Photography – Creative – Commercial

Course information

If you are interested in a career in photography and have your sights set on a future in the creative industries, then look no further as this is the course for you.

The course is constructed with practical projects and hands on learning – you’ll be spending a lot of time taking photographs in and out of college.

This course is delivered at both Cornwall College Camborne and Cornwall College St Austell. You will work on projects that are written to allow you to develop skills in both digital and analogue processes across a range of photographic applications. By the end of the course, you will have a diverse portfolio to take to employers, universities or to show clients. At the end of each year of study you will be given the chance to choose your own specialism and create a completely individual product based on the strengths and skills you have developed. What will you create? The choice is yours!

You will go on trips to various locations and visit photographer’s studios. These are a great opportunity to meet and question current industry professionals.

You’ll be learning from experienced working professional photographers, who are always on hand to give you the very best start to your photographic career.

What You Will Learn

From practicing professional photographers fusing passion, creativity and commercial production. Students will explore a range of photographic applications such as landscape, portrait, fashion, events, fine art. Whilst learning new applications you will be introduced to studio lighting, shooting on location, photographic products, stop-motion animation, as well as learning how to exhibit your work.

You’ll be learning industry skills including: Shooting, editing, and printing using both digital and analogue cameras. You will have access to a traditional darkroom as well as the full Adobe creative suite including Lightroom, Photoshop, In-design and Premiere. Our large photo studio features quality equipment used in industry today.

At our St Austell campus you will benefit from working as part of The Creative and Digital Academy, you’ll collaborate on a wide range of projects, performances and exhibitions with fellow creatives. Our vibrant and diverse spaces mean you’ll be engaging with musicians, dancers, gamers, filmmakers and actors, all working together to grow the creative landscape in Cornwall.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for external applicants and school leavers
• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths, or successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and/or Maths will be considered as alternatives to GCSE, but a GCSE resit may be required depending on grade.

Entry requirements for existing learners with the Cornwall College Group
• Successful completion of previous course and maths and/or English at GCSE Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

We expect four GCSE’s at grade 4 and above, one of which should be in either English or maths. You will also need to attend either a face to face or phone interview with the Study Programme Manager. Portfolios of work can be presented or emailed at interview alongside any other certificates, qualifications or experience you feel is beneficial for us to know about.

For those students that don’t quite meet the entry requirements we also run a one year, Level 2 UAL course in Media Production designed to feed directly into the Photography – Creative – Commercial course the following year.

Work Experience

From practicing professional photographers fusing passion, creativity and commercial production. Students will explore a range of photographic applications such as landscape, portrait, fashion, events, fine art. Whilst learning new applications you will be introduced to studio lighting, shooting on location, photographic products, stop-motion animation, as well as learning how to exhibit your work. You’ll be learning industry skills including: Shooting, editing, and printing using both digital and analogue cameras. You will have access to a traditional darkroom as well as the full Adobe creative suite including Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign and Premiere Pro. Our large photo studio features quality equipment used in industry today. At our St Austell campus you will benefit from working as part of The Creative and Digital Academy, you’ll collaborate on a wide range of projects, performances and exhibitions with fellow creatives. Our vibrant and diverse spaces mean you’ll be engaging with musicians, dancers, gamers, filmmakers and actors, all working together to grow the creative landscape in Cornwall.

Assessment

You will be assessed in a range of developmental projects throughout the year, with feedback from staff identifying your strengths to develop and skills to improve. Once those formative modules are complete, you will design, pitch and create your own final project that will determine your mark for the entire year of work.

This will be graded at either a PASS, MERIT or DISTICTION, and these can take any form; from landscape photography, portrait photography, moving image, animations, events photography…anything that demonstrates your skills and learning!

Progression

University study on courses like press and editorial photography, fashion photography, marine and natural history photography, commercial photography or photography and video.

Employment in the industry including digital recorder, photojournalist, photographer’s assistant, travel, studio, portrait, wedding, fashion photographer and much more.

We offer an FdA photography course, so you can continue studying with the staff you already know and in familiar surroundings with access to additional cutting-edge equipment.

Cornwall College Camborne

Cornwall College Camborne

Our Camborne campus has served as a vocational training hub for nearly a century. The iconic Tamar tower and the ‘big top’ that covers our construction and engineering provision, are landmarks known throughout the area. This legacy, combined with an exciting modernisation programme, has made Cornwall College Camborne the home of cutting edge facilities, dynamic learning experiences and fantastic student spaces. Open and modern learning areas, electric vehicle training labs, esports gaming facilities, chill out areas, an award-winning restaurant and plenty more besides, makes this the perfect place to have your #careercollege experience.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

Find out more about our Camborne campus

Cornwall College St Austell

Cornwall College St Austell

Set at the top of St Austell, with incredible views over the bay, our campus boasts ground-breaking facilities and exceptional student spaces. The Keay Theatre area plays host to our famous Altitude Dance Academy and performing arts, while our award-winning student restaurant Cloisters is recognised as one of the best in the country. Brand new electric vehicle training labs set within our modern construction and engineering buildings showcase just some of the incredible opportunities for people in St Austell and beyond.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

Find out more about our St Austell campus

Events

Open Event

Bicton College

Open Event at Bicton College

• 18 Jan 25
• 26 Apr 25

Open Event Taster Event

Cornwall College St Austell

Open Event & Taster at St Austell Campus

• 8 Feb 25
• 8 May 25