Certificate in Business Photography

The Certificate in Business Photography delivers a great introduction to the basics of film and digital photography, including the fundamentals of the widely-used and industry-preferred Adobe Photoshop. Learn how images are captured, how to use photographic equipment, and processing and developing camera film. Explore various techniques used for photographing people and landscapes, using black and white, sports photography, illustrative photography and images for publishing. Study image formation, lighting, lenses, filters, colour and sensitometry, for both film and digital. Importantly, this course also helps budding photographers learn how to start their own small business, so you can gain a better understanding of what it takes to create a profitable business, develop a successful business plan and how best to market yourself.

Course Outline

4 Key Modules, made up of 29 subjects.

Module 1: Photographic Practice (100 hours)

Study the techniques used for photographing people and landscapes, using black and white, sports photography, illustrative photography, and images for publishing.

This module is all about exploring the techniques required for successful photography. You will learn how to compose photographs in a way that matches a predetermined aim. Discover how to take better photographs of people and how this differs to what is required to get capture landscapes and natural subjects. Explore the differences between black and white photography and colour, what subjects work best for each and why you would choose to use one over another. Learn how to create various visual effects through the use of special techniques. You will also gain a better understanding of the nature and scope of business opportunities in the photography industry and what this may mean for you.

Module 2: Photographic Technology (100 hours)

Understand what it takes to capture a good photo and learn how to identify problems by exploring image formation, lighting, lenses, filters, colour and sensitometry.

In this module, you won’t just learn how to capture a good photograph, but you’ll discover how to describe in technical terms, how an image forms when a photograph is taken. Delve deeper into the nature of light and how this relates to the finished photographic product, and how sensitivity of a photo-sensitive surface and its development can affect the photographic image. You will explore how the composition and manipulation of white and coloured light creates different photographic images, and the chemical process that occurs in producing a colour film photograph. Gain a better understanding of how the photographic image may be manipulated by using optical filters or other camera attachments, other than lenses, and also how different lenses can manipulate a photograph image too.

Module 3: Photoshop – Beginner To Medium Level (100 hours)

As the most-commonly used software in photography and graphics, you will learn how to create and manipulate photographs, images and artwork using Adobe Photoshop for use on the web, email and print.

This introduction module to Adobe Photoshop is designed to set students up with the basics of the software program, from opening digital files, resizing images and understanding multiple file formats, to more creative fundamentals. Learn how to create original graphics, manipulate individual elements or images and add interesting effects, change compositions of a photograph and set up your files for the web, print or email so you can share your work with potential clients.

Module 4: Starting A Small Business (100 hours)

This unique and hands-on course will help develop your knowledge and skills required to start your own small business. From developing your business ideas and then refining and improving them through the support of your experienced mentors, to formulating a business plan that focuses on clear outcomes and profitability.

Beginning with a broad overview of the nature of small business and what it takes to run one successfully, the module then explores the legal requirements, restrictions and costs associated with starting a small business. You will learn about the marketing process, sales and promotions so you can set yourself up for success. The module also delves deeper into the administrative side of small business, such as record-keeping and bookkeeping and the importance of a comprehensive and clear budget.

For the full subject list and course guide, fill out our Enquiry Form and our course advisors will be in touch.

Assessment

Assessments are a critical step in the learning process. They help ensure you stay on track and meet the learning objectives of each lesson before moving onto the next. They also help your tutor identify where any further support may be required, so that you get the most out of your course.

You will learn via various methods; a combination of reading, interacting with tutors, undertaking research and watching videos. Each lesson will conclude with an assignment which is marked by your assigned tutor and returned to you with feedback, and if necessary, some recommended additional reading. Assessments may come in the form of – case studies, quizzes and written assessments.