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Photography

Diploma

Become a professional photographer - build camera mastery, lighting, composition, editing and client workflow across ten hands-on assignments with expert feedback.

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Why this course?

Turn your passion into a profession. This practice-based course develops the creative, technical and organisational skills to plan, shoot and deliver complete photography projects with confidence.

Structured around ten practical assignments, you'll progress from solid camera craft to professional practice: exposure and metering, focus and lenses, working with natural light and flash, composition and colour, storytelling and direction, and genre exploration (portrait, event, product, landscape and more). You'll also build a reliable workflow - pre-production and shot lists, location scouting and permits, on-set etiquette and client communication, file management and backup, culling and editing, and output for web and print - so you can present polished, client-ready work.

Learning is supported by expert-created resources - video tutorials, written guides and project briefs - and regular tutor support with detailed feedback on every submission. By the end, you'll have a refined process, an industry awareness, and a portfolio that demonstrates your capability as a professional photographer.

COURSE DETAILS

About this course

Course Level

N/A

Course Duration

This course typically takes Approximately 6-12 months to complete.

Course Assessment

This course is assessed via 10 practical assignments.

UPCOMING

Diploma courses

Date START DATE:
ANYTIME
HOME STUDY

SCHEDULE

Online Self-Directed Study

£875 Payment plans available
Enrol now
Date START DATE:
FEBRUARY 14TH
clock 09:30 - 16:30
LIVE ONLINE

SCHEDULE

8 full days, Saturdays

View schedule

LOCATION

Virtual Classes

£2,095 Payment plans available
Enrol now
Date START DATE:
FEBRUARY 18TH
clock 18:30 - 21:00
LIVE ONLINE

SCHEDULE

16 evenings, Wednesdays

View schedule

LOCATION

Virtual Classes

£2,095 Payment plans available
Enrol now
Date START DATE:
FEBRUARY 14TH
clock 09:30 - 16:30
CLASSROOM BASED

SCHEDULE

8 full days, Saturdays

View schedule

LOCATIONS

£2,195 Payment plans available
Enrol now
Date START DATE:
FEBRUARY 18TH
clock 18:30 - 21:00
CLASSROOM BASED

SCHEDULE

16 evenings, Wednesdays

View schedule

LOCATIONS

£2,195 Payment plans available
Enrol now
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Entry requirements: To enrol on this course, you must be over 18 years of age.

BAC

BAC

Accreditation

The National Academy of Creative Arts is an accredited provider of the British Accreditation Council (BAC), a leading authority in quality assurance for independent education in the UK. Recognised globally by students, agents and government bodies, the BAC mark represents the highest standards in teaching, student welfare and institutional management.

STUDY MODES

Explore Our Flexible Learning Paths

Select from home-study, live-online, or classroom-based courses to fit your schedule and learning style.

Home Study courses at the National Academy of Creative Arts allow you to learn at your own pace.
As a Home Study student you will receive access to our Online Learning Centre with in-depth course materials including instructional videos, written content, and carefully crafted assignments. You will also have a dedicated tutor to support you on your learning journey.

Home Study

Classroom-based courses at the National Academy of Creative Arts are the best option for those who prefer studying with others in a physical classroom environment.
As a Classroom-based student you will join other aspiring Interior Designers in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff or Bristol for exciting part-time evening or Saturday classes taught by an industry professional. You will also have access to our Online Learning Centre.

Classroom Based

Live Online courses at the National Academy of Creative Arts provide all the flexibility of online learning with the collaborative benefits of the classroom.
As a Live Online student you will join a small group of students for online classes taught by an industry professional. You will also have access to our Online Learning Centre with course materials including instructional videos, written content, and carefully crafted assignments.

Live Online

MAP

Class Locations

The National Academy of Creative Arts runs in-person classes in the following locations. Live-online and home-study courses are also available and can be completed from the comfort of your own home.

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Hallam Conference Centre
44 Hallam Street
London
W1W 6JJ

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Peel Building
The University of Salford
The Crescent
Salford
Manchester
M5 4WT

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Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue
16 St Mary's St.
Edinburgh
EH1 1SU

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The Studio
7 Cannon Street
Birmingham
B2 5EP

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Stranmillis University College
Stranmillis Road
Belfast
Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland
BT9 5DY

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Central Cardiff
Location to be confirmed

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University of the West of England (UWE) - E Block
Frenchay Campus,
Bristol,
BS16 1QY

View Upcoming classes

OUTCOMES

What will you learn?

Understand camera settings and basic composition

Learn how to control camera settings and frame simple, well-composed shots with confidence.

Learn to use natural light and simple lighting tools

Experiment with natural light and basic lighting techniques to improve photos taken in various conditions.

Develop essential editing skills for better images

Gain basic editing skills to enhance images for personal enjoyment and creative self-expression.

Grow confidence capturing shots that reflect your view

Build confidence capturing images that express your creative perspective and personal style.

PROGRAM

Course Overview

Unlock the full potential of your camera and elevate your photography skills by mastering manual settings. Dive into the art of creating captivating still life photographs through expert techniques in composition, focus, and lighting. This immersive experience will empower you to capture stunning visuals that tell your unique story.

Key learnings:

  • Masterful Composition Techniques
  • Understanding Aperture, Focal Length, and Perspective
  • Precision Light Metering and White Balance
  • Optimizing Exposure Compensation

Unlock the potential of light in your photography journey and elevate your photoshoots with expert lighting techniques. This module arms you with essential knowledge on equipment, planning, and diverse lighting styles to transform your creative vision into stunning visuals.

Key learnings:

  • Experimenting with Diverse Lighting Styles
  • Creating Comprehensive Lighting Diagrams
  • Mastering Studio and On-Location Photoshoots
  • Crafting Studio and Environmental Portraits

Transform your creative vision into stunning album cover portraits with our comprehensive design cycle guide. From conceptualization to final product, this course empowers you with the skills needed to produce captivating photographs that meet and exceed client expectations. Dive into the art of crafting compelling images and understand the entire process, ensuring your designs leave a lasting impression.

Key learnings:

  • Interpreting Client Briefs
  • Innovative Idea Development and Testing
  • Strategic Photoshoot Planning
  • Mastering Post-Production and Editing Techniques
  • Effective Client Feedback Evaluation

Unlock the fascinating world of photography by exploring how society, history, technology, economics, and culture shape photographic practice. Dive into a comprehensive research project to understand key historical movements in photography. This journey will empower you to master research methods, critically analyze historical trends, and gain profound insights into contemporary influences on photography. Develop the expertise to professionally present your research findings and elevate your photography skills to new heights.

Key learnings:

  • Influence of Society on Photography
  • Historical Movements in Photography
  • Impact of Technology on Photographic Practice
  • Economic and Cultural Influences
  • Professional Presentation of Research Findings

Master the art of studio photography and elevate your professional skills with hands-on experience. This course is designed to immerse you in the world of studio practice, enabling you to create stunning images that capture the essence of your client's vision. You'll learn how to harness the power of studio lighting, refine your photoshoot planning, and produce captivating photographs that resonate with your audience.

Key learnings:

  • Studio Lighting Techniques
  • Photoshoot Planning and Execution
  • Creative Photography Techniques
  • Post-Production Mastery
  • Professional Presentation for Print and Online
Academic Catalog

TUTORS

Meet Our Photography Educators

All our tutors are creative professionals working in the industry.

See all tutors
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