PG Diploma in Travel and Nature Photography & Videography
The visual landscape has undergone a sea change. From the way images are created to the way they are consumed. The giant strides made by social media and the OTT platforms are the new reality. With AI being the latest entrant that has disrupted the process.
In this new norm, travel, nature and documentary photography, will need to be looked at differently. More than at any time in the past, we need to provide a true, real and honest view of our fast changing world that is affecting mankind in ways never imagined before.
We now have a course that will help mould a more versatile visual communicator, with the necessary knowledge and skills that will inspire viewers to step out and experience the real world and protect all that deserves to be safeguarded.
Benefits
Study under an industry-experienced faculty
Get mentored by Iqbal Mohamed
Access state-of-the-art facilities
Guidance with building a professional portfolio
Course Content
Duration:9 Months + Portfolio
The course has three parts :
1) Professional Photography
2) Videography
3) Portfolio
Part 1: Professional Photography
- Understanding the Camera
- Aesthetics of Photography
- History of Photography
- Natural Light and its qualities
- Moonlight & Astrophotography
- Use of Filters and applications
- Post Production Essentials
Every area will have lectures, slide shows, and demos as required, with time-bound assignments critique and grading.
Study of artificial light sources
- Portable Flash (Basic and Advanced)
- Post Production Part 2
- Photojournalism: The role of Photojournalism in today's world
- Use of Medium format cameras
Every area will have lectures, slide shows, and demos as required, with time-bound assignments critique and grading.
- Use of Tilt-Shift lenses: Workshop
- Drone Photography: Workshop
Every area will have lectures, slide shows, and demos as required, with time-bound assignments critique and grading.
Cultivating the habit of observing nature in terms of shape, form, colour, texture and very critically, light - is a very important component of the course.
Capturing the essence of the subject and the mood of the moment with emphasis on creating an image that will inspire personal exploration and conservation will be the focus of this section.
The lectures will cover different geographical terrains, vast landscapes to nature close-ups and macro photography. There will be field trips, and time bound assignments, with critique and grading.
Understanding the habitat and behavior of the subject being photographed. The unique challenges faced in doing wildlife photography. The importance of conservation and the role of the photographer in this process. All of these will be essential inputs for capturing wildlife images.
There will be lectures and slide shows with a field trip for a hands-on experience of wildlife photography followed by assignments that can be done around the Nilgiris with critique and grading.
An optional destination field trip will be planned for a minimum group of 12 students at an extra cost.
Places of natural attractions, festivals, culture, heritage, dress, local food, lifestyles, art forms, etc., are all subjects that inspire a photographer. How to tell the story of a any of these subjects in a visually captivating manner will be the primary focus, The art of doing portraits, on location, candid and studied in natural light and with portable flash will be a part of this section.
There will be lectures, slideshows, case studies, field trip, sessions on how to research a destination, planning and executing a project.
Apart from still images, the students will also make short communication pieces, which can be used as content for social media and other digital platforms.
Every visual produced by the students will endeavour to communicate something interesting, evocative and memorable to an audience. Understanding how to communicate effectively, is essential.
The section will cover the following topics:
Visual Communication Basics: Principles of design, Colour theory, & Basic Typography, Creating a picture with a story. Copyrighting (The craft of persuasive writing)·
Each area of study will be a workshop with exercises, group discussions, feedback and grading.
The foremost objective of practising any visual art form is to fulfil the desire for creative self-expression. This module is designed to realise that objective.
Builds on earlier modules to help students understand the process of creating a fine art image.
Covers key photographic methods and techniques for producing work suitable for exhibition and sale.
Includes detailed study of Digital Black and White Photography with a focus on creative post-production.
Part 2: Videography
This part builds on the fundamental concepts of creating a visual (Light, colour and design) covered in the Professional Photography segment and gives an immersive learning experience on applying these to the moving image.
The emphasis will be on all that it takes to create a complete piece of communication in video. Students will work with their DSLR/Mirrorless Cameras.
A solid grounding in technical and creative principles for shooting video.
- Camera Fundamentals & Lenses for Video
- Camera Movements: Tripod, handheld, gimbals.
- Composition for Moving Images: Framing, depth, and dynamic balance.
- Lighting for Video (Intro): Natural light and basic artificial lighting setups.
- Low-Light Cinematography: Techniques and camera settings.
- Slow Motion & Time-lapse
Every topic will be covered through lectures, demos, and time-bound assignments with critique and grading.
- Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro / DaVinci Resolve. Project setup & organisation, media management, basic editing tools & workflow, transitions & effects.
- Colour correction & basic grading, export settings & delivery.
- Editing Theory: Rhythm, pacing, visual flow.
- Matching shots and creating mood.
- Titles & graphics
Every topic will be covered through lectures, demos, and time-bound assignments with critique and grading.
