Most famous photographers start by taking photographs at a family celebration or capturing the scenic beauty. Thus, for most people in this profession, photography first begins as a hobby that becomes a passion, so strong that one cannot think of joining any other job irrespective of the pay scale/package offered.
Now one can quickly secure the basic skills at good colleges. Some of the most reputable colleges offering photography courses are discussed below:
1. Delhi College of Photography
College of Photography, a Dhawan Production Private Limit unit, Delhi, is settled in Kingsway Camp, adjacent to the North Campus of Delhi University. The Delhi College of Photography provides India’s top photography colleges with comprehensive benefits and resources.
2. Light and Life Academy
Founded in 2001 by a leading advertising photographer – Iqbal Mohamed, Light and Life Academy has an excellent student to teacher ratio. The college is divided across three acres of land and is maintained by more than 40,000 sq ft of campus custom-designed by Mr Jaisim, a renowned architect. “Light & Life Academy is a not-for-profit learning trust, set up with the initial care of Kodak India & Eastman Kodak, the USA”, notifies the official website.
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture & Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) was set up in 1972, and the college then merged with it and became JNT University’s constituent college. The College of Fine Arts did establish in 1940. The official website informs that “The college attained its independent status as the College of Fine Arts exclusively devoted to developing Applied Art, Painting, Sculpture, Photography & Animation”. Candidates must appear for an entrance exam to secure admission in the photography programmes offered at Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University.
4. AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Center
Anwar Jamal Kidwai, former VC and Chairman of Jamia Millia Islamia, founded AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Center (MCRC) in 1982. MCRC gives PG Diploma in Still Photography & Visual Communication programme to applicants. Other courses administered at the college cover – MA in Mass Communication, MA in Convergent Journalism, MA in Development Communication, MA in Visual Effect and Animation, PG Diploma in Acting, Postgraduate Diploma Programmes, and PG Diploma in Broadcast Technology.
5. Asian Academy of Film and Television
The Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT) is affiliated to International Film & Television Research Center, and the Marwah Films & Video Studios was Established in 1993. Candidates can obtain admissions in programmes on the proposition at AAFT based on their performance in an entrance exam and the personal interview round. AAFT offers a three-month duration programme in Still Photography and Journalism. It is a full-time course, and the fee for it is around Rs 54,000.
6. Osmania University
Osmania University is named after its founder. Nawab Osman Ali Khan founded it in 1918. The University grants UG Programmes with 158 combinations, PG Diplomas, PG courses, and Research Programmes at MPhil and PhD levels. The educational institute has 1000 affiliated colleges under its ambit. Osmania University allows applicants a three-year duration BFA (Photography) course. Aspirants can obtain admission in this course basis their achievement in Aptitude Test conducted by the college.
7. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Established in 1961, gives its photography course under the Faculty of Communication Design. The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, allows MDes in Photography Design course at its PG campus. The system grants admissions to fill 15 places. Candidates can apply for this course if they possess a degree in any discipline or a diploma in design (below 10+2+4 year term). NID Ahmedabad proffers BDes programmes to candidates in eight fields and MDes programmes in 19 fields.
8. Sir JJ Institute of Applied Arts
Starting services in 1935 at Sir JJ School of Art premises, Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art was given “autonomous institute status” in the year 1961. Photography programmes obtainable at this college include Post Graduate Course in Master of Fine Arts (Photography) and Apprentice Training Course (Photography).
9. National Institute of Photography
Founded by Late Prof Manohar Desai in 1983, the National Institute of Photography grants certificate and diploma courses to enthusiastic candidates. Programmes practised at the college are such that they give basic foundation training for diverse genres of photography like – macro photography, nature, press, bird photography, wildlife, sports and similar other genres. The photography courses allowed at the National Institute of Photography include theory and practical classes to teach in-depth subject knowledge to candidates.
10. Indian Institute of Digital Art & Animation
IIDAA, The Indian Institute of Digital Art & Animation, a unit of IIDAA Educational Trust, was established in 2008. IIDAA has affiliations from various universities for diverse courses submitted by it. IIDAA’s diploma plans are affiliated to the West Bengal State Council of Technical Education, Government of West Bengal. In contrast, full-time courses are allowed in affiliation with Gulbarga University & KSO University, Karnataka Government.