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How to become
Photographer
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What do Photographers do and where to study photography?
Who is a Photographer?
Capturing images that tell stories and express meanings: this is a photographer’s role. As for many other professionals, today's photographers can strongly specialise in fields that range from fashion to events, from industrial products to journalism. Regardless of the area they work in, their skills include set preparation, in-depth knowledge of different shooting techniques and ability to use post production software.
What do Photographers do?
Although the moment in which the camera shoots is the most representative of a photographer's role, there are many other activities that must be performed to tell a story or touch emotional chords with an image. Thus, photographers are in charge of planning the shoot: talking to clients to understand their needs and, together, determining the shooting location, date and time details. At the same time, photographers decide which equipment is most suitable to obtain a certain result. They then prepare the equipment (cameras, lenses, lights, stands and various accessories) and the location setting. Once ready, the shots are taken. The last working stage is post-production, which includes selection of the best photos and editing.
What skills should a Photographer have?
The skills needed to work as a photographer vary substantially depending on the sector. For example, a professional specialising in photojournalism will need different background knowledge from someone working in fashion. However, there are some common skills that it’s worth pointing out.
Basic technique: light management skills, focusing, choice of photographic equipment (e.g. artificial lights and stands).
Artistic skills: awareness of composition and light sources, creativity and expressive language knowledge.
Organisation: ability to understand clients’ needs and brief, planning the service and organising the set to achieve the desired result.
Post-production: excellent knowledge of the main photo editing software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, GIMP, Capture One).
Soft skills: excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interface with clients, publishers and, possibly, collaborators and models.
Where to study Photography?
Experience in managing a shooting is essential for anyone who wants to work as a photographer. However, due to the role’s strong specialisation and new post-production technologies, it has become increasingly important to also have a solid educational background. During the Three-year BA in Painting and Visual Arts, students learn to recognise contemporary artistic practices. Through an experimental approach, they explore a wide range of artistic and media techniques. An inclination for the photographic medium can then be refined through the Academic Master in Photography and Visual Design - a one-year course in which the necessary technical and practical skills are developed. Here, students acquire a range of professional working methods and presentation techniques.
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Three-year BA Programme in Painting and Visual Arts
Academic Master in Photography and Visual Design.