Photography is not only an art, but a science as well. Good photographers do not just have an extraordinary aesthetic sense, but they have a sound understanding of technical aspects as well. If you have a passion for photography and you plan on becoming a professional photographer, formal education may help you get an edge over other photographers in the field.
Photography degrees are offered at various levels to meet the diverse educational requirements and career aspirations of students. You will find associate, bachelor, and master's level degrees in the field.
Associate's Degree
In an associate's degree, students acquire basic technical skills and photography techniques. They are also introduced to subjects like visual design. Associate's degree programs aim to equip students with technical skills and a sound foundation of photography. Graduates of an associate's degree may not have the same in-depth knowledge as that of graduates with higher level degrees, but they usually have a strong foundation in photography and most of the basic skills.
Bachelor and Master's Degrees
The bachelor and master's degrees in photography are considered to be intensive and specialized, and there is more lab work and more training on certain types of photography. Once students acquire knowledge of the basic concepts, they start acquiring more detailed and specialized education. They may select specializations according to the career they want to have in future. These degree programs are much more comprehensive and advanced, but they also give students the base of sound photography skills.
If you wish to become a photojournalist, scientific photographer, or a research photographer, you will at least require a bachelor's degree in the field. Employers also look for multimedia editors and managers with photography or related degrees. A photography degree could give you an employment edge over those who don't have a professional degree in the field.
Photography Coursework
Coursework for photography degrees may vary from one institute to another. However, there are some common courses offered in both online and on campus programs. These courses include digital imaging, commercial photography, technical camera workshops, design modules, development lab sessions, studio etiquette, and history of photography.
Concentrations
When you are considering photography education, you should think about aspects of photography that interest you the most. For instance, if you are interested in film and narrative storytelling, fine art photography should be your preferred specialization. However, if your interest is in technical aspects of photography such as lighting and white balancing, you may become a suitable photographer for corporations like magazines, news agencies, and athletic organizations.
Photography Online Education
Students who are unable to attend campus based education may choose to enroll in online programs. Although photography requires a lot of hands on skills, online programs in photography are quite effective in training students with the basic skills. If you wish to be an online student, you should look for accredited and reputed schools in photography. Most online photography schools focus on digital aspects of photography instead of traditional methods like film development in dark rooms.