.5,000 to Rs.90,000. Go through the blog above and visit the website to know the details of the fee structure.
If you are a beginner, you can enroll for a three or four-year photography program to command on photography’s theory and skills. If you have photography experience and you need to brush up your skills, then enroll in the diploma program.
Yes, it is worth going to photography to learn photography and editing skills. The new age photographers are well verses with the latest tricks and tips that make the photograph more beautiful that what our eyes could see.
Food photography or macro photography is considered an easier genre as it requires less equipment.