Choose from professional photography courses from best photography institutes

There are many amongst us who are fond of clicking photographs of their family and friends, nature, events etc. occasionally. Many of us love the art of taking pictures – still or video – as a hobby and don’t leave any occasion to click some using our high-tech smart phones! Pursuing photography as a career option is often not given serious thought, at least till a few years back, it was not considered as a serious professional option. This was because of two good reasons – one, the lack of good professional photography courses and second, because of limited opportunities on the job front.  But things have changed now. The truth is that with the growth of reputed photography institutes in the country and the option of getting work on assignment or freelance basis has encouraged many people to enroll for such professional photography courses.

A good photographer needs to have an imaginative mind along with the desire and interest to learn the art of using latest tools and equipments to create impressionable and memorable images. Since it is one such subject which gives the student the option to learn the tricks of the trade on a part-time basis by attending workshops or short duration photography courses, the subject has become immensely popular in recent times. If you are residing in Mumbai, you can catch up on the latest trends and technology in the field of photography by attending some of the photography workshops in Mumbai. While choosing to enroll for one such workshop, make sure to check up online or offline on the faculty members of the workshop. Experienced people from the trade should be preferred as trainers or tutors as these are the people who would have necessary practical knowledge along with the theoretical know-how to impart proper training. You would learn more with their professional experience and skill in handling different types of situations.

Workshops are good option for people who are already engaged in other career pursuits and plan to take up photography as freelancing and part-time work or because they are interested in the subject as a hobby. However, for people who are keen to take it up a serious career option and want to get involved in full-time assignments, need to enroll for photography workshops and courses in Mumbai. Prior to enrolling for a professional course, you can attend few workshops to understand if this is what you want to do in life as well as gather information about different types of photography courses available, the course fee, which are the different institutes that are offering your preferred course, which institutes are the reputed ones, which ones have the best faculty members infrastructure and lab facilities, on-the-job training facilities etc.  

Professional photography courses typically consists of getting a diploma in subjects like cinematography, film making, fashion and portrait photography, digital fine art photography, digital studio portrait and events photography, photojournalism, conceptual photography including conceptual people photography and basic photography course. The course duration typically varies from one year to few days.

Conceptual People Photography for people who understand arts

Conceptual people photography covers genre such as portrait and fashion photography, concepts of creating glamour and model portfolios etc.  Most of the professional institutes provide for a week long or shorter duration of conceptual photography workshops with focus on:-

·         The use of relevant tools like the camera, lenses, films etc.

·         Basic s of lighting, details of sources of light

·         Details of studio flash and their characteristics

·         How to use lighting for portrait photography, for glamorous make-up, bridal photography

·         Different types of lighting set-ups

·         Taking photographs of people for specific purpose like for their ID’s, a dark person wearing white clothes etc.

·         The relevance of backgrounds, different types of backgrounds – natural and artificial

·         How to manipulate defects and highlight strong features

Conceptual photography, in general, is similar to fine arts photography where the photographer creates a story with a single image. Such illustrative images are commonly seen in advertising where a specific message is passed onto the audience by the presenting a concept visually. Also with the growth of the digital medium and editing software tools, the work of conceptual photography is not limited to just taking pictures s but manipulating the images to narrate a story.

In order to become a conceptual photographer, you would need to not only have a passion for taking pictures and editing them, you should also have a creative and artistic bend of mind. Your brain should be a warehouse of innovative ideas and you should know exactly the way to represent those ideas through the lens of your camera. Just like fine arts, the conceptual form of arts has also been there since the existence of mankind. It is just that with the evolution of high-standards of photographic tools and equipments that this form of art has been encouraging people with aesthetic taste to venture into the field of conceptual photography.

Whether it is conceptual people photography or any other related topic, the bases of this form of photography is in the minds of the photographer. One key characteristic, hence of the person who wishes to train to become a professional conceptual photographer is to have an imaginative mind as concepts or ideas originate here. Also unlike other forms of photography, this one starts from an idea and slowly progresses to find the final expression as an image.  However, in this form of photography, the photographer needs to pay attention to details; from the start till the end where the photograph is edited and processed to get the final print, only your concept is known to you. It is only when the final image is in your hands that you are sure that your idea has got the correct representation or not. It is similar to other works of arts like sculptures and painters who know what they have in mind and then use their art to express the same. Using a person or a model to bring to life that idea is what conceptual portrait photography is all about.

Digital Fine Art Photography – for aesthetic beauty and its meaningfulness

Fine Art photography is a recent phenomenon. Till about a few years ago, it was believed that fine arts could be rendered only by painters and artists and not photographers who can only click still images or videos. Today there is a rising trend amongst fresh and new photographers who are out to exploit their artistic and creative talent. Experts are of the opinion that creating fine arts photographs is about an idea or message that a photographer wishes to communicate to the world outside. Such messages can evolve from small little thoughts and fine arts photographers leave no unturned to express this thought or idea. To give life to this small little subject the photographer uses his camera and other equipments just like other photographers.

Fine arts require the onlooker to use his emotions to interpret the meaning behind the work of art. Similarly the photographer needs to present his work in a manner that the viewer is able to understand the intention of the photographer – the reason why he created the picture, what was his thought process behind the photograph and how did the idea originate.  In order to study the finer aspects of digital fine art photography, you need to –

·         Have a digital camera

·         The know-how to handle other genre of photography - nature and landscape photography, abstract close-up photography, fashion photography, photojournalism etc.

·         Know the correct combination and permutation of black and white, colour and shades, control of exposures.

