The Professional Photography Course is delivered online and consists of 12 modules and 12 interactive assignments. The normal time required to complete the course is 24 weeks, although we will allow you up to 12 months if required. During this time you will be educated in all aspects of photography by George Seper; one of the top freelance photographers around. His vast wealth of accumulated knowledge is provided to you, along with the ways to apply this knowledge to the areas of photography that most interest you.
The business of photography is not just about award winning images. It can also be about the right picture at the right time. Newspapers, magazines and websites worldwide are constantly on the lookout for new and interesting material. The opportunities are enormous and always growing.
Get to know the author, George Seper, before he introduces you to the world of professional photography as it exists today. This module is an extensive look at the equipment you will use, covering cameras, how they function and when to take advantage of the broad range of lenses available to you.
Module Content:
Introduction to the Course
About The Author
The Still Image
The Digital Camera
Camera Overview
Amateur Cameras
Phone cameras
Point and shoot
Micro four third
Bridge and Super Zoom Cameras
Enthusiast VS Pro Cameras
Mirror-less or CSC Cameras
The DSLR
Recent Camera Developments
Which Camera Should I Buy?
Camera Features
Service and accessories
End usage
Parts of a camera
Camera Body
Digital Sensor
Lens
Shutter
Memory card
Important Features of the Modern Camera
Megapixels
Sensor size
Frames Per Second (Fps)
ISO
Light meter
MASP
Recommendations regarding cameras
Some general observations on cameras
The Pro Camera
The Small Format Camera
The DSLR Camera
The Rangefinder Camera
A Friendly Caution
The Medium Format Camera
The Large Format Camera
Small & Medium Format DSLR Features
Interchangeable Lenses
Adjustable ISO
Depth of Field Preview
Integrated Light Meters
Mirror Locking
Self-Timer
Lenses
Uncovering the Lens
Lens Overview
The Science of lenses
Focus
Focal Length
Aperture
Angle of View
Lens Types
The Normal Lens
Telephoto Lenses
Wide-Angle Lenses
Specialty Lenses & Attachments
Macro Lenses
Extension Rings, Tubes & Bellows
Zoom Lenses
Reflex Lenses
Tilt-Shift Lenses
Lens Faults & Flaws
Spherical Aberrations
Chromatic Aberration
Barrel & Pincushion Distortion
Flare & Vignetting
Advanced Features of Modern lenses
Multi-coating
Auto focus (AF)
Image stabilisation (IS) or Vibration reduction (VR)
Learn how to control your camera and capture the images you have always imagined. George introduces powerful previsualisation techniques and provides an in-depth understanding of the settings available through your camera to achieve what you want, when you want.
Accurate exposure is the basis for all photography and this module draws on methods popularised by the great Ansel Adams, modernised to give you an edge in a competitive world. As a professional or advanced amateur you will be able to capture any subject consistently and with growing confidence.
A short step back in time provides the basis for effectively working and photographing in a digital world. In understanding what comes before, we are able to take full advantage of the tools we have at our disposal today for ever improving photographs.
After understanding photographic equipment and exposure, light and colour is explored as defining factors in professional photography. Refine your ability to previsualise, see and think like a camera, then delve into post production techniques for monochromatic images.
What is the world’s best lighting? This module takes an in depth look at natural and artificial lighting and how you can use these to your advantage. Explored in the context of portraiture, this knowledge is applied to all genres of photography and it is a crucial part of any good photographer’s education.
George explains, through his extensive experience, the commercial realities surrounding photography and methods to help produce the best images you can. Learn from photographers you admire, analyse images to improve technique and recognise what they can be used for.
Where is technology going and what do you really need to be a successful photographer? Develop a clear understanding of the advantages and disadvantages that different equipment provides, for now and in the future.
Since the dark room, post production and printing has been a defining part of all photography. This module addresses how to get the best out of your images when it comes time to edit and print your work.
Working in a studio has many advantages for a photographer. Whether this is full time or only a passing requirement of your photographic practices, it is important that you are familiar with a studio space and the equipment it contains.
Constructing a portfolio is one of the most important tasks a photographer carries out. This is ever changing and must develop as your photography develops. George explains the process and how to put your best foot forward in all circumstances.
Photo Agents – Picture Agenies. How To Get Work & Keep It
As a professional or advanced amateur creating a style to call your own can help set you apart from the masses. Be an individual, work smart as well as hard and photography will be a lifelong passion as well as a rewarding career if you so choose.
Module Content:
The Photographer’s Agent
The Role of the Agent
The Photographer/Agent Relationship
How to Find a Photo Agent
Avoid Mixed Agencies if You Can
Be Prepared for Your Interview… You Only Get One Chance
The Photography Institute offers you the most advanced and comprehensive online solution to learning available today. We offer the most thorough home study course in photography using the very latest online learning techniques. Our commitment to providing the highest quality training program has resulted in unique teaching and student support systems, which produce unparalleled results
THE AUTHORS
Know more about the authors.
GEORGE SEPER
George Seper began his photographic career in New York City in the early 1970’s and has had a long and illustrious career shooting in a variety of photography genres. George has an enormous wealth of knowledge in all aspects of photography, both practical and theoretical. George nowadays still shoots professionally while focusing on The Photography Institute as the vehicle for teaching his unique skills. George’s work has appeared in publications in over 30 countries.
OUR TUTORS
Our handpicked tutors are not only great teachers, but experts in their fields.
STEVEN VOTE
Internationally recognised and acclaimed, Steven Vote is a photographer, storyteller, director, twice published author, mentor, fine artist, and filmmaker.
GARY WALLIS
Gary Wallis has been a freelance photographer for over 20 years working mainly in fashion and portraiture.
JUSTIN AITKEN
Justin has had his work published in many magazines, books, and websites. He has photographed international & local celebrities and acts, including Metallica, Santana, Dave Dobbyn, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Coldplay.
GEORGE SEPER
Internationally respected, George Seper has been photographing food for over 30 years
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The courses are designed to be self-paced. For the International Certificate Course, you would expect to be dedicating on average about 6-8 hours per week for 24 weeks. For the Australian Accredited Diploma Course, you would expect to dedicate, as per AQF standards, approximately 16 hours per week of structured and non-structured training over an 18 month period. Students studying the International Certificate Course are provided up to 12 months to complete their studies. Students studying the Australian Accredited Diploma Course are provided up to 18 months to complete their studies.
All you need for the International Certificate course is a camera. A Digital SLR or Mirrorless (CSC) camera is best; but certainly not essential. We also recommend a recent version of Adobe Photoshop. However, you may use other photo editing programs.
To complete the first assignment of the Australian Accredited Diploma course, you will require access to the following:
A 35mm DSLR or Mirrorless (CSC) equivalent that has detachable lenses and can have accessories attached to it.
Lenses with 50mm focal length, or a zoom lens with 50mm zoom range for your sensor size.
A computer that is capable of running Adobe Software with a minimum of 16GBs of RAM.
Adobe Creative Cloud – Photographer’s package or stand-alone Lightroom and Photoshop programs.
Adobe Spark (Free with Creative Cloud).
To see a list of what is required to complete the entire Australian Accredited Diploma course, please click here and view the EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS section.
Our courses are compatible with both PC and MAC computers, tablet and smartphone devices.
You can contact your tutor at any time through our secure student site, which you will gain access to once you enrol. Your tutor’s role is to assess your assignments and provide you with feedback. They are also available to answer any questions you may have about the course.
As the course is provided online, you have the flexibility to start when and where it suits you. If you enrolled today, for example, you could start straight away
All the learning is done online in that when you enrol, you receive a username and password, which enables you to log onto our secure student site. From there, you can download your first module, which you could liken to your textbook as it contains all the information you will need to complete assignment one. Each module is approximately 90 pages in length and is full of detailed, technical information delivered in a friendly, conversational manner that is easy to understand. The concepts are further explained by way of diagrams, images and examples. Once you have completed your assignment (some are just theoretical, but the majority of assignments combine both theory and fun practical tasks), you then upload it onto our site for your tutor to mark. The tutors will give you a grade (out of 10) and a comprehensive evaluation of your work and ideas. Their feedback will help nurture and improve your skills each step of the way.-