What is Photography: Admission 2025, Courses, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Career Scope

Photography is the process of capturing light to produce images. The term "photography" is derived from two Greek words: "phos," meaning light, and "graphe," which means drawing or writing. The first photograph was taken in 1826, and since then, it has been an essential skill as it allows people to capture and document their surroundings. Through photography, individuals can record events and memorable moments. Besides this,  photography helps us better understand our world, especially in fields like science and photojournalism.

Key aspects of Photography Course:

• Course Name: Photography Courses (Certificate, Diploma, UG & PG programs).
• Popular Types: Fashion photography, wildlife photography, wedding photography, product photography.
• Skills Developed: Creativity, composition, technical camera handling, and editing proficiency.
• Government Job Scope: Photographer in ministries, tourism boards, and defense services.
• Benefits: Creative career, global opportunities, potential for freelance income.
• Future Scope: High demand in digital marketing, e-commerce, social media content creation.

Photography Course Highlights

There are various courses offered in the field of photography. Listed below are some of the photography course details, such as course structure, course level, examination type, average starting salary, top recruiters and top job profiles:

Particulars	Details
Courses	BA in Visual Arts and Photography, MA Commercial Photography and Cinematography, Certificate in Photography, Diploma in Photography,
Degrees	Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Certificate, Diploma
Duration of Photography Coourse	UG - 3 Years PG - 2 Years Diploma- 1 Year Certificate - 6 Months
Admission Process	Entrance-based or Direct-Admission
Examination Type	Semester-wise
Photography Course Fees	INR 2-6 LPA
Entrance Exams	XIC OET, IIMC Entrance exam, FTII JET, PUBDET, MAAH AAC CET, CUET, NSD Entrance Exam, etc.
Photography Courses in Colleges	Amity School of Communications, National Institute of Photography, Nagpur University, NIFT Delhi etc.
Annual course fee	INR 2 lakh to INR 5 lakh
Top Recruiters	National Geographic, Discovery, Architectural Digest, UTV Motion Pictures, ESPN Sports, Star Sports
Specialisations	Wildlife Photography, Nature Photography, Wedding Photography, Sports Photography, Journalism

Note: This information is sourced from different sources and may vary.

Types of Photographs

Photography comes in many forms, each with its own style, purpose, and creative approach. From capturing portraits and landscapes to documenting events and creating artistic compositions, every type tells a unique visual story. Below are some of the most popular types of photographs.

Photography is a vocational course that emphasizes practical knowledge, with plenty of hands-on training. To excel in Photography, aspirants will have to devote hours to practical work. Here's the eligibility criteria list based on different academic levels:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute and may vary.

Photography Courses Admission 2025

• Research and Shortlist Colleges:

Explore institutes offering diploma, degree, or certificate photography courses, checking the curriculum, faculty, and facilities.

• Check Eligibility Criteria:

Most require 10+2 (any stream); some may ask for a basic portfolio or prior experience.

• Application Form Submission:

Fill out online or offline forms with academic details and personal information.

• Entrance Exam / Portfolio Review:

Certain colleges conduct entrance tests or review your photography portfolio to assess creativity and technical skills.

• Interview (If Applicable):

Some institutes hold personal interviews to evaluate passion and understanding of photography.

• Merit List & Selection:

Admission may be based on entrance score, portfolio, interview performance, or academic merit.

• Fee Payment & Seat Confirmation:

Pay the admission fee within the deadline to secure your seat.

• Orientation & Course Commencement:

Attend orientation sessions and begin classes.

Note: Be sure to check the specific requirements and deadlines for each program as they can vary. Some programs may also have additional steps or unique requirements.

Photography Course topics you might be interested in:

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

Types of Photography Courses

Pursuing Photography professionally often requires clearing specific entrance exams conducted by top design and media institutes, but most of the Photography colleges in India provide admission into Photography courses on a merit basis. There are various colleges that provide photography courses as a specialization under Arts or Mass Communication courses. These institutes provide admission on the entrance exams for Arts or Mass comm courses. The entrance exam assesses creativity, visual perception, and technical skills in photography. Students can check out the list of popular entrance exams for Photography courses in India:

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

Relevant links for Photography Exams in India:

CUET Fine Arts Syllabus: Get Important Topics, Exam Pattern

How is the CUET syllabus different from the CBSE syllabus?

