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International Academy of Design & Technology

Guide to an Online Photography Education

By Jessica Ponden, PhotographySchools.com Contributing Writer

Anyone with an interest in photography will hear a lot about having a good "eye." This, of course, has nothing to do with one's eyesight - though that is a prerequisite for the job. Rather, having a good eye means being able to capture an image in a way that conveys, well, a thousand words. With that in mind, is it realistic to learn something like photography online? Can a good eye be taught – and can it be taught without direct, personal interaction with teachers and classmates? Well, there are a few schools out to prove it can.

"I think you can learn some skills online," said Jason Cox, a full-time photojournalist and freelance event photographer in upstate New York. "But you miss out on bouncing ideas off other people, working with your classmates, and making those connections."

But for those with talent, it can work, he said.

The Schools and Programs and How They Work

Those looking at studying photography online will find a variety of online classes available, from beginner to advanced. Many online classes are geared toward hobbyists and involve learning in online lectures, shooting your own photos, and then uploading them and getting feedback from your instructor.

But if you want to pusue photography professionally, you'll need a degree. The Academy of Art University, and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division currently offer online degrees for aspiring professional photographers.

The online School of Photography at the Academy of Art University (AAU) offers Masters of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Associate of Arts degrees. As a student in the AAU program, you'll be encouraged and coached to develop an individual style that you'll use to create a unique portfolio. The curriculum is geared to teaching skills currently in demand in the industry. AAU says its alumni work for companies such as Wired, the Associated Press, J. Crew, and Apple Computers.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division offers an online bachelor's degree in photography. As an online photography student, you'll be taught composition, lighting, and equipment use, as well as client relation and business skills. Darkroom techniques, color, and design are explored both on location and in a studio. And both digital and film are used. Graduates may work as commercial photographers, digital photographers, industrial photographers, photo lab technicians, or photojournalists.

In both schools, most classes can be completed on either a Mac or a PC. A few classes, however, may require software only available on a Macintosh, and as that is the computer considered the industry standard for most arts and design professionals, the schools recommend it. Request more information from the schools to learn what hardware and software you will need.

When trying to decide on a program, take a close look at the topics to be covered. The following are essential for those who want to make a career in photography:

• parts of the camera,
• how to choose the right camera and lens,
• when to use digital versus film,
• the intricacies of exposure, aperture, focusing,
• the principles of lighting,
• the properties of color,
• composition techniques,
• how to use filters, and
• darkroom skills

Employment

There are many specialties in the field of photography, including photojournalism, wedding and event photography, medical and scientific photography, commercial photography, and portrait photography.

Of those who work in a salaried position, most are employed in portrait or commercial photography studios. Others work for newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies. It is also common for photographers to be self-employed. In fact, U.S. Department of Labor statistics show more than half of working photographers are self-employed.

Summary

Photography is fairly unique in that often no formal education is required -- though a bachelor's degree helps in advancement. Essentially, your work has to speak for itself, so your portfolio is the key to getting work. And to build a good portfolio, coaching -- whether online or in class -- and dedication are key.