- Recording Clean Dialogue: Lavaliers, shotguns, booms.
- Ambient & Location Sound: Capturing atmosphere for realism.
- Audio Editing Basics and Software - Adobe Premiere / Pro Tools
- Sound Mixing & Syncing for Video.
- Music Selection & Licensing: Mood, tempo, and copyright considerations.
Every topic will be covered through lectures, demos, and time-bound assignments with critique and grading.
- Professional planning processes.
- Concept Development: Research, idea refinement, treatment documents.
- Scriptwriting for Video: Structure, pacing, dialogue, and voiceover writing.
- Storyboarding & Shot Lists: Visualising scenes and planning coverage.
- Mood Boards & Look Books: Defining visual tone for clients/teams.
- Location Scouting & Management: Permissions, recce reports, safety planning.
This section will be covered in workshop format, with case studies, practical assignments and feedback.
- Shooting small scenes to exercise the grammar of Filmmaking (Scripting, Shooting & Editing )
- Shooting an interview to exercise the knowledge of: Scripting, Shooting, Recording Audio, Shooting A Roll, B Roll & Editing
- Creating short form content for Social Media
This section will be covered through lectures, demos, and time-bound assignments with critique and grading.
- Repurposing and adapting content for maximum reach.
- Shooting for multiple aspect ratios (16:9, 9:16, 1:1).
- Editing for varied lengths (6s, 15s, 30s, 60s, long-form).
- Narrative compression: telling a full story in seconds.
- Platform-specific optimisation: YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn.
This section will be covered in workshop format, with case studies, practical assignments and feedback.
Part 3: Portfolio
Portfolios showcase a student's talent, exposure, and experiences. A good portfolio is the first entry point into the industry, hence it is a very important component of the course.
Students will be required to submit portfolios in both areas: Travel & Nature Professional Photography & Video Showreel based. A detailed brief on the requirements of the portfolio will be given.
On submission of a portfolio that meets Light & Life Academy standards, they will be eligible for the award of the Post Graduate Diploma in Travel & Nature Photography & Videography.
Course Information
Evaluation is done on a continuous basis, on assignments submitted and tests administered. The students are expected to clear every single assignment/test with a minimum score of 70%. Light & Life Academy believes that every student can make the grade, and the student is given enough opportunities and assistance from the faculty to achieve the minimum grade for every assignment.
Note: The policy of the Academy is to update the course content constantly. This is based on developments in the field/industry (technical, aesthetic & communication). The course content, schedules and methodology are therefore subject to change even as the course is in progress.
Student Testimonial
Testimonials
Over the last twenty-five years, LLA has become more than a photography school—it’s a space that has shaped and been shaped by everyone who’s walked through it. Here are words from those who’ve shared this journey with us—friends, mentors, industry voices, and visitors whose experience with LLA have left a lasting impression.
LLA was the perfect turning point in my life. Learning at LLA – from the people, faculty, and students has changed my thinking completely. Hoping to be a better photographer I joined LLA, to learn, observe and practice the Art – Now I leave this place as a better person and a better photographer.
Shriram Bala
Alumnus, Batch 17
I never knew that I could learn so much in six months. My passion for photography grew from just a hobby to being a professional. We’ve had ups and downs in this course where we wanted to learn more and there was not enough time to do it. But overall it’s been an amazing roller coaster ride and I loved it every bit. The best part was that it was a small group of students and we got close and became a family.
Prathiksha.M.K
Alumnus, Batch 17
The time I’ve spent in LLA has been the best year of my life.The sessions, explanations, critiques, constant feedback, the way we were taken care of, the love we got, all the fun we had, just amazing and we truly loved it. I constantly keep looking for reasons to come back to my College, my Home- Light & Life Academy.
Anurag Katailiha
Alumnus, Batch 17
How To Apply
Eligibility
Open to any graduate (minimum 15 years of formal education) above 20 years of age. Exceptions may be made for applicants with relevant work experience. You can reach out to us in case you have any doubts or clarifications.
📞 +91 75982 87370
📧 admissions@llacademy.org
Admission Process
Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis and follows a two-step process:
- 1. Online Application Review by Light & Life Academy
- 2. Personal Interview on campus with the Director(s). Applicants are notified of their admission status soon after the interview
Apply Online
Step 1: Fill out the online form using the unique URL sent to your email. Upload: a recent passport-size photo, educational certificates, reference letters (optional), and a portfolio of 20 images.
Step 2: Complete online application with payment of Application Fee of Rs.1,500 + GST.
FAQ
Light & Life Academy expects 100 percent attendance for all classes, demos, critique sessions and shoots in the studio. This is to ensure that the learning is thorough and every single concept that Light & Life has to teach is understood.