Updated on Sep 19, 2022 04:10 IST

The art or practice of forming images via the action of energy, particularly light, on a sensitive surface is known as photography (such as film or an optical sensor). Photography is a stream that one can pursue at all levels. Nowadays, instead of going for a traditional degree a lot of people are going for online courses. These classes usually last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. The scope of photography as a career is immense in India. These days, photographers do not just opt for a proper organisation to work with, but have started to freelance as well. To be a known photographer, one has to put in a lot of hard work and must have a strong social presence. In these times, the most popular fields of photography are wedding, corporate, events photography.

Online Photography Eligibility Criteria

Candidates for free or paid photography certificate courses on the internet are usually required to have completed their 12th grade or comparable exam. Candidates who have passed their 10th standard exam may be able to enrol in some of the courses. They need to do nothing more than go to the platform's website and enrol in a free/paid Online Photography course.

Required Skills For Online Photography

To be a successful photographer, one needs to have a solid understanding of photography techniques and intricacies. Furthermore, the individual must have a creative mindset as well as a keen eye for detail. S/he will need a lot of patience and interpersonal skills. Here are the qualifications needed to work as a professional photographer:

  • Knowledge of photography in terms of techniques

  • Creative mind

  • An eye for details and perfection

  • Patience

  • Concentration

  • Interpersonal skills

  • Team working skills

  • Good judgment of situation/ people

Also Read:

Institutes/Academies Offering Online Photography Courses

Candidates can take a variety of Online Photography courses from the comfort of their own home or anywhere else. Attendance is not required for students enrolled in Online Photography courses. Online classes are both inexpensive and convenient. Tabulated below are some of the online courses, which are free of cost:

Course Name

Institute / Online Platform

Duration 

Photography Masterclass 1.0: A Complete Guide to Photography

Udemy

13.5 hours

Camera Exposure and Photography

Coursera

18 Hours

Introduction to Digital Photography

Alison

1.5-3 Hours

Photography Techniques: Light, Content and Sharing

Coursera

24 Hours

Fundamentals of Photography

CreativeLive

Self-paced

Fundamentals of DSLR Photography Class Online

Skillshare

1 Hour 19 Minutes

Professional Photography course

New York Institute of Photography

Self-paced

Free Photography Course Online

(MIT Open Courseware)

15 weeks

Photography Masterclass Online by Annie Leibovitz

MasterClass

Self-paced

Photography Masterclass 2.0: A Complete Guide to Photography

Udemy

21 hours

Note: These courses are free of cost and provide authentic certification after completion.

Online Photography Course Syllabus

The syllabus for an Online Photography degree course differs depending on the institute or platform you use. The fundamental themes, however, remain the same. The following are some of the most popular topics covered in the course:

History of Photography: early experiments & later developments

Introduction to Image-making

Basics of Digital Photography

Photo Editing and photoshop

Types of Photography- portrait, street, still, low light, landscape photography

Film Cameras and Processing

Understanding Camera, Lenses and Gears

Basics of Printing

Photojournalism

Benefits of Online Photography Courses

Online Photography courses are widely seen as a waste of time as people believe they do not add value to resume. This perception, however, is wrong, as certain Online Photography lessons are well worth the time and effort of those who are interested.

Some of the reasons why you should attend free or paid Online Photography lessons are as follows:

  • There are various universities that provide excellent online courses that students can attend at their leisure

  • The courses are designed in such a way that the candidates are immediately job ready after completing them. As a result, the candidate's chances of landing a job increases.

  • Candidates will also be able to study whenever they choose. Because the courses are self-paced, they are suitable for working professionals.

  • Candidates have the ability to push themselves beyond their comfort zones

  • Candidates will be able to network with members of the creative community.

  • Candidates will be able to have an in-depth knowledge of the industry

And, if you ever decide to make a career out of photography, you may devote time to researching the art form and learning everything you can so you can be the best you can be.

