37 Courses and Certifications

Online Photography Courses & Certifications

“I have seized the light. I have arrested its flight”. This quote by Louis Daguerre sums up the entire saga of photography. Though man has learned to capture memories from cave drawings to portraits, he lacked the technology to capture light and copy what his eyes saw right onto a surface. That changed in the 19th century. Started by Joseph Niépe (the first man to take a photo) the journey of photography has led to videography and it still continues. 

But the aesthetic of photography, ‘of still life’ is and always will be an art. From the world of fashion to the beauty of nature and to the horrors of human actions, man has photographed the vast expanse of life.  Every aspect of life is captured by billions every day, but the shots of a professional photographer always stand out. Sought after by every industry, photography is an art-turned-profession.

 If you have the eye for a good shot, then there are myriad photography classes (certification, Diploma, UG & PG) to give you a good start. For starters, there are several online photography courses available to learn from. Free photography courses can help those who are at the beginning and want to get started with photography. Online learning has provided a huge resource to people who are interested in a particular field. Almost all fields have their online courses and certifications, hence there is a lot to choose from. Online education helped several to pursue their careers without burning a hole in their pocket or time.

What is Photography?

In technical terms, Photography means to capture light with a camera to create an image. In the old days, the image would be created into a film which would be developed later. But in the past few decades, photography has gone digital as well. From mobile phone cameras to satellite cameras which can capture pictures of things millions of kilometres away, the industry has so many tools that one can count. You can even capture wavelengths of light invisible in normal sight (UV, infrared, and radio).

Who Can Pursue Photography Courses?

  • You are a creative soul and wish to make art out of the beautiful moments in life.
  • Photography is how you express yourself. The camera is your third eye.
  • You want to combine your creativity with technical skills as well.
  • You have keen observation skills and know when to take the perfect click.
  • Light is your friend and you know how to use it and take the best shot.

If you find yourself in the above lines, then photography courses are ideal for you.

Eligibility Criteria for Photography Courses

If you have an interest in honing skills in photography, there are many photography classes available at different educational levels. You can pursue certification and diploma courses right after class 10. There are also photography courses after 12th including UG, certificate and diploma programmes.  But this norm may vary in some institutes and you will be required to have a minimum qualification of (10 + 2) with 50 % aggregate. For UG photography courses, it is mandatory that you have to complete (10 + 2) with a minimum aggregate (50 %). There usually are not any entrance exams, but a good portfolio to demonstrate your skills would definitely land you in prestigious institutes. 

You can also enrol in online photography courses to learn photography from the comfiness of your home. Usually, the photography online courses require the general basic qualification of 10+2. Free photography courses only need the passion to explore photography and a fundamental understanding of the topic. 

Important Skills Required for Online Photography Courses

Both while pursuing professional photography courses and working as a photographer, you need to have certain skills. Having particular skills such as creativity, a sense of colour and the like will be very critical to get full advantage of the programme pursuing and climbing the career ladder. Plus, possessing the technical skills including the setting of the camera and its parts is also very important to have a lucrative career in photography. To become a professional photographer, you need to have the following skills:

  • Creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to use lighting to beautify a scene
  • Ability to use the natural light to one’s advantage
  • Ability to choose the right frame and angle
  • Ability to capture a shot with the right patterns, forms, and colour

Technical skills

  • Hardware (cameras, lenses, tripods, lights)
  • Photo-editing software (Adobe Creative Suite)
  • Electronic Image Handling
  • Development of film
  • High-resolution imaging
  • ISO Speeds
  • Printing 
  • Resizing images

What Will You Learn in Online Photography Courses?

