Exploring a BA in Photography: Unlocking Creativity and Career Opportunities

A Bachelor of Arts in Photography is for those who want to enhance their creativity and want to develop technical skills as well. BA in Photography is a degree that involves a world of imagination, and storytelling but in a visual form. Read this Shiksha Article to learn in-depth about this course. 

The demand for skilled and professional photographers is increasing day by day because the digital photography demand is gaining more prominence. How many have you heard about digital invites, pre-wedding photoshoots, reels, and YouTube vlogs 15 years ago? But, at present, the demand for skilled photographers is a lot more than before and people are willing to pay for professional photographers who know their job very well. Therefore, through this Shiksha article, we will discuss about top BA in Photography colleges in India and we will also discuss BA Photography Courses provided in various colleges and the fees related to the Bachelor’s degree in Photography. 

What is a BA in photography course is about? 

This course is an undergraduate course which specialises in providing deep practical and theoretical knowledge about the art and science of photography. The time duration of a BA in Photography degree is three years for budding photographers to understand the post-production techniques, basics of photography, advanced level skills of photography, and visual communication. The BA in Photography course also helps students to develop their artistic and creative expression to further use it in their profession to create something unique. 

Career Opportunities of a BA in Photography 

Due to the advancement of digital technology and growing opportunities and demand for good photographers the realm of photography has changed a lot over the past years. Candidates who wish to pursue a BA in Photography degree should know that this will help them get into various professional fields as a photographer such as photojournalism, documentary work, product photography and more. Candidates must also learn about the types of photography industries they can work for as a professional photographer. 

1. Commercial Photography: In this sector, a photographer needs to work with different brands, product manufacturing companies and even advertising agencies to work for marketing campaigns and to create amazing visual content for their clients. 
2. Editorial Photography: Those who wish to cover for newspapers, magazines and online publications should choose this sector. 
3. Fine Art Photography: This in-sector candidates need to focus on capturing photographs that will be displayed in an exhibition or art galleries. So, in this type of photography, a photographer needs to focus on capturing the conceptual, creative and artistic types of photographs. 
4. Event Photography: Those who like to capture event-based photographs and special moments like someone’s wedding, corporate events, award shows, or social gathering should opt for this type of photography. 
5. Photojournalism: In this field, one needs courage to be good at his/her work. This type of photography involves covering some of the powerful images that can leave an impact on society for years. This requires covering powerful images for documentary formats, news formats, natural disasters and freelancing. 

Also Read: Top 10 Photography Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Eligibility

Top 5 BA Photography Colleges in India 

There are so many renowned institutes in India that provide BA in Photography programs. To improve creative learning and to get technical training several colleges offer BA in Photography courses in India. These courses not only improve the technical aspect of photography but also develop crucial skills needed during practical experiences. 

• National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
• Delhi University (DU), Delhi
• Pearl Academy, New Delhi and Mumbai
• Shree Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
• Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai

BA in Photography Fees 

In India, the fee to pursue a BA in Photography can vary between INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000 per year. Based on the city, college and institute. If college is government-funded then the tuition fees are relatively less than the private colleges and institutes like NID and Pearl Academy which will cost a lot more because of the infrastructure and popularity. It is better to be aware of the fee structure, and additional costs for field trips, workshops and even materials before you decide to get admission. 

BA in Photography Syllabus: Important Topics 

A BA in Photography syllabus majorly consists of theoretical and practical knowledge that helps students to enhance various skills in photography. Candidates must learn about some of the important topics of BA in Photography. Also, these topics are generic and vary based on different colleges and institutes. 

• Introduction to Photography
• Photography Techniques 
• History of Photography
• Digital Imaging and Post-Production
• Introduction to Visual Culture
• Photography in Advertising
• Introduction to Video and Moving Image
• Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
• Digital Photography and Workflow
• Theories of Visual Culture and Photography
• Lighting for Photography
• Advanced Photographic Practices
• Photography and Contemporary Art
• Professional Practice in Photography
• Photography in the Digital Age

BA Hons Photography vs. BA in Photography 

Both a BA Hons in Photography and a BA in Photography create a solid foundation in the field, the difference in both courses lies in the depth of study. A BA Hons Photography focuses more on in-depth knowledge, learning, and conceptual aspects of photography. This course helps students improve their practical engagement and focuses on individual research and a personal photographic style. Whereas a degree in BA in Photography focuses on foundational knowledge and technical skills to help students to be able to make a strong professional career in Photography. 

List of Top BA in Photography Courses 

Here is the list of all the courses for BA in Photography. All budding photographers must go through the following table to check out various courses offered by different institutes. 

Top BA in Photography Courses
College Name	Course Name	Fee and Duration
MIT-WPU	BA in Photography	Fee: INR 8 LPA Duration: 3 years
Asian Academy of Film and Television	BA in Still Photography	Fee: INR 5 LPA Duration: 3 Years
Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography, Symbiosis International, Pune	BA in Visual Arts and Photography	Fee: INR 13.2 LPA Duration: 3 Years
Bharati Vidyapeeth’s School of Photography	B.A. in Photography and Cinematography B.A. in Commercial Photography & Moving Images	Fee: 4 LPA Duration: 3 Years
Hamstech Institute of Creative Education	BA Hons in Photography and Digital Imaging	Fee: INR 3 LPA Duration: 3 Years
ICAT Design and Media College, Hyderabad	B.A. (Hons.) in Photography and Digital Imaging	Fee: INR 5 LPA Duration: 3 Years
Mohan Babu University	BA in Photography	Fee: INR 6 LPA Duration: 3 Years
MIT Institute of Design, MIT-ADT University	B.A.(Hons) in Fashion Photography in Collaboration with University for the Creative Arts, UK	Fee: NA Duration: 4 Years
AAFT University of Media And Arts	BA in Photography	Fee: 3,18,000 LPA Duration: 3 Years

Those who are budding photographers and want to pursue a BA in Photography course to pursue photography as a professional career should explore the fee structure, top colleges for a BA in Photography in India, and various courses available in this field. Students who are passionate about digital media, and storytelling, through visual arts have various opportunities in different fields like journalism, photography, advertising and more. Knowing selecting the best college, and course as per one’s interest will help get a pathway of academic and professional excellence.