- Over 100 modules giving you the essential photography knowledge in easy to manage sections
- CPD Certified (55 hours)
- 13 Practice Assignments with constructive Tutor feedback on 11 Assignments
- Tutor Projects including feedback on your photos
- Membership of the IOP Camera Club forums for help, support and feedback
- Live chat for immediate help and advice
- 2 hours of dedicated tutor chat every week
- Unlimited time to complete the course* and flexible to you.
- Start when you like, take a break when it suits and complete in your own time.
- CPD accredited Diploma in Photography pdf certificate on completion
* You have lifetime access to the course but you must log in at least once every 12 months to keep your account active
Each unit consists of different types of learning materials to appeal to all students and will be made up of study materials labelled READ, PRACTICE, WATCH, INTERACT.
An introduction to digital photography
This unit provides an essential introduction to digital photography. From equipment to camera types, this unit is a great refresher or the perfect starting place for beginners. Unit comprises:
READ » Introduction to digital photography
READ » Understanding photography jargon
WATCH » Important camera functions part 1
READ » QuickStart Guide to Autofocus
INTERACT » Camera lens assessment
INTERACT » Introduction to digital photography Test Questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 1 – Manual
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Understanding the technology of digital photography
A good understanding of the technology of digital photography giving you the knowledge you will need to get off the Auto setting and to gain much more control over your camera.
READ » Understanding the technology of digital photography part 1
READ » Understanding the technology of digital photography part 2
READ » Shooting RAW
INTERACT » Check your knowledge of photography terms
WATCH » Important camera functions part 2
INTERACT » Digital SLR simulator
READ » Quick Start Guide to Metering Modes
INTERACT » Understanding the technology of digital photography test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 2 – Modes
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Controlling light with apertures
Improve your photography instantly by learning about aperture settings, depth of field and exposure.
READ » Controlling light with apertures
READ » Depth of Field and Hyperfocal Distance
INTERACT » Check your knowledge of apertures
READ » A useful chart
WATCH » The Exposure Triangle
INTERACT » Controlling light with apertures test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 3 – Apertures
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Mastering shutter speeds
The choice of shutter speed has a profound effect on the way that moving subjects are recorded. Discover how to create silky water and how to freeze action shots as well as how to create impressive effects.
READ » Mastering shutter speeds
READ » Quick Start Guide to Shutter Speed DOWNLOADABLE
INTERACT » Mastering shutter speeds test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 4 – Shutter Speeds
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Cracking composition
In this unit, we look at how to compose a beautiful photograph. You will learn about leading lines, shapes and how to use colour in composition. This unit alone will change the way you take photographs forever.
READ » Cracking composition
WATCH » IOP® Instructional Video on COMPOSITION
INTERACT » Cracking composition test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 5 – Composition
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Advanced composition skills
Learn the fundamentals of advanced composition skills from using colour to create a mood using unusual perspectives.
READ » Advanced composition skills
WATCH » IOP® Instructional Video on ADVANCED COMPOSITION
INTERACT » Advanced composition skills test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 6 – Advanced Composition
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Using light effectively
All the fundamental principles of photography are linked to use of light. This is one of our most in-depth and detailed units.
READ » Using light effectively
WATCH » IOP® Instructional Video THE HISTOGRAM
INTERACT » Using light effectively test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 7 – Lighting
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Holiday and travel photography
Make your travel shots memorable with this helpful unit. We look at planning the perfect travel shot and encourage you to consider different perspectives when shooting abroad.
READ » Holiday and Travel photography
INTERACT » Holiday and travel photography test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 8 – Travel Photography
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Landscape photography
Take stunning landscape imagery. Learn how to use depth and light to create a professional landscape picture.
READ » Landscape photography
READ » Quick Start Guide to Lens-Mounted Filters
WATCH » LEE Filters ND Standard Filters (Neutral Density Standards)
WATCH » LEE Filters ND Grads (Neutral Density Graduated Filters)
WATCH » The Big Stopper from LEE Filters
INTERACT » Landscape photography test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 9 – Landscapes
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Special projects
Take your photography skills a step further learning how to shoot panoramas. We also introduce HDR photography to help you produce a perfect exposure and teach you how to create a living photo.
READ » Special projects
READ » Quick Start Guide to Dynamic Range DOWNLOADABLE
WATCH » Time-lapse movie examples
WATCH » Living photography
INTERACT » Special projects test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 10 – Special Projects
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Black and white photography skills
Producing beautiful black and white shots is an art form and takes knowledge and practice. Learn to ‘see’ in mono and take black and white shots to be proud of.
READ » Black and white photography skills
INTERACT » Black and white photography test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 11 – Mono
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Perfect portrait photography
Take a perfect portrait in any situation., Once you have perfected this technique, expect to be on call for every family event!
READ » Perfect portrait photography
INTERACT » Perfect portrait photography test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 12 – Portraits
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Image editing techniques
Image editing techniques and skills are key to becoming a competent photographer. This unit addresses these key skills and offers comprehensive advice on essential editing techniques.
READ » Image editing techniques
INTERACT » Image editing techniques test questions
PRACTICE » Practice Assignment 13 – Editing
PRACTICE » Discuss the Practice Assignment with other students
Make money from photography
We give you hints and tips on how to make money from photography. This unit also includes a tutorial on how to make a photography website from scratch worth up to £2000.
READ » Making money from photography
WATCH » Make your photography website
INTERACT » Making money from photography test questions
Certificate and feedback
In this unit, we ask you to tell us what you thought of the course and provide you with your Diploma in Photography certificate as well as your member badge.
The Diploma in Photography is suitable for all levels.
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Beginners
Perfect for those who are completely new to photography, it starts with the complete basics and develops at an easy pace into more complex photographic concepts.
Intermediate & Advanced
Although you may find some of the concepts simple to begin with, many experienced photographers find it is useful to re-visit the basics. Along with this, there is the opportunity for you to tailor the course to your needs, using the tutor support.
Camera
Any digital camera that allows you to control the manual settings is perfect for this course. Even the most basic compact cameras offer that functionality these days. Look at your camera manual – can you change the aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings? If so, your camera is fine for the course.
Equipment
Any PC, Mac, laptop, tablet or smartphone is suitable for viewing the course and course videos.
A reasonable broadband internet connection (2mb and above).
Non-essential equipment
The following items would be worth investing in, perhaps in the future and as you work through the course, developing your skills.
They are not essential for the course.
- A DSLR camera
- Choice of lenses
- Image editing software like Adobe Lightroom
- Tripod and filters