The syllabus of photography classes can differ based on the institution offering them, the educational level, the mode and the like. What you will learn in the photography online courses varies based on the level of the programmes such as beginner, intermediate and advanced. The free professional photography courses and professional photography classes are also varied in content as the free courses will be more or less discussing the fundamentals. Photography courses hone your creative and technical skills. You will be able to

  • Utilise efficiently various camera angles.
  • Understand different types of frames
  • Work using natural light properly
  • Design a good portfolio
  • Master various types of shots (portrait, landscape)
  • Studio lighting

Popular Providers Offering Photography Certification Courses

Many institutions offer professional photography classes that students can take after the 10th and 12th in the offline modes. There are also many online platforms that offer online photography classes for various levels of candidates, namely, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Candidates who want to learn the basics of photography need to pursue free online photography courses in India. Some of the best online photography courses offered by top providers are tabulated below. 

Udemy Photography Courses & CertificationsShaw Academy Photography Courses & Certifications
Coursera Photography Courses & CertificationsFuturelearn Photography Courses & Certifications
Swayam Photography Courses & CertificationsEduonix Photography Courses & Certifications
GetSmarter Photography Courses & CertificationsInternshala Photography Courses & Certifications

Career Opportunities After Online Photography Courses

Online photography courses with certificates open a wide variety of career opportunities as it is the part of various sectors and areas. With the advent of social media, photography was merged into various sectors leading to evolving new avenues of photography such as food photography, wildlife photography, news photography, sports photography and the like. Photographers can work in magazines, newspapers, and other media companies. They can also work as freelancers. Some of the career options available in the photography are listed below. 

  • Wedding Photographer
  • Wildlife Photographer
  • News Photographer
  • Sports Photographer
  • Photojournalist

Salary Trends

As in any sector, the salary scale can vary based on various factors including the nature of the company you work for, the work experience you carry, the country you work in and the skills you possess. The salary scale can be also different whether you work in public or private companies and organisations. The salary will rise gradually as you climb up the career path and acquire more skills and experience. Here Careers360 tabulated the average base salary provided to photographers in India.

Experience in Years 

Average Base Salary p.a.

< 1 

Rs. 3,10,096/-

1-4

Rs. 3,85,150/-

5-9 

Rs. 4,10,933/-

10-19 

Rs. 4,86,961/-

** Source of Salary Details: PayScale

Note: The above salary may vary depending on experience, sector, company, and location. 

Scope after Photography Courses

Photography is an exceptional career and it offers job opportunities in various sectors such as the media industry, wildlife, food, fashion, sports and the like.  When it comes to fashion and entertainment (sports, film industry, tourism) it has a glamorous appeal. When it comes to journalism, it takes a serious turn. It unbiasedly shows the real world in all colours. Mastering some of the best photography courses will put you in a place of high demand. Those who complete photography courses can go for job opportunities inside and outside India as industries that need photography like media, fashion and the like are flourishing across the globe. 

Top Recruiters in Photography

Various organisations including magazines and studios recruit photographers. There are many multinational companies (MNCs), national companies and start-ups that require photographers to offer job opportunities for photographers for various positions like art director, assistant photographer, photo editor, digital marketer and whatnot. Some of the recruiters from the media industry that hire photographers are tabulated below. 

National Geographic

The Guardian

Vanity Fair

Time

The New Yorker

The Hindu

The Indian Express

Reader’s Digest


FAQs

Q: What is Photography?

A: Photography is an art form where you capture the light to create an image. A craft which has aged gracefully, photography is both an art and a profession. As a career, it is high in demand.

Q: What are photography courses?

A: Photography courses teach various aspects of photography. (technical skills, camera movement) It could either cover all aspects or specialise in specific skills. To get an idea you can enrol into online photography courses which are short in duration.

Q: Is there a high demand for photographers?

A: From fashion events to government affairs, photography is a necessity. The reason is that there is a need for documentation of events. As a photographer, you will be sought after on a day-to-day basis.

Q: Do photographers have a good salary?

A: In the beginning, like most professions, you will get an entry-level salary. But with experience, you can earn more. Also, it will depend on your talent. You could become an overnight celebrity with that one era-defining shot.

Q: How to become a successful photographer?

A: Taking a good photography certification course will definitely help as you learn all the basics. It would be wise to work under professional photographers. With the right mentor, you will reach great heights.

Q: Are there any online photography courses?

