Overview
As photographers gain experience, many begin to refine their interests, establish a recognizable style, and build a portfolio that showcases their work. Advanced technical, creative, and promotional skills can help transform individual images into a cohesive body of photographic work.
In this micro-credential course, you'll expand your photography skills through action and event photography, off-camera lighting, environmental portraiture, and visual storytelling. Through hands-on practice and guidance from an experienced photography professional, you'll apply advanced camera, exposure, and focus techniques, learn to shape and direct light using off-camera flash equipment, and create authentic portraits that reflect a subject's identity and story. You'll also plan and execute a long-form photography project aligned with your photographic interests.
By the end of this course, you'll be able to create a cohesive body of photographic work, showcase your images through an online portfolio, and apply introductory branding and self-promotion practices to support your portfolio and professional aspirations.
This course is ideal if you:
- are ready to explore action, event, and portrait photography
- are interested in using off-camera lighting techniques to create more dynamic and intentional images
- want to develop a portfolio that showcases your photographic interests, style, and creative vision
- use photography in content creation, marketing, communications, or self-employment and are looking for effective ways to present and promote your work.
You must complete PHOT 022 Photography Foundations 2 before registering for this course.
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- apply advanced equipment, exposure and focus techniques to common action/event-based photographic assignments
- demonstrate basic off-camera flash photography techniques using wireless flash triggering methods
- apply off-camera lighting strategies to produce authentic, ethical, and visually compelling environmental portraits that reflect the subject’s identity
- plan, develop, and execute a long-form photographic project that aligns with your own photographic vision and interests
- apply basic self-promotion and marketing best practices to promote your own photographic work.
To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.
The Photography Foundations Program at SAIT is amazing. When I started, I did not know much about my camera – now I feel confident in taking great pictures. There is so much to learn, and this program is a great way to get started.
Mary Street
Upcoming dates
Select an available section and add it to your cart. When you're ready, proceed to check out to sign into your student account and complete your registration.
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Register early!
- We recommend registering at least three weeks before the course section start date to support course planning and help ensure a smooth start to your course.
- Course sections require minimum enrollment and may be rescheduled or cancelled two weeks before the start date.
- Registration closes seven days before the start date for on-campus, online scheduled and blended courses, and three days before the start date for online self-paced courses.
After you've completed this course
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to self-print a proof of completion document from your Continuing Education student account.
Micro-credential
SAIT Micro-credentials develop practical skills aligned to current industry standards and include competency-based testing. Earning a SAIT Technical Skills Micro-credential demonstrates to employers that you have the required competencies — combining knowledge, skills and abilities — to get the job done. Learn more.
Students who complete this course with a final grade of A- (80%) or higher will earn the Micro-credential and receive a shareable digital badge that validates their achievement.
Costs
Textbook and reading list
Included in the purchase of this course, you'll receive access to online course content in Brightspace (D2L).
Technology
To be successful in this course, you'll need:
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses and full manual exposure controls (Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Program modes)
- A compatible camera lens (a standard zoom lens is suitable for most course activities; a wide-angle lens and medium telephoto lens are recommended for advanced photography projects)
- A compatible external flash unit capable of manual flash control and TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering; (built-in camera flash units are not a suitable substitute)
- Wireless flash triggering equipment (radio triggers or a compatible optical wireless triggering system) for off-camera flash photography
- At least one fully charged camera battery (an extra battery is recommended)
- At least one memory card compatible with your camera (minimum 16 GB capacity; 32 GB or 64 GB recommended)
- A Windows or Mac computer/laptop that meets system requirements for Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge and standard hardware/software requirements for D2L (Chromebooks are not supported)
- An Adobe Creative Cloud subscription with Adobe Photoshop (educational pricing is available, and you can use your SAIT “edu” email address as proof of student status to access the software at a reduced rate. Adobe Bridge is included with all Creative Cloud plans.)
Additional supplies
You also need:
- A memory card reader compatible with your camera's storage media if your laptop does not have a built-in card reader
- A collapsible light stand
- An umbrella swivel attachment for mounting a flash and umbrella modifier to a light stand
- A convertible, collapsible umbrella light modifier
- An external portable drive (2 TB minimum) for digital image storage and backup (recommended).
We recommend visiting a local camera retailer to discuss options that fit your budget and goals. In Calgary, consider contacting The Camera Store to ask about student pricing and promotions available.
Note: Bring this required equipment to your first class. Bringing your laptop is optional.
Financial support
Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants, including the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant.
Applicable certificates
This course applies to the following certificate programs:
- Certification type
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Certificate of Completion
Train your team
Interested in group training opportunities for this course? Tell us about your organization's needs, and one of our training consultants will contact you within one business day.
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.