• Photography Course Aims

  • Provide graduates with a high level of practical, recognised professional photography skills.
  • Ensure that graduates are ready to enter the industry upon completing the course.

• Photography Graduate Employment

  Graduates will be competent in their elective field of photography as well as a high level of overall photography skills. They will be qualified to obtain work independently as professional photographers or obtain trainee positions with photographic companies or other industries that require a high level of photographic knowledge and skills. They can also progress on to related studies at a degree level.

Photography Majoring Options

In terms 1–3, the course will provide a comprehensive introduction to and practical experience in all essential skill requirements for the following major fields of photography:

1. Photojournalism including News, Live Events, Documentary and Travel photography.
2. Commercial photography, including Portrait, Fashion, Food, Product, Illustrative photography.
3. Creative Art photography including Portrait, Landscape, Fine Art photography.

This will prepare students to select which of the above fields of photography they wish to specialise in during Term 4.

Students will then work exclusively within their elective field of digital photography to produce a high-quality professional portfolio that they can use to obtain work in their chosen field.

Photography Course Content

To prepare students for the challenges of professional photographic work, the course includes lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and training exercises in the following aspects of digital photography.

• History of Photography – Overview of the technical and creative development of photography.
• Science of Photography – Overview of the scientific basis of photography.
• Introduction to Photographic Aesthetics – Composition, framing, camera angles, lighting, and extensive application of these concepts with practical assignments.
• Photographic Equipment – Overview of all essential photographic equipment, accessories, materials and supplies.
• Digital Cameras – Extensive hands-on training in the practical use of essential digital photographic cameras, lenses, tethering digital cameras to computers and digital workflow.
• Post Camera Digital Workflow – File formats, digital storage systems, and extensive practical experience in using these processes.
• Digital Photo Post Production – Extensive practical use of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.
  • Introduction to preparing photographic portfolios, curriculum vitae, researching, obtaining work, networking and developing photographic careers.
  • Introduction to scheduling, budgeting, bookkeeping and business management for commercial photography.
• Planning and Production Skills –
  • Develop skills in planning photographic assignments, production bookings and scheduling for projects with practical experience in carrying out these tasks throughout the course.
• Intro to Commercial Photography Art Direction –
• Concept and style development, efficient communication with makeup artists and stylists etc.
• Analysis and Feedback of Photographs – To enable continuing photographic improvements.
• Studio Lighting – Develop professional lighting techniques, photographic styles and creative expression through the use of light. This is achieved with extensive training and hands-on use of professional photographic lighting equipment, light modifiers, accessories and supplies.

All Calendars are subject to change until closer to the start date

• Challenging Photographic Assignments

  The course consists of a series of weekly, practical photographic exercises starting with basic but fundamental visual training. Photo shoots increase in scope and complexity throughout the year.

  By the end of the course, participants are able to independently complete complex photographic assignments with a professional level of competence in both creative and technical aspects.

• Getting Ready for the Creative Industry

  Every lecture, workshop and shooting exercise is designed to fulfil industry requirements and prepare students for the demands of the industry.

  Our industry experienced staff and industry guest tutors deliver lectures, demonstrations and workshops as well as assisting students with their photo shoots and projects. Students complement this support and guidance with their own self-directed photo shoots and reinforce their theoretical knowledge with the delivery of written reports.

Photography Course Duration & Intake Details

The course year is 43 weeks in duration and is divided into 4 Terms.  Each intake class limited to a maximum of 16 students in order to ensure that each student receives quality training.

Photography Course Entry Requirements

• The Commercial Photography (CPC) course is open to all New Zealand and International students.
• International applicants must be 18 years or older and have English language skills equivalent to IELT level 6.
• All applicants must complete the course application form, including written requirements, as well as complete a formal interview. For international applicants this can be via telephone or Skype.
• All applicants must submit a portfolio of at least 5 or more of their own photographs. These can be submitted, in digital or print form, relevant to the aims of the applicant. If submitted in digital for they should be sent as jpeg format, large picture size of 1280 x 1024 and a file size of approx. 280-380 KB. The files can best be sent to South Seas as email attachments.
• Although South Seas supplies all the relevant studio facilities and equipment as well as computers, students should have their own DSLR camera kit and tripod to use throughout the course.

Photography Course Fees

The New Zealand Government has imposed an international student levy on tuition and course related fees. From 1 January 2019 the levy will be 0.89% of the compulsory tuition fees.