Diploma in Photography: Course Details, Eligibility, Fees, Duration, Admission

Duration: 1 Year
Avg Fees: ₹20K - 2 LPA

Diploma in Photography is a one-year diploma course that trains students with the required domain and practical skills related to photography such as foundations of photography, camera operation, composition, lighting, editing, etc. Diploma in Photography subjects include core topics such as Basic Lighting and Flash Techniques, Commercial Photography, Portfolio Production, Studio Portraiture, etc.

Diploma in Photography eligibility criteria require the candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board or educational institution in any stream with at least 50% marks in the previous qualifying examination. Apart from the merit score, the candidate must also qualify in entrance examinations such as AAFT GEE, Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film Entrance Exam, etc. The average Diploma in Photography fees range from INR 5,000 - 4,00,000 for the entire course.

Diploma in Photography Course Details

Degree Diploma
Full Form Diploma in Photography
Duration 1 Year
Age No age limit
Entrance Exam AAFT GEE, Delhi School of Photography Entrance Test, etc.
Minimum Percentage A minimum of 50% in 10+2 (High School Degree)from a recognized board.
Average Fees ₹20K - 2 LPA
Similar Options of Study B.A. in Photography, Bachelor of Fine Arts, B.A. (Hons.) in Photography and Digital Imaging
Average Salary INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 PA (Source: GlassDoor)
Employment Roles Product Photographer, WildLife photographer, Fashion Photographer
Top Recruiters Liv Space, Pepperfry, Flipkart, Discovery India, Amazon, etc.

What is a Diploma in Photography Course?

A Diploma in Photography focuses on training students on various aspects of photography such as Digital Photography, Photojournalism, Image Making, etc. The course equips the candidate with all the required skills starting from handling cameras to producing the final image. Top Colleges such as AAFT, Light and Life Academy, and RIMT University offer Diploma in Photography courses. This program aims to develop proficiency in analyzing the different subjects and types of photography.

Upon successful completion of the course, candidates get employment in roles such as filmmaking, wedding photography, cinematography, news and media coverage, etc. The average Diploma in Photography salary in India ranges from INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 LPA. Diploma Photography course graduates are recruited by top companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Discovery India, etc

Diploma in Photography Eligibility Criteria

The Diploma in Photography eligibility criteria is based on various factors like merit score, subjects, entrance exam score, etc. Below are some of the important pointers that the candidates should consider before applying for a Diploma in Photography.

  • Students must have successfully completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board or educational institution with at least 50% marks in the previous qualifying exam.
  • Must have basic knowledge of handling cameras and photography.
  • There is no minimum age requirement to apply for the photography diploma course.

Why Choose a Diploma in Photography Course?

A Diploma in Photography in India can be a great starting point for candidates aspiring to become photographers. The curriculum focuses on both theoretical and practical aspects of photography. Following are some of the pointers on why choosing a diploma in photography could be the right choice.

  • Photography as a profession has got great demand with an increase in social media users and content creators as 46.7% of the creators recruit a full-time photographer.
  • Around 2,33,999 photographers are employed in the US under various organizations and job roles.
  • The employment rate of photographers is growing in a positive range of 2.1% every year.
  • The global photo printing and merchandise market is expected to reach $26.1 billion by 2026
  • The stock photography market is predicted to have a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2020 to 2025.
Photography Courses After 10th Photography Courses After 12th

Diploma in Photography Admission Process 2023

For admission into Diploma in Photography program, most colleges and universities take direct admission or admission through merit scores of the previous qualifying examination, meeting the eligibility criteria, passing the entrance examination, and registration followed by a personal interview.

Here is the step-by-step guide on the Diploma in Photography course admission process.

  • Step 1: Candidates need to fill out the application form for the respective college available either online or offline.
  • Step 2: The candidate must attempt an entrance examination if the desired college conducts any.
  • Step 3: Successfully pass the entrance examination with at least 50% marks.
  • Step 4: The candidate will be asked to appear for a personal interview based on the entrance exam score.
  • Step 5: The candidate will receive an admission confirmation email or letter from the chosen college or institute based on the PI and entrance exam scores.
  • Step 6: Upon confirmation, the students can proceed with document submission and fee payment.

Diploma in Photography Course Entrance Exam

Students seeking admission to the Diploma in Photography course should attempt entrance exams such as the Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film Entrance Exam, Delhi School of Photography Entrance Test, etc.

Students seeking admission to diploma in photography courses after 10th can also give the entrance exams based on the eligibility criteria. Following are the Diploma in Photography Entrance Exam details such as registration date and accepting colleges.

