Key takeaways
- Unlike other degrees like sociology and human resources, the requirements and benchmarks in digital photography majors are different.
- It is almost crucial for students to invest in and learn to use advanced digital cameras and gear.
- Mastering editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom is essential. However, costs associated with editing software can be a challenge for most students.
- Digital photography graduates can work in various fields, including advertising, event photography, film, and freelancing.
- Another thing that is different between digital photography majors and other mainstream fields is that you must focus on building a good portfolio from an early starting point.
- Students can choose to specialize in areas such as portrait, fashion, macro, street, sports, and wildlife photography, amongst many other options.
- Digital photography programs often require participation in studio labs and the use of facilities, emphasizing practical experience and hands-on learning more than theory.
Selecting a college major can be a difficult task. So, if you are considering selecting a digital photography major, you must explore the teeny tiny details involved as well. A digital photography major is much more than just using digital cameras to capture aesthetic photos.
Today, the world of photography is way more complex and detailed than it used to be. Digital photography branches out in various ways, including many post-production processes such as photo editing as well. Additionally, colleges that offer a photography major also require students to pick an area of concentration, such as photojournalism or commercial photography.
Overall, there are many important academic decisions that you will take before and during your digital photography degree. Therefore, it’s important to know and understand some things about digital photography as a college major, as well as a professional choice.
There are various types of photography. These may include photojournalism, commercial photography, product photography, cinematography, and so on. Additionally, photography is now a part of a much bigger world that involves other processes as well such as lighting techniques and set design. Lastly, there is editing software and post-production knowledge that is indispensable in the world of digital photography.
Knowing these intricacies is extremely essential. To help you get started and narrow down the information overload, we are here to help you and assist with your college planning!
Important things to know about digital photography major
So, without further ado, here are 5 things you must know about a digital photography major.
Learning and investing in the gear
Some people might disagree, but it is vital to acknowledge the importance of equipment and degree in digital photography. Digital cameras with advanced sensors and other features set digital photography apart from other types of photography. Therefore, the camera and equipment are at the center of it all.
Working with digital cameras and other equipment such as lights and tripods can be fun for most people. Learning your way through the gear can be challenging, but definitely a fruitful endeavor. However, it is only possible to learn and find your way with the equipment if you have access to it.
This part is tricky. Finding affordable equipment is a challenge. And investment can be hefty. Hence, students often find themselves unable to learn and work hands-on with equipment practically. However, one way to overcome this challenge is to look for colleges that have good facilities.
Digital studio labs, photo labs, printing facilities, PCs, and camera equipment are some facilities offered by some schools and colleges for photography. In fact, some digital photography classes require you to participate in the labs and utilize these facilities.
On the other hand, if you have the resources to invest in your own gear, that is an excellent investment. This will help you in the long run, and you can always choose to change or upgrade the equipment instead of being stuck with old or outdated ones. This will also allow you to experiment with the equipment and explore photography at your own pace.
Arranging for editing software
While students with other college degrees may be focused on arranging books and study material, it’s a little different for digital photography majors. In this major, you are going to get help from books and reading material. However, most of your skills and competencies will revolve around 2 things; the camera equipment, and photo editing software.
Photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom, is a must-have. While it may not sound like a lot, students do hit a tough stop during their degree when it comes to arranging editing software on their own. Using college labs and computers is not always a feasible option, especially if you live off campus. Therefore, there will be a lot of times you will need your personal software set up.
Professional editing software often requires a subscription or one-time purchase. These costs can be prohibitive for educational institutions or students, especially those with limited budgets. Besides, downloading and installing this software is tedious.
Firstly, you must be extremely careful to avoid getting viruses and malware in your system. Secondly, they are heavy files that take up a lot of room on your laptops and computers. As a result, there may be performance issues. Consequently, you might need to invest in external hard drives or absolutely new hardware from scratch. This is a financial toll that not everyone can bear.
Lastly, working with this software is not a piece of cake. There is a steep learning curve, and you must have prior technical knowledge to stay ahead in your digital photography classes. One way to overcome this challenge is to watch YouTube videos and explore online digital photography guides to get one-on-one and free guidance.
Typical employers of digital photography graduates
Typically, other degrees like an undergraduate human resources degree or a sociology degree at college often open gates to similar types of employment opportunities. Businesses, corporations, non-profits, and even government organizations hire fresh graduates from different fields of study.
However, employment opportunities differ when it comes to an undergraduate degree in digital photography. Photography is an extremely specialized function, that may or may not be relevant to some businesses. Unlike human resources career opportunities, which are relevant in all businesses and organizations, no matter the size or the type.
Typically, photography careers and job opportunities are more rampantly found in for-profit organizations. These are mostly B2B businesses that are focused on their customer needs and marketing efforts more than any other part of the business.
Moreover, you will often find project-based clients as the biggest employers of photographers. Digital photographers also are less likely to work with permanent and long-term jobs with strict employers. Working on a freelance basis or client-to-client projects allows them to be more creative and get variety in their work.
The employment outlook for photography is different from that of mainstream fields. This is not to say that there are no good jobs for digital photography majors. It merely means that the types of typical jobs and employers are different from fields like HR and sociology.
