Training to Become a Photographer

Have you always dreamed of a career in photography? If you’ve got an eye for a good picture or know how to capture a moment this could be the career for you. Of course there are plenty of other skills you need, but having a natural talent will certainly help.

You might just want to extend your hobby and earn a bit of extra income, or you might want photography to be your full time career. Whichever, you should be able to find a training course to suit you.

Courses

Courses range from single day workshops to weekends away, and from on-line courses to college courses. There are part time courses available, for those just wanting to ‘brush up’ or learn a few new techniques, or there are residential courses in places such as the Lake District, where you can spend time concentrating fully on subjects such as landscapes, rainbows, sunsets and wildlife, without any of the interruptions of everyday life. These courses usually include a stay in a nice hotel − always a bonus!

At the other end of the scale you may want to study photography full time at a higher level. It is possible to take a degree in photography, which will give you a formal qualification and a potential route into well known companies, such as National Geographic or the fashion magazines. Aim high, but always remember experience counts and you may have to work your way up before you get that fantastic job.

Distance learning courses can be useful if you haven’t got enough time to devote to attending a workshop or college course. You can take some distance learning courses in your own time, meaning the pace is up to you. The other benefit of this type of course is your tutor will be able to give you individual attention and guidance. A good photography course can be found at www.inst.org.

What you’ll Learn

Depending on the course you choose you’ll learn about a variety of different things such as:

• Different techniques
• What type of camera to buy
• How to experiment
• Use of a darkroom
• Lighting
• Printing and processing
• Equipment
• Backgrounds
• How to manipulate
• What to include in a portfolio
• How to market yourself
• The benefits of using film or digital

On the Job Training

You might be lucky enough to get a position as a photographer’s assistant. On the job experience is an excellent way to learn about becoming a photographer. Use every opportunity to ask questions and expand your knowledge from their experience. Ask to practise whenever you can, take criticism constructively and use it in a positive way to improve your photography skills.