Photography Syllabus 2024: Subjects, Semester-wise Syllabus PDF, Top Colleges, Books

As technology has advanced, photography is not just a hobby anymore, and is an impactful creative discipline worthy of being taught and studied. More and more candidates are opting to obtain a formal degree in photography. A photography course enables candidates to know how to take impeccable pictures using adequate light, understand the utility of different camera parts, and much more.
A candidate must have cleared the 12th grade to opt for this course. However, skills are preferred in this field over a diploma, graduation, or certificate in a photography course. Still, opting for photography programs can enhance your skills and shape your future by helping you become an exceptional photographer.
Typically, a photography course encourages candidates to broaden their awareness and take new approaches to this creative stream. In addition, they are also motivated to build a portfolio that reflects their unique style as well as their understanding of technique, space, light, colour, and composition.

Syllabus – Important Facts For Photography

The important facts related to Photography course are given below:

Bachelor of Arts in Photography: BA in Photography is a 3-year undergraduate course that provides students with an extensive understanding of the visual and technical skills required to question and reflect on visual languages. 
Diploma in Photography: It is a 1-year course that allows students to develop an individual photographic attitude and helps them gain in-depth information on film and motion design, illustration, game design, communications design, and photography.

BA (Hons) Photography course: It is an innovative undergraduate 3-years course that will hone skills and develop a unique approach to photography. Once the candidates complete this course, they evolve professionally by perceiving growth in their photography career according to their specialisations.  

MFA (Master of Fine Arts): It is a post-graduation program for 2-years, helping students prepare for their careers in advertising agencies, print publications, TV channels, E-magazines, production houses, etc. This course is recognised as a terminal degree for advanced photographers and those intending to teach at the college level.

Scope In India: In the digital era, with the upsurge in advertising, the fashion industry, and social media, the profession of photography is a lucrative and thrilling career option that one may choose. Until the Information Age, which commenced in the mid-20th century, most individuals regarded this profession as a hobby only. However, today photography has changed the vision of the world and emerged in a big way by enabling people to make ample money by clicking compelling photos and capturing fascinating videos.

General Examination pattern: Students who opt to study the photography syllabus are tested based on the marks they score in the entrance exams. Students who aspire to become renowned photographers must prepare well for these entrance exams to get admission in the top-rated colleges offering photography courses in India. Each university conducts an aptitude test and written assessment test that the candidate must qualify for during the admission process.

List of Subjects in Photography Course

Are you considering mastering the photography syllabus? It is imperative to have a detailed understanding of all the subjects offered in the photography course. The following section expounds on the Photography Course Subjects.

Typical Core Subjects for Photography
Subject Title	Subject Details
Basics of Digital Photography	This course covers a range of topics, including how the camera works, shutter speed, understanding histograms, depth of field, white balance, long/short exposure, soft focus, and time-lapse photography, and also provides extensive knowledge about all types of camera lenses.
Applications of Portrait Photography	The module aims at perfecting students' individual or group portrait photography, using adequate lighting, effective backdrops, and perfect poses.
Conceptual Photography	The subjects deal with contemporary art in which images are primarily conceptual. In his type of photography, the subject matter is secondary to the idea behind the photo.
On-Location Photography	On-location photography is an on-location photo shoot that could be anywhere but outside the studio. It teaches how to make the most of photos, be it any location such as a house, hospital, party venue, etc.
Sports Photography	The module educates students on taking perfect pictures of a sportsperson in action. It also briefs on how to click detailed shots, and story-telling images of the game or event.
Typical Elective Subjects for Photography
Subject Title	Subject Details
Vision Inspired Photography	How to capture the true essence of what is right in front of us? This is what the subject informs on. While living in a fast-paced world, it is essential to know the tactics of capturing the mood and ambience in images, to tell a story.
Natural Light Portraits	The subject briefs on simple ideas that facilitate image composition and posing and allow the conversion of an ordinary image into a remarkable one.
The Evolution of Photography	This module covers the history of photography, where it began, how it started and gained popularity, its impact on the world, etc.
Photoshop Advanced	Students are taught the true essence of photoshop once they start this module. This subject enables students to familiarise themselves with the software patches and healing brushes. It teaches them how to manipulate smiles on faces, correct noses, remove blemishes, etc.
Portfolio of Photographs	Enabling students to build a portfolio of photos is necessary to put their best work on full display. It facilitates aspirants in analysing where their skill might be lacking. The subject also helps them determine if there is any potential scope of improvement.

Detailed Syllabus for Photography

The photography syllabus may be vast, but knowing everything you need to study and focus on will help you prepare well for this course. While the photography course syllabus may vary from one college to another, there will be no changes in the subjects. Let's get a detailed understanding of the syllabus for the photography course: 

Semester	Core/Elective	Subject Title	Subject Details
1st	Digital Photography	Digital Photography	The subjects teach students about the practical usage of cameras that contain a plethora of electronic photodetectors to produce impactful images instead of exposure to photographic film.
2nd	Cinematography	Cinematography	Cinematography deals with the art of technology for motion picture photography. The subject covers the general composition of the scene, choice of cameras, lenses, lighting of the set, integration of special effects, etc.
3rd	Artistic Visual Practice	Artistic Visual Practice	Practising visual arts is also essential to excel as a photographer. The visual arts include printmaking, design, drawing, sculpture, filmmaking, editing, architecture, textile, painting, oil, acrylic, etc.
4th	Photography as cultural technology	Photography as cultural technology	Students are informed about effectively telling people about a specific culture by showing their work (photographs).
5th	Internship Semester	Internship Semester	The internship gauges whether students' photographs tell a story or not!
6th	BA Documentation Presentation	Presentation Methods	A business analyst plan is necessary to identify the collection of photography skill development tasks that are turned in on time or inform if something is missing that needs to be added.

Specialisations Offered in Photography

Photography is a vast field which offers many specialisations like portrait photography, wedding photography, fashion photography etc. The specialisations and the subjects taught in this field are discussed below:

Specialisation	Subjects	Details
Portrait Photography	Lifestyle Fine Art Portrait Traditional, Environmental and candid	Opting for this specialised course will help students develop their skills and take pictures of individuals, groups, or still action to make the time permanent, at least in photography.
Photojournalism	Arrangements of objects The natural world and abstractions Focus on ‘What’ is a photograph: the topic, and image	Students opting for this specialised course aspire to become news photographers. Thus, this course helps develop proficiency by allowing them to create images in a news format to cover stories for different platforms, including blogs, websites, or news outlets.
Digital Image Specialist	Cinematography Graphic and Interior Design Computer Animation Film Music Production	To deal with the colour correction smoothly, choose this specialised course. It helps students digitally manipulate images to print or archive them. Additionally, it will also facilitate the creation of digital renderings of videos, photos, films, or graphic design images.
Fashion Photographer	Fashion and glamour photography Natural Light Fashion / Beauty Photography Editorial Fashion Photography	Always looking forward to capturing special moments, be it any occasion? Why not opt for this specialised course which will enhance your photographic sense and help you become competent in seizing the essence of the moment, festivities, and occasions, editing photos after the event, and delivering the final product.
Event Photographer	Camera settings Artificial Light Photography Picture Framing and Composition Picture Processing with Adobe Photoshop	Opt for this specialised course to enhance a photographic sense that leads to seizing the essence of the moment, festivities, and occasions—furthermore, editing photos after the event and delivering the final product.

Books and Authors Related to Photography

The following table lists compelling photography books in the market that you surely would not want to miss:

Book Title	Authors	Description
The Complete Guide to Digital Photography	Ian Farrell	The book comprises 16 chapters that will help you learn about the essentials of photography, camera kits and equipment, metering, focusing, manual settings, composition, lenses, focal length, image resolution, and much more.
Complete Encyclopaedia of Photography	Michael Langford	The book enlightens aspiring photographers about the photographer's art cover's styles, techniques, processes, equipment, and practical applications.
Colour printing in practice	Jack Taylor	The author explains the steps of colour printing efficiently in this book. The book briefly describes the technical basis of every photography aspect, such as the diffusion system, Cibachrome system, image transfer, printing colour negatives, and much more.
Hand Book of Photography (5th edition)	Tom Ang	A compelling book that guides readers through everything needed to know about digital photography. The author has rendered practical tips on demystifying the technical elements of photography that helps take impressive shots each time.
Basic Techniques of Photography- An Ansel Adams Guide	Ansel Adams	The book thoroughly briefs on the fundamentals of photography by focusing on crucial chapters on exposure and development. This book makes the reader understand darkroom and digital work concepts, including alternative processes such as cyanotypes, gum printing, salt printing, and platinum printing.

Entrance Exam for Photography

An entrance exam evaluates students' eligibility for admission to a diploma or degree courses offered by recognised Indian universities. Listed below are the top entrance exams that help you get admission to photography courses in the top Indian colleges: 

• AAFT GEE
•  Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film Entrance Test
• JNAFAU FADEE
• Daily School of Photography Entrance Exam
• AU Entrance Exam

Candidates under the stream of Humanities, Science, Commerce, Arts, Mass Communication, Teaching & Journalism are allowed enrollment for this examination. Every college or university will conduct an entrance examination for selecting and allowing candidates to opt for the photography course in India as a component of the admission process.

Syllabus for Distance program in Photography

Do you want to continue the job of your interest without any obstruction? Or you might be looking to avail of flexible studying hours that eliminates the commute and offers more networking opportunities! Whatever be the reason, distance learning is an excellent way for students who cannot afford to invest their whole day to access the study material for this course.
Opting for a distance program in photography will allow you to hone your time management skills by letting you save time. The best part is that the syllabus for the distance program is similar to the regular photography courses in India. However, there might be some changes when assessing a candidate's competency and skill set, based on which they are selected and get admission for the course.

Some of the best institutions offering distance education programs in photography include IMTS Institute, University of Mumbai, Sir J.J Institute of Applied Art, and ICAT Design & Media College.

Top Colleges for Photography

Have a look at the list of the top 7 colleges that allows you to access the best courses in photography for students all across India:

S.No	College/University/Institution	Syllabus
1.	National Institute of Design, Ahmadabad	To be uploaded soon
2.	Delhi College of Photography	To be uploaded soon
3.	Creative Hut Institute of Photography, Kerala	To be uploaded soon
4.	National Institute of Photography, Mumbai	To be uploaded soon
5.	Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad	To be uploaded soon
6.	Raviraj Institute of Art and Culture, Coimbatore	To be uploaded soon
7.	World University of Design, Sonepat	To be uploaded soon

Following are the most popular Photography Colleges in India. Learn more about these Photography colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the top exams for Photography. Students interested in pursuing a career on Photography, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Following are the most popular Photography Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Photography courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Photography.

Following are the most popular Photography UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Photography PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.