Overall, the most common employers of digital photography degree holders are:
- Advertising firms
- Marketing firms
- Small businesses
- Event businesses
- Start ups
- Animation firms
- Film And TV production companies
- Freelance clients
Employment opportunities for digital photography majors may include the following job roles:
- Art director
- Film/video editor
- Graphic designer
- Magazine features editor
- Medical illustrator
- Photographer
- Press photographer
- Television camera operator
- Gaffer
- Photo technician
- Photojournalist
- Photo editor
- Videographer
- Cinematographer
A portfolio is a must-have
A huge difference you will find in digital photography majors and other degrees is how students must present themselves. Cover letters, recommendations, and resumes are some of the most common types of documents that employers seek in mainstream fields. Meanwhile, for digital photography, you will need to build a strong portfolio.
A digital photography portfolio serves as a tangible proof of what you are capable of. It demonstrates your proficiency in various aspects of photography, such as composition, lighting, editing, and post-processing. This helps build trust, especially for project-based clients.
Moreover, a strong digital photography portfolio should not be treated as secondary. In some job postings, you might see that a portfolio is a requirement. There are many reasons behind this. Firstly, the employers wish to see your work. Secondly, and most importantly, the employers want to see your professionalism and the level of effort you have put in.
During your academic career, you will find many opportunities to create something for the portfolio. Your photography assignments, projects, mock-ups, and paid or unpaid work will be great additions to the portfolio. Starting early on will help you get an edge in the competitive digital photography job market.
Understanding various types of photography
As mentioned before as well, photography has evolved into a much more diverse and complex field than it used to be before. This has changed the entire landscape, with various job roles and specializations coming into the picture.
Particularly, the advancements in technology and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing the industry. It is also provoking the emergence of new and unique jobs, as well as photography branches that one can explore. Therefore, you might find yourself under a load of new information and face confusion.
Yet, on the bright side, it is a good thing that you have so many options available. However, understanding the various types and branches of photography and what each entails is important. Here is what you need to know about the most common and popular types of digital photography:
Portrait photography
Portrait photography, as the name might suggest, involves capturing human faces in various settings. Usually, portrait photographers are focused on creating the most effective mood and tone by using lighting techniques. They utilize various methods such as smoke machines to create visual effects.
Fashion Photography
Fashion photography jobs are typically found in organizations that run magazines or have editorial-related work. This type of photography utilizes digital cameras and modern techniques to capture models, accessories, and fashion-related products. Moreover, photography may capture images with or without humans.
Photojournalism
Photojournalists use visual means to communicate essential messages, such as news reports and critical pieces. This type of photography is thoroughly focused on journalism ethics, laws, rules, and much more. It may also involve other forms of news reporting, such as written texts and videos.
Macro photography
Macro Photography may be practiced as an independent profession, or as part of other photography types, such as fashion photography. Moreover, macro photographers use specialized lenses and other techniques to capture intricate details of very small items such as gems and jewelry. This is an extremely challenging yet specialized form of photography, and not as commonly practiced as other mainstream types.
Street photography
Street photography has gained popularity recently thanks to social media. It has become popular due to its candid aesthetics that capture the raw essence of public places as well as the people existing in those spaces. This type of photography is especially practiced during travel journeys and is mostly done for passion rather than for money. Lastly, street photography works with natural light and often includes videography and post-production as well.
Sports photography
Another type of photography that may be related to commercial or photojournalism is sports photography. Primarily, sports photography is done for the purpose of sharing and reporting live events in action. It captures audiences, matches, players, and all the action going on in real-time in sports events of all sorts. This is one of the most thrilling and fulfilling types of digital photography. Lastly, this type of photography may use advanced and specialized lenses to capture distant images with the most incredible image results and resolutions.
Wildlife photography
Speaking of thrill and adventure in digital photography, perhaps the most challenging type of photography is wildlife photography. Primarily, this involves the photographer capturing wildlife moments in action, right in the center of wildlife habitats like jungles and forests. It is a very focused field that requires extreme patience and technique.
What colleges are offering a digital photography major?
Do not settle for just any college when you are looking for digital photography courses and classes. Classes in digital photography are the most fruitful when credible teachers and faculty members teach them in an accredited college.
Thorough college planning should be based on exploring a list of great colleges offering a digital photography major. Some of these colleges include the following:
- University of New Mexico
- University of Arizona
- Arizona State University — Online
- University of Idaho
- University of Hartford
- Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
- Purdue University
- University of Houston
- Maryland Institute College of Art | MICA
- University of Miami
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
- School of Visual Arts (SVA)
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
- California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
- Parsons School of Design
- Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
- New York Film Academy (NYFA)
- Academy of Art University
- Columbia College Chicago
Enroll for a digital photography major in college!
Deciding to pursue a digital photography major can be an important decision that can shape your upcoming academic and professional years. Therefore, it is important to explore the unique blends of different requirements and knick-knacks of the photography industry.
Digital photography is not just about capturing beautiful images. It has evolved into much more and has become about understanding the intricacies of the craft, including advanced equipment, editing software, and various photography styles. Students must be prepared to invest in quality gear and develop a strong portfolio to showcase their skills.
The field offers diverse career opportunities, from commercial photography to photojournalism and beyond. As technology evolves, so does the landscape of digital photography, making it a dynamic and exciting area of study.
Whether you’re drawn to fashion, wildlife, or street photography, a degree in digital photography can open doors to a fulfilling and creative career. To get started, consider enrolling in one of the many colleges that offer photography majors.