Being one of the strongest modes of visual communication and expression, with an aesthetic sense, Photography today has acquired great commercial value and has become a source of earning and comfortable living for thousands of people. The reason for this is simple- its growing demand. As we all know, photographs are used on admission forms, application for issue of a passport to visit another country and numerous other official documents. No marriage function or a party, celebration of some occasion, is considered complete without a photographer. You see newspapers in the morning. They carry photographs of persons and places to make the news catchy and captivating. All Government functions have photographers to record various activities. You see trade advertisements displayed by many commercial and industrial organisations. They carry photographs of machines and equipment and other specialities with which the organisations may be dealing. A photographer has thus become an indispensable part of economic and human activity. If you choose to become a Photographer and set up a studio, you can be sure of safe and comfortable earning. In addition, you have the advantage of getting inner satisfaction through this artistic activity.

Nature of Work

A photographer takes and develops pictures of people, places and objects with various kinds of photographic equipment. The place of his work is called studio. The Studio is fitted with artificial lighting. The photographer also gets contracts outside his studio. His work may be ordered by people who want their portraits or would require him to get every activity of an important event like marriage to be photographed. He may get orders from companies who use commercial photographs for various business functions. There are several areas in which photographers may specialize, the most common specialities being portrait work, commercial photography and industrial photography. Portrait photographers take pictures of individuals or small groups. In commercial photography, a photographer takes pictures of merchandise, exteriors and interiors, machinery and fashions, both indoors and outdoors to be used in advertising and selling. The Industrial photographer does work that is similar to that of commercial photographer.

Qualities

If you want to become a successful photographer, you should possess manual dexterity and some artistic ability. You should have an eye for form and line and an appreciation of light and shadow. You must be able to use imaginative and creative approaches to photographs, especially in commercial work. A pleasing personality and ability to put people at ease are specially needed for a portrait photographer.
If you aspire to become a Press Photographer, you should possess good health and stamina since you may have to work long hours, work in emergencies, work in all kinds of weather and possibly under many varieties of hardships. A Press Photographer may have to travel often to distant places. You must have knowledge of news value.

Digital Photography

Nowadays, digital photography is getting popular. For this, first of all, you require a good quality digital camera. It is simple. One of the great benefits of clicking pictures with it is that one can take more snaps once he increases the memory of the camera.

Fashion Photography

Fashion photography deals with displaying clothing and other fashion items. A few things are very clear about fashion photography - it is a glamorous profession, it commands amazing audience, it is highly remunerative, it relates to international life-style. But, as with most of the other profession, it could hardly be true about every fashion photographer. It is not easy task to enter the world of fashion photography industry. The real job of a good fashion photographer is to make the clothes and models look unbelievably artistic.

Career prospects

So long as there is demand for clothes in the market, there will be demand for good fashion photographers. If you make your name, you can get recognised internationally and have the privilege of being in the company of renowned models, fashion designers, celebrities, etc. Above, you can make a handsome income working With fashion designers, boutiques, retailers, manufacturers, modelling agencies, stock photography agency, advt. agencies and periodicals.
If you have always or ever dreamt :If being an entrepreneur, you can make most of your talent as a fashion photographer. You can find employment in fashion manufacturer, a fashion house, in an advertising company, in a publication house such as a newspaper, magazine or a book publisher, or in a retail house. You can opt to work as freelancer.

Institutes & Courses
•    Academy of Photography, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata.
•    University of Allahabad, 211002 offers 1-year Diploma in Photography. Eligibility: Certificate holders in Photography are eligible to apply.
•    Camera Art Institute, Triveni Kala Sangam, 205 Tansen Marg, New Delhi 110025 offers one-year Diploma in Photography.
•    College of Art, University of Delhi, Tilak Marg, New Delhi.
•    Film and Television Institute of India, Law College Road, Pune (Maharastra).
•    J.J. School of Art, M.G. Road, Fort, Mumbai (Maharastra).
•    Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (A.P.).
•    National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad.(Details already mentioned).
•    National Institute of Fashion Technology, Deptt. of Fashion Communication/CE Deptt., NIFT Campus, Hauz Khas, new Delhi 110016.
•    Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014 offers Diploma in Photomics.
•    Shri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517502 (A.P.) offers I-year Diploma in Photography.