The Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography have developed a partnership with the largest and most successful international photographic concessionaire based in Miami.
Representing over 400 photographers on 40 ships at any given time, this programme has specifically been designed in collaboration with The Image Group to meet their quality and training requirements. It is the first programme of its kind in South Africa and The Image Group convey their commitment to our high standard of education by only accepting graduates from the Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography.
All candidates who have completed this programme will be availed the exclusive opportunity to work for Image Photographic Services and are guaranteed employment.
There are 2 courses on offer. A 2 week course for more experienced photographers and a 3 week course aimed at the beginner photographer. Please see below for more information.
2 WEEK COURSE:
• Shipboard living conditions – cabins, food, uniforms, rules & regulations and safety.
• Customer Service – the importance of excellent customer service, courtesy and going that extra mile to achieve high passenger satisfaction scores within the industry.
• Positive mental attitude - the skills to keep a positive attitude to handle the long hours and the demands of this career.
• Communication skills – trainees will be taught the importance of having the ability to understand and communicate in an environment of cultural diversity.
• Harassment training – to handle uncomfortable situations and procedures involved.
• Sales skills – the trainee will be taught the importance of effective selling, selling the photo opportunity, and the right approach to passengers.
• Embarkation, gangway, restaurant, decks, lounge and costume shoots – students will be given an understanding of the atmosphere in the dining room, gangways and other events that will be photographed throughout the ship. Composition, exposure, flash, and the importance of shooting quickly, efficiently, and consistently will be stressed.
• Formal portrait lighting and composition – a good understanding of the shipboard studio lighting, composition, and posing will be covered.
• Lab basics – all aspects of developing and printing in a mini-lab.
• Creation of a final portfolio and practical exam. Only on passing will you be allowed to further your recruitment with Image Services.
• Cost of the course is R7400, excluding accommodation.
To be accepted for this course you need to prove your experience in your CV and portfolio. A diploma/degree from another institution could also give you access into the shorter course.
3 WEEK COURSE:
Includes the above, but week 1 will consist of:
Photography outcomes:
• History of Photography and Visual Literacy
• Camera functions, accessories, lenses and flash
• Digital Photography – exposure, resolution, white balance, colour temperature, pixels, ISO ratings, memory cards, software, downloading images, digital camera image noise, image types and sizes, shooting in RAW
• Aperture and depth of field
• Shutter and motion
• Exposure, natural lighting, artificial lighting
• Lenses and filters
• Composition, perspective, viewpoint, design elements influencing photography
• Specialised photography – night photography, travel, close-ups, portraits, sunsets, water and safari
• Photoshop for photographers
Photoshop outcomes:
• Moving around the Photoshop workspace: toolbox, menus, palettes
• Histograms, levels and curves: adjusting tonal values of photographs
• Retouching with the clone stamp tool and the patch tool
• Cropping and transforming Images
• Using selection tools
• Making colour adjustments
• The effect of using Filters
• Basic introduction to layers
• The idea of masking to create hand-colouring
• Opening, creating and saving Images
• Photoshop keyboard shortcuts
The cost of the 3 week course is R10 900 excludes accommodation.
WHY CHOOSE TO DO THIS COURSE?
• We are the only educational institute in South Africa to offer this exciting programme and the only institute Image Photographic Services recognizes and is prepared to work with in southern Africa.
• The programme and curriculum were developed in collaboration with Image Photographic Services to ensure quality and outcomes expected to meet the requirements of world-class luxury liners.
• The Academy guarantees quality graduates and if the graduates do not meet the portfolio requirements of Image Photographic Services, we are willing to go so far as to allow the candidate to complete the next operating course free of charge.
• We have developed a relationship with Nikon, who also offer workshops, so you may purchase and receive individualised brand-specific attention after completion of the programme.
• Our facilitators have years of experience within the niché cruise ship photographic industry.
• You will receive a formal Certificate of Attendance guaranteeing you passage into the world of cruiseship photography.
• At the end of your 2nd contract with Image you will be reimbursed $300.