Diploma in Photography Entrance Exams

Registration Date

Accepting Colleges

AAFT GEE

Ongoing

Asian Academy of Film and Television

Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film Entrance Exam

Aug 7, 2023

Creative Hut Institute of Photography 

Delhi School of Photography Entrance Test

Nov 20, 2023

Delhi School of Photography

Indira Gandhi National Open University Entrance Test

May 15 - Sep 30, 2023

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Tamil Nadu Open University Entrance Exam

Sep 30, 2023

Tamil Nadu Open University 

Top Diploma in Photography Colleges in India

Some of the top colleges offering photography diploma courses are Light and Life Academy, AAFT, World University of Design, Indian Institute of Photography, etc. Tabulated below are some of the top colleges to pursue a Diploma in Photography.

S.No

Name of the College

Average Course Fees

1

Indian Institute of Photography, New Delhi

INR 8,000

2

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication

INR 3,35,000

3

Creative Hut Institute of Photography, Kottayam

INR 3,94,000

4

Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida

INR 2,00,000

5

UPRTOU

INR 5,000

6

MIT WPU

INR 1,25,000

7

LPU

INR 81,200

8

The Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation

INR 20,000

9

Institute of Photography Excellence, Ahmedabad

INR 8,000

10 

DDU GKP

INR 50,000

11

Raviraj Institute of Art and Culture, Coimbatore

INR 12,000

Diploma in Photography Fee Structure

The average Diploma in Photography fees can range from INR 5,000 - to 4,00,000. The fees range in government colleges is around INR 20,000 to 60,000 and the private colleges fees can range from INR 70,000 to INR 4,00,000. Tabulated below is the Diploma in Photography fee structure for top colleges in India.

College Name

Tuition Fees

Admission Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Department of Photography, MGM University

INR 5,000

INR 1,500

INR 5,000

National Institute of Photography, Mumbai

INR 65,000

INR 1,500

INR 8,000

Punjabi University

INR 5,000

INR 1,000

-

RIMT University

INR 70,000

INR 10,000

-

Clusters Media College

INR 1,10,000

-

-

Also, Check: Top Photography Colleges in India

Diploma in Photography Syllabus and Subjects

Diploma in Photography Syllabus includes subjects such as Introduction to Image Making, Digital Photography, Photojournalism, etc. Tabulated below are some of the most important subjects included in photography diploma courses.

Diploma in Photography Subjects 

Topics Covered

Basics of Digital Photography

Exposure Triangle, Depth of field, Focal Length, Shutter Speed

Basics of Photography

Camera Operation, Exposure Settings, Composition Techniques, Basic Post-Processing

Studio Portraiture

Outdoor Photography, Depth of Field, Portrait and Product Photography

Advanced Lightning Techniques

Properties of Light, Principles of Visualization, Composition Guidelines

Colour Photography

Colour Contrast - Colour Harmony, Woking Mechanism of Colour Scanners

Read More: Diploma in Photography Syllabus and Subjects

Diploma in Photography College Comparison

Diploma in Photography courses are offered by various colleges and universities in India with the core goal of equipping students with relevant practical and domain knowledge in the field of photography. Tabulated below is the comparison of the top 3 colleges offering Diploma in Photography courses based on various parameters.

College Name

Indian Institute of Photography, New Delhi

Creative Hut Institute of Photography, Kottayam

Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida

Average Fees

INR 8,000

INR 3,94,000

INR 2,00,000

Admission Process

Passed 10+2 with at least 50% in any stream from a recognized board

Passed 10+2 with at least 50% in any stream from a recognized board

Passed 10+2 with at least 50% in any stream from a recognized board

Top Recruiters

Alluring Frames, Foodpanda, Flipkart

GettyImages, Amazon, Lifetouch

Calvin Klein, Disney+Hotstar, Adidas

Average Placement

INR 1-4 LPA

INR 2-4 LPA

INR 1.5-4 LPA

Diploma in Photography vs Diploma in Cinematography

A Diploma in Photography is for students who are passionate about photography while the Diploma in Cinematography can be the right fit for students interested in filmmaking, animation, etc. Here is the course comparison for the Diploma in Photography Vs the Diploma in Cinematography based on various parameters.

Course Full Form

Diploma in Photography

Diploma in Cinematography

Course Overview

Diploma in Photography course focuses on various aspects of Photography such as specifications of SLR/TLR/DSLR cameras, frames, and lights

A Diploma in Cinematography course generally pursued alongside a bachelor's degree to get more exposure like working with cameras, scene composition, understanding the industry, etc.