A: Yes. There are many online photography certification courses available. You can enrol and study from the comfort of your home.

Career Category
Specialization
Job Role
Skills

Pricing

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Photography Still and Video

Offered by

Certificate

Photography (Still & Video)

The domain of photography is broadening and generating multiple opportunities for creative and skilled people. Photography is not new to the world, but with the lieu of time, it is technologically developing. Also, it is becoming an important part of every organization. With the immense scope, there is always an opportunity for growth for professionals. Photography (Still & Video) is an initiative by the University of Delhi and RK Academy of Art and Design for the budding photographers who wish to get professional skills as a photographer and want to build their careers in this domain. 

Photography (Still & Video) training will be provided by the experts from RKAAD through the offline and online classes. The candidates should have their own camera for taking up this course and to learn with perfection. Interested students can fill in the application form available on the COL-DU portal and send the documents to the address of COL-DU. The applicants will be subjected to screening. The learners shall also receive Photography (Still & Video) certification by RKKAD and COL-DU after completion of the course. This course shall act as the stepping stone for the learners who are willing to become professional photographers. 

...Read More
10 Months
45,000
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Certificate

Diploma in Photography

The Diploma in Photography certification course by the National Institute of Mass Communication creates an opportunity for students who want to learn the craft of photography and master different skills. The course duration is of 6 months and the students will learn about photography inside out at their brisk pace without any hurry. The learning experience is fun and interactive in a way that students will get to participate in many extensive workshops which provides them with an opportunity to gain knowledge and exposure to various aspects. 

Students will get to actively participate in radio programs, theatre workshops, festivals, studio workshops, documentary film productions, live programs, and so on. This course mainly focuses on the welfare and development of students and makes them professionals. 

Also, Nimc has a great record of placements and internships. By the end of the Diploma in Photography training, students will be flooded with many job offers from various organizations. It also provides internships twice a year in reputed companies and media organizations like AAJTAK, Star, NDTV, ZEE TV, and so on. This course is a golden opportunity for students who love photography, and mass communication

...Read More
6 Months
60,000
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Certificate

Photography

The Photography certification course offers an immersive journey into visual storytelling and artistic expression. Participants learn core principles alongside advanced techniques and cutting-edge technologies, fostering creativity and mastery in capturing moments. With hands-on projects, specialised workshops, and comprehensive support, students craft compelling narratives and thrive in this field.

Ideal for beginners and professionals alike, the Photography certification by BIA covers topics such as image processing, composition, and portfolio management. Access to exclusive job opportunities, career support, and globally recognised certifications ensures graduates excel in diverse industries, mastering both traditional skills and the latest technological advancements.

Also Read: Online Photography Certification Courses

...Read More
4 Months
Skills Covered:
Composition Knowledge of photography
Photography Course Online

Offered by

Certificate

Photography Course Online

The Professional Photography certification course online Course is an online program of 16 weeks. The course provides an overview of modern era Photography and different types of cameras. The course teaches about the basics of a camera with terminologies used in operating a camera and a short description of different modes.

The Professional Photography certification syllabus covers different types of the camera lens and an understanding of focal length and its effect on a photo. The course explores various composition ideas and techniques to click a photo in an artistic way. The course covers the working of the camera shutter and its speed along with the light effect of shutter speed on the photograph.

The Professional Photography Course training defines the aperture and its use in the camera. The course teaches how to use aperture in a the correct way to create depth effects. The course also covers the exposure of a camera sensor to light while clicking a photograph and manually controlling a camera to get the best picture out of it. 

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16 Weeks
299
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Photography for Fashion and Ecommerce

Offered by

Certificate

Photography for Fashion & Ecommerce

The course Photography for Fashion & Ecommerce is for learners who are keen to learn about fashion shoots and e-commerce shoots. The course is jointly provided by the RK Academy of Art and Design and the Campus of Open Learning, Delhi University. The learners must have their cameras to pursue the course. The curriculum of this certification course is designed by industry experts for the overall development of the learners. 