Pros and Cons of Online Photography Courses

The benefits of Online Photography certificate courses are as follows:

  • Because the courses are self-paced, candidates will be able to complete them whenever they wish

  • The courses are cheap for those who cannot afford to take traditional, pricey courses

  • The certificate attests to a candidate's abilities and expertise

  • Online courses are open to everybody, which isn't always the case with traditional courses

  • The courses help candidates become more job-ready

Some of the disadvantages of Online Photography courses are:

  • Lack of practical knowledge and practice

  • As most of the classes are pre-recorded, the students will get fewer opportunities for interactions in case of any doubts

Read More:

Career Opportunities & Top Recruiters For Online Photography

In an age of ‘media explosion’, the need for photographers are on high demand. After completing the course of photography, students may receive plenty of opportunities to work on. They may work as photojournalists in the print media, digital media, fashion photographer for magazines, video photographer for digital media, wildlife photographer etc. They may also work as freelance photographers. Initially, a photographer may earn INR 3 lakh per annum but as he/she gains experience the remuneration rises. 

Here, we have prepared a table to provide some idea about the average annual salary of different types of photographers:

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary

Fashion Photographer

INR 3-5 lakhs

Photojournalist

INR 5-6 lakhs

Still Photographer

INR 3-5 lakhs

Photo Editor

INR 3-4 lakhs

FAQs On Online Photography

Q. What is the duration of online photography programmes?

A. The duration of a photography course via online mode can differ as per the institute offering the same. It can vary between 1 hour to many weeks or can be a self-paced one as well.

Q. What are the eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualification to apply for a photography course?

A. For an online programme, there are no such criteria for application. Generally, a 10+2 graduate can register for the course or even a 10th graduate can also apply for the programme.

Q. What are the basic skills required to make a good photographer?

A. To make a good photographer, the key skills are: to be creative, have technical skills, patience & confidence goes a long way, attention to detail, have strong networking skills, should be a team worker etc.

Q. Where can a student learn photography for free online?

A. There are various portals that impart education via online mode. Some of them are Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare and more.

Q. Which are the top styles of photography one must or should master?

A. The top photography styles are Portrait photography, Fashion photography, wedding photography, photojournalism, and sports photography to name a few.

Q. Is certification required to be a photographer?

A. If one wishes to work as a freelance photographer, a certificate is not required; however, if one wishes to work for a company, a certificate in photography is required.

Q. How much does it cost to do a photography programme?

A. Fees for a Photography Course may vary as per the institute you choose. There are online certifications available, but the individual fee depends on the level of the course and where you pursue the course from.

Q. Is it worth taking photography courses?

A. It is definitely worth pursuing photography courses as it multiplies your chances of getting hired by a good agency.

Q. What is the average salary offered after completing a photography course?

A. The average salary varies as per the job profile of a photographer, and their experience and portfolio as well.

Q. What subjects are taught in Photography courses?

A. The major subjects that are taught in Photography courses are History of Photography, Introduction to Image Making, Basics of photography, Photojournalism, Types of Photography and more.

Q. Is there scope for Photography in the future?

A. There is no doubt about the fact that Photography is one field that will never vanish in the coming future. From a person to a company, each of them needs a photographer be it to cover an event, to promote a product or more. So, the scope of photography is only going to increase in the coming future.

Popular Online Photography Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Online Photography Colleges in India. Learn more about these Online Photography colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
31 Courses
2.4 K - 25 K
8 - 9 LPA
700 - 13.2 K
4.0
28 Courses
2.5
3.7
1.4 L - 9.36 L
3.9

Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now

43 Courses
1.84 K - 51.72 K
2.8 - 3.1 LPA
12 Courses
12.4 K - 16.8 K
8.5 LPA

Popular Private Online Photography Colleges in India

4.88 L
3.0

Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open till Jun 29, 2025. Apply Now

7 Courses
4 L - 20 L

Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now

80 K - 3.6 L
5.85 L
5.15 - 7.78 LPA

Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now

1.4 L - 9.36 L
3.9

Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now

2 L - 6.4 L
7.25 LPA

Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now

Most Popular Courses

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

Popular Online Photography PG Courses

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

PG Courses

Popular Online Photography Specializations

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

Popular Specializations

Popular Exams

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

10 Feb ' 25 - 12 Feb ' 25

CUET PG 2025 Application Correction Window

Mar '25

CUET PG 2025 Advance City Intimation Slip

TENTATIVE

13 Feb ' 25

MAH AAC CET 2025 Application Last Date

5 Apr ' 25

MAH AAC CET 2025 Exam

28 Jan ' 25 - 5 Feb ' 25

NSD Exam 2025 Workshop cum interview

10 Jan ' 25 - 15 Jan ' 25

NSD Entrance Exam Registrations 2025

Feb '25 - Mar '25

PUBDET 2025 Applications

TENTATIVE

Jun '25 - Jul '25

PUBDET 2025 Admit Card

TENTATIVE
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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

Yes, you can study photography at colleges abroad, including universities in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Some of the top institutions include: 

School of Visual Arts, New York: A top institution in the United States that emphasizes portfolio development

RMIT University, Sydney: A top ins

...Read more

A

Anurag Shivam

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

Anyone who has passed the 12th standard or equivalent and is passionate about photography can join a photography course. Students from any stream—science, commerce, or arts—can apply.

Eligibility:

  • Minimum age of 17 or 18 years.
  • May need to pass an entrance exam or interview.
  • Some courses may require a p

...Read more

S

Shiv Kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

If you like to learn photography for free there are few online courses that can get you started such as coursera, udemy, edx etc. You can learn photography course from it and gain certificate. Or you can use YouTube tutorials to get started for free and you can watch and learn from professionals.

But

...Read more

A

Albin Thomas

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

The top specialisations offered by best Photography colleges in Mumbai (All) and the number of colleges it holds are given below in the form of table:

Top SpecialisationsNumber of colleges
Fashion Design5 Colleges 
Photoshop1 College
Print Media1 College
Camera Handling & Lighting 1 College
Calligraphy1 College

hope you find the answer well.

T

Taru Jain

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Below is the table showing colleges with their rating and top recruiters:

College Name

Top Recruiters

Balaji Institute of Fashion Technology Mumbai Placements

Pantaloon
Zara
LimeRoad
Mandira Wirk
Calvin Klein
United Colors of Benetton

Balaji ICE Institute Placement

SONY
Life Ok
MTV
ZeeTV
Sony Entertainment
StarPlus
Balaji Telefilms

Reliance Bhilai Placement 

Affinity Expres
Prime Focus
9X Logo
Prana
Reliance MediaWorks

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

A

Aashi Singh

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

The scope of a photography course in Mumbai is vast in nature, Mumbai's thriving media, vast environment and fasion industries offer big careers to the photographers which includes opportunities in:

1. Media & Journalism – Photojournalist for news and magazines.

2. Fashion – Shoots for brands, designe

...Read more

N

Nitesh Anand

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

The admission process for photography courses typically depends on the type of program  (certificate, diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate) and the institution offering it. Here's a general outline:

Certificate/Diploma Courses

  • Students Usually require a Class 12 degree in any stream from a recognis

...Read more

S

SHRUTI TIWARI

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

Below is a table showcasing a list of the best private colleges for in with their total tuition fees, and entrance exam:

College Name

Total Tuition Fee

Entrance Exam

National Institute of Photography Admissions

INR 10000 - 90000

 Merit-Based

Le Mark School of Art Admissions

INR 12000 - 3.3 L

Merit-Based

Big Art Institute Admissions

INR 65000 - 1.1 L

Merit-Based

Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment Admissions

INR 10000 - 25000

Merit-Based

JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Vile Parle West Admissions

INR 85000

Merit-Based

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

N

Nishtha Sinha

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

The monthly salary for a photography course in India can vary depending on their job role, experience and specializations as well, According to the Ambitionbox, the average starting salary for a photographer in India is around INR 0.6 - 2.0 Lacs per year, or INR 5000 - 16,700 per month.

A

Anshuman Saxena

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

A photography course teaches students how to use cameras to capture mages and tell stories through visuals, it helps boost your technical skills and enhance your knowledge about cameras, lenses, filters, and the knowledge required to make the most effective shot, by using different angles and positi

...Read more

V

Vikram Sharma

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Although there are different colleges in Mumbai, but National Institute of Photography is the college that hold the No. 1 position in Photography courses in Mumbai (All) in the popularity basis category.

P

Piyush Hazarika

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

There are about 50+ Photography colleges in Mumbai (All) Out of which,  40+ are private, and only 1 college is owned by the government. The photography course teaches the art of capturing images using cameras

. National Institute of Photography, ICE Balaji Telefilms - Institute of Creative Excellence

...Read more

R

Rupali Garg

Beginner-Level 5

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