Course Summary
The aim of the one year full time Diploma in Digital Photography course is to provide students with all the essential practical skills and knowledge necessary to work professionally in the overall field of digital photography. While completing the course
students will:-
• Acquire knowledge about the essential technologies involved in the production of digital images.
• Work on practical projects that develop or extend their technical and creative
photographic skills.
• Explore the role of photography in various new media applications and multimedia environments.
• Gain an appreciation of the potential of the medium of digital photography and an ability to analyse and evaluate their own and others work in order to continue their development as photographers.
The Digital Photography (DPC) course has been specifically designed to provide knowledge, understanding, appreciation and skills in the subjects that are fundamental to a successful career in digital photography. Course class numbers will be limited to 20 students in order to ensure that every student receives quality training.
Course Aims
• The DPC course aims to provide the photographic industry with graduates who have a high level of practical industry recognised professional photography skills.
• The course is targeted at secondary school graduates who want to obtain work as professional photographers and enter the industry upon completing the course.
Course Outcomes
On completion of the Diploma in Digital Photography, graduates will have competence in all essential skills in the branch of photography they have elected to specialise in as well as overall photography business skills. This will enable them to obtain work
independently as professional photographers or obtain trainee work positions with photographic companies. The qualification will enable international graduates to directly enter the workforce or lead to further photographic study at degree level.
Career Opportunities
The Diploma in Digital Photography course prepares participants for a wide range of careers in the field of digital imaging, including independent photographic practice, work for web/video production companies, colour management and retouching services, fashion, advertising, industrial, reportage and editorial photography. Students will also gain an overall experience that can lead to employment in the fields of picture research, and education.
Course Duration
The course year is 43 weeks in duration and is divided into 4 x 10 week terms plus a 3 week practical photography exercise that will be completed by students during the mid course holiday break.
Course Design
Course design is based on an extensive series of practical photographic exercises starting with basic training exercises. These industry related practical exercises increase in scope and complexity until in the final term of the course; participants are able to independently complete complex photographic assignments with a professional level of competence in both creative and technical aspects. Apart from practical exercises the course also has lectures, demonstrations and workshops by industry experienced staff tutors and industry guest tutors as well as research and self directed learning exercises to achieve the stated course objectives and outcomes.
Course - Elective Fields of Photography:
In the first three terms the DPC course will provide a comprehensive introduction to and practical experience in all the essential skills requirements for the following three major fields of photography:-
1. Photojournalism including News, Sports, Live Events, Documentary and Travel
photography.
2. Commercial photography, including Fashion, Food, Product and Illustrative
photography.
3. Creative Art photography including Portrait, Landscape, Exhibition and Art
photography.
This will prepare students to select which of the above three fields of photography they want to specialise in for Term 4. Students will then work exclusively within their elective field of digital photography to produce a high quality end of course professional folio that they can use to obtain allied work.
