Updated on Aug 13, 2025 10:00 IST

In photography we produce a photo by clicking picture from a camera. This technique can be used to store memories and collect various moments in a frame. Images express themselves better than words.

Photography

Photography Course Highlights

These are some photography course details:

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 OETIIMC Entrance exam, FTII JETPUBDET, MAAH AAC CETCUET, NSD Entrance Exam, etc.

Photography Courses in Colleges

Amity School of CommunicationsNational Institute of PhotographyNagpur UniversityNIFT 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

Types of Photographs

Here are the popular types of photographs.

Photography Type Description
Portrait Photography Focuses on capturing the personality and mood of individuals or groups.
Landscape Photography Captures natural scenes, such as mountains, forests, and rivers.
Wildlife Photography Focuses on animals in their natural habitat.
Macro Photography Takes close-up shots of small subjects, revealing intricate details.
Event Photography Covers events like weddings, parties, and concerts, documenting the experience.
Street Photography Captures candid moments in public spaces, highlighting everyday life.
Fashion Photography Showcases clothing and accessories, often involving models and styling.
Sports Photography Captures intense moments and emotions during athletic events.
Architectural Photography Focuses on buildings and structures, emphasizing form and design.
Product Photography Highlights products for commercial use, aiming to showcase their features and design.
Q:   What does a Photographer do?
A:

Some of the major responsibilities of a photographer include:

  1. Communicating with clients to understand their needs
  2. Choosing and setting up locations
  3. Choosing and setting up photography equipment 
  4. Taking photos
  5. Editing photos using different software programs
  6. Selling photos or promoting business in other ways
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Q:   How to become a Photographer?
A:

Photography starts as a passion, becomes a hobby, and eventually, you learn and grow along the way. Actually, it is not the degree but the number of hours spent behind the camera that makes you a great photographer. Here are some of the ways you can pursue a career in photography.

  1. Enroll in a photography course: To pursue a photography career, the first step should be enrolling in a course. With the technology evolving rapidly, you need to enroll in a photography course to understand the working of professional cameras and understand all other theoretical and practical parts of photography.
  2. Take up an internship: Once you have understood all the basics of handling a camera and photography as a whole, pursue the internship. Taking an internship will help you explore the outside world and gain knowledge from professionals in the field.
  3. Build an online portfolio: Apart from taking the internship, start building your online portfolio in the form of a blog or website to display your work to your potential employers or clients later.  
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Q:   Who should pursue a career in photography?
A:

A photography career can be pursued by anybody who has an underlying passion for it. However, some of the skills that you need in order to be up in the game include:

Technical skills 

  1. Understanding of all the settings and modes of a camera
  2. Understanding the working of different lenses, tripods, covering videos, etc.
  3. Editing skills

Soft skills 

  1. A vision for what exactly a photographer wants to click
  2. Artistic approach
  3. Aesthetic taste
  4. Creativity 
  5. Good concentration
  6. Communication skills
  7. Attention to detail
  8. Team working skills
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Table of content
  • Photography Courses Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2025
  • Photography Courses Entrance Exams 2026
  • Types of Photography Courses
  • Photography Course Syllabus
  • Photography Courses: Salaries, Career Scope and Job Profiles
  • Best Photography Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Photography Colleges in India
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Photography UG Courses
  • Popular Photography PG Courses
  • FAQs related to Photography
View More

Photography Courses Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2025

Photography is a course that focuses on practical knowledge with a lot of hands on training. To excel in Photography aspirants will have to give hours to practical work. Candidates can see the eligibility in the table below:

Course

Eligibility Criteria

UG Level

  • To pursue Photography courses at degree or diploma level candidates should complete Class XII in any stream from a recognised board with a minimum aggregate percentage (usually 50% - 60%).
  • Sometimes universities/ colleges also demand basic knowledge of Fine Arts, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts subjects to which candidates are applying.

PG Level

  • To pursue a Photography programme at degree or PG diploma level, candidates should complete their graduation in Arts with the minimum percentage stipulated by a particular university/ college in which they are seeking admission.  

Certificate-Level

  • Diploma courses are short-term courses that candidates can pursue if they clear Class 10th. 

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

Photography Courses Admission 2025

Candidates can check a general overview of the Photography admission process below:

  • Make sure you meet the eligibility
  • Apply online by filling form
  • Take the exam
  • Wait for the merit list and result
  • If selected, attend the counselling session
  • Get the documents verified and pay the fee to secure the seat

 

Q:   What is the eligibility to become a photographer?
A:

To become a photographer, you should have passed Class 12 in any stream. Formal degrees aren't required, but creative skills, camera handling, and editing knowledge help. Many institutes offer short-term and degree courses. Top picks include NID, Jamia, Pearl Academy, and Light & Life Academy.

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Q:   Is prior experience in photography or videography required to pursue a Camera Handling course?
A:

No, there's no need to gain any prior experience or knowledge to pursue a Camera Handling and Lighting course in India. You can apply for any Diploma or Certificate programme after Class 12 or graduation to learn Camera techniques.

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Q:   Do I need any prior experience for pursuing a Photography course?
A:

No prior knowledge or experience is necessary for a basic photography course. However, if you are willing to go through an advanced course, you need to have a sound knowledge of cameras, lighting, and frames.

Candidates must be willing to put in extra hours in order to hone their skills and become great photographers.

They can also freelance in order to develop their contact and clientele base.

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Photography Courses Entrance Exams 2026

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:

Entrance Exam Name Exam Date Exam Details
CUET 2026 May ' 26 (Tentative) CUET Exam Date 2026
WUD DAT 2026 May ' 26 (Tentative) WUD DAT Exam Date 2026
NIFT 2026 Feb '26 (Tentative) NIFT Exam Date 2026
JMI 2025 Apr '26 (Tentative) JMI Entrance Exam Date 2026

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?

Mar '26

PUBDET 2026 Applications

TENTATIVE

10 Sep ' 25

PUBDET 2025 2nd Round Seat Allotment

Sep '25

MAH AAC CET 2025 Cut-off Date for all type of adm...

TENTATIVE

Sep '25

MAH AAC CET 2025 Last date of uploading the data

TENTATIVE

Mar '26

CUET 2026 Application Process

TENTATIVE

May '26 - Jun '26

CUET 2026 Exam

TENTATIVE
Q:   What is the latest pattern for CUET UG exam?
A:

As per the latest CUET UG exam pattern, the CUET UG will now consist of 23 domain subjects, 13 langauges and General Test. The exam pattern for CUET UG is as follows:

Section

Number of Questions

Duration

Section I- Language

50

 60 Minutes

Section II- Domain Specific

50

Section III- General Test

50

Q:   Are NCERT books enough to cover CUET syllabus?
A:

NTA has mentioned that CUET UG 2026 syllabus will adhere to NCERT syllabus. Hence, it can be assumed that the NCERT books are enough to cover the syllabus of the CUET UG exam. Candidates must note that, CUET exam tests students' understanding of the subject concepts and ability to apply them in various situations.

Therefore, to prepare well and get a good score, it is advised that students refer to other study materials and books designed for national-level competitive entrance exams. The CUET UG syllabus is similar with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus. The chapters and topics are similar to Class 12 syllabus. Unlike other UG entrance exams, CUET UG syllabus does not include Class 11 syllabus.

Types of Photography Courses

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

Candidates can see the list of popular Photography courses offered below:

Photography Courses - UG Level

Candidates can see the UG courses below:

Photography Courses Photography Colleges Photography Course Fees
BFA in Photography College of Fine Arts INR 1.40 Lakh
Indian Institute of Photography INR 10.83 Lakh
Avantika University INR 4.80 Lakh
Institute of Fine Arts, Chandigarh INR 2.40 Lakh
B.A. in Photography MIT-WPU INR 8.40 Lakh
AAFT INR 6.72 Lakh
Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography INR 13.20 Lakh
Bharati Vidyapeeth’s School of Photography INR 13.23 Lakh
Hamstech Institute of Creative Education INR 4.95 Lakh
ICAT Design and Media College, Hyderabad INR 4.50 Lakh
B.Voc. in Photography and Journalism NS Patel Arts College INR 15,000
Guru Nanak Dev University College, Jalandhar, GNDU INR 21,900
Kanya Maha Vidyalaya NA

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

Photography Courses - PG Level

Candidates can see the PG courses below:

Photography Courses Photography Colleges Photography Course Fees
MFA in Photography Indian Institute of Photography INR 5.10 Lakh
Axis Colleges INR 4.60 Lakh
Avantika University INR 2.40 Lakh
M.A. in Photography MIT-WPU INR 1.30 Lakh
AAFT INR 4.57 Lakh
Bharati Vidyapeeth’s School of Photography INR 8.82 Lakh
West Bengal State University INR 7,200
PG Diploma in Photography Galgotias University INR 35,000
A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre INR 76,720
Light and Life Academy INR 7.20 Lakh
Craft Film School INR 1.50 Lakh
Ramoji Krian Universe INR 3.50 Lakh
Nehru Gram Bharati University Kotwa (NGBU) INR 20,000

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

Online Photography Courses

Candidates can see the online courses below:

Photography Online Course Name

Offered By

Duration 

Fee

Adobe Lightroom Classic CC and CC: Photo Editing Masterclass

Udemy

10 hours

INR 640

Camera Exposure and Photography

Coursera

18 Hours

Free

Diploma in Digital Photography

Alison

15 Hours

Free

Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization

Coursera

Self-paced

Free

Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings

Udemy

2 Hours

-

Photography Masterclass 1.0: A Complete Guide to Photography

Udemy

13.5 hours

INR 451

Photography Techniques: Light, Content and Sharing

Coursera

23 Hours

Free

 

 

Popular Specializations

Q:   What is the difference between Photography and Cinematography?
A:

Though both are related to visual art, their subject and focused areas differ. Photography focuses on still images, while Cinematography is focused on moving film. The purpose of a photograph is to document an expression or action, while cinematography creates a story and experiences.

