Certificate Photography Training Programs (short term)

Week 1: Introduction to Photography

• Understanding photography as an art and science.
• History of photography and its evolution.
• Introduction to different genres of photography.

Week 2: Understanding Cameras

• Types of cameras: DSLR, mirrorless, medium format, and point-and-shoot.
• Camera anatomy of Mirrorless cameras
• Mirrorless Components.

Week 3: Camera Lenses Overview

• Types of lenses: Prime, zoom, wide-angle, telephoto, macro, and fisheye.
• Focal length and field of view.
• Understanding aperture and depth of field.

Purchase Guide / Assistance for camera

Week 4: Mastering Camera Settings

• Exposure triangle: ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.
• White balance and color temperature.
• Autofocus modes and manual focus techniques.

Week 1: Composition and Framing

• Rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing techniques.
• Understanding perspectives and angles.
• Using negative space and symmetry.

Week 2: Lens Techniques

• Achieving bokeh and background separation.
• Distortion and how to use it creatively.
• Macro photography techniques.

Week 3: Advanced Camera Techniques

• Using manual mode effectively.
• Shooting in RAW vs. JPEG.
• High-speed photography and long exposures.

Week 4: Specialized Lenses

• How to choose the right lens for different genres.
• Lens maintenance and calibration.
• Using tilt-shift and specialty lenses.

Week 1: Working with Natural Light

• Golden hour and blue hour photography.
• Harsh light vs. diffused light.
• Using reflectors and diffusers.

Week 2: Studio and Artificial Lighting

• Basics of studio setups.
• Using flashes, strobes, and continuous lighting.
• Mixing natural and artificial light.

Week 3: Genre-Specific Photography

• Portraits: Posing, lighting, and lens choices.
• Landscapes: Using wide-angle lenses and hyperfocal distance.
• Action and sports: Fast shutter speeds and telephoto lenses.

Week 4: Final Project and Portfolio Development

• Creating a theme-based photo series.
• Editing basics and post-processing workflows.
• Presenting and critiquing final portfolios.

• Field trips for hands-on practice.
• Guest lectures from industry professionals.
• Guidance on purchasing the right equipment.

This structure ensures participants gain a comprehensive understanding of cameras and lenses while building practical skills. Let me know if you’d like to adjust or expand on any section!

• Understanding Photography 
  • History and evolution of photography
  • Key photography genres (portrait, landscape, wildlife, etc.)
• Types of Cameras 
  • DSLR, mirrorless, and compact cameras
  • Camera settings and controls overview
  • Purchase Guide / Assistance for camera
• Understanding Lenses 
  • Types of lenses (prime, zoom, macro, wide-angle, telephoto)
  • Lens focal length and its effects
  • Aperture and depth of field explained
• Practical Skills 
  • Camera handling and maintenance
  • Basic shooting modes (Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual)

• Camera Settings Mastery 
  • ISO, shutter speed, and aperture (the exposure triangle)
  • Metering modes and exposure compensation
  • White balance settings
• Lenses in Action 
  • Lens choice for different genres of photography
  • Using filters (polarizers, ND, UV filters)
• Composition Techniques 
  • Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and balance
  • Perspective and focal point
  • Use of light and shadows
• Practical Skills 
  • Shooting in various lighting conditions
  • Guided practical assignments

• Camera Techniques 
  • Focus modes and settings (manual focus, autofocus modes)
  • Bracketing, burst mode, and time-lapse photography
• Lens Specializations 
  • Techniques with macro lenses
  • Capturing fast action with telephoto lenses
  • Creating bokeh and depth using prime lenses
• Creative Concepts 
  • Understanding color theory
  • Incorporating motion and stillness
  • Experimenting with unusual perspectives
• Practical Skills 
  • Weekly genre-based shooting tasks

• Natural Light Techniques 
  • Golden hour and blue hour photography
  • Overcoming harsh light challenges
• Introduction to Artificial Lighting 
  • Using speedlights and external flashes
  • Basics of studio lighting setups
• Lens Impact on Lighting 
  • Understanding aperture and light-gathering
  • Using wide apertures for low-light conditions
• Practical Skills 
  • Portrait photography using natural and artificial light
  • Shooting in low-light conditions

• Post-Processing Basics 
  • Photo editing software (Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop)
  • Color correction and white balance adjustments
  • Sharpening and noise reduction
• Specialized Genres 
  • Portraits (lens choice and techniques)
  • Landscape (using wide-angle and ND filters)
  • Product photography (macro lenses and lighting)
• Practical Skills 
  • Shooting for specific genres
  • Editing workflow for high-quality results

• Mastering Equipment 
  • Choosing the right gear for your style
  • Troubleshooting camera and lens issues
• Portfolio Development 
  • Selecting and organizing the best images
  • Creating a cohesive visual story
• Professional Practices 
  • Managing client expectations
  • Pricing and contracts for professional photography
  • Networking and marketing strategies
• Final Project 
  • Complete a themed project using advanced techniques

• History of photography
• Understanding camera types (DSLR, mirrorless, and smartphone photography)
• Camera anatomy: buttons, modes, and menus
• Exposure triangle: ISO, shutter speed, aperture
• Introduction to composition: rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry

• Manual mode mastery
• White balance and color temperature
• Depth of field and bokeh techniques
• Focus techniques: manual vs autofocus, focus peaking
• Working with different lenses

