Career In Photography

An eye for detail , technical acumen , creative skills and interest in recording happenings , events , people, products------ etc. is what photography needs. The best photographers have learnt through intense practice and experimentation. General awareness, research of the area to be covered, preliminary study enhances a photographers thematic choice and composition.

Introduction

Photography was originally an art form and a hobby but has now assumed the status of a highly specialised profession. Photojournalism has become very important for the success of the print medium. Photographers click pictures of people, special events, functions, locales, and can do so using a variety of equipments, skills, and techniques. A career in Photography requires an eye for detail, an understanding of how to make the best use of light and a good knowledge of the equipments and photographic ancilliaries.

Nature of Work

Photography has become very specialised and we find that photographers develop special acumen for a particular area of work on aquiring experience and practice. Some work specifically for Ad agencies or for newspapers and magazines, for scientific and medical books and journals, while those who have many interests click photographs to maintain a versatile photobank. The very popular career options photographic enthusiasts pursue are

Photojournalism - Newspapers report events and happenings as they take place. To support the report a visual which is most often a photograph is published . The job of the Photojournalist working for the newspapers and news magazines is to provide such photographs on time to meet the publication deadlines. The job is of extreme pressure and often involves great risk e.g when violence at a scene has to be clicked. The aim is to record dramatic events with a clarity which becomes a distinguishing feature for the paper. Photographic skills determine the pictures quality and creative appeal. Photojournalists are also assigned to work for special features for which the theme is discussed and the supporting visuals are to be provided.

Ad photography - Advertisements carry a visual generally a photgraph which communicates a message and compels the viewer to read the printed words. The impact of the message can entice the potential customer as it is a piece of visual harmony. The major areas photographers cover for advertisements are fashion, consumer goods, hitech equipments, merchandise of all kinds , spaces both indoor and outdoor, jewellery and accessories, books, food stuffs, or just any marketable stuff. The job goes beyond skill it requires knowledge of marketing, complete familiarity with the product being advertised and the target customers e.g fashion photographers are aware of styles, moods and fashion trends, they are also good at suggesting the right models.

Food photography is required by food manufactures, big hotel chains, chefs , dairy and icecream manufacturers.Photographers click photographs in the kitchen where the product is being prepared.

Industrial photography - Industrial journals carry photographs of the industry, its workshops, and workers. PR agencies require to commission photographers for their clients to be able to get the desired pictures for publishing. They click photographs of workers on the job or machinery, industrial layout, prominent places in the industry etc.

Photo recording - Educational institutions, colleges, professional bodies record the major annual events of their institution in photographs which is generally takes by freelance photographers. These photographs appear in the institutional magazine.

Wildlife photography -Nature, animals and birds, wildlife,have been coveted areas of work for photographers. Adventure and challenge is what . This is an adventurous field where animals, natural habitats and surrounding have to be photographed. Photography in the wild is both tiresome and challenging as it requires both patience and courage. Wildlife photographers have to wait for hours to catch the animals in the right mood and pose. Wild life photography requires days spent in sanctuaries, forests and reserves. The task being challenging is very remunerative.

Aerial photography -Aerial photographs are taken from aircrafts in flight and is used for news reporting, by the defence , for rescue operations etc.

Scientific photographers and biological photographers -Scientific publications and research reports have photgraphic illustrations and documents. Scientific photographs are used for engineering, aerodynamics, medicine, biology or chemistry, medical journals and books taken by expert photographers specialists in this field.

Work Conditions

Outdoors, in studios and at special sets

Tiresome

Expensive

Very exciting

Meeting new people

visiting new places

Long hours of work

Challenging assignments

Dynamic.

Personal Qualities

Interest in visuals

Attentiveness to colour, shape and shadow

Interest in light

Observation of colours and effects

Alertness

Job Prospects

Magazine and newspaper publishers

For Food photography - Rice companies, food product industries, ice cream companies, food stylists and chefs

ForAdvertising photography - Ad agencies, in-house marketing division.

For Fashion photography - Models are photographed for designers, export houses and is perhaps one of the most paying speciality.

For Industrial photography - Industries, medical institutes, in house publishing houses.

For Wild life photography - Magazines, NGO's, world organisations

Entry route

It's craft and the more you practise it the better, it means a lot of work. It is a training of the eye, and no amount of technical training and information can make you 'see' things unless you have that inner ability. Equipment, training, are all secondary - some of the masters have worked with very simple equipment, though of course technology helps. But the basic prerequisite is an intelligent, curious and perceptive mind.
Photography ia taught in Applied Art Courses, design Courses and mass communication courses.

Courses

Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia Mass communication research Centre, New Delhi provide basic courses in Photography . Other institutions are:-

Bhopal Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal 462006

University of Allahabad, Alllahabad-211002 offer one year certificate/ Diploma courses . Certficate courses are open to students after Class XII

University of University of Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur 273001 offers one year diploma.

Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati517502

Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi-221002

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Mansab Tank, Mahaveer Marg, Hyderabad 500028 offers diploma of 2 years.

India International Photographic Council, 12 Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001 admits students to a 6 month course .The applicants must have a knack of photography. Admissions are made in January and July.

Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar ;Jiwaji University, Gwalior,Pune University offer 3 year Integrated degree courses for school leavers.