Q:   What are the different types of Photography?
A:

There are many different typer of Photography student can pursue. Some of them are mentoned below:

  • Portrait Photography
  • Macro Photography
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Landscape Photography
  • Event Photography
  • Street Photography
  • Architectural Photography
  • Fashion Photography
Q:   What are the top Online Photography courses?
A:

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:

Photography Online Course Name

Offered By

Duration 

Fee (in INR)

Adobe Lightroom Classic CC and CC: Photo Editing Masterclass

Diploma target="_blank" rel="noopener">Udemy

10 hours

640

Camera Exposure and Photography

Coursera

18 Hours

Free

Diploma in Digital Photography

Alison

15 Hours

Free

Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization

Coursera

Self-paced

Free

Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings

Udemy

2 Hours

-

Photography Masterclass 1.0: A Complete Guide to Photography

Udemy

13.5 hours

451

Photography Techniques: Light, Content and Sharing

Coursera

23 Hours

Free

 

Q:   How do I take admission to free online Photography course?
A:

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 learning photography takes soo much effort and practice so learn from scratch 

Q:   What are the different types of photography to learn?
A:

There ae many different types to Photography courses to learn, some of them are mentioned below:

  • Abstract Photography
  • Art Photography
  • Architectural Photography
  • Urban Photography
  • Portrait Photography
  • Advertising Photography
  • Aerial Photography
  • Underwater Photography
  • Fashion Photography

Photography Course Syllabus

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. See the tables below for reference.

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:

BFA in Photography Syllabus Semester - I
History of Photography Basic Photography Mobile Photography
BFA in Photography Subjects Semester - II
Colour Photography Digital Photography Still Life Photography
BFA in Photography Syllabus Semester - III
Photojournalism Fine Arts Photography Macro Photography
BFA in Photography Subjects Semester - IV
Architectural Photography Advertising Photography Applied Photography
BFA in Photography Syllabus Semester - V
Mass Communication Photography Ethics and Law Travel Photography
BFA in Photography Subjects Semester - VI
Basic Videography Cinematography Wild Life Photography
BFA in Photography Syllabus Semester - VII
Professional Videography Research Methodology Short Film Making
BFA in Photography Subjects Semester - VIII
Multimedia Video Editing Internship

MFA in Photography Syllabus

Here’s a detailed semester-wise breakdown of the MFA in Photography syllabus:

MFA in Photography Syllabus Semester - I
Historical Philosophy in Photography Technical Philosophy in Photography Visual Studies in Photography
MFA in Photography Subjects Semester - II
Historical Reading & Theoretical Approaches Photography & Documentation Documentary & Photo Journalism
MFA in Photography Syllabus Semester - III
Photography Discourse Advertising Photography Product Photography
MFA in Photography Subjects Semester - IV
Fashion Photography Cinematography Mass Communication

Relevant Links Related to Photography Syllabus:

Diploma in Digital Photography

BA in Still Photography

MA in Still Photography

 

Q:   Are there any books recommended for Photojournalism students?
A:

Yes, here are some popular books recommended for Photojournalism students:

  • Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism by Brian Hortan.
  • Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach by Kenneth Kobre.
  • Photojournalism and Citizen Journalism by Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Practical Photojournalism: A Professional Guide by Martin Keene.
  • Photo Journalism Hardcover by B K Desh Pandey.

Photography Courses: Salaries, Career Scope and Job Profiles

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:

Job Profile

Job Description

Average Annual Salary

Fashion Photographer

Fashion models are photographed while wearing apparel and accessories by fashion photographers. They work for apparel companies, advertising firms, and fashion periodicals.

INR 3 LPA-INR 5 LPA

Advertising Photographer

Photographs taken by advertising photographers are used in ads.

They work for companies and advertising firms.

INR 5 LPA-INR 6 LPA

Portrait Photographer

People are captured on camera by portrait photographers.

They serve families, individuals, and corporations.

INR 4 LPA-INR 6 LPA

Editorial Photographer

Photographs are taken for periodicals, newspapers, and websites by editorial photographers.

They work on a range of assignments, including features, news articles, and photo essays.

INR 3 LPA-INR 6 LPA

Fine Art Photographer

Photographs taken by fine artists are meant to be appreciated as works of art.

INR 4 LPA-INR 7 LPA

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:

Top Recruiters for Photography

National Geographic Hindustan Times Wedding Sutra
Vogue India Elle India Independent Studios
Ogilvy Getty Images Discovery Channel
Netflix India Yash Raj Films Amazon Prime Studios
Dharma Productions Amazon The Times Group
Nykaa Wizcraft Leo Burnett

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

 

Q:   What are the top job profiles offered after completing Photography course?
A:

Here, we have prepared a table to provide some idea about the Careers in Photography. Also, students can check the average annual salary of different types of photographers:

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary

Fashion PhotographerINR 3 LPA-INR 5 LPA
Advertising PhotographerINR 5 LPA-INR 6 LPA
Portrait PhotographerINR 4 LPA-INR 6 LPA
Editorial PhotographerINR 3 LPA-INR 6 LPA
Fine Art PhotographerINR 4 LPA-INR 7 LPA

Best Photography Colleges in India

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:

Name of College

Total Course Fees

College of Fine Arts, Hyderabad

40 K - 1.71 Lakh

AJK Mass Communications Research Centre

74.32 K

Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University

24.2 K

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University

5 K

Department of Social Communications, Sophia College

40 K

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya

30 K

Kashmir University

30 K

NIFT, Delhi

1 Lakh

Punjabi University

16.53 K

Lucknow University

75.32 K

Nagpur University

4.12 K

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:

Name of College

Total Course Fees

Amity School of Communications

30 K

Asian Academy of Film and Television

1.65 Lakh - 4.98 Lakh

Creative Hut Institute of Photography

2.6 Lakh

Delhi School of Photography

12 K - 1 Lakh

Guru Nanak University, Hyderabad

3 Lakh

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science

50 K - INR 2 Lakh

Lovely Professional University

81K - INR 3 Lakh

MIT-WPU

1.3 Lakh - 8.4 Lakh

National Institute of Photography

10 K - INR 90 K

Pearl Academy

3 Lakh

School of Design, UPES

12 Lakh

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

 

1.3 L - 8.4 L
4.35 - 5.5 LPA
62.5 K
25 K - 35 K
1 Course
75.32 K
7.46 LPA
1 Course
25.2 K
Q:   How many Photography colleges are there in India?
A:

India is home ot 394 Photography colleges of which 276 colleges are privately owned, 33 are government owned and the rest 4 colleges are owned by semi government institutions.

Q:   Can you suggest some colleges to pursue Photography courses abroad?
A:

Yes, there are many good colleges where you can pursue a photography course; the following is the list:

  1. University of the Arts London (UAL)

  2. Istituto Europeo di Design (IED)

  3. Kingston University

  4. RMIT University

  5. Royal College of Art

  6. School of Visual Arts (SVA)

  7. University of Westminster

  8. Parsons School of Design

These are the top institutes that provide photography courses, and you can go for any one of them based on your preferences. You can visit the websites of these institutes to get information regarding the courses and fees.

Q:   Is studying Photography in India considered expensive?
A:

No, as most of the Photography colleges in India have an average tuition fee less than INR 1 lakh:

Fee RangeNo. of CollegesPopular Colleges
< INR 1 lakh108Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj University, University of Lucknow, CSJM, etc.
INR 1-2 lakh19MIT-WPU, Asian Academy of Film and Television, NIFT Delhi, etc.
INR 2-3 lakh13Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Creative Hut Institute of Photography, etc.
INR 3-5 lakh17Guru Nanak University, LPU, LPU Admission Office, etc.
> INR 5 lakh13UPES, MIT-WPU, Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography, etc.

 

Popular Private Photography Colleges in India

25 K - 1.5 L
50 K
13.92 K
80 K - 1.5 L
3 L

Photography Applications open till May 28, 2026. Apply Now

1.3 L - 8.4 L
4.35 - 5.5 LPA

Most Popular Courses

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

Popular Photography UG Courses

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

UG Courses

Popular Photography PG Courses

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

PG Courses

FAQs related to Photography

Important FAQs related to Photography Courses:

Q:   How do I learn professional photography?
A:

If you truly want to become a professional Photographer then you really need to concern about some criterias like understanding exposure of people and different locations, composition approaches, and mastering the fundamentals are some of the steps in starting a professional photography path.

To expand your knowledge on Photography, study relevant books, go to workshops, and you can also enroll yourself in online courses.

Q:   What is the difference between Nature Photography and Wildlife Photography?
A:

Nature Photography and Wildlife photography are different specializations Photography that are closely linked but not the same.

Candidates can refer to the table given below to differentiate between Nature Photography and Wildlife Photography:

Nature Photography

Wildlife Photography

It majorly covers natural elements around us.

It majorly covers the life in wilderness.

Its focus is more on water, land, trees, flowers etc.

Its focus is more on animals, birds, insects etc.

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