Photography is a hobby or interest most people tend to pick up at some point in their life. It could be from a very young age when you’re growing up, when you see some really cool pictures that you’d like to be associated with, or even when you’re nearing retirement.
Unlike most hobbies, photography does not require much physical activity – unless you’re willing to or capable of traveling to the most picturesque locations to get some of the best shots seen. The advantage of photography is that it does not require you to travel to these places; being in beautiful places is only an added benefit. Anybody who has experimented with a camera will tell you that it doesn’t matter where you are. Photography means capturing the right moment, sure, but it also means capturing only what is necessary and leaving out what is not. This means leaving out elements that mess with the framing, and figuring out what the right composition is.
Although all these changes can be made in the editing process, it always helps to know what to look out for so that the latter process is made easier. You can have an ordinary object, an ordinary setting, or an ordinary event happening yet it could always make for a good shot. Photography is about pushing yourself to find the creativity in yourself to bring something special to these moments.
To know what to photograph, studying the art can always help and we have got a list of some of the best photography schools in India to assist you with your decision to carry forward with photography.
Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC)
SACAC offers professional photography courses to teach students the art of photography. This course aids students to learn & practice different genres of photography, which include journalism, documentary, fashion, advertisement, and more. The curriculum of this course is designed to prepare photographers with the latest of skills, technicalities of photography & photographic practices, which later can help them in their career.
Location: New Delhi, India
Founded in: 2007
Website: www.sac.ac.in
Courses offered:
- 12-month PG Diploma in Professional Photography
- 2-month Foundation Course in Photography
Known for:
Association with international photographers, reputed professors, and renowned faculty – Bharat Choudhary, Chandan Gomes, Sanjeev Saith, Sandeep Bali, Sharbendu De to name a few. Also, you get guided tours to exhibitions, artist interactions & more. Also, become a part of a 10-day photography workshop in Benaras.
Delhi College of Photography, Delhi
Location: 1st floor, 57-58, Kingsway Camp, Outram Lines, Delhi, 110009
Delhi College of Photography is located in Kingsway Camp, close to the North Campus of Delhi University (DU). The college has two floors of air-conditioned classrooms, a waiting lounge, a multimedia projector room, a fully equipped black and white darkroom, a makeup room, a fully equipped lighting studio powered by Elinchrom, high-speed Wi-Fi, a well-stocked library, iMac stations, and a 1,200 sq. ft. gallery space for exhibitions. The college also provides filmmaking DSLR classes. The main courses offered by the college are:
- Basic Course
- Advanced Course
- Foundation Course/1 year Diploma
- Wildlife Photography
- Candid Wedding Photography
- Fashion Photography
- Summer School
- Workshops
Introductory Courses
The two-week introductory course is for those who have no experience in the field but want to familiarise themselves with it or even specific aspect. It covers the basic principles of photography.
Advanced Courses
The advanced courses are suitable for students who already have a basic knowledge of photography. The two-week course provides an opportunity for those with this basic knowledge to develop their skills. It encompasses an introductory overview, project experimentation, and assessment and teaches specific technical skills and methodologies.
Specialization Courses
These courses are for those who want to specialize in a particular field of photography, after having obtained sufficient information about camera basics and lighting to do so. It is mainly for those who plan to be professional photographers, for weddings or to capture wildlife.
Light and Life Academy, Ooty
Location: Gandhi Pettai, Lovedale, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643003
Iqbal Mohamed, an advertising photographer established this institute in 2001. Light and Life Academy has a respectable student to teacher ratio, with a campus spread across three acres of land and supported by more than 40,000 sq. ft. custom designed by Mr. Jaisim, a celebrated architect.
LLA is ranked as #1 among the photography colleges in India, by popular vote at least. The college in Ooty emphasizes on youth’s visions and making them a reality through teaching professional photography.
With support from Kodak and Epson and visits from photographers from National Geographic Channel, the college is held in high regard. LLA also offers courses in website designing and offset printing as an added benefit to mastering photography. Courses taught at the college include:
- PG Diploma in Professional Photography – 1 year
- Diploma in Professional Photojournalism – 6 months
- Short duration workshops
The added benefit to studying in Ooty is constantly being surrounded by the beauty you will crave to take the perfect short. The chilly air and high mountains with lush greenery and plantations all around are certain to spark your inbuilt passion for photography.
