Photography Certifications and Certificates

If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills in photography, you might be overwhelmed by the different certifications and certificate programs available. You might also have many questions, such as what doing a photography certificate or certification entails, the difference between a certificate and a certification, and whether these credentials can ultimately help you get a job in your chosen field. This article aims to answer these questions so you can efficiently choose the right path towards a photography certification. Keep reading to find out more.

What is Photography?

Photography is the art of producing an image by recording light with a camera. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first photograph in 1826. Photography was a revolutionary technology because it made it easier for images to be reproduced and widely distributed. The first cameras were large and awkward to handle, and the lengthy exposure times necessary to capture an image required photographic subjects to hold still for uncomfortable intervals. However, as the technology evolved, cameras became easier to use and more affordable.

For over 100 years, all photographs were captured on film and developed using chemicals. In 1975, Steven Sasson invented the digital camera, which dramatically increased the ease of capturing and distributing photographic images. Most photography today is digital: the device taking the photo saves the recorded image as a digital file. Smartphones capture 92.5% of those digital photos, but there’s still nothing like a dedicated camera for getting a sharp, high-quality image. 

Digital photography classes will teach you how to make the most of your digital camera. You can learn how to use all of your camera’s settings to the best advantage, how to work with studio or outdoor lighting, and how to adapt the choices you make as a photographer to the environment and goals you are working with. You’ll also explore the powerful, industry-standard software that allows Digital Photographers to edit and retouch the photos they take. 

Read more about what photography is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Photography?

Since the first photograph was taken in 1826, creators have been using this skill to capture images of the world around them. Photography allows people to document events, moments in time, and things they have seen. It can also help human beings gain a better understanding of the world, in the case of scientific photography or photojournalism. Photography is also an artistic medium—the Photographer presents their interpretation of the human experience through what they choose to document and the perspective their photos show.

Another important aspect of photography is that photographic images can be reproduced, allowing them to be circulated and distributed worldwide. Even before digital photography, a film photograph was easier to reproduce than the paintings and drawings that had previously been the best way to convey an image. One early example of how the new technology of photography rapidly came to shape the world is the work of Matthew Brady. His photos documenting the American Civil War showed the brutality of the war’s impact, powerfully influencing public opinion about the conflict.

Now, with digital cameras, the distribution of photographs can be nearly instantaneous, and reproducing one only requires uploading a file. Also, the powerful editing software available to modern Photographers makes remarkable transformations possible. Social media has shown some of what one can do with the opportunities provided by digital photography, with photos of dramatic events witnessed by private citizens being rapidly distributed all over the world. However, the full potential of digital cameras and photo editing software may have yet to reveal itself.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

Certification involves demonstrating mastery of the subject you’ve studied by passing an exam administered by a third party. Certificates, by contrast, are generally awarded based on completion–if you finish the necessary courses, you earn the certificate.

Top Certifications & Certificates for Photography

When it comes to photography, it’s important to be aware of the distinction between certifying in photography itself and certifying in photo editing or one of the specific applications one uses to edit photos.

Once you’ve studied photography thoroughly, you’ll have the option of doing an official certification. While there is no one industry-standard photography certification, the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) program through the Professional Photographers of America is reputable and respected. To gain this certification, you take an online exam, then submit photographs you’ve taken for technical evaluation. However, in the end, the quality of your work matters more than whether you have the CPP or any other official certification. So you’ll want to make sure you get high-quality training at an excellent provider, regardless of whether you choose to certify. If you’d like to get a certificate covering all aspects of photography, Noble’s digital photography certificate could be a great fit for you. 

Want to focus on editing? Check out Noble’s photo retouching certificate. To learn more about what Photoshop allows you to do with the images you create, you can do the Noble certificate in graphic design. Noble classes will also help you prepare for the official Adobe certification program. To become an Adobe Certified Professional in Photoshop, you’ll need to pass a test, which you can take online or in-person.

Should I Get Certified in Photography?

You certainly do not need an official certification to become a successful professional Photographer. If you want to get hired onto a business’s photography team, having an official certification could give you an edge. However, most professional Photographers operate independently, and most clients will care more about what your portfolio shows you can do than about any official certification you may hold.

How to Get Certified in Photography

To get your CPP certification, you’ll start by declaring your candidacy and paying a fee. Next comes the test, and then the technical evaluation. With Adobe, you can schedule your online exam or find an authorized test center where you can take the test in-person.

Learn Photography with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s small class sizes and expert instructors make it an excellent environment for learning photography and related skills. Students can choose between in-person and live online courses, depending on which is better for their particular situation. Students can also retake Noble classes for free, which can help expand their knowledge of the topic.

Noble offers a certificate in photo retouching specifically, delving more deeply into critical skills that Photographers should have. Another option is Noble’s popular Graphic Design Certificate, which covers Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and graphic design principles. If you don’t yet want to commit to earning a certificate, you could take an individual Photoshop course to start with. You can also do a Photoshop bootcamp for beginners with Noble.

When you do a digital photography certificate at Noble, you’ll acquire foundational skills for photography and photo editing. Students learn to use manual settings to help them make the most of what a high-quality camera offers. They also discover how to work with different types of lighting, both inside a studio and out in the world. In terms of digital photo manipulation, students explore how to manage their photographs with Adobe Lightroom and edit them using Adobe Photoshop.

Key Insights

• An educational institution grants a certificate based on completion, while a certification requires passing a test administered by an official third-party provider
• Noble offers certificate programs in digital photography, photo retouching, and graphic design
• The Professional Photographers of America has a Certified Professional Photographer program
• Adobe provides certification in Photoshop through the company’s Certified Professional program
• Noble classes can help you prepare for the certification tests
• You can receive comprehensive photography training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop