Kathmandu:

If photographs move you and you also wish to capture the sights or scenes as they happen, and you are thinking about taking up photography seriously. It’s time for you to do something and not just think about it. If you want to learn from the experts and get first hand information about the techniques, using a camera and taking pictures the right way, here are a few pointers on the institutions you can check out and the courses offered there.

National Photography, Putalisadak

According to Sharad Rai from National Photography, “We hold exhibitions of our students’ works every year. This gives them a good scope. We also have links with prominent labs in Nepal and when they require photographers for projects, our students get to work with them.”

The courses offered here are 40 per cent theory, 40 per cent practical and 20 per cent tutorial. They usually take around 10 students per session session, and each student gets his/her own analog camera, whereas while practising on a digital, two students share one camera.

For the foundation and Advanced level, they provide the necessary equipment, but if one intends to join the Specialisation Course, one will require to have one’s own camera.

Courses offered Foundation Level of one month. This includes basic operating and techniques of using a camera.

Advanced Level of two months. This includes Camera Technology, Techniques, Darkroom, Portrait, Studio, Landscape, Macro Photography, Photo Journalism, Digital Technology and Image Editing.

Specialisation Course of six months. Students can choose Studio, Landscape or Photojournalism.

They also have a special course for Journalism students. The Advanced Photojournalism Course includes Introduction and Background of Photography, Technology of Photography, Digital Photography, Photography Techniques, Discipline of Photography, Photojournalism, Photo Editing and Marketing.

National School of Photography, Putalisadak

National School of Photography has professionals taking classes and coming in as guest lecturers. Madhu Sudan Thapa says, “People have not yet discovered the prospects of being a photographer. There is plenty of work available. We introduce students to photo agencies so that they have options to exhibit and sell their photos.”

Cameras are provided for Foundation and Elementary Levels, but you will need to bring your own cameras for the Intermediate and Advanced Levels. They usually take upto 16 students in one class.

Courses offered

Foundation Level: Photography I, Camera Technology, Lab (Darkroom) and Project Work. This course in mainly for hobbyists.

Elementary Level: Photography I, Camera Technology, Lab (Darkroom, digital, film), Studio Management, Movie, Project Work

Intermediate Level: Photography II, Light and Lighting, Lab (Darkroom II), Digital Photography, Photojournalism I, Project Work II.

Advanced Level: Portrait, Still Life, Landscape, Wildlife, Business Management, Project Work II.

Nepal Photography Training Institute, Bhotahity

“I give my students the best of skills and make them proficient in taking photographs, but I cannot assure them job placements,” says Arun Dutt Pant of Nepal Photography Training Institute. “Many of my students are working in media houses,” he adds.

They take around 4-5 students in one class and mostly the theoretical and practical sessions are conducted by him for his students. “Since digital is very popular these days, I mainly focus on digital cameras,” says Dutt.

For Basic and Advanced levels, they provide cameras, but for Specialisation one will need to bring one’s own camera.

Courses offered

Basic Level: From learning the basics of a camera to Photo Editing, Lamination, Darkroom techniques.

Advanced Level: Photojournalism, Sports, Interior, Glamour, Trick, Outdoor Photography and Darkroom techniques.

Specialisation Level of two months. A special project is given and the course conducted accordingly.

Kantipur Photography Videography Institute, Putalisadak

Bishwo Jyoti Baniya from the institute says, “The students are encouraged to take part in exhibitions and once they pass out they are able to take really good pictures anywhere they work.”

They usually have 3-4 students in one class and give emphasis to practical knowledge. “Almost 70 per cent of our course is practical,” says Baniya. They offer Basic and Advanced Level courses, both are of one-and-half months each.

Courses offered:

Basic Level: They teach the basics to use a camera, its functions, techniques, studio photography which includes portrait photos, lighting, composition, focusing, taking pictures in dark places, photo finishing and printing for both analog and digital cameras

Advanced Level: The course includes Photo Journalism, Still Life, Trick, Sports, Wildlife, Landscape, Architecture, glamour and moving object photography and conducting photo

sessions. It also teaches you about the types of lens, and film.

So, if you want to get more savvy with your lenses, then you know where to head to.