Bachelor in Photography

Photographers capture subjects in commercial-quality photographs or as an artistic expression. These professionals may work in order to market and advertise services in order to build a customer base. They also use various photographic techniques and equipments and improve the subject's appearance with natural or artificial light. So if you are a creative person have a desire to capture the world around you through images, then becoming a photographer can be a great idea.

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Bachelor in Photography

A number of degree programs are offered in the field of photography such as the bachelor's degree. This program is useful for those of you who want to pursue a career as a photojournalist or an industrial and scientific photographer A bachelor's degree can typically be completed in 4 years. However, some students are able to earn the degree in a shorter or even a longer time period by taking up accelerated courses or self-paced coursework.

Although the name and range of courses will vary depending on the institute that you enroll in, following is a list of examples of some courses that you may have to study in a bachelor in photography:

• History and Aesthetics of Photography
• Photo Foundations
• Applied Photography Practices
• Business Practices for Photographers
• Intermediate Imaging

In addition to a bachelor's degree in photography, you can also pursue photography courses offered at several vocational institutes, universities and community colleges. These courses may include instruction in equipment, processes, and techniques. Students may also cover courses in photographic design and composition.

Aspiring photographers can specialize in a particular field such as commercial photography, news photography or scientific photography. News photographers capture important events while scientific photographers take pictures of scientific interest and related phenomena. Commercial photographers use their skills for media manipulation as well through different software and image enhancing techniques.

Skills for Photographers

Though there is a desired technical skill-set that photographers possess or are able to develop through relevant knowledge and training, there are certain soft skills that they should have, such as creativity and a good eye for detail. This line of work also demands a technical understanding of photography. Photographers also have good customer services skills as well.

Work Portfolio

The portfolio of work is very important for photographers. The portfolio can be in the form of a picture album or a website and should contain their most impressive works. Employers usually gauge the expertise of aspiring photographers by looking through their work.

Career Prospects for Photographers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2014, photographers earned a median annual wage of $30,490. Many photographers are self-employed. Job opportunities are available in photographic services as well as newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers. Photographers may also seek work in retail trade, TV broadcasting or colleges, universities, and professional schools. Photographers can earn hourly or be paid for each project. They can work part-time or full-time. Compensation is subject to area of specialty, location and experience.

Employment for photographers is expected to grow by 4% during 2012 to 2022. However, if you want to enhance your job prospects, you may combine a bachelor’s degree in photography with another diploma program and pursue a relevant career in Cartography or Photogrammetry. In 2014, cartographers and photogrammetrists earned a median annual wage of $60,930, with a projected growth rate of 20% from 2012 to 2022.

Due to improvements in digital technology, it has become relatively easier to enter into the photographic profession. Today, more and more individuals and businesses have started to produce and store photographic images on their own.