CUA41120
Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging

It all begins here. Grow from a beginner to a pro in the most comprehensive foundation curriculum we could create. Start with learning how your camera works, then become a well rounded sharp shooter with studio lighting, Lightroom and Photoshop, darkroom work, conceptual and portfolio development, and more. We over both online and in-person study options for a majority of classes, making it even easier to find a study path that works for you.

What you will learn

Pricing yourself for professional work and creating to a commercial or artistic brief.

Conceptual development and portfolio building.

Commercial and artistic photographic work.

Composition and design of your photographs.

Critical technical skills in using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, studio lighting,

Lightroom, Photoshop, darkroom, 35mm film photography and “natural” light.

Historical and contemporary photographic practice.

Various genres of photography to broaden your skills.

To complete a Certificate IV you will study seven core subjects and two electives

Classes are subject to scheduling and may not run every term, please check our class schedule for further details.

Certificate IV
Core Courses

Featured

Introduction to Photography

$895.00

Online delivery only

This is the ultimate Introduction to Photography course for beginners. Learn from real life professional photographers in this hands-on fundamentals of Digital SLR and Mirrorless course.

Class prerequisites: there are no formal prerequisites, but students should have a basic level of computer literacy.

Camera Portfolio 2

$995.00

Online delivery only

So taking a single great photo is one thing, but can you extend that image out into a series? This course is a core component of the Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging. This course is scheduled twice a year.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography or equivalent DSLR/Mirrorless skills.Camera Portfolio 1 – though in a pinch if Camera 1 isn't available you can take on Camera 2 before 1. Chat to us about if this is the right move for you.

Suggested/Optional Prerequisites: Digital Imaging 1.

Photographic Design

$995.00

In-person and Online Delivery Available.

Become a composition badass. It’s that simple. Unpack all of the elements that make for bold, visually engaging photographs that stop people in their tracks. This course is scheduled three times a year.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography or equivalent DSLR/Mirrorless skills.

Suggested/Optional Prerequisites: You don’t have to have completed these courses to undertake Photographic Design. Though some of the skills contained in them can come in handy: Digital Imaging 1, Camera Portfolio 1, and Camera Portfolio 2.

Digital Imaging 1

$995.00

In-person & Online delivery available

Please note, when booking this class you can choose if you would like to bring your own laptop or would like to use one of our in-class Apple Mac computers.

This course will introduce students to digital imaging concepts like bit depth, file systems, colour spaces, digital manipulation processes like curves, levels, and layers, Photoshop, Lightroom and Digital Asset Management! An all-round introduction course into editing and sorting your images.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography.

Introduction to Studio

$995.00

Mixed delivery

Learn various lighting styles for portrait and still-life work. This course is a core component of the Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography or equivalent DSLR/Mirrorless skills.

Camera Portfolio 1

$995.00

In-person and Online delivery available

Unlock your creativity and shift your thinking with this photographic taster course. Each week learn about a new genre of photography and explore the impact these genres have on photography today. This course is scheduled four times a year.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography or equivalent DSLR/Mirrorless skills.

Choose from two of our Certificate IV
Elective Courses

Featured

Hand Made Photographs

$995.00

In-person delivery only

Darkroom based post production – it’s kind of like old timey Photoshop, but way more hands on.

This course runs once a year

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Darkroom, Introduction to Photography or equivalent skill

Digital Darkroom

$995.00

ONLINE DELIVERY ONLY.

Imagine you are running your own photography business. Learn the ins and outs of creating a consistent style of images in Photoshop and Lightroom to give your work a distinctive look to set you aside from the competition. Then get to know software like ProSelect, Smart Albums and Pixieset to make your clients want to engage with your work and love what you do.

This course is scheduled once every two years

Class Prerequisites

Introduction to Photography or equivalent skill level.

Alternative Presentation

$995.00

In-person delivery only

Rethink and re-imagine how you make, show and create with a completely outside of the box hands-on class. From book making to scanner art, this surprising course is all about getting creative with your work without necessarily producing new pieces.

This course runs once a year.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography or equivalent skill level.

Business 101 ONLINE

$995.00

Online delivery only

Business 101 is an introduction to the day to day running your photographic business and planning your new venture!

This course runs once a year

Class Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for this class, but it is recommended that students enrol in this subject towards the end of their Certificate IV, or as part of your Diploma.

Studio 2

$995.00

In-person delivery only

The ultimate technical studio foundation course. Grow from a lighting beginner to a lighting pro.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography & Introduction to Studio.

