Overview
The aim of the Certificate is to provide a practical, skills based photography programme that meets the needs of people seeking formal vocationally based knowledge and skills in this medium.

Content
Graduates of the Northland Polytechnic Certificate in Photography will be able to:

• Competently use a digital SLR camera, including the control and manipulation of exposure, aperture, shutter speed and other factor
  for visual and situation-specific effect
• Understand the qualities of light and successfully photograph using a full range of light sources
• Process and manage image files using Photoshop
• Carry out the processing of film and prints in a black and white darkroom
• Independently make images using a range of alternative photographic processes
• Create bodies of work in three differing photographic genres
• Engage with contemporary and historical issues, ideas and images that are relevant to the current environment
• Identify areas of personal interests and develop a basic career plan
• Produce a portfolio in a format suitable to a chosen operating context (e.g. commercial, artistic, social, documentary).

Papers offered:

   - Photography in Aotearoa
   - Taking Photographs: an introduction
   - Making photographs: three approaches
   - Alternative Photographic Processes.
 

Career Options

• Photographic assistant to: Commercial freelance photographers or photographic studios
• Portrait photographer (e.g. for schools, sports, family photos etc)
• Photo labs, design or publishing businesses
• Newspapers or other media publishers.
• Independent freelance photographer
• Community photographer(member of team working on community focused art and culture projects such as festivals, exhibitions, etc)
• Practicing artist.

Further Study

Graduates of the Certificate in Photography may progress on to a variety of further education programmes offered by a range of TEIs including:

• NorthTec Bachelor in Applied Arts (Visual Arts) 
• CPIT Diploma in Photographic Imaging (level 5)
• CPIT Diploma in Professional Photography (level 6) 
• Unitec Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts (in Photography and Media Arts) (diploma exit option at Level 6, or degree exit at Level 7)  

Admission Information
Students must be aged 16 years of age or older at the time of enrolment, unless approved otherwise by the Programme Leader.

It is an entry requirement that each student can reasonably expect to achieve the standards required for successful completion of the programme.

Applicants for whom English is not their first language refer to policy:
English Language Entrance (05.003). The minimum IELTS requirement for entry into this programme is a score of 5.0.

Qualification Gained:
Certificate in Photography (Level 4)