A three month stint at a good reputed photography institute is enough to get you on the path of specializing in digital fine art photography. Once your course is completed, you can start your independent work. Before that, however, you can work as an assistant to a professional fine arts photographer to learn better the tricks of trade.  In order to become a full-fledged expert in digital fine art photography, you need to -

·         First come up with an idea or thought that really stirs your consciousness – something that you have been passionate about and want to convert into art

·         Along with the idea you would also want to dwell upon the technique that you would adopt to give life to your idea.

·         Once the above two points are clear, you need to choose a relevant topic.

·         The next decision is to choose the particular subject that you need to photograph to give your idea, your thoughts the much required live extension.

Once the subject has been fixed and ascertained, stat your work using your selected techniques. Make sure that you do not lose focus of the original idea that you had in your mind. Since it a complete portfolio of pictures that you need to create, your digital images and photographs require to be in synch with each other and look cohesive. Fine arts photographers generally display their work of art in exhibitions – hence it is necessary to ensure that your work practically fits with the art world and its sentiments.

Fashion photography helps create a indelible fashion statement

Fashion photography is all about clothes and accessories, the main motive behind the same being majorly to sell related items. Sometimes, the objective is also to document the particular fashion trend or to promote the concept. Some form of fashion photography was happening from the mid ninetieth century but the actual form was born with an advertisement of Calvin Klein that emphasized on a lifestyle or a fashion statement.  This form of photography requires the student to understand the principles of design, use of accurate colours, textures, intensity, black and white composition, light and shade, learning about tools for precise exposure, use of digital software and correct printing tools and accessories. For aspiring photographers it is also important that they understand the use of computer and latest digital tools, manipulating skills to develop the photograph as required by the client. Students need to undergo a one-year rigorous classroom learning and training experience. The best photography institutes include as part of their fashion photography course -videos of internationally acclaimed glamour and foreign photographers, include models as part of the curriculum and clear demonstration of how to carry out outdoor fashion shoots, production fashion and creative fashion shoots.  Part of the course also covers ways and means to develop a good working relationship with models and model agencies.

Portrait photography is all about clicking photographs of an individual person or a group of people. Though the photographer needs to be artistic in his methods, things like backdrops; poses and use of shades and lighting also needs equal attention. From everyday use to special events, portraits are used by people to create memories. This form of photography caught up with the masses in mid 19^th century. However, it was only after the development of modern day cameras and photographic equipments that the real interest for clicking portraits became popular amongst general public. Portrait photography places a lot of emphasis on the lighting plans and it is essential that a budding photographer gets acquainted with the different ways of lighting up the subject’s face. Learning the correct way to combine shade and lights in a harmonious way, compression curves, use of colours, computers and digital platform, background light, outdoor photography etc. are essential key elements that needs to be clearly understood to become the best portrait photographer in the town. A portrait photographer’s job is not only about taking a picture or a snapshot of a person’s face, his main task is to catch the person’s persona, his attitude and his personality and hence he needs to know the ideal way to use his camera and equipments to deliver the perfect photograph to his clients.

Leading and reputed institutes combine fashion and portrait photography concepts and teachings in one package and a one year course is enough to learn the tricks of the trade to become an accomplished photographer, specialized in covering fashion shoots and clicking portraits. With the availability of models on the campus, different situational recreates helps students to practise and learn in the best possible manner.

Professional photography courses in Mumbai for aspiring photographers

Are you someone who has always had an eye for detail? At the same time your love for cameras and shooting pictures and videos has almost turned you into a professional photographer at family functions and social events? If yes, it is time that you seriously consider pursuing photography as a profession and sign up for specialized courses in this field. Throughout India there are some good professional colleges offering quality courses and if you are a resident of Mumbai or Maharashtra, you could consider joining one of the best professional photography courses in Mumbai offering Mastercraftsman diploma courses.

Reasons for joining this particular course being offered by one of the best photography institute in India, at least in the western part of the country are:-

1.   One of the main reasons why students prefer a particular institute is its faculty members. The faculty at this institute comprise of award-winning members, who have made exceptional contribution in the field of professional photography in the country as well internationally. They are some of the most renowned and respected people in the industry today.

2.   The other reason that students look for when choosing to enroll with a particular institute is due to infrastructure facilities at the campus. Photography anyways involves use of expensive gadgets and accessories. While certain items are required to be owned by the student himself like a professional camera, tripod, lens, batteries, chargers, extra flash, SD memory cards and accessories like camera bag, straps, cleaning kits etc., things like sets, props and backgrounds etc. are things that need to be provided by the respective institute to facilitate better learning and practical training. These elements are expensive and generally beyond means for individual students to afford, buy and train at home. Also, though many institutes would offer excellent theoretical knowledge and know-how, they generally lack in providing precise and adequate handy and realistic training to deal with real life situations. This is why institutes like these are able to groom and churn out some of the finest quality of photographers in the country.

3.   Another reason why this is the best photography institute in Mumbai is because of the presence of a high-tech digital lab in the college campus equipped with latest computing platform, necessary hardware and software required for teaching film processing and editing techniques. A true professional photographer not only needs to know the art of photography, a steady hand and a visual sense of things, he also needs to have an artistic sense backed by proper technical knowledge.

The course content of the professional photography courses in Mumbai being offered by the institute comprise of basic photography courses, fashion and portrait photography, cinematography, digital fine arts, photojournalism, events photography, portrait photography, creating model portfolio etc. Covering topics like managing colours, understanding lights, history of photography, finer concepts of black-and-white and colour photography, digital production, clicking for advertising shoots, learning to use digital imaging software, still life photography, location and landscape photography, industrial and architecture photography for corporate houses, fine art photography etc.