Photography for Fashion & Ecommerce training will be delivered by the RKAAD experts. The course aims to generate minds that are proficient in photography for the fashion industry and e-commerce domain. The duration of the course is 3 months, during which the candidate will be trained extensively through tutorials, projects, and assignments. Interested candidates should fill in the application form attach the required documents and post it to the address of COL-DU. Photography for Fashion & Ecommerce certification by COL-DU and RKAAD shall be provided to the students after the completion of the course. 

...Read More
3 Months
Beginner
20,000
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Digital Photography

Offered by

DAVV via Swayam
Certificate

Digital Photography

Digital Photography as a field has gained immense popularity in recent years, with more and more photography professionals adapting to technology and making the shift from traditional to digital photography and art. Not just smartphones, social media too has been an instrumental factor in promoting the culture of photography among millennial audiences. As per an article published a few years ago, the digital photography marketplace has experienced exponential demand, growing from USD 82.6 billion back in 2016, with further increase predicted between 2016 and 2024. 

Swayam's Digital Photography Certification Course is a perfect platform for individuals who want to make their career in the field of digital photography and have a keen interest in learning about the single lens and double lens reflexes among others. 

The Digital Photography training course will help you learn in detail about the camera technicalities and help turn yourself into a creative, well-paid photographer and grow in their careers. The course even provides learners with a Certificate which can be used as a credit transfer of the same course if your university or college approves it.

Also Read: Photography And Video Certification Courses

...Read More
12 Weeks
July 30 - October,30 2023
Free
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Certificate

Digital Photography: Discover your Genre and Develop your Style

On Digital Photography: Discover your Genre and Develop your Style certification course, you will study the practicalities and theory of digital imaging. Also, you will learn concepts, including how light refracts through a lens, and what consists of a visually delightful scene. Along with theoretical concepts, you will go through a series of hands-on assignments which are made to improve your artistic and technical skills.

You can also share all Digital Photography certificate course submissions with a supportive and active online community. Today, most people own a camera, but it takes more than just snapping to create beautiful digital images. Digital Photography: Discover your Genre and Develop your Style live course will teach you the needed art for just that.

You will get classes to experiment and apply a range of different photography techniques to a specialist genre of photography- from people and nature to fine art and architecture. Digital Photography: Creating a Professional Portfolio training will challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone.

...Read More
10 Weeks
47,774
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Digital Photography

Offered by

Certificate

Digital Photography

Images are an important medium to tell impressive stories and immortalise moments. Photography skills are a great addition to the portfolio of competencies, whether the photography skills are used for professional or personal purposes. The Digital Photography online course introduces the functions and features of mirrorless and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.

The Digital Photography training provides knowledge about various settings of the camera and how to use different settings to click high quality as well as creative photographs in different lighting conditions. The training develops an understanding of various compositions in photography and teaches about basic photo editing and retouching techniques.

The Digital Photography syllabus covers every topic related to photography such as shutter speed, Aperture, ISO, Landscape, Portrait, Composition and teaches about tuning the camera triangle to get the best image output in various conditions. The course develops a basic understanding of light and teaches to read the light with the help of a light meter.

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10 Weeks
45,642
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Photography Capstone Project

Offered by

Certificate

Photography Capstone Project

The Photography Capstone Project is an online educational initiative, made available by Coursera, developed and offered by the Michigan State University that will help the students to build comprehensive command over photography and to come up with their own creative masterworks of photography. 

The Photography Capstone Project Certification is meant to set up a platform for the students to bring the knowledge of photography into action by completing a project of 10 well-formed photographs on the basis of their creative expressions and artistic taste and to explore all the aspects of photography. During the programme provided by Coursera, the students will share and support one another in the process of Project Plan to the final Portfolio that will help them to learn various approaches to photography and content. 

The Photography Capstone Project Certification Syllabus will provide peer review sessions to share the works of photography with peers, get and give reflections and improve as per the productive feedback. After the completion of the Photography Capstone Project Certification Course, the students will be provided with huge discounts on membership and photography accessories of Fracture, Gary Fong, Gyst, Lensbaby, Photo District News, PhotoVideoEdu, Think Tank Cases/Bags, LensPen, Lume Cube Lighting, etc.