Duration

1 Year

1 Year

Eligibility

Passed 10+2 with at least 50% in any stream from a recognized board

Passed 10+2 with at least 50% in any stream from a recognized board

Entrance Exam

AAFT, GEE

No Entrance Exam

Top Colleges

AAFT, Indian Institute of Photography, New Delhi, Creative Hut Institute of Technology

CRAFT Film School, New Delhi, AAFT, MV Media Institute

Average Fees

INR 20,000 - 4,00,000 

INR 35,000 – INR 1,25,000

Average Salary

INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 LPA

INR 1-2 LPA

Job Role

Fashion Photographer, Wildlife Photographer, Product Photographer


Camera Production Assistant, Camera Operator, Motion Control Operator

Read More: Diploma in Cinematography

Salary of a Diploma in Photography Graduate in India

The average salary range for photography diploma course graduates can range from INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 PA. (Source: Glassdoor). Graduates after having three-plus years of experience can earn up to INR 8 LPA. Below listed are job roles for Diploma in Photography graduates along with their average entry-level salaries and experience salary range:

Designation

Entry Level Average Salary

Salary after 3 Years of Experience

Wildlife Photographer

INR 3.6 LPA

INR 5-7 LPA

Travel Photographer

INR 3 LPA

INR 4-6.5 LPA

Fashion Photographer

INR 3.84 LPA

INR 4.5-7.5 LPA

Cinematographer

INR 4.0 LPA

INR 5.0-8.0 LPA

Stock Photographer

INR 2.3 LPA

.INR 3-5.5 LPA

Photojournalist

INR 3.5 LPA

INR 5-7 LPA

Read More: Diploma in Photography Salary and Jobs

Courses After Diploma in Photography

After successful completion of a Diploma in Photography, candidates can enhance their knowledge by opting for higher education in photography. The table below highlights some of the photography courses that can be pursued after completion of Diploma in Photography

  • B.A. in Photography
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • B.A. (Hons.) in Photography and Digital Imaging
  • BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice - Moving Image, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Photography
  • BA (Hons) Graphic Design and Photography with foundation year
  • PG Diploma in Photography

Career Options After Diploma in Photography 

A Diploma in Photography offers employment to graduates in various sectors like news and media, filmmaking, fashion industry, etc. Tabulated below are some of the job roles for diploma in photography graduates along with their average salary details.

Job Designations

Hiring Companies

Average Salary

Commercial Photographer First Cry, Freelancer, National Institute Photography, etc. INR 3.10 LPA
Architectural Photographer Space Matters, Eglo India, Smart Creations, Liv Space, etc. INR 5 LPA
Photo Editor Airbnb, BizBox Publishing, Meero, Myntra, etc. INR 4.5 LPA
Studio Manager Pepperfry, Cars24, Landmark Group, Ajio, etc. INR 4 LPA

Top Recruiters for Diploma Photography Course

Diploma Photography course graduates are recruited by top companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Liv Space, Discovery India, etc. under various job roles such as photojournalist, fashion photographer, etc. Following are some of the top recruiters for photographers along with their salary details.

Recruiters

Average Salary

Flipkart INR 4.67 LPA
Liv Space INR 4.50 LPA
Pepperfry INR 5 LPA
Fab India INR 4.80 LPA
Discovery India INR 5.46 LPA

Skills to Excel in Photography Diploma Course

Students aspiring to become successful photographers and build a career in the field of photography should focus on a certain skill set along with the practical and theoretical knowledge gained through photography diploma courses. Here are a few skills the candidates need to focus on to become a successful photographer.

  • Creative Skills - A creative mind and eye for detail a required skills for photographer as they will help them give life to their photography
  • Experimental Skills - Instead of striving for the perfect picture, photographers should also learn to embrace the uniqueness of the pictures and experiment with different images
  • Photography Skills - This is one of the mandatory skills to become a photographer along with understanding the in and out of cameras, lights, and images
  • Aesthetic sense - Developing skill to create dream-like and ethereal images is recommended for photographers
  • Tech Skills - Being up to date with the tools and technologies used in the photography industry can be an added advantage

FAQs on Diploma in Photography

Q: Which Diploma is best for Photography?

A: Among the various diploma photography courses offered by various colleges, Diploma in Digital Photography is considered as the best as it has very good demand in the job market. The candidates will learn the technologies and skills required for digital photography

Q: Is a Diploma enough for Photography?

A: To start a career as a photographer, a Diploma in photography can be a good start as the course curriculum almost covers all the subjects and topics required for the candidate to take up a professional role. If the candidate is willing to excel in a career with senior-level roles, they should consider doing an undergraduate and postgraduate programs

Q: Is a photography career hard?

A: Successfully completing a Diploma in Photography is comparatively easier than actually turning the learning into an actual photography career or business model. However, many top companies recruit photographers in various job roles at attractive packages.

Q: What are the basics of Photo Editing?

A: Once the image is captured and finalized, crop and adjust the contrast, vibration, exposure and saturation of the image. Finally sharpen the image and the edited image can be finalized.

Q: Where can I sell my stock Photos?

A: Stock images can be sold using various online platforms such as Alamy, Shutterstock, 500px, SmugMug, iStock Photo, Etsy etc.

Q: What are the different specializations in Diploma in Photography?

A: Diploma in Photography course is offered under various specializations such as Digital Photography, Travel Photography, Nature Photography and Documentary.

Q: Can I become a photojournalist after a Diploma in Photography?

A: Yes, candidates can become photojournalists after successfully completing a Diploma in Photography. However, students with a professional portfolio and internship experience are highly preferred for the role.

Loading...