Professional Photography for Beginners
Diploma PFB8B
Journalism, Media & Photography

Whether your aim is to become a professional photographer and earn a living or simply to learn how to take better photos, you need to learn from a great photographer.

This course has been described by students as the best course available for beginners who want to learn everything about professional photography or anyone who wants to bring their photography up to a professional standard. This is not just a good course, it's a GREAT course!

This course is a must for anyone wanting to move from amateur to professional level. This is not a course for people who are already professionals. It is a course for those who want to learn about all the aspects of good photography: depth of field, exposure, viewpoint, alternating film and digital, colour correction, movement, composition, image management, studio lighting, day and night shots, and so much more. You will also learn how to market yourself, prepare a photographer's portfolio, obtain model releases and how to sell your photographs and earn a living as a photographer.

This is a tightly packed, highly inventive course that involves lots of practical work with your camera. Also, you can do this course with either a manual SLR camera or an auto digital camera. We do recommend, though, sticking with a manual SLR camera if you've got one. Most professional photographers do prefer to use SLR cameras because you have more control of the camera. Nevertheless, you can do all the shots you need with an auto digital camera if that is what you have. Apart from your camera you don't need anything else to do this course (other than film or memory). Your real-life assignments require you to go out into the field, just like a photographer, and shoot specific shots using different settings provided for you. You will also learn how to prepare photographic shoot records so that you can present and discuss your photographs as the professionals do.

Throughout your course you will be tutored by leading professional photographer, Peter Endersbee of Endersbee Photography. Peter is renowned for his ability to capture the essence of life through the lens. Peter is a master craftsman with the camera and works in both colour or black and white. His recent exhibition featuring his photographic collection ‘Travels through France and Italy’ brought glowing reviews. Peter has also been featured in Australian Photography. You can read about Peter by clicking on the 'Your Tutors' tab above.

You will take around 50 photographs on this course plus you will put together a portfolio of your best work. Peter will assess your photographs and mark them up to show you where you need to focus or improve the shot.

So, if it’s professional photography you want to learn about look no further, start the course today and learn how you can take photographs for a living.

Career opportunities include: Professional Photographer, Photojournalist, Photographic Processor, Photo Lab Assistant, Photo Technician..

Industries include: private, magazine and newspaper industry, travel, corporate, all areas of the media.

Photographers use cameras and lighting equipment to take photographs of people, places, objects, and other subjects. A photographer may work from a studio (particularly in portrait photography) or may work on location; either in the field or at a client location. There is often a lot of travel (local, national or international) involved in being a photographer so flexibility to go on an assignment can be needed in some fields. A photographer may:

• operate cameras, lights and light-measuring devices
• work out the camera angle, light positions and exposure
• work with photographic composition and layout
• consider photographic approaches and the selection of locations, props, models and colour coordination
• use a darkroom or photo lab for developing photographs

Photographers can specialise in any number of areas:

• portraiture photography
• fashion and glamour photography
• landscape photography
• wedding photography
• sport and action photography
• travel photography
• corporate events and functions photography
• government photography
• real estate and commercial photography
• newspaper photography
• advertising photography
• pet photography
• stock photography
• baby and children's photography
• stunt photography
• architectural photography
• industrial photography
• scientific or medical photography

A career in photography can offer any number of opportunities and directions.