Top 10 Photography Colleges in India

Photography refers to the process or practice of creating an image produced by the action of light on a light-sensitive material. It has become a widespread form of art and has changed the role of other art forms, particularly drawing and painting. The key skills required for becoming a Photographer are Creativity, Patience, Concentration, and Technical Photography skills.

In today’s date, the inclination of a large group of youth toward Photography has increased exponentially. Photography skills are required in various industries like Filmmaking, Newspaper, Books and Directory publishers, Radio and Television Broadcasting, etc. This leads to a great increase in employment opportunities for Photographers. These days a number of colleges are offering degree and diploma courses in Photography and its related streams. If you are keen to make a career in photography, then this article is for you.

Top 10 Photography Colleges in India

Candidates interested in learning the depth of photography can select any of the below-mentioned colleges to pursue their dream of becoming a photographer.

Light and Life Academy

Light and Life Academy is India’s premier professional photography institute. It is the first and only custom-designed institute for professional photographers in India. Light and Life Academy is perched on a mountaintop about 7000 ft. above sea level near Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. The campus is an inspiring 60,000 sq ft theater, with 14 studios and a state-of-the-art large production studio. Light & Life Academy offers 4 Full-Time PG Diploma Courses:

1. Professional Travel, Nature & Wildlife Photography, and Documentary Filmmaking
2. Professional Architecture, Interior Photography, and Documentary Filmmaking
3. Professional Food & Beverage Photography and Documentary Filmmaking
4. Professional Fashion Photography and Documentary Filmmaking

Admissions are now open, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Creative Hut Institute of Photography

Creative Hut Institute of Photography is the first and the only Photography College in India offering residential photography courses. It is best known as Creative Hut Gurukul, as the college follows a unique education method based on the Gurukul way of learning where students and the faculties stay on the same campus. Institute comprises 17000 sq. ft. of campus, 2000 sq. ft. of studio floor, college building, residential area, cafeteria, organic farm, etc surrounded by nature in God’s own Country, Kerala. Since its establishment in 2007, Creative Hut is acknowledged for providing the best photography and cinematography knowledge with students portfolio preparation, internship and placement assistance.

Creative Hut Institute has been rewarded with 40 plus awards for the Research and Excellence in Photography Education. Admission to Creative Hut Institute is done on the basis of first come first serve criteria followed by a Personal Interview. Creative Hut Institute of Photography offers Professional Photography Programs in various specializations which are as follows:

National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat National Institute of Design is considered one of the best Photography Colleges in India. NID Ahmedabad offers B.Des programs to aspirants in eight disciplines and M.Des programs in 19 disciplines. Any candidate with a degree or a diploma in design (under 10+2+4 year duration) can apply for admission. 

The selection procedure for the courses is based on qualifying marks in NID Entrance Test. The fashion institute has an active placement cell that organizes the annual industry interface. Top-most fashion and textile companies like Nali Textiles, Bharat Silks, Myntra, several NGOs and Govt. sectors visit the college for on-campus recruitment. Check: NID Ahmedabad Admission

National Institute of Photography

National Institute of Photography was established in the year 1983 by Late Prof Manohar Desai. NIP is a renowned, popular and trustworthy training institute in the country and has been offering Certificate and Diploma courses for many years. NIP has trained thousands of students in photography and videography. The students get to know different genres of photography like Bird Photography, Wildlife Photography, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Press, Sports Photography, etc. The photography courses offered at the National Institute of Photography include theory as well as practical classes to inculcate in-depth subject knowledge to candidates. The various Photography Programs offered by the college are as follows: 

• Workshop on Fashion Lighting
• Digital Photo-Editing Techniques
• Diploma in Fashion Photography
• Diploma in Tabletop photography
• Diploma in Wedding and Events Photography

Delhi College of Photography

Delhi College of Photography is located in the heart of the city & very close to Delhi University (North Campus). It is a unit of Dhawan Production Private limited. The Photography course is taught under two specializations namely:

• Basic: The basic part of the course includes the Foundation course and Candid Wedding Photography courses.
• Advanced: The advanced part of the course includes Wildlife Photography and Fashion Photography.

Talking about the infrastructure of the college, one can say that it is equipped with all types of the needed equipment. The College building has two floors consisting of air-conditioned classrooms. It has a multimedia projector room, a fully equipped B&W darkroom, iMac stations, a makeup room, etc. The institute is fully equipped with a lighting studio powered by Elinchrom, high-speed wi-fi, a well-stocked library, and a 1,200 sq ft gallery space for exhibitions. With the wide options and resources, the Delhi College of Photography makes it on the list of top photography colleges in India.

Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad

JNAFAU is one of the most popular colleges for photography courses in India. The university has two colleges that offer various undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate level programs related to Fine Arts, Planning and Architecture. These are:

1. College of Fine Arts
2. School of Planning and Architecture

The university offers BFA in Photography to the 10+2 passed candidates. The applicants have to qualify for the FADEE exam conducted by JNAFAU for admission. Read more: JNAFAU Hyderabad Admission

AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research

AJ Kidwai established the MCRC in collaboration with York University, Toronto, and the Canadian International Development Aid Agency. The institute offers MA in Mass Communication, Visual Effect and Animation, Convergent Journalism, Development Communication and PG Diploma in Acting, Broadcast Technology and Still Photography & Visual Communication.

Asian Academy of Film and Television

Founded in 1993, the Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida is affiliated with International Film & Television Research Center and Marwah Films & Video Studios. AAFT offers B.A and M.A in Photography. Admissions in AAFT Noida is granted on the basis of merit in Written/Online test followed by a Personal Interview or Telephonic Interview. The questions will be based on the desired course/program applied for. After the declaration of results, students will be provided with an admission letter confirming their admission. Read more: AAFT Noida Courses and Fees

In addition to this, AAFT has placed around 80% of students in top organizations every year. The institute also provides internships in reputed companies throughout the course. It depends on the personal projects of the students and how well they carry them out. Some of the top recruiters are Make my trip, Aaj Tak, NewsX, IndiaTV, NDTV, VEDANTA, MindFlame, etc.

Osmania University

Osmania University was founded in the year 1918 by Nawab Osman Ali Khan. It is the 7th oldest university in India, the 3rd oldest in South India and the 1st to be established in the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. The University offers a three-year duration BFA (Photography) course. The aspirants can secure admission in this course based on their performance on the Aptitude Test of the university. Check: Osmania University

Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation

Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation was established by a unit of IIDAA Educational Trust. IIDAA is affiliated with different universities for its different courses. The institute offers below mentioned photography courses:

• B.Sc Film & Photography under the specialization of Photography, Cinematography, Film Making
• PG Diploma Photography
• Diploma in Photography & Videography

Check: IIDAA Kolkata Courses and Fees

Eligibility Criteria for Photography Courses

• Completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.
• If the candidates know Computer skills then it will be an added advantage for them as it would help them in understanding the technical part of Photography Education.
• Some entrances tests are as follows: 
  • Delhi School of Photography Entrance Exam
  • Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film Entrance Exam
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University Entrance Exam for Fine Arts and Design 

Career Scope of Photography

After completing the study of photography, students will get plenty of opportunities to choose from. Photography offers students a variety of career options to use their skills and grow in their field. Some of the well-known job roles for skilled photographers are:

• Freelance Photographer
• Scientific Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Advertising Photographer
• Portrait and Wedding Photographers
• Industrial Photographers
• Featured Photographer
• Press Photographer

As a professional, one needs to keep honing and building upon one’s pre-existing skills. Photography provides a great opportunity to today’s youth generation both career-wise and knowledge-wise. The demand for skilled photographers is growing day by day. The job types range from commercial to private. The package starts from INR 1.2 lakhs to INR 2 lakhs. After gaining experience and skills, photographers can earn upto INR 5 lakhs.

Read more:

• Photography Courses
• Online Photography Courses
• Part Time Photography