CUA50920 Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging

CRICOS Course Code: 106532B

Shift your passion for photography to a career or business with the Diploma of Photography and Photo Imaging. Unlock your creative potential and develop advanced photography skills to produce a professional body of work. Explore genres of photography including Fine Art, Portraiture, Documentary, Landscape and Commercial. You will learn studio and natural lighting techniques and will gain an understanding of operating and marketing your own photography business. Work in an inspiring and collaborative environment to develop your professional portfolio in preparation for prospective employers and/or clients.

Start Dates

Monthly

Duration

58 Weeks

Study: 42 weeks // Supervised Study: 4 weeks // Holidays: 12 weeks

Delivery Mode

Face-to-Face

15 hrs / week

Distance

5 hrs / week

Potential Career Outcomes

Freelance Photographer // Photography Store Manager

Location

Campus

Gold Coast

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirement:

Students must provide evidence of successful completion of:

Certificate IV or Diploma requires a minimum of Year 12 OR a minimum of a Certificate III level qualification or higher
If there is no evidence of the above, the student must sit the Entrepreneur Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Test and achieve a satisfactory result

Please note: home country evidence is accepted and must be translated

English Entry Requirement:

Students must pass a minimum of one of the following English Requirements:

Upper Intermediate Certificate or higher
Certificate IV level or higher qualification in Australia
IELTS 5.5-6, FCE Grade B or C, CAE 160-179, TOEFL 72-94, TOEIC 400-485 (listening), 385-450 (reading)
Entrepreneur Education English Test, achieving at least Upper Intermediate level

Please note: All English evidence provided must be within a 2 year validity period. Either within two years before the application is made, or within two years of the visa grant

Course Resource Requirements:

The following resources are required to complete this course:

Camera: Essential – DSLR Camera body or similar (preferably Canon or Nikon) Preferable: Tripod and camera flash (such as: 430EX/580EX or Nikon SB700/SB900)
Computer Requirements: Students will require continual access to their own laptop computer during class and outside of class to meet distance education requirements
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: must have a subscription to the current version.
Computer System Requirements:

Visit https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html

Please note: students are required to purchase these items at their own expense

Course Entry Requirement:

Students are required to submit photo images and complete the Entrepreneur Image Questionnaire to demonstrate introductory level technical skills in using the features of a DSLR camera

CREDIT TRANSFER

You may be eligible for Credit Transfers if you hold the same unit(s) from another provider. To be eligible; you must present your certified qualification at enrolment stage, together with the completed ‘Course Credit Form’. Once assessed, you will be notified of the outcome. Should your achieved units be equivalent, your CoE/course duration will be reduced according to the amount of time needed to complete the outstanding units.

Course Subjects

01. Stock Photography

BSBCRT413 Collaborate in creative processes

CUAPHI522 Plan and produce stock photo images

These units will give you the knowledge to be collaborative in the workplace using creative processes and the ability to produce photo images that may be used as stock photos for commercial use

02. Visual Trends

CUAPHI531 Apply visual communication theory to photo imaging practice

CUAPHI532 Research and apply photo imaging trends and emerging technologies

Learn how to produce creative and innovative photo images based on visual communication theory. Investigate photo imaging trends and emerging technologies and assess their creative and commercial applications.

03. Managing Colour

CUAPHI523 Employ colour management in a digital imaging workplace

Learn how to manage the integrity of colour across digital imaging devices. Research principals and techniques for control of digital colour and apply, review and update colour management strategies.

04. Commercial Photography

CUAPHI535 Produce commercial photo images

Learn how to establish a contract for a commercial photoshoot, prepare, shoot and produce images, wrap up and review the shoot.

05. Show me the money!

CUAFIM511 Source funding for projects

Learn how to source money for creative or artistic projects. In this unit you will investigate, develop and pitch a funding proposal.

06. Digital Art

CUADIG518 Refine digital art techniques

Learn how to refine digital media techniques and develop your own digital art style in a body of creative work. Research, refine and evaluate your techniques encompassing animation, video and sound production.

07. Emotive Lighting

CUAPHI533 Explore and apply photo lighting techniques

Research light and its relationship to photo imaging in this unit by experimenting with light for complex subjects and applying lighting to create image mood on various subjects.

08. Let’s Get Social

BSBMKG546 Develop social media engagement plans

Learn how to develop a social media engagement strategy and facilitate content development and delivery. Monitor and evaluate engagement levels using analytics and report on engagement effectiveness.

09. Portraiture

CUAPHI536 Provide photographic portrait services

CUAACD535 Work with the human form in creative practice

This cluster of units will show you how to plan & style a photo shoot according to a brief and give you confidence to produce professional portrait images in key moments, moods and events.

10. Media & Publication

CUAPHI537 Produce media