Programs
Photography Certificate Program+
For more information call Andrew Tripp at 604.323.5928 or e-mail atripp@langara.bc.ca

Our Photography Certificate Program is one of the largest, most comprehensive part-time study programs in commercial photography in Canada. It is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in commercial photography, photojournalism, portraiture, or fine art. This program places equal emphasis on applied technical issues, art, and style. Students entering basic level courses in this program do not need any previous training or experience in photography. Students must have their own 35mm film or digital SLR camera and a sturdy tripod. An assortment of lenses is not necessary but is an advantage. Students with previous training or experience may challenge courses up to Practical Lighting. Approval through a portfolio showing with the Program Coordinator is required.
Our instructors represent some of the top individuals in the commercial and fine art fields of photography. These working professionals ensure that students learn the most up-to-date techniques and acquire a realistic perspective of the commercial and fine art photographic industries, including the ethics and politics of the industry. Langara’s facilities include three fully equipped studios, 13 fully-equipped colour and black & white darkrooms, colour and black & white dry-to-dry print processors, a large wet processing area, a large print finishing and mounting room, and two well-equipped Mac labs for digital imagery, two Phase 1 Digital Backs for medium format, and a 4ft Epson 9600 digital printer.
Certificate Requirements
To qualify for certification, students must complete a minimum of 570 hours of training. Allow yourself 2 to 2.5 years to complete this program. When students have completed sixteen courses (eight required and eight elective) and compiled a successful portfolio of photographs, they receive certification. Please note that students that successfully challenge some of the required courses must still complete sixteen in total. Also note that not all classes are offered each term.
Required Courses (total of 288 hours)
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Basic Photography (Film or Digital) (36 hours)
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Basic Darkroom (Film) OR Basic Digital Workflow (36 hours)
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Photographic Art History (36 hours)
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Intermediate Photography (Film) OR Digital Intermediate Photography (36 hours)
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Practical Lighting (36 hours)
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Advanced Studio Lighting (36 hours)
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Business Practices (36 hours)
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Business Management (36 hours)
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Graduation Project (no class time)
Elective Courses (mimimum of 282 hours)
Group 1
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Composition & Design (36 hours)
- Photographic Style (36 hours)
- The Photographic Concept (36 hours)
- The Contemporary Image (36 hours)
- Advanced Composition and Design (36 hours)
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Photoshop Level 1 (36 hours)
- Photoshop Level 2 (36 hours)
- Photoshop Level 3 (36 hours)
- DSLR Video Production (30 hours)
- Advanced Black-and-White Photography (36 hours)
- Practical Darkroom (36 hours)
- DSLR Video Production (36 hours)
- Advanced B&W Darkroom (36 hours)
- Basic Colour Printing (36 hours)
- Intermediate Colour Printing (36 hours)
- Small Strobes Big Light (36 hours)
- Working to Deadline (36 hours)
Group 2
- Creative Light Painting Techniques (36 hours)
- The Photographic Nude (36 hours)
- Stock Photography (36 hours)
- Food & Beverage Photography (36 hours)
- Alternative Photographic Processes (36 hours)
- Fashion Photography (36 hours)
- Wedding Photography (30 hours)
- Photojournalism (36 hours)
- The Photographic Portrait (36 hours)
- Editorial Photography (36 hours)
- Landscape Photography (36 hours)
- Close Up Photography (36 hours)
- Photo-Illustration (18 hours)
- Marketing for Fine Artists (36 hours)
- Digital Fine Art Printing
- Architectural Photography (36 hours)
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Street Photography (36 hours)
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Commercial Production (36 hours)
Schedule
- Part-time certificate program
- Starts May, August, September, and January
