Photographs often speak louder than a million words. They have the ability to inform, amuse, shock, or amaze depending upon their subject. Apart from these, photographs are a very beautiful and creative way of expression. For those who are creative at heart and have wings of imagination, a career in photography is just the right thing. It gives you freedom and opportunity to visualize things and to communicate your ideas to other through photographs. Many people take to photography as a hobby but taking it up as a career is something more serious and should only be done if you have a passion for this art. Photography is an emotionally and financially rewarding profession if you have a passion for it.
Career Prospects:
Scope in Photography as a Career: The rise of mass communication and the growing importance of media and fashion have significantly increased the importance of professional photographers. As a result, many more youngsters are taking it up as a profession today when compared to about a decade ago. Today, photography offers a number of avenues to those aspiring to become a professional photographer. Mentioned below are a few career options possible within the realm of photography.
Photo Journalists or Press Photographers
- Fashion Photographers
- Portrait Photographers
- Industrial Photographers
- Wildlife Photographers
- Forensic Photographers
- Scientific Photographers
- Freelance Photographers
Skills Required for Professional Photographer: Having an indomitable urge for creativity and ability to learn and adapt quickly according to the conditions are some of the important skills that one must have in order to become a successful photographer. It is also very important to have technical knowledge about various aspects of photography and interest in visuals, colors, light, etc. Technical know how can be attained by undertaking one of the many courses in photography being offered by different institutes and universities in the country.
Institutes Offering: There are a number of good institutes and universities that are offering certificate and diploma courses in photography. A list of these organizations is provided below for reference.
Degree Courses in Photography (B.A. Three-Year Integrated)
- Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa
- Pune University, Fergusson College, Poona
Diploma Courses (One-Year Duration)
- Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi-221002
- Ravishankar University, Raipur-492010
- Sri Venketeshwara University, Tirupati-517502
Other Important Institutes:
- International School of Photography, C-7/143, Safdarjung Development Area, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016
- Academy of Photography, Kolkata
- Film and Television Institute of India. Law College Road, Pune – 411004 (Photography as a subsidiary subject)
- Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai – 600113 (Photography as a subsidiary subject)
- Fergusson College, Pune (B.A. Degree Course in Photography)
- India International Photographic Council, 12, Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi – 110001
- MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi – 110025 (Photography as a subsidiary subject)
- National Institute of Design, Allahabad – 211002
- Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, E.M. Bypass Road, Kolkata – 700094 (Photography as a subsidiary subject)
- Southern Film Institute, Thiruvallam, Thiruvananthapuram (One-Year Certificate Course)
- St. Xavier’s Institute of Communication, St. Xavier’s College, Fort, Mumbai – 400001
Remuneration: Photography as a field does not have a fixed career or salary structure. One should be prepared for struggle in the beginning of the career. It would be a good idea to begin working in a studio. You can start by working as an assistant to senior photographers. Remuneration in this segment ranges between Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000, but it keeps on increasing as you get more exposure and experience in this field. Once you are recognized and settled as a professional photographer, your remuneration can range anywhere between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000, depending on different variables such as your area, market, etc.