Certificate in Photography
Course Overview
Our Certificate in Photography is perfect if you have a passion for photography, with any level of experience.
We offer a broad introduction to photographic practices and studies, including knowledge of basic camera skills and photo techniques, working on location and studio practices, coupled with health and safety and best practice in relation to workflow and post-production. Skills are developed in the areas such as the use of shooting manually, developing industry-standard software, research, learning and presenting skills.
Why Study Photography at Griffith College?
Our Certificate in Photography combines the theoretical with the practical to give you a complete comprehension of photography.
- You will develop confidence in both analogue and digital photography – confidence with an analogue camera and developing prints in the darkroom will enhance your digital technique.
- You will gain experience with studio lighting, which is key for portraiture, fashion and still life advertising shoots.
- Small class sizes ensure that you get the one-on-one attention needed to perfect your technical and creative skills.
- Our lecturers are professional photographers, actively working within the industry. They have extensive experience in many genres of photography, including portrait, commercial, fashion and editorial photography.
- You will have the option to progress into Year 2 of the BA in Photographic Media, with the Certificate as a foundation and building block.
Course Highlights
- Griffith has been delivering award-winning photography courses for over 16 years.
- Seven-day access to state-of-the-art facilities.
- Facilities include: 2 darkrooms, 1 processing room, 4 studios, 1 print finishing room (with 2 Epson Stylus Pro 4900s) & 1 Mac room for editing and scanning.
- Access to industry-standard photographic equipment.
- Experience working on industry-focused briefs.
- Both on- and off-site practical workshops.
- Regular student coursework feedback.
- Work with like-minded peers in small workshop groups.
- Regular opportunities to have photographs published.
- We encourage and support our students both in the classroom through participative critique sessions, workshops and by publishing student and graduate work online.
- We offer a welcoming and collegiate learning experience.
Equipment
We provide a range of equipment for students to avail of in order to complete their course work. We have a suite of kit including both Canon and Nikon kit, a number of full frame DSLR’s, two large format professional Stylus Pro 4900 Epson printers) and a professional Flextight scanner.
In stage II students make full use of large format cameras, which can be used in our studios or taken out for location shoots. We also have flashes, lenses, portable studio light kits, medium format cameras and tripods available for loan.
Intake Dates
We run two intakes for this course commencing Spring and Autumn.
- February**
- September*
*subject to sufficient numbers.
**February intake commences in semester 2
Are you applying through the CAO?
Read our CAO Guide for everything you need to know about applying through the CAO!
Course Code
- Dublin: GC475
What our students say
As a mature student returning to full time education I was naturally somewhat apprehensive about both the workload and the age difference between me and the other students. I needn’t have worried on either count. From the first day all the students and staff made me feel right at home and treated me no differently than anyone else.
While the course load is intensive the professionalism and approachability of all of the Lecturers and Technicians made it a pleasure to participate in. When I look back at the year I can hardly believe the difference in the way I approach and execute any photographic task, either Digitally or Film, all thanks to the skill set I’ve gained over the last academic year.
I originally only signed up for the Cert but have enjoyed the experience so much that am now going to continue to the 2nd year of the BA in Photographic Media
Certificate in Photography
What our students say
Students supporting and inspiring each other, academic staff support beyond the course, feeling part of a community – these are the things which sets a Griffith College Photography course apart from the others. In one year, I have gone from nervously snapping in auto mode on an entry-level DSLR to confidently directing studio shoots and operating complex equipment. The course enables you to try diverse areas of photography, allowing you to explore the many career paths it has to offer and to fall in love with your chosen field. Initially, I thought I wanted to be wedding photographer - and now I am starting my business plan to enter the commercial photography product industry! They give you a thorough understanding of the options available out there, which is so important to new photographers trying to find their direction. Griffith has accommodated my career choices for the future by allowing me to continue on a modular-basis alongside my full-time job. Griffith College has something special here – the time and effort invested in you is priceless.
Cert in Photography
Before embarking on this course, I did not feel confident in utilising manual camera controls and still had a very limited understanding of photography. This excellent course changed all that. The curriculum is very well put together; the staff are very skilled, supportive and, above all, patient.
The atmosphere is great but the very best compared to other courses is the excellent practical facilities. I particularly loved the developing of the black and white negatives. All the darkroom equipment was in excellent working order and breakages are immediately repaired. There was never any queueing for resources and we had great guidance in the practical sessions.