Osmania University, Hyderabad
Location: Osmania University Main Rd, Amberpet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500007
Osmania University is named after its founder, Nawab Osman Ali Khan who founded it in 1918. Even though it is one of the oldest universities in India, it offers admission to students in fine arts after their school graduation; basically after their 12th grade.
The photography course is for three years and an entrance test is conducted every year around the first or second week of June every year. The entrance test is an aptitude one, taken by the college.
The degree received upon graduating is Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography (BFA – Photography). The University offers UG Programmes with 158 combinations, PG courses, PG Diplomas as well as Research Programmes at MPhil and PhD levels. This educational institute has 1000 affiliated colleges under its ambit.
Also Read: Top 6 Digital Marketing Courses in Chandigarh to Join in 2020
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Location: Opposite Tagore Hall, Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380007
National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad is one of the most prestigious colleges in India for arts with regard to fashion, design, and art itself. One of the courses offered by it under the Faculty of Communication Design is the Photography course.
The institute was established in 1961 and have continually proved to be one of the best in teaching what it promises. It offers a Master of Design in Photography Design course at its PG campus.
However, only 15 seats are up for availability, proving how elite the selection is. Applicants have to possess a degree in any discipline or a diploma in design (under 10+2+4 year duration). NID also offers Bachelor of Design programmes to aspirants in eight disciplines and Master of Design programmers in 19 disciplines.
Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
Location: Near Masab Tank, Hyderabad, Telangana 500028
Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University’s arts side is devoted to the development of applied art, painting, sculpting, photography, and animation. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) – Photography and Visual Communication course focuses mainly on photography and is a four year degree programme.
The eligibility is to have graduated school, after 12th grade. It is one of the most popular photography schools in India. The entrance exam is conducted every year and the BFA course classes commence in August. The annual intake is 45 (30 for regular, 15 for SSS quota).
The classes extend inter-related studies such as Photography as Fine Art, Professional Photography, Photojournalism, Audio-Visual Communication, Colour Photography, Digital Photography, Computer Graphics & Multimedia, Professional Videography, and Video Editing and aim to teach through lectures, workshops, seminars, and exhibitions. A Masters program in Fine Arts is also offered with an annual intake of 25 pupils, along with state-of-the-art labs with the latest equipment.
National Institute of Photography, Mumbai
Location: Room no 1, 2nd Floor, Ghamat Terrace, Above Shagun Hotel Middle Bridge, Garage Galli, Senapati Bapat Marg, Opp Station Dadar West, Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400028
National Institute of Photography (NIP) was established in 1983 with the view of providing knowledge of photography to the young aspirants who wanted to follow this as their career, and for those who indulged in this as a hobby. Today, NIP is a reputed, popular, and trustworthy training institute that has been conducting Certificate and Diploma courses for many years.
The courses are structured in a way as to lay the basic foundation for different areas of specialization in photography such as wildlife, macro, sports, wedding, fashion, etc. The classes are both theory and practical based to inculcate in-depth knowledge of the subjects in the students. The programmes offered at the college include:
- Foundation course (4 weekends)
- Crash course (8 days)
- Basic course (5 weeks)
- Advance course (2 months)
- Diploma in Fashion Photography
- Diploma in Tabletop photography
- Diploma in Wedding and Events Photography
- Videography (2 months)
- Digital Photo-Editing Techniques
- Workshop on Fashion Lightings
Sir JJ School of Applied Art, Mumbai
Location: 78, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd, Dhobi Talao, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Sir JJ Institute offers a course in BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) from Mumbai University. Students can apply for admissions after 12th grade for this 4-year course and specialise in photography.
Photography programmes available at this college include Post Graduate Course in Master of Fine Arts (Photography) and Apprentice Training Course (Photography). The other specialized areas covered are Lettering-Typography, Illustration, Computer Graphics, and the Exhibition Design & Stage Craft.
Pixel Institute of Photography, New Delhi
Location: 84, Avtar Enclave, Paschim Vihar, West Delhi, Opp. Metro Pillar No.224, New Delhi, Delhi 110063
Pixel Institute of Photography provides a space for the best learning atmosphere to study the art of creating the perfect image by constituting an amalgamation of top-notch photographers, experienced faculties, and photography enthusiasts. Students are trained in a systematic and methodical way to make them ready for the field.
They offer Certificate and Diploma courses in Digital Photography via theoretical and practical classes. They also offer a filmmaking course in association with Australian Academy of Films and Television.
At the end of the day, the one lesson to take away from these schools is that you should not be afraid to experiment.
If you feel like this is something you have to pursue, go for it.
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