...Read More
8 Weeks
Intermediate
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Photography

Offered by

Certificate

Photography Course

The Learn Photography is a Certified Online Training offered by Internshala, one of the leading internship and online training platforms in India, that will enable the participants to enter the world of photography and all the gamut of aspects related to Photography. 

The Learn Photography Certification Syllabus is designed for beginners to enable them to dive deep into photography and build a clear understanding of cameras,  lenses, the art of composition, shooting techniques, and many more. By enrolling in the Learn Photography Certification, the participants will be able to become master photographers with a certificate that will help them to find better job opportunities in the field of photography. 

The Learn Photography Certification by Internshala is structured in a way in which the students will learn the concepts and aspects of photography by watching the pre-recorded videos and then, they will have the opportunity to assess their knowledge through quizzes and module tests. Finally, the participants can take the exam and get certified in photography. Plus, the students can clear their doubts by posting respective queries on Q&A forums and the tutors will respond to them within 24 hours. 

...Read More
6 Weeks
Beginner
4,499
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Certificate

Intensive Foundation Course in Photography

The Intensive Foundation Course in Photography certification is a 5 weekend course offered by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication (SACAC), Delhi. Photography is one of the most powerful mediums that is used for documenting, expressing or communicating. No matter who, a journalist or a smartphone photographer, everyone wants to be a professional photographer. For this SACAC, Delhi has invented this course.

This Intensive Foundation Course in Photography training will introduce every participant to identify all the technical aspects of photography. This elementary course will also introduce the knowledge, and skills of photographers. This will also help the candidates to get introduced to the nuances of grammar, and visual language through the simple lectures. The ultimate goal of this course is to make the skills of photography stronger through the illustrated lectures.

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5 Weeks
Beginner
15,000
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
iPhone and Android Photography

Offered by

Certificate

iPhone and Android Photography Course

With a massive upgrade in the smartphone industry, there is also a revolution in the upgrade of smartphone cameras. People don’t want to carry traditional bulky cameras as they can click stunning photographs just with their smartphones. The 4 weeks iPhone & Android Photography Course covers major techniques to click next-level photos out of android and iPhones.

The iPhone & Android Photography Course syllabus covers various smartphone camera accessories and lenses with differentiating optical and digital zoom. The course teaches about different compositions such as angle of view, leading lines, and rule of thirds to increase compositional skills for clicking photographs with a creative point of view.

The iPhone & Android Photography Course training develops the understanding of smartphone cameras working along with clicking portrait and landscape shots. The course focuses on manipulating and controlling the motion and depth of an image along with teaching about low light Photography. The course also covers photo editing with the help of various applications to enhance, retouch and edit the photo.

...Read More
4 Weeks
299
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Wedding Photography Course Online

Offered by

Certificate

Wedding Photography Course Online

The Wedding Photography Course Online is a one-month program by course provider Upskillist. The course includes different styles of Photography and pre-shoot planning to make direction and structure of shooting plan for shooting all memorable and essential shots without any gap. The course includes planning and communication to fulfill the wedding photography ideal demands as well as wedding couple demands.

The Wedding Photography Course Online syllabus covers capturing shots at the day beginning with the discussion and implementation of technical requirements and considerations to achieve the desired shots. The course focuses on capturing couple and ceremony shots which include capturing key moments and important photos of the various ceremonies and capturing the special portrait shots of a happy wedding couple.

The Wedding Photography Course Online Training focuses on capturing atmospheric, evening shots, and candids. The course also teaches about the wedding workflow and post-production phase to give a final and polished touch to photographs and present it to the clients.

...Read More
4 Weeks
299
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Photography Techniques Light Content and Sharing

Offered by

Certificate

Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing

The online Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing course is available on the Coursera website and is developed by Michigan State University. The course sessions are held for four weeks(24 hours in total) by the course educators, Peter Glendinning (Professor) and Mark Valentine Sullivan (Asst Professor)  explaining the content, light settings, techniques, and principles involved in photography.

