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

Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
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.
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. |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- Understanding of all the settings and modes of a camera
- Understanding the working of different lenses, tripods, covering videos, etc.
- Editing skills
Soft skills
- A vision for what exactly a photographer wants to click
- Artistic approach
- Aesthetic taste
- Creativity
- Good concentration
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Team working skills
- 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
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 |
|
|
PG Level |
|
|
Certificate-Level |
|
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
6 May ' 25 | CUET PG 2025 Result |
6 May ' 25 | CUET PG Final Answer Key 2025 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
10 hours |
INR 640 |
|
|
18 Hours |
Free |
||
|
15 Hours |
Free |
||
|
Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization |
Coursera |
Self-paced |
Free |
|
Udemy |
2 Hours |
- |
|
|
Photography Masterclass 1.0: A Complete Guide to Photography |
Udemy |
13.5 hours |
INR 451 |
|
Coursera |
23 Hours |
Free |
Popular Specializations
- Fashion Design
26 Colleges
- Video Editing (Post Production)
9 Colleges
- Cinematography
8 Colleges
- Photoshop
7 Colleges
- Web Design
5 Colleges
- 3DS Max
4 Colleges
- Camera Handling & Lighting
4 Colleges
- Food Photography & Food Writing
4 Colleges
- Graphic Design
4 Colleges
- Maya
4 Colleges
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.
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
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 | 10 hours | 640 | |
18 Hours | Free | ||
15 Hours | Free | ||
Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization | Coursera | Self-paced | Free |
Udemy | 2 Hours | - | |
Photography Masterclass 1.0: A Complete Guide to Photography | Udemy | 13.5 hours | 451 |
Coursera | 23 Hours | Free |
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
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
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.
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 Photographer | INR 3 LPA-INR 5 LPA |
| Advertising Photographer | INR 5 LPA-INR 6 LPA |
| Portrait Photographer | INR 4 LPA-INR 6 LPA |
| Editorial Photographer | INR 3 LPA-INR 6 LPA |
| Fine Art Photographer | INR 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 |
|---|---|
|
40 K - 1.71 Lakh |
|
|
74.32 K |
|
|
24.2 K |
|
|
5 K |
|
|
40 K |
|
|
30 K |
|
|
30 K |
|
|
1 Lakh |
|
|
16.53 K |
|
|
75.32 K |
|
|
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 |
|---|---|
|
30 K |
|
|
1.65 Lakh - 4.98 Lakh |
|
|
2.6 Lakh |
|
|
12 K - 1 Lakh |
|
|
3 Lakh |
|
|
50 K - INR 2 Lakh |
|
|
81K - INR 3 Lakh |
|
|
1.3 Lakh - 8.4 Lakh |
|
|
10 K - INR 90 K |
|
|
3 Lakh |
|
|
12 Lakh |
Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute and may vary.
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.
Yes, there are many good colleges where you can pursue a photography course; the following is the list:
University of the Arts London (UAL)
Istituto Europeo di Design (IED)
Kingston University
RMIT University
Royal College of Art
School of Visual Arts (SVA)
University of Westminster
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.
No, as most of the Photography colleges in India have an average tuition fee less than INR 1 lakh:
| Fee Range | No. of Colleges | Popular Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| < INR 1 lakh | 108 | Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj University, University of Lucknow, CSJM, etc. |
| INR 1-2 lakh | 19 | MIT-WPU, Asian Academy of Film and Television, NIFT Delhi, etc. |
| INR 2-3 lakh | 13 | Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Creative Hut Institute of Photography, etc. |
| INR 3-5 lakh | 17 | Guru Nanak University, LPU, LPU Admission Office, etc. |
| > INR 5 lakh | 13 | UPES, MIT-WPU, Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography, etc. |
Popular Private Photography Colleges in India
Photography Applications open till May 28, 2026. Apply Now
Most Popular Courses
Popular Photography UG Courses
UG Courses
- UG Diploma
97 Colleges
- B.A.
15 Colleges
- BFA
7 Colleges
- B.Sc.
6 Colleges
- B.Voc
3 Colleges
Popular Photography PG Courses
PG Courses
- PG Diploma
22 Colleges
- M.A.
6 Colleges
- MFA
4 Colleges
- M.Des
1 College
- MVA
1 College
FAQs related to Photography
Important FAQs related to Photography Courses:
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.
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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Some of the major responsibilities of a photographer include: