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.
Table of Contents
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. |
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
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.
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 Courses After 10th | Photography Courses After 12th |
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.
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 |
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 |
INR 3,35,000 |
|
3 |
INR 3,94,000 |
|
4 |
INR 2,00,000 |
|
5 |
INR 5,000 |
|
6 |
INR 1,25,000 |
|
7 |
INR 81,200 |
|
8 |
INR 20,000 |
|
9 |
INR 8,000 |
|
10 |
INR 50,000 |
|
11 |
Raviraj Institute of Art and Culture, Coimbatore |
INR 12,000 |
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 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 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 |
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
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
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
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 |
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 |
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.
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.
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