Kodak's recent innovation in image sensors will make it easier than ever to take pictures in low light. As camera technology improves, photography grows more accessible to amateurs with an interest in the field. Make the transition from novice shutterbug to pro photographer with training and education through postsecondary photography courses.

Digital Advances Revolutionize the Industry

A recent CNET story reports that Kodak's new technology--which will appear in cameras as early as 2008--increases the sensitivity of image sensors, reducing the image speckling known as "noise" from digital photographs taken in low-light. The technology aims at making the camera behave more like the human eye, a technical problem that has long challenged professional photographers.

While the new image sensor technology won't eliminate motion blur or noise problems, the more user-friendly cameras may draw more novice photographers into the field. For the new photographer, photography courses can help bridge the gap between the beginner's first point-and-shoot efforts and the pro's full studio setup.

Photography courses Can Benefit All Skill Levels

The right photography degree should offer courses catered to your personal skill level. Certificate and career training classes offer basic knowledge with a low time commitment, while bachelor's degrees and MFA programs teach the art at an increasingly complex level. At any level, a typical photography class will cover some of these elements:

• Equipment: Covers a variety of lens types (including wide-angle and telephoto lenses) films, tripods, and special equipment (like view cameras and pinhole cameras).
• Processes: Ranging from manual processing to computer-based digital processing. Although digital processing is growing in popularity, many professional photographers prefer a hands-on approach.
• Techniques: Artistic photography techniques, such as bokeh, light painting, and macro photography.

Even self-taught photographers with a high level of natural talent can benefit from photography classes, which teach essential processes while placing technique in context within the history of the art.

Professional Photography Training for a Range of Careers

Photographers tend to specialize in one aspect of the industry, and an ideal photography college will offer students a range of classes depending on their focus. Popular photography specializations include:

• Wedding photography: A range of skills are needed, including the ability to work in various lighting situations, candid photography skills, and organizational ability.
• Food photography: A specialization of commercial photography, food photography requires specific techniques to make food appear appetizing for advertisements, menus, and journalism.
• Glamour photography: Most often seen in fashion spreads and advertisements featuring human subjects. Photographers must have a strong knowledge of lighting, composition, and form.
• Photojournalism: Uses photographs to tell a news story. Photojournalists must possess similar skills as journalists, with additional composition and candid photography abilities.

Photography students should consider a range of specializations before settling on any one in particular. Elements such as area job opportunities and the student's additional education or skills in related fields should come into consideration.

Lucrative Photography Careers Most Likely for Salaried Employees

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that median annual earnings for salaried photographers stood at $26,080 in 2004. Photographers working for newspapers and periodicals earned $32,800. Salaried, full-time photographers tend to earn more on average than those who are self-employed, partially due to equipment costs. Many fine art and self-employed photographers use earnings from photography to supplement income from another career.

Despite the challenges of self-employment, over half of all photographers are self-employed. Photographers who wish to support themselves or start their own business may want to consider additional classes and training in some of the following areas:

• Business and financial management
• Advertising and communication
• Technical courses, including Web design

Students may be able to choose single courses that offer training without culminating in a degree. For photography students needing only a minimal amount of business training, a minor in small business or communications is another option.

Online Training Offers Self-Paced Convenience

Online courses in photography and business skills can provide the strongest base for photography students who wish to pursue self-employment. Taking courses online allows students to fully customize their education. Certificate programs in business offer a low-commitment supplement to a photography education.

While new technology by Kodak and other digital photography companies should attract more novice photographers to the field, a photography degree can give professionals essential career training. Degrees at all levels offer real-life skills that photographers can use in any specialization within the field.

About the Author

Sources