Website Design

$995.00

Online Only

Build your own fully functional website. This course teaches you how to create your own photographic website from scratch. Learn about hosting, domains creating an email address as well as how to make a professional looking site ready for you to use to impress any client.

Class Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites, but students should have a basic level of computer literacy, an understanding of images in photoshop, basic smartphone skills in web browsing and be open to learning new platforms.

Art Appreciation For Photographers

$995.00

In-person and online delivery available.

Essential for photographers and modern art history novices alike, the course illustrates art practice since pre-photography starting with Romanticism 1780-1850 through to current art practice with Post-Modernism and Deconstructionism in Architecture.

This course runs once a year

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Studio

Advanced Lighting 1

$995.00

Perfect for the would-be commercial photographer or fine artist looking for that extra edge in their studio lighting practice. Practical, hands-on experience in a real commercial studio setting.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to the Studio

Advanced Lighting 2

$995.00

In-person delivery only

Are you going to be getting paid to do photography for a living? You need this course. Learn photographic lighting, modelling techniques and assignments for paid, freelance photographic work.

This course only runs once every two years: Class Prerequisites, Certificate IV in, Photography and Digital Imaging, Advanced Lighting 1, Studio 2 is ideal but not essential.

Camera Portfolio 4

$995.00

In-person and Online delivery available

Camera Portfolio 3 asked you the question: What do I actually want to do? Now we take all those ideas and refine them further, giving you the power to create the most succinctly engaging body of work you can possibly make.

This course is scheduled once every two years

Class Prerequisites: Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging or equivalent, Camera Portfolio 3, Photographic Concepts 1.

Photographic Concepts 2

$995.00

In-person and Online delivery Available.

This is a playful course all about challenging photographic preconceptions and conventions. Each course will have a slightly different outcome to allow for students' individual vision, motivation and career goals.

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography, Camera Portfolio 1, Camera Portfolio 2, Photographic Concepts 1.

Photographic Concepts 3

$995.00

In-person or Online delivery available

Let’s get weird people - no really. If you're taking this course you probably already know what you’re in for – and it's going to be a wild ride!

Class Prerequisites: Photographic Concepts 2.

Photographing People / Portrait 1

$995.00

In-person only

Formal portraits? Informal portraits? Daylight? Studio? It’s all there. If you’re going to be photographing people in any way – you’re going to want this course!

This course runs twice a year

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Studio or relevant studio experience.

Exploring Portraiture / Portrait 2

$995.00

In-person delivery only

This course will push and challenge your studio portrait as well as conceptual skills. Whether you’re a fine art, fashion or domestic photographer this course will push your portrait photography skills into new territory.

Take this course once you have completed Photographing People.

This course runs once a year

Class Prerequisites: Introduction to Studio

Your Learning Pathway

(It’s basically what you looked at above. It looks complicated, don’t worry! It’s super easy, we will talk you through it)

centre for creative photography learning pathway

How long will it take?

Part Time Study

Part time study is one to two subjects per term. At one subject per term the qualification will take just over two years to complete.

Full Time Study

Full time study is three subjects per term. At three subjects per term it will take nine months to complete the Certificate IV.

Change it up as you go

You are never locked in to full time, part time or face to face study. Changing your subject load each term is as simple as enrolling in more or fewer classes, or choosing between our online or face-to-face study options.

What you will need

You will need your own entry-level digital SLR or mirrorless camera with memory cards and lenses. It doesn’t need to be fancy! So long as it has manual controls and a removable lens, you have all the kit you need. Call us if you have any questions. For further requirements check each individual course as you enrol.

Fees and Pricing

We work a little bit differently to typical schools. Basically you pay for your certificate class by class. Meaning you don’t need to fork out upfront for your entire Certificate IV in one hit.

In 2024 classes are $995 each, except for Introduction to Photography which is $895. You will need to take nine of our accredited nine week classes to complete your Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging - seven core courses and two elective courses.

Worried about the cost? Yeah we get it. We have payment plans available on each course so you can easily pay it off over time. Call us on 8354 0839 if you want to talk to us about it - we are here to help

We understand that finding the funds for study isn’t always easy. Thanks to generous donations from The Malcolm and Margaret Carbins and ADFAS Adelaide we are able to offer two partial and one full scholarship each year.

Check your eligibility and apply today by clicking the link below.

Learn more about our Scholarship program

Ready to start?

Hit the button below to fill out an enrolment form. This form can be used to enrol in any course (click here for enrolment in VET courses), workshops, and master classes. Multiple courses can be added within the one submission. Hard copy forms are also available from the CCP. Enrolments can be made for later terms to secure your place - confirmation of enrolment will only be issued on receipt of payment.

Enrolment Form