Online Photography Degree

By TACP Staff on January 05, 2022

Online Photography Degree

Photography is one of the most popular hobbies in America today, with more than 40 million people spending time behind a camera every year. As technology has developed and grown in popularity, so too has the popularity of photography as an artistic medium.

If growing your skills from hobbyist to pro sounds is a career path you would like to explore, an online photography degree from an accredited online college might be the best way to do it. Although traditional universities offer programs in the subject, there are also a number of high-quality universities that provide completely online or hybrid photography degree options.

Online Photography Degree Overview

An online photography degree from an accredited college or university will help you develop a solid foundation in the technical skills of camera operation, lighting techniques, and post-production image editing while also providing you with a holistic education in the humanities.

Coursework will focus on the aesthetic, technical, and conceptual principles of photography while also delving into the business, sales, brand-building, and social media aspects of the profession. Upon graduation, you will have a deeper understanding of professional photography, digital manipulation and editing techniques, and a professional portfolio to help you differentiate yourself in a competitive marketplace.

Online Photography Degree Programs

Earning an online photography degree is a significant investment in your education and career. Unlike photography classes or photography workshops, an online degree requires a much greater time commitment and is regarded as a serious academic pursuit.

Online Photography Associate’s Degree

An associate’s degree program in photography is a two-year program that will provide you with a broad knowledge of the concepts, techniques, and business practices used by serious photographers in the industry. While earning your degree, you will study aesthetics and art practices while learning about exposure, shutter speeds, aperture settings, and lighting to help you capture the highest-quality images possible.

Associate degree programs may be shorter than bachelor’s degree programs (saving you time and money) but still prepare you with the technical competence and understanding of professional practices to succeed in entry-level photography positions.

Online Photography Bachelor’s Degree

An online bachelor’s degree in photography is a four-year program designed to prepare you with a comprehensive understanding of the discipline. Through a balanced curriculum of courses in aesthetics, art history, and digital media studies as well as photography and related subjects such as lighting and composition, you will expand your knowledge beyond basic technical operation and learn how to build your own professional portfolio.

Online Photography Master’s Degree

An online master’s degree in photography is a two-year program designed for students who want to further their knowledge of the industry beyond what bachelor’s degrees offer. Courses will cover advanced topics such as commercial photography, business models, film history and theory, and emerging technologies that are changing the modern art world.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students who earn online photography degrees will have demonstrated a mastery of the following skills:

Camera Capture Skills

An online photography degree will prepare you with the technical expertise to use a camera, including the various settings and features, to capture images according to your desired artistic vision. In most programs, you will learn the essential concepts of exposure, shutter speed, aperture settings, depth of field, and ISO.

Conceptual and Problem-Solving Skills

In addition to learning technical skills, you will also learn how to solve conceptual and practical problems that photographers face on a daily basis. You will be equipped with the problem-solving skills necessary for completing assignments in a timely manner while maintaining artistic integrity.

Digital Imaging

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital imaging process, including file types and color theory. You will apply your knowledge of image capture to effectively use raw format, JPEG compression, metadata tools, and other essential digital editing techniques for immediate post-production while maintaining artistic integrity.

Digital Printing

Students will learn how to print images using various digital technologies at both small and large scales. You will gain the technical competence needed for printing photos in your home studio or for commercial purposes.

Lighting Skills

Students will learn how to use lighting equipment and natural light sources to achieve the desired artistic vision. You will analyze both existing and controlled lighting situations and choose the most effective technical approach based on your creative goals.

Professional Readiness

An online photography degree program will prepare you with the professional skills needed to enter a variety of careers in photography. Courses are designed to foster your talent for creative problem-solving, while also providing the information you need to be successful in business. You will learn how to create a portfolio of high-quality images and how to market yourself using social media tools and online platforms.