Photography courses are offered at multiple academic and skill levels to suit beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals. These range from short-term certificate programs to full-fledged degree courses.

Students can check the list of some common types of  Photography courses available in India in this section.

Photography Courses - UG Level

Undergraduate photography courses are entry-level degree programs designed for students who want to build a strong foundation in visual arts, camera handling, lighting, composition, and editing. These programs blend theory with hands-on projects, preparing students for careers in creative industries or advanced studies. Here is the List of UG courses offered in Photography courses along with popular colleges offering them in India in the table below:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute and may vary.

Photography Courses - PG Level

Postgraduate photography courses are advanced programs for graduates looking to refine their artistic vision, master specialized photography techniques, and explore research in visual communication. They often focus on niche areas like documentary, commercial, fashion, or fine art photography, enabling students to build a professional portfolio. Candidates can check the list of PG courses offered in Photography courses along with popular colleges offering them in India in the table below:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute and may vary.

Online Photography Courses

In this digital age, candidates can gain essential knowledge required for pursuing Photography as a career through online Photography courses. These courses enable a candidate to learn about basic concepts of Photography, editing software and other skills. Candidates can find below some Photography Online courses along with duration and fee:

Students also liked topics in Photography Courses:

Photography Courses After 12th - Eligibility, Specialisations

Diploma in Photography in India 2025-26: Top Colleges, Eligibility, Jobs & Salary

Photography course syllabi cover both the artistic and technical aspects of capturing images. They typically include modules on camera operations, lighting, composition, image editing, and visual storytelling. Below is an overview of the common topics covered in various photography courses.

BFA in Photography Syllabus

The BFA in Photography syllabus blends creative vision with technical expertise to prepare students for professional photography careers. It covers subjects like visual aesthetics, camera techniques, lighting, digital imaging, photo editing, and portfolio development. Given below is the syllabus of the BFA in Photography program:

Note- This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

MFA in Photography Syllabus

The MFA in Photography syllabus focuses on advanced concepts, research, and creative expression in the visual arts. It includes specialized training in photographic theory, studio practices, digital workflows, visual narratives, and dissertation projects. Here’s a detailed semester-wise breakdown of the MFA in Photography syllabus:

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

Relevant Links Related to Photography Syllabus:

Diploma in Digital Photography

BA in Still Photography

MA in Still Photography

In an age of ‘media explosion’, the need for photographers is in high demand. After completing the course of photography, students may receive plenty of opportunities to work. They may work as photojournalists in print media, digital media, fashion photographers for magazines, video photographers for digital media, wildlife photographers, etc. 

Photography Job Profiles and Salaries

Here is the list of Job Profiles after Photography Courses to provide some idea about the Careers in Photography. Also, students can check the average annual salary and job description of different types of photographers:

Note- The above salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.

Photography Top Recruiters

The top recruiters for Photography include various industries that hire photographers for their commissions. They seek candidates who can produce large volumes of images and capture the true picture and effectiveness of their companies. Some of these industries include:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

India has several prestigious institutions offering top-quality photography education, combining artistic training with modern technology. These colleges have established themselves as leading institutes in the field of mass communication and other allied courses. These colleges provide state-of-the-art studios, expert faculty, and industry exposure to prepare students for diverse photography careers. This section covers some of the best photography colleges in India. Interested students can have a look at the table below to learn about Popular Colleges in India for Photography Courses.

Disclaimer: The colleges mentioned in the table are listed according to their fees in ascending order and not in any order of ranking hierarchy.

Best Government Photography Colleges

Candidates can choose the best institute as per their preference and suitability. Candidates often prefer government colleges as the fees in government colleges is usually much affordable. Government colleges for photography also offer short-term certification and diploma courses which can be pursued after completing Class 10th or 12th. The colleges are as follows:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute and may vary.

Best Private Photography Colleges

Some Private colleges for Photography have established themselves as leading institutes in the field of mass communication and other allied courses. These Photography colleges in India along with Photography Course Fee are given in the table below:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute and may vary.

Important FAQs related to Photography Courses: