Colleges and Universities Offering Certificate in Photography in South Africa
- Course Name: Certificate in Photography(Photography)
- Major Subject: Photography
- Course Category: Certificate Courses
Certificate in Photography is a specialized program designed to provide students with fundamental knowledge and skills in the field of photography. The course offers a focused curriculum to introduce students to the art, techniques and technical aspects of photography. It aims to equip students with a solid foundation in photography, covering both theoretical concepts and practical hands-on experience. The curriculum may cover topics such as:
a. Camera operation
b. Exposure
c. Lighting techniques
d. Composition
e. Image editing software
f. Photography genres(portrait, landscape, still life, documentary)
Below are the available job opportunities for Certificate in Photography graduates in South Africa:
i. Commercial Photographer
ii. Photo Editor/Retoucher
iii. Photography Assistant
iv. Stock Photographer
v. Photography Educator
vi. Fine Art Photographer
vii. Freelance Photographer
viii. Studio Photographer
ix. Photojournalist
x. Wedding and Event Photographer
Institutions Offering Certificate in Photography
The College of Digital Photography , Johannesburg
Course content
(i) The fundamentals of photography
(ii) Editing, enhancement, compositing.
(iii) Specialist disciples
(iv) Visual design and creative elements
(v) Visual starting your photographic business.
(vi) Portfolio and corporate image
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
(ii) External Flash
(iii) Sturdy Tripod
(iv) Laptop
Course cost: R37,800 / R39,800
Program duration: 6 months
In addition, the institution offers the following types of photography:
(a) Beginner photography
(i) Introduction to photography
Course duration: 2 Hours
(ii) Fundamentals of photography
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR
(ii) Mirrorless or Bridge Camera
(iii) Sturdy Tripod
Course cost: R4,680
Course duration: 5 x 3-hour Lessons + 1 Practical Outing
(iii) Kids photography workshop
Equipment needed: Any Digital Camera
Course cost: R980
Course duration: 2 x 3-hour Lessons + 1 Practical Outing
(b) Advanced photography
Course content
(i) Understanding and mastering light
(ii) Using colour for impact
(iii) White Balance shifting
(iv) Managing flare and creating starbursts
(v) Advanced composition
(vi) Visual design and communication
(vii) Macro photography
(viii) Movement techniques
(ix) Panning and zooming
(x) In-and-out of focus
(xi) Digital pinhole photography
(xii) Assignment review
(xiii) Low and high key photography
(xiv) Digital Black and White photography
(xv) Painting with light theory
(xvi) Painting with light workshop
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR Camera
(ii) Sturdy Tripod
Course cost: R4,680
Program duration: 5 x 3-hour Lessons + 1 Practical Outing
(c) Mastering flash photography
Course content
(i) Guide Number and manual functions
(ii) Bounce flash
(iii) Controlling the characteristics of flash (diffusers and modifiers)
(iv) Managing contrast using flash
(v) Synchronizing multiple external flashes with built in triggers
(vi) Radio triggers for external flashes
(vii) High speed Flash
(viii) Controlling DOF using flash in bright light
(ix) How flash differs from continuous light
(x) Controlling the pop-up flash
(xi) Understanding the flash controls
(xii) Understanding the external flash menu and functions
(xiii) Flash controls in your camera menu
(xiv) Red eye reduction
(xv) Exposure principles for flash
(xvi) Exposing for flash
(xvii) Exposure for mixed light
(xviii) The inverse square law; using distance and aperture
(xix) TTL
(xx) High speed triggers
(xxi) Strobe effects
(xxii) Rear sync flash
(xxiii) Controlling movement effects using flash in low light
(xxiv) Manipulating colour using WB, gels and light colour temperature
(xxv) Strobism and lighting effects
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR Camera
(ii) External Flash
(iii) Sturdy Tripod
Course cost: R2,780
Course duration: 3 x 3-hour Lessons
(d) Night sky photography
Course outline
(i) Useful software
(ii) Basic RAW editing steps
(iii) Editing techniques for star trail and milky way images
(iv) Reducing noise in the final image
(v) Compositing the foreground and the sky
(vi) Camera settings
(vii) Using an intervalometer
(viii) Techniques and settings for amazing Star trails
(ix) Techniques and settings to capture the Milky Way
(x) Painting with light
(xi) Tips and tricks
(xii) The challenges of night sky photography
(xiii) Equipment
(xiv) Lens choices
(xv) Other gear and accessories
(xvi) Planning your trip
(xvii) Location, weather & lunar considerations
(xviii) Useful Apps
(xix) Composition
(xx) Focusing techniques
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR Camera
(ii) Sturdy Tripod
(iii) Laptop
(iv) Intervalometer
Course cost: R3,280
Course duration: 3 x 3-hour Lessons + 1 Practical Workshop
(e) Photography-The business end
Course outline
(i) Deciding on your business name
(ii) Principles of logo design
(iii) The psychology of colour
(iv) Branding your business
(v) Business stationary
(vi) Marketing your business
(vii) Social media marketing
(viii) Website and print marketing
(ix) Niche vs mass marketing
(x) The marketing plan
(xi) Sales
(xii) Writing a business plan
(xiii) Income and expense budget
(xiv) Cash flow projections
(xv) Determining your start-up costs
(xvi) Pricing your offerings
(xvii) How to set up your business
(xviii) Running your business efficiently
Course cost: R2,780
Course duration: 3 x 3-hour Lessons
(f) Outdoor photography
Course content
(i) Travel photography
(ii) Equipment and accessories
(iii) Lens choices
(iv) Using flash
(v) Camera bags
(vi) Planning your time away
(vii) Tips and tricks
(viii) Wildlife photography
(ix) Equipment choices
(x) Camera settings and technique
(xi) Focussing
(xii) Composition and styles
(xiii) Underwater and nature photography
(xiv) Tips and tricks
(xv) Landscape photography
(xvi) Understanding and using dramatic light
(xvii) Camera settings and techniques
(xviii) Gear and accessories
(xix) Lens choices
(xx) Tackling difficult exposure situations
(xxi) Composition and styles
(xxii) Panoramas and HDR
(xxiii) Tips and tricks
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR Camera
(ii) Sturdy Tripod
Course cost: R3,280
Course duration: 3 x 3-hour Lessons + 1 Practical Outing
(g) People photography
Course outline
(i) Posing groups
(ii) Candid
(iii) Sports / Action
(iv) Stage and theatre photography
(v) Alternative Portraiture
(vi) Digitally enhancing your images
(vii) Mastering indoor lighting
(viii) Posing couples
(ix) Photographing babies and children
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR Camera
(ii) Sturdy Tripod
Course cost: R3,280
Duration: 3 x 3-hour Lessons + 1 Practical Workshop
(h) Studio photography
Course content
(i) People and fashion photography
(ii) Theory and workshop
(iii) Practical student shoot in class
(iv) Commercial photography
(v) Theory and workshop
(vi) Still life photography
(vii) Theory and workshop
(viii) Understanding and using studio equipment
(ix) Backgrounds and other accessories
(x) Properties of studio light
(xi) Exposure
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR Camera
(ii) Sturdy Tripod
Course cost: R4,380
Course duration: 5 x 3-hour Lessons
(i) Wedding and event photography
Course content
(i) Marketing your business
(ii) Social Media and Marketing
(iii) Website and Print marketing
(iv) Writing a business plan
(v) Pricing your offerings
(vi) Branding your business
(viii) Albums, printing and archiving your images
(ix) Working with people
(x) Posing, expression, non-verbal communication, eyeline
(xi) Timing, composition considerations for photographing people
(xii) Objective vs subjective camera/subject interactions
(xiii) Understanding your external Flash
(xiv) Using remote triggers, diffusers and modifiers
(xv) Synchronising multiple flash units for Strobist portraits
(xvi) Equipment considerations
(xvii) Lighting techniques for window light portraits, external flash and portable studio lights
(xviii) Portrait lighting styles
(xix) Photographing Functions and groups
(xx) Corporate portraiture
(xxi) Wedding styles and trends
(xxii) Planning and preparation for location portrait shoots
Equipment needed
(i) DSLR Camera
(ii) External Flash
(iii) Sturdy Tripod
Course cost: R4,980
Course duration: 5 x 3-hour Lessons + 1 Practical Workshop
Nikon School, Johannesburg
(a) Fashion and Portraiture Photography with Jo Splice
Fees: R 1 299,00
Course duration: 4 hours
(b) Learn Adobe Lightroom with Mbali
Course cost: R 899,00
Course duration: 6 hours
(c) Fitness Photography with Sean Levitt
Course cost: R 1 299,00
Program duration: 4 hours
(d) Fashion and Portraiture Photography with Mbali
Fees: R 1 299,00
Course duration: 4 hours
(e) Learning to shoot in manual
Fees: R 599,00
Program duration: 4 hours
(f) Manual Exposed
Course cost: R 599,00
Duration: 4 hours
(g) Lowlight and Long Exposure Photography Workshop
Course cost: R 599,00
Duration: 3 hours
(h) Building your Photography Business with Emma O’Brien
Course cost: R 1 299,00
Course duration: 6 hours
(i) D7500/D500 Camera Training
Course cost: free
Duration: 3 hours
(j) D3000 series Free Camera Training
Course cost: Free
Course duration: 4 hours
(k) D5000 series Camera Training
Course cost: free
Duration: 4 hours
(l) D7000 series Camera Training
Course cost: free
Duration: 4 hours
(m) Bridge Camera Training
Course cost: free
Duration: 3 hours
(n) Full Frame Camera Training
Course cost: free
Duration: 3 hours
(o) One-on-one training
Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography , Stellenbosch
What you will learn:
(a) Cruise Ship Photography
Entry requirements
(i) A keen interest in photography
(ii) Age: 21-35
(iii) Fluent in English
(iv) Excellent communication skills
(v) Sales/customer service experience
(vi) No criminal record
(vii) No visible tattoos( some exceptions apply)
(viii) A valid holder of a permanent South African passport
Program duration and cost
(i) Full-time 3-week course-R17050,00
(ii) Two week course -R11550,00( this course is approved photographers with certified photographic and Photoshop training at an accredited institution.
(b) Basic digital photography
Entry requirements: One must own a digital Camera
Fees: R1595
(c) Comprehensive photography
Entry requirements: One must have a basic understanding of photography and be able to use a DSLR camera
Fees: R5490
Orms Cape Town School of Photography, Cape Town
Digital photography
Course content
(i) How to setup your camera in different modes
(ii) How to manipulate and use aperture and metering modes
(iii) How to use shutterspeed
(iv) What are lenses and their relationship with aperture
(v) Work with onboard flash and speedlight
Course cost: R4,400.00
Smartphone photography
Course content
(i) Storage and Battery saving tips. Manual camera and video settings. Taking control of exposure
(ii) Creative uses of the panorama camera function and introduction to image editing via Snapseed
(iii) Hands-on ‘additional gear’ session: Mini tripods, lenses, filters and creative hacks. Unpacking Instagram as a platform to create, edit, share and network.
(iv) Practical session with a recap of skills learnt and Selecting work for exhibition, still and/or video selections.
Course cost: R4,200.00
Berea Technical College, Durban
Duration: 1 year
Minimum entry requirement:
-Communication at NQF Level3.
-Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 3.
-Visual Art or Design elements and principles or
-equivalent at NQF Level2.
Course Overview:
-Interpret and analyse general principles and concepts of photographic assignments.
-Pre-visualize,conceptualize and analyse approaches according to the given specifications.
-Capture a range of images through the use of photographic equipment and light sensitive materials.
-Select, edit and render photographic Images according to specific criteria.
-Range: Render could also include display,present and portray.
-Document,manage and archive photographic work.
-Develop own career opportunities In photography.
Getpix Creative College, Benoni
(a) Beginners photography
(b) Studio photography
(c) Wedding photography
(d) Lightroom
(e) Photoshop essentials
Required equipment
(i) Studio photography-DSLR camera
(ii) Wedding photography- DSLR camera
(iii) Lightroom-Laptop with Adobe lightroom software
(iv) Photoshop essentials- laptop with Adobe photoshop software
(v) Beginners photography-Any digital camera
Mode of study
(i) Part time
(ii) Study at home
(iii) Full time
Fees: R67 000
Course duration: 1 year
Cityvarsity School of Media and Creative Arts, Cape Town
Basic photography
Course outline
(i) Basic camera operation (exposure, lenses, ISO, light metering, aperture, shutter speed, depth of field), and “making VS taking photographs”.
(ii) Visual communication and visual literacy, composition and context, white balance, angle, shape, texture and the subject.
(iii) The camera menu, portraiture, reflections and silhouettes, overview of genre photography (fashion, documentary, commercial/advertising among others)
(iv) Final test and class trip (gallery visit or class shoot).
Fees: R 3 995,00
Program duration: 4 weeks
Photography Institute , Johannesburg
Course content
(i) Cameras and Lenses
(ii) Shutters, Aperture and Their Relationships
(iii) Exposure and Metering
(iv) The Film and Digital Process
(v) Light and Colour
(vi) Lighting
(vii) Refining The Image Process
(viii) Equipment and Software
(ix) Retouching, Resolution and Printing
(x) Photography Business and Studio Essentials
(xi) How To Construct A Professional Portfolio
(xii) Photo Agents - Picture Agencies. How To Get Work and Keep It
The Independent Institute of Education,Vega, Pretoria
Course name: Photography in Practice Short Course
Course content
(i) Developing a personal photographic style
(ii) Practical proficiency across the basic field of photography
(iii) Understanding digital imaging, processing and workflow
(iv) Understanding the basics of technical photographic processes
(v) Using photographic composition
Entry requirements: An SLR or DSLR camera
Fees: R3 500
Program duration: 4 weeks
DLPHOTO College, Cape Town
Concepts taught
(i) Flash and Lighting
Fees: R 1 600
(ii) Knowing your camera
Fees: R 1 350
(iii) Outdoor photography
Fees: R 1 600
(iv) Post-Production and Editing
Fees: R 1 600
(v) Portraiture
Fees: R 1 800
(vi) Fashion photography
Fees: R 2 200
Revolution Media Academy, Johannesburg
Duration: 12 months
Minimum entry requirement:
-Grade 11 or an NQF level 3
-Computer literacy
-English language (spoken and written)
-Music aptitude
Module Overview:
-History and Principles of Photography
-Portriat and Landscape photography
-Photo imaging Techniques
-Business Practice in Photo imaging Industry
-Studio & Location Photo techniques
-Media Law & Ethics
V Creative Photo and Design College, Pretoria
Course content
(i) Fundamentals of photography
(ii) Photo Science
(iii) The digital camera
(iv) Lens technology and technique
(v) Digital platform for photography
(vi) Electronic flashlight/strobe
(vii) History of photography as art
(viii) Macro and close-up photography
(ix) Photo journalism
(x) Exhibition - POE preparation
Skills Academy, Pretoria
Subjects covered
(i) Introduction to Business English
(ii) Face-to-Face Communication
(iii) Digital Photography DP-101
Course requirements
(i) Grade 10
(ii) Learners must be at least 16 years of age
(iii) Learners must be able to read and write in English
Course duration: 4 months
Creative Arts College, Durban
Duration: 1 year
Minimum entry requirements:
-Grade 9 or RPL (Computer Knowledge is essential)
Course Outline:
-Camera Overview,
-Camera Angles,
-Editing,
-Focus,
-Lens/Filters,
-Contrast/Colour/Form,
-Aperture,
-Art/Commercial,
-Textures,
-Chroma Key,
-Shoots 
Oakfields College, Pretoria
Course name: Certificate in basic photography
Course content:
(i) Introduction, history and equipment
(ii) Studio and natural lighting
(iii) Photoshop
(iv) Camera controls and composition
(v) Flash
(vi) Event photography
Program duration: Ten weeks three hours per week
College SA, Cape Town
Course content: Digital Photography
Entry requirements
(i) Grade 10
(ii) Learners must be at least 16 years of age
(iii) The ability to read and write English
Fees: R7,510
Program duration: 12 months
INTEC College, Cape Town
Duration: 12 months
Minimum entry requirement:
We strongly recommend that you have English language skills in reading and writing at Grade 10 (Std. 8) level. The equipment required for this course is a basic digital camera.
Gauteng City College, Johannesburg
Duration: 12 months
Course Overview:
-Visual Communication
-Applied Photography
-Studio Photography
-Digital Media
-Entrepreneurship Skills. 
Digital Photography Courses(DPC) College, Pretoria
Basic to Intermediate Photography Course
Course duration: 10 sessions
Mode of study: part time
Greenside Design Center, Johannesburg
Program duration: 2 x 6 hour sessions
Fees: R2400.00
Unicollege, Johannesburg
Course duration: 10 weeks
Mode of study: Part time
Jeppe College of Commerce and Computer Studies, Johannesburg
Duration: 12 months
Potchefstroom Academy, Potchefstroom
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