The students of this course will be able to understand the command over the aspects of controlled continuous and strobe lighting of the camera. The collective learning process and feedback from fellow learners will strengthen the knowledge acquiring process and help in gaining valuable insights into photography. 

The Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing online certification course develops the learner’s creativity and provides guidance with the process of changing the pictures into the print form along with the implications of effective matting techniques and in web page designs. The course enables the learners to get hold of the strategies involved with posting on social media and other sites while protecting the copyrights and individual’s creativity.

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4 Weeks
4,023
Skills Covered:
Creativity Software management Knowledge of photography
Certificate

Introduction to Photography

The Introduction to Photography certification course has been designed and offered by Rohan Shrestha who is a Bollywood photographer of great calibre. One can find this course on the website of The Designer’s Class which is suitable for people who have an interest in the field of photography, and the course is for a duration of 48 hours.

Introduction to photography training is basically a demonstration-based, and study material course in which candidates learn about the fundamentals of camera principles. They also become aware of the skills that are required in a professional photography environment. Even if a candidate is a newbie he or she will get introduced to the basic light setup required in photography like indoor lighting, beauty lighting, outdoor lighting, and advertisement lighting.

Also Read:

...Read More
48 Hours
Beginner
2,999
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography
Certificate

Wedding Photography

Launched by The Designer’s Class, Wedding Photography by Joseph Radhik training is an intermediate-level course. This course is taught by the wedding photographer Joseph Radhik, who is an IIM graduate for a period of  3 hours 31 minutes. This course in the photography genre is known to cover every detailed area related to wedding photography. 

The Wedding Photography by Joseph Radhik certification course is known for helping the candidates learn about, and understand the client’s expectations. This way the candidates will be able to deliver quality services in a consistent way thereby planning and managing the photo shoots done for a wedding. Candidates after completing this course will be able to learn how exactly he or she grows in their wedding photography careers. 

Also Read:

...Read More
48 Hours
Intermediate
3,499
Certificate

Intensive Foundation Course in Lighting and Creative Portraiture

The Intensive Foundation Course in Lighting and Creative Portraiture certification course is a 40 hours course. This certificate course is spread over 5 weekends that creates opportunities for both novice and experienced photographers. The course is prepared by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication (SACAC), Delhi with the students getting special access to ZEISS lenses so that their photography skills go up a notch higher.

People, and portraiture are 2 genres of photography that include diverse streams like fashion photography, documentary photography, corporate photography, wedding photography, lifestyle photography, senior photography, and more. The Intensive Foundation Course in Lighting and Creative Portraiture training is beneficial for students who are familiar with photography. 

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40 Hours
28,500
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography

Offered by

Certificate

Photography Masterclass 2.0: A Complete Guide to Photography

Regardless of whether one uses a smartphone, mirrorless, or DSLR camera, the Photography Masterclass 2.0: A Complete Guide to Photography online course will educate individuals on photography skills to take unique and breathtaking images and even sell them. Even if students have no prior expertise, the course is designed to teach them the fundamentals of photography.

Photography Masterclass 2.0: A Complete Guide to Photography certification course is developed by Phil Ebiner - Film Director, Cinematographer & Instructor and offered by Eduonix, an ed-tech company that provides users with e-learning information to help them acquire professional skills. This training will not only help photographers improve their skills, but it also helps them gain more clients, earn more money, and even establish their own business.

Photography Masterclass 2.0: A Complete Guide to Photography syllabus also includes topics that give individuals guidance when purchasing cameras, lenses, and other accessories, as well as uploading their images online to develop an online presence. A skilled photographer understands how to compose, light, and edit a photograph, whether the subject is nature, animals, or people. The course will help individuals develop their skills so that they can turn their hobby into a career and earn money from it. To take advantage of the course content, candidates are required to purchase the course.

...Read More
1,990
Skills Covered:
Knowledge of photography

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