I got an incredible amount of understanding and knowledge of this course and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Cert in Photography
Course Details
Modules
This module facilitates learners’ competence in the technical and aesthetic aspects of the medium whilst concentrating on the conceptually developed research based approach to project development. Learners develop and advance studio lighting skills and demonstrate control over artificial and/or ambient lighting conditions. Learners further develop consideration of important aspects of designing a photograph.
This module concentrates on visual media within the context of the history of photography and art. It educates learners in the relationship of photography within the visual arts, including film. It in stills in learners critical and analytical appraisal of photography and encourages them to express and qualify their own opinions in relation to visual media.
This module runs over two semesters. It’s the technical foundations and building blocks for learners to apply the learning throughout all practical modules on the programme. This module takes learners through camera and exposure basics and beyond. Learners gain knowledge in the camera and its workings, the lens and B and W darkroom controls and studio techniques, from lighting for still life and lighting for portraiture.
This module covers the practical aspects of applying photographic theory with an emphasis on the visual and communicative qualities of the photographic image increasing learners' competence in the technical and aesthetic aspects of analogue photography.
All aspects of the black and white darkroom, from processing film to printing images are covered. This module encourages learners to consider important aspects of designing a photograph and demonstrate how to communicate visually.
This module aims to develop learners’ writing skills in the areas of punctuation, grammar, structure, syntax and Harvard referencing so that they can produce well-written academic essays. The module has the objective of developing learners’ research skills, and cultivating learners’ presentation skills, their confidence in presenting, capacity to develop and critique an argument, and their capacity to prepare well for proposal presentations using appropriate software and application of research skills. The module also aims to nurture and enhance learners’ note-taking and study skills, online and offline research skills, and to cultivate an informed awareness of contemporary photographic culture and practice with a view to being able to collate an artist statement for exhibition purposes.
The photographic image is a powerful communicative tool and it is important that learners understand its significance and practical use. Throughout this module, learners engage through lectures and discussion based learning, how to interpret and evaluate images from a social, historical, and cultural perspective. This critical engagement is essential for learners to understand how photographs operate as tools for communicating and conveying ideas and concepts.
This module is designed to enable learners to explore the basic principles of digital photography serving as an overall introduction to the principles of digital photography including understanding input and output devices; workflow and post production using the digital darkroom. Learners gain an understanding of the effective use of industry standard image manipulation software and the processes from image capture to manipulation and output.
Course Contact
Sinéad Murphy
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
English Language requirements
Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency. Please see here for further details.
How to Apply
Applicants under 23 years of age:
Applicants under 23 years of age on 1st January of the year they wish to enter must apply through the CAO. Please consult the CAO website for information on important dates for applications.
CAO Code
- Dublin - GC475
Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):
If you are 23 years of age on or before the 1st January of the year you want to enter, you may apply as a mature student. Mature and part-time applicants must apply directly. Mature students will be asked for a copy of their passport. Part-time applicants under 23 on 1st January will be asked for a copy of their passport, Leaving Certificate results / FETAC qualifications or equivalent and must meet the minimum entry requirements for the programme.
When our Admissions team receive your application they will be in contact with you directly.
If you wish to apply for advanced entry onto the course, please apply directly and a member of our team will be in contact with you to discuss your application.
Fees
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from time of application.
Tuition Fees
General Fee Information
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below. The fees below relate to Year 1 fees only.
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin
EUR 5,950.00
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin
EUR 4,900.00
General Fee Information
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
Study Mode: Full-Time
Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.
General Fee Information
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
Non-EU students: a Medical Insurance, Student Services and Administration fee of EUR300 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin
Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
Direct Debit Scheme
Students wishing to pay for their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page to review the payment plan schedule and how to apply.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: [email protected]
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
Academic Progression
Graduates of this course have the option to continue their studies at Griffith College. Holders of the certificate can enter Year 2 of the BA in Photographic Media. A number of graduates have successfully set up their own studios and are actively gaining work in the commercial and social and PR genres of the industry, whilst most prefer to continue their studies and benefit from gaining a recognised qualification after one year.
You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.
Career Progression
Our graduates develop careers in photography and related visual media industries including freelance practice and assisting jobs. Through the Certificate of Photography, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio and covered a diverse range of media. There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:
- Sales and Photography
- Wedding Photography
- Product Photography
