At colleges and universities all over the world, there are a variety of photography degree programs to choose from. Though most people think of photography as simply taking pictures, the study of photography encompasses a wide range of topics, all of which are covered by most institutions’ degree programs. Photography has evolved from a film-based medium to one based on digital computing as technology has advanced. Degree programs in photojournalism, photography as an art form, commercial photography, fashion photography, and photo processing are all available at colleges and universities, as well as vocational trade schools dedicated to the craft of photography. Some photography degree programs are basic, covering only the fundamentals for beginners, while others go into great detail over the course of the program.
Despite the fact that the popularity and utility of film photography has declined as a result of the rise of digital photography, most first-time students begin their photography education with film single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. These non-digital SLR cameras provide photography students with a tool that cannot be set to auto, requiring them to learn the fundamentals of aperture, f/stop, and shutter speed settings in a variety of lighting conditions. A photography student can then enroll in one of several different types of photography degree programs.
The basic photography certificate, which can be obtained through a community college or a vocational or adult learning center, is the most common of the photography degree programs. The basic course builds on the fundamentals of exposure, then moves on to image composition, the rule of thirds, staged lighting, the proper use of reflectors and filters, and the rapidly fading art of darkroom film development. The requirements for obtaining a certificate in photography vary by program, but they typically include completing a basic, intermediate, and advanced photography course, followed by studio portraiture, photojournalism, or photography technology courses. The number of credit hours varies, but no more than 15 credit hours are usually required.
Several private institutes, such as the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California, offer a four-year bachelor’s degree program in photography that takes students from the fundamentals to the most advanced aspects of the medium. A photography student at one of these private institutes, like students at other universities, chooses an emphasis early in the program, such as commercial photography, artistic photography, fashion photography, or photojournalism. Admission to such an institute is usually extremely competitive, and prospective students must already have a basic understanding of photography. Brooks, like several other similar schools, provides job placement services to its photography degree program graduates.