• Natural lighting techniques
• Golden hour and blue hour photography
• Introduction to artificial lighting: types of lights (continuous and strobe)
• Using reflectors and diffusers
• Shadow and highlight control

• Understanding facial features and angles
• Posing techniques for individuals and groups
• Studio lighting setups: one-light, two-light, and creative setups
• Environmental portraiture
• Post-processing portraits

• Location scouting and planning
• Use of wide-angle lenses and filters
• Understanding weather and lighting in landscapes
• Panorama and HDR techniques
• Post-processing landscapes

• Basics of product styling and setup
• Lighting for shiny and matte surfaces
• Using macro lenses for detailed shots
• Food photography essentials: props, plating, and natural lighting
• Editing product and food photos for advertising

• Pre-event planning and equipment checklist
• Capturing candid moments
• Techniques for low-light and flash photography
• Storytelling through wedding and event photos
• Post-production workflow for event photography

• Working with models: direction and communication
• Studio and outdoor fashion shoots
• Creative lighting for dramatic effects
• Styling and wardrobe coordination
• Editorial photography and portfolio building

• Understanding movement and shutter speed
• Panning techniques
• Capturing peak action moments
• Working with long lenses
• Safety and logistics at sports events

• Basics of documentary photography
• Ethics in photojournalism
• Capturing emotions and decisive moments
• Creating compelling photo stories
• Publishing work: blogs, magazines, and exhibitions

• Introduction to Lightroom and Photoshop
• Advanced editing: color grading, retouching, and composites
• Creating presets and batch processing
• File management and archiving
• Preparing photos for print and online use

• Branding and Personal Portfolio 
  • Creating a professional website and portfolio
  • Building a cohesive brand identity
• Social Media Marketing 
  • Using Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for photography promotion
  • Crafting engaging posts and captions
  • Scheduling and analytics tools
• SEO and Online Presence 
  • Optimizing photography blogs and websites for search engines
  • Understanding keywords and backlinks
• Paid Advertising and Campaigns 
  • Facebook Ads and Google Ads basics
  • Creating ads for photography services
• Client Relationship Management 
  • Email marketing strategies
  • Networking and collaboration opportunities

• Final project combining photography and digital marketing (e.g., a photo story promoted through social media campaigns).
• Portfolio review and feedback.
• Certification ceremony

• Fashion Photography 
  • Working with models, makeup artists, and stylists
  • Studio vs. outdoor fashion shoots
  • Building mood boards and concepts
• Bird and Wildlife Photography 
  • Equipment and settings for action shots
  • Techniques for camouflage and ethical practices
  • Capturing behaviors and storytelling through nature photography
• Landscape Photography 
  • Use of wide-angle lenses and filters (polarizers, ND filters)
  • Golden hour, blue hour, and astrophotography
  • Post-production for HDR and panorama stitching
• Influencer Photography 
  • Shooting for social media content: Portraits, flat lays, and lifestyle imagery
  • Understanding brand aesthetics and collaborations
  • Mobile photography and quick editing tips
• Product Photography 
  • Studio lighting setups for products
  • Creative compositions and props usage
  • Focus stacking and removing reflections in post-processing

• Lighting Mastery 
  • Advanced natural light manipulation
  • Studio lighting configurations: Rembrandt, butterfly, and clamshell lighting
  • Using strobes, softboxes, and gels creatively
• Advanced Camera Techniques 
  • High-speed sync for motion freezing
  • Focus stacking and exposure blending
  • Creative in-camera techniques like zoom bursts and intentional blur
• Practical Fieldwork 
  • Guided shoots for each genre with industry mentors
  • Peer reviews and critique sessions

• Advanced Editing with Adobe Lightroom 
  • Catalog management and workflow optimization
  • Global vs. local adjustments: Gradient filters, radial filters, and brushes
  • Syncing edits for batch processing
• Photoshop Mastery 
  • Advanced masking, blending modes, and smart objects
  • Frequency separation and dodge & burn techniques for portraits
  • Complex object removal and background replacements
• Color Grading 
  • In-depth color theory and creative looks
  • Creating LUTs and applying cinematic tones
  • Split toning and HSL adjustments for visual storytelling
• Software Extensions 
  • Plugins for specialized tasks: Nik Collection, Topaz Labs
  • Alternatives like Capture One and DaVinci Resolve for color grading

• Genre-Specific Projects 
  • Fashion campaign with professional teams
  • Wildlife or bird photography assignment in natural habitats
  • Landscape shoot with guidance on golden and blue hour techniques
  • Product shoot for e-commerce or advertising
  • Influencer portfolio with social media-ready images
• Portfolio Development 
  • Curating and organizing a multi-genre portfolio
  • Designing for digital and print presentation
  • Techniques for storytelling within a portfolio

• Building a Brand 
  • Defining your photography style and niche
  • Creating a professional website and blog
• Social Media Marketing 
  • Advanced strategies for Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
  • Content planning, reels, and video integration
  • Understanding and leveraging hashtags and trends
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 
  • Optimizing portfolios and blogs for visibility
  • Keyword research and on-page SEO
• Marketing Campaigns 
  • Running ad campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, and Google
  • Building mailing lists and newsletters
• Client Engagement 
  • Effective use of testimonials and case studies
  • Maintaining long-term relationships

• Execution of a Complete Photography Project 
  • Genre-specific project based on student preference
  • Full workflow: Concept planning, shooting, editing, and delivering final results
  • Marketing the project online for visibility and showcasing it in a gallery exhibition