Key takeaways
- By joining colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree, students can explore job opportunities like freelance photographers, photojournalists, graphic designers, and film developers.
- As per BLS, there will be approximately 14,000 job openings for digital photographers till 2032.
- Some courses offered in digital photography colleges include History of Photography, Survey of Global Art, Photo Imaging – Motion, and Digital Tools and Concepts.
- Digital photography helps photographers spread awareness concerning pressing issues and explore several high-paying careers.
- The options for colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree are Maryland Institute College of Art, Towson University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Loyola University Maryland.
- Towson University has a regular acceptance rate of 79%, making it tough for students with low GPAs.
- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is among the most affordable colleges for digital photography in Maryland, whereas the Maryland Institute College of Art is among the costliest colleges.
Digital photographers are expected to have about 14,000 job openings by 2032. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth percentage of digital photographers is 4%. Hence, students interested in photography must pursue colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree to change their hobby into a successful career.
Every year, people take about a trillion pictures. Photographers have benefited immensely because celebrities and popular personalities hire them for publicity. If you have witnessed high-quality photographs of influencers and celebrities on social media platforms, like Instagram, chances are professional digital photographers click them.
If you want to earn about $100,000 or more through digital photography, read this blog. We will explore the basics of digital photography, courses offered in colleges, high-paying career opportunities, and colleges in Maryland USA for a digital photography undergraduate degree. So, let’s begin without further ado.
What is digital photography about?
Digital photography is among the several modern discoveries that have transformed picture taking, editing, and uploading. Now, people can express themselves and situations, through images, with the help of technical tools and resources.
Earlier, traditional photography utilized chemical processes to create photographs. However, digital photography uses electronic sensors to transform light into digital media. Here are some common digital photography aspects:
Digital sensors
Digital photographers utilize cameras with sensors to capture light. Sensors, like Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor and Charge-Coupled Devices, transform light into electrical signals to produce a photo.
Image processing
Photographs can be edited on software, like Adobe Photoshop, to adjust color, exposure, tone, and sharpness.
Easy access
Images can instantly appear on digital cameras, helping photographers reshoot if required. Additionally, people can share pictures on social media platforms whenever and wherever.
File formats
Digital pictures can be stored in different formats like RAW and JPEG. The former has a high quality, compared to the latter.
What courses are included in the digital photography degree programs at colleges in Maryland USA?
Digital photography classes assist students with theoretical and practical knowledge, concerning photography, like shutter speed, color, depth, ISO, and aperture. Colleges in Maryland with a digital photography degree have exceptional faculties. They provide feedback, helping students hone their photography skills and knowledge for professional and personal growth.
Some of the basic photography courses are mentioned below:
Digital photography
The digital photography course explores how to use cameras and software, like Adobe Photoshop. Professors teach students to click photographs, through a 35 mm digital camera, for media tasks. They encourage engaging and thought-provoking discussions in class to develop a creative mindset.
Furthermore, students learn theoretical information, like the historical background of digital photography. They are given readings and assignments to become aware of the creation of digital images.
Advertising
Advertisements play an integral role in spreading awareness about products and services. They are everywhere, like billboards, television, and social media platforms. This course helps students become familiar with how advertisements are used, their advantages to the masses, and their potential harms to society.
Professors in colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree, impart knowledge through discussions, lectures, and assignments. Some topics include digital advertising, broadcasting, and analyzing prints.
People of the environment – mass media perspectives
It is crucial to examine the impacts of mass media on societies, especially through economic, cultural, and political factors. In this course, students learn about the significance of a sustainable global environment through lectures and assignments.
Photojournalism
Photography majors are introduced to photo editing and press photography in this course. Professors impart knowledge regarding controlling pictures through computers, darkroom processing, and image execution and planning.
Additionally, students become aware of designing photo essays and basic knowledge of journalism through lab work and engaging in class discussions.
What is the relevance of a digital photography degree in the modern world?
The significance of digital photography lies in the instant capturing, editing, and sharing of photographs everywhere. There are several ways digital photography benefits the masses. Some are discussed below:
Technological discoveries and innovations
Professionals keep discovering new technologies for ease and comfort. Technological innovations, over time, have improved camera lenses, sensors, and processors. This helps professional photographers experiment with the latest discoveries to create appealing photographs.
Affordability and accessibility
Editing software and cameras have become affordable and conveniently accessible to the public. Hence, digital photography has become more popular as a profession.
Several applications
Professional photographers are hired for several reasons by corporations. Some fields they are recruited for include science, space exploration, medicine, and other important events. High-quality photographs assist professionals with research, exploration, documentation, and diagnostics.
AI incorporation
Artificial Intelligence has introduced and enhanced camera functions like face recognition, exposure adjustments, and autofocus. Such options help new photographers with picture taking and professionals with creativity.
Cultural and social effects
People can express emotions and share stories, on several platforms, through digital photographs. For instance, informative digital content can invoke all sorts of feelings within people, making them realize the harsh reality of life.
What are the career opportunities with a digital photography degree from colleges in Maryland USA?
There are innumerable career options for graduates from colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree. Photographers can either work in front or behind the camera. Furthermore, in some cases, professional photographers have opportunities to travel frequently. So, if you like traveling and exploring new places, check out colleges in Baltimore, Maryland for digital photography.
The following table highlights some photography careers and average salaries:
| Professions | National yearly average salaries |
| Film developer | $94,983 |
| Model | $93,419 |
| Art director | $77,358 |
| Photography professor | $61,014 |
| Photo retoucher | $53,207 |
| Lighting technician | $56,351 |
| Video editor | $52,316 |
| Graphic designer | $50,656 |
| Photo editor | $49,965 |
| Videographer | $49,922 |
| Makeup artist | $46,341 |
| Stylist | $45,317 |
| Photojournalist | $39,564 |
| Freelance photographer | $40,658 |
| Photographer’s assistant | $41,279 |
| Photo associate | $45,194 |
| Camera operator | $42,524 |
Other jobs to explore with a digital photography degree include:
- Web content manager
- Art therapist
- Media planner
- Museum/gallery curator
- Visual merchandiser
- Community arts worker
- Multimedia specialist
- Digital marketer
- Web designer
- VFX artist
Which colleges in Maryland USA offer a digital photography degree?
If you are a creative soul who enjoys clicking photographs, check colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree. Professors, in top-ranked colleges in Maryland, teach basic and advanced-level photography concepts for students to create photographs with depth and emotion. Additionally, they encourage creativity and provide constructive criticism for development.
Below are details for some of the good colleges in Maryland for digital photography:
Maryland Institute College of Art
Among the reputable colleges in Baltimore, Maryland is the Maryland Institute College of Art. It has been more than 100 years since the photography program at MICA was established. The renowned faculty members explore several techniques and factors concerning digital photography and film.
Moreover, photography majors are introduced to traditional darkroom processes, technical skills, and historical notions with the help of top-notch facilities on campus. The college has exceptional labs, studios, darkrooms, and other resources for students to explore. Furthermore, they have exhibitions, guest speaker presentations, and other professional and personal growth opportunities.
Some photography courses at MICA include Studio & Location Lighting, Digital Materials and Methods, and Reimagining the Darkroom. Additionally, theoretical courses, like the History of Photography and Contemporary Directions, encourage students to think outside the box.
Students need a 3.47 GPA and a mixture of As, Bs, and some Cs in high school. The acceptance rate is 86%; hence, consider taking IB classes or AP courses if you have a lower GPA.
Towson University
The B.S. or B.A. in Art and Design with a photographic imaging concentration at Towson University explored digital photography through various dimensions. The exceptional faculty members delve into courses like:
- Visual concepts
- History of photography
- Digital tools and concepts
- 3D process
- Survey of global art
- Drawing: observation and invention
- New directions in print
- Photo imaging – motion
Located in Baltimore, Towson University is known for its research, building businesses, discoveries, and support. The college has more than 300 organizations for student activities like concerts, exhibitions, and guest lectures. Students have several options for clubs and societies, including arts and culture, sports, and community service.
Furthermore, the university provides financial aid like scholarships, grants, student employment opportunities, and loans for affordable education. You can check the college website for more info.
To get accepted by Towson University, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or 2.75 for a conditional offer. Additionally, the early acceptance rate is 84.6% while the regular acceptance rate is 79%.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s commercial photography program imparts theoretical and practical knowledge concerning real-estate photography, portraiture, photojournalism, still life, travel, and sports photography. Therefore, students can explore various digital photography careers.
Moreover, the photography department possesses exceptional facilities and resources like the latest digital cameras and equipment, studios, darkrooms, and Macintosh labs. The college is recognized as the only Historically Black college and university with a commercial photography program, making it stand out among the other colleges photography in Maryland.
Students learn through field trips to museums, internship opportunities, and student art organizations. With such exposure, graduates from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore have become successful freelance photographers, and photojournalists, and published nationally. Students can explore the below activities to blow off steam amid studies:
- Movie nights
- Comic-Con trips
- Senior shows
- Public art projects
Furthermore, the acceptance rate is 81% and high-school students require a minimum of 2.5 GPA to get admitted to the college for photography.
Loyola University Maryland
Students at Loyola University Maryland can opt for a major in visual arts with a concentration in photography to learn about digital photography. The university has remarkable facilities, like black and white and color darkrooms. Additionally, students have several opportunities to visit art galleries for professional growth and present their works for the public to witness.
Furthermore, professors teach informative courses like the History of Photography, Spirit Photography, and Basic Digital Photography. They discuss photography concepts in depth, like lighting composition, shutter speed, historical information, and contemporary artists.
Photography graduates from Loyola University Maryland learn to express emotions and feelings through images, and critically analyze photographs through various lenses, like ethics, philosophy, and history.
If you want admission to Loyola University Maryland, get a GPA of 2.75. The college has an early acceptance rate of 92.3% and a regular acceptance rate of 83%.
Tuition fees of colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree
Researching data, trends, and expenses like accommodation, food, travel, and resources is essential for undergraduate college planning. However, tuition fees and financial aid must be considered before all expenses.
The table below mentions the average tuition fees, before and after aid, of colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree:
| Colleges | Average cost before aid | Average cost after aid |
| Maryland Institute College of Art | $72,255 | $28,124 |
| Towson University | $46,080 | $25,299 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | $26,554 | $11,934 |
| Loyola University Maryland | $72,600 | $23,406 |
Explore colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree for success!
To conclude, exploring colleges in Maryland USA with a digital photography degree is beneficial for students if they want to change their hobby into a profession. After attaining a degree in digital photography, students have several lucrative career opportunities, like art director, film developer, and freelance photographer.
Moreover, the digital photography field will keep evolving with the help of technological innovations, like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality. Check top-ranked colleges in Maryland like Towson University for professional and personal growth. Additionally, students can explore online and traditional digital photography colleges in California, universities in Colorado, and other US states for more info.