Do you like to look at the world through the lens of a camera or a picture frame? If you are interested in learning how to take and develop professional photographs, then a career in photography could be perfect for you. An inherent passion for photography coupled with professional training can make commercial and digital photography a lucrative profession. Photography is both a science and an art. It is an artistic means of expression, the camera replacing the pen or the paintbrush.
Photography is a unique and creative medium of self-expression. It is an art form requiring beauty sense as well as technical expertise. With the explosion of the communication network, the growth of advertising and media and the fashion boom, and digital photography, it has now become a profession with great commercial value. Photos are an essential part in both print and electronic media. So this is an area offering great scope for those who have an interest and attributes needed to be a professional.
Being a creative medium, photography requires more of inherent talent for success than formal training. However training hones the inherent skills and help to shine in this competitive field with various specializations like portraiture, fashion and advertising photography, journalistic photography, wildlife and outdoors photography etc. Creating a commercial quality photograph requires the skill for choosing and presenting a subject in a way to achieve the maximum effect with the appropriate equipment. One should have a definite know how of the angle, lighting and the latest equipments and technology to make a name in the field.
Eligibility
There are no specific academic requirements for full time courses in photography; however, candidates who have cleared the secondary exam are eligible for the diploma/certificate courses in photography. There are many students who learn photography along with their college degree, doing a part-time course. Besides the Certificate and Diploma courses in the field, Photography is also offered as an optional subject for a bachelor’s degree in Fine arts. Besides the academic requirements, having a background in computers or electronics, related work experience and training is beneficial for making a break in the field.
Successful photographers are creative individuals who can think and communicate in visual terms. They are able to interpret a client’s needs, translating their ideas into images that work. Thus photography basically requires a keen, observant eye, and an intelligent, curious and perceptive mind. Photographer must have creativity, determination and good powers of observation. They must also have the ability to work quickly under pressure, in difficult conditions and irregular hours.
Scope
One of the most exciting aspects of photography is the variety of jobs available in the field, ranging from highly specialized, technical work to jobs that require creativity and visual literacy. A professional photographer can work in renowned fashion houses, prepare portfolios of models, work in various advertisement agencies and specialize in mail order photography. He/she can also work as a digital photographer in various studios abroad or as a wildlife photographer with travel and tourism magazines or TV. channels like Discovery or National Geographic to take rare photographs of landscapes, wild animals etc. Besides, they can always work as a freelancer and send theme based photographs to various studios abroad. Even Scotland Yard and Interpol recruit forensic photographers to take photographs at the scene of the crime.
Photography today has acquired great commercial value and has become a source of earning and comfortable living. The reason for this is simple, its growing demand.In short a photographer has thus become an indispensable part of economic and human activity. It is now a profession with great commercial value and a good source of income.