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Best Online Photography Degree Programs

We recently published our annual rankings of the best photography schools in the U.S. for 2022, which consisted of the top 25 programs with traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. This ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic and career outcomes, faculty strength, admissions data, student services, and affordability.

For the first time, we are also publishing a comprehensive ranking list of the best online photography degree programs, which features 47 programs from regionally accredited colleges and universities that provide students with the option of studying remotely. This ranking was compiled using several key factors, including the school’s reputation for excellence in its field, affordability, and the delivery of quality online instruction.

RANKSCHOOLLOCATION
1Savannah College of Art & DesignSavannah, GA
2Arizona State UniversityTempe, AZ
3Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH
4Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA
5Rocky Mountain College of Art and DesignDenver, CO
6Lindenwood UniversitySt. Charles, MO
7New York Institute of Photography *New York, NY
8School of Visual Arts *New York, NY
9Rhode Island School of Design *Providence, RI
10Parsons School of Design *New York, NY
* Non-degree granting certificate or course program

Popular Online Photography Concentrations

Students enrolled in a photography degree program are often given the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of interest that aligns with their talents and career goals. Specializing in a specific concentration is the best way to ensure that you receive the hands-on training and industry knowledge needed to stand out as an expert in your chosen discipline.

The most popular concentrations for online photography students include:

Commercial Photography

Commercial photography focuses on creating images to market or advertise various goods and services. Commercial photographers typically work with advertising agencies, graphic design firms, corporations, and retail businesses to create compelling photographs that help sell an idea, product, or service.

Digital Photography

Students who choose to specialize in digital photography learn the technical and creative aspects of shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless camera. You will further develop your skills by learning how to assess the best lighting conditions for photographing actors, models, products, food, interiors, architecture, landscapes, and more.

Fashion Photography

Fashion photography uses artistic vision to produce striking images of clothing and accessories. Through lectures, assignments, and critiques, students learn how to develop an individual style while working within the parameters of a specific editorial theme or fashion collection.

Photographers specializing in fashion will learn how to construct a photoshoot from concept to execution. You will learn everything you need to know about staging, styling, and lighting various types of models and garments for small or large-scale productions.

Fine Art Photography

The fine art concentration allows you to focus on your creative expression through still-life imagery that is free of commercial constraints. You will learn to develop a body of work that is unique and meaningful to you as an artist, rather than creating images for advertising or editorial purposes.

The world of fine art photography focuses on creating images that are designed to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. Fine art photos can be produced using analog or digital cameras, but there is no expectation for the finished product to have a commercial purpose.

Photojournalism

Photojournalism is a highly competitive field that requires you to think fast and capture moments in time while working to uphold the highest journalistic standards. Students enrolling in an online photojournalism degree program can expect to receive hands-on training in newsgathering, storytelling, and the construction of high-quality multimedia productions.

In addition to developing your storytelling abilities, you will learn how to streamline your workflow by combining digital video, sound recording, and advanced editing techniques.

Helpful Resources for Photography Students

Online Photography Degree FAQ

In many cases, yes! Online photography degree programs vary depending on the school and concentration. Generally, however, students can expect to participate in web-based lectures and view multimedia presentations as part of their coursework. In addition to this digital instruction, you may have opportunities for hands-on training and professional collaboration through web conferencing, video chat, and social media.

There are many different types of online photography degrees. The most common concentrations include commercial, digital, fashion, fine art, and photojournalism. Each concentration is designed to hone a particular set of skills while furthering your understanding of the field.

A degree is not required to become a professional photographer. However, earning a degree can help you develop your technical competencies while refining your creative vision in ways that are difficult to achieve on your own. Additionally, holding a degree can provide you with more opportunities for honing your craft, exploring different career paths, and advancing to more senior roles within the field.

The length of time it takes to earn a photography degree will vary depending on the type of degree you choose, your current experience level, and how much time you can dedicate to coursework each week. In most cases, it is possible to earn an associate degree in photography in about two years or a bachelor’s degree within three or four years.

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