Certified Professional Photographer

Are you interested in raising your skills to an intermediate or advanced level? This certification program includes the prep course and final exam to become a Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America.

The official test from PPA will be administered on the last day of the course.

Classes that fit your schedule -

6 zoom classes held over 3 weeks.

Monday and Wednesday evenings.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

PART 1: CAMERA, LENSES, AND ATTACHMENTS

• Camera controls, settings, and methods used to set the white balance

• Impact on file size and format of the final image

PART 2: EXPOSURE AND METERS

• How to interpret light meter readings.

• Relations between shutter speed, f-strop, and ISO.

• Dragging the shutter.

• Equivalent exposures.

• Exposure compensation relative to lighting situations.

• How to read and interpret a histogram.

• Exposure compensation while using a filter.

PART 3: LIGHTING

• Light sources and specialized light equipments to create desired effects.

• Establishing desired lighting rations (main light and fill light)

• Light modifiers (light blockers, reflectors, gels, etc)

• Type of lighting design (Rembrandt, split, broad, short, etc)

• Controlling / utilizing light (natural light, window, studio, mixed lighting, etc)

• Theory of light.

• Selection of the appropriate filter color for the light source.

PART 4: COMPOSITION, DESIGN, AND POSING

• Frame or crop the picture within the camera’s viewfinder.

• The angle of the view produces the desired effect.

• How to compose the elements within a scene.

• Posing individuals and multiple subjects.

PART 5: DIGITAL POST PRODUCTION

• Color spaces and which to work in

• RGB, CMYK, LAB color, additive color, subtractive color.

• File formats

• Creating / employing a color managements system.

• Cause and effect in the manipulation of digital images.

PART 6: IMAGE CAPTURE AND OUTPUT

• Selecting the appropriate capture media for the subject matter.

• Format requirements.

• Identifying and correcting problem images.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Below are the steps required to become a Certified Professional Photographer. They are designed to help you polish your technical and artistic skills.

• Enroll in the Certified Professional Photographers Preparation class.

• Pass a comprehensive written exam measuring your technical expertise.

• Successfully submit your work to a panel of judges for review and approval.

• Renewing credentials every three years with continuing education units or retaking the CP test.

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Computer and access to ZOOM

• ADDITIONAL COSTS =

  • If you are not already a PPA member you will need to join and pay the membership dues to PPA (approx. $28/month)

  • There will be a $200 exam fee payable to PPA.

  • These additional fees with be reviewed on the first day of class.

  • Included in this course is 1-hour of studio time to help you complete the practical portion.

• Included in your PPA membership:

  • Insurance and protection

  • Perks and Member discounts

  • Professional development

  • And much more!

QUALIFICATIONS

Required to be at an intermediate or advanced level.