A photographer is essentially a creative storyteller who uses a camera lens instead of words to tell stories. Lee Jeffries, for example, is an English photographer who attained fame and struck a chord with a global audience by capturing the raw emotions of homeless people. To be able to encapsulate the everyday in an enthralling manner, however, requires specific skills and training. For any aspiring photographer, a bachelor of arts in photography is the best way to kickstart a career in this increasingly competitive field. The course familiarizes you with all the essential concepts of photography and will boost your technical skills too. There are a number of skills that are an absolute necessity for anyone planning to make a career as a photographer. Read on to find out what they are. 

Important key skills for photographers 

While a passion for creating amazing pictures is necessary to be a photographer, you need other important skills to make it big professionally, including:

• Creativity

This is a no brainer given how much imagination and visualization is required in the job of a photographer. You must see a picture in your head before capturing it in your lens. This requires a great deal of creative prowess. Like any art form, photography requires a lot of emotional input as your pictures need to be captivating and thought-provoking. Whether it is the Afghan Girl by Steve McCurry, the Starving Child and Vultures by Kevin Carter or the Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange, all these pictures convey a moving story that the photographer visualized and brought forth beautifully.  While a photography degree may teach you all the tricks of the trade, without creativity a camera is merely a tool. 

• Eye for detail 

Being observant and finding beauty in everything is another important trait of a photographer. Nothing should miss your eye as the smallest ordinary moment can create an extraordinary picture. You must be able to read faces and recognize emotions like pain, vulnerability and sadness and choose your muse accordingly. The entire world acts as a canvas for a photographer and you must possess an artistic eye to make the most of it. 

Along with a high-quality lens, it’s your perspective that truly shapes a splendid picture. A good way to experiment is to visit a place you are familiar with and capture different pictures using different time frames and varying angles. The more you practice, the more perspective you will gain to make your pictures interesting. 

• Critical thinking 

Another key skill vital to your photography career is critical thinking. There are various creative and technical aspects that are incorporated together to capture the perfect picture. All this requires strong critical thinking and analytical skills. Some important factors of a photograph such as focal point, framing, depth and focus require detailed analysis as well as proactive thinking. While preparing and planning are imperative in the photography process, you are bound to meet obstacles. Sometimes it can be the light source, too much range, getting the right angle or even unpredictable weather. In such a scenario, you have to be quick thinking and make the most of your resources. Hence, as a professional photographer, you have to be prepared to tackle challenges with critical thinking skills.  If you are keen to capture the world from a single lens and are currently seeking quality programmes that can help you climb the ladder of success, then check out the BA Photography programme offered by The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE).  As one of the first German private universities to launch a photography programme, UE prepares you for a range of career roles by helping you understand the vast medium of photography.  Students are provided with the necessary visual and technical skills to ensure they are prepared for a range of jobs in the field and are able to navigate the challenges that will come along the way. 

FAQs

Is the BA in Photography taught in English?

The language of instruction at the Berlin campus of The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) is English and in Hamburg in German. 

What is the class size for this photography programme?

At UE, we believe in individual development and ensuring that each student makes the most of the course. As such, we offer smaller learning groups that allow teachers to focus on each student and their learning needs as well as more classroom discussions.

If I have a query regarding traveling or visa then, who do I contact at UE?

To help students transition from their home country to Germany and start their studies at UE, we have a welcome center in place where you will find assistance with all travel and visa related queries.

Photo Credits:  Maike Bergold, BA photography Hamburg