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

Thasleen Mohideen

Updated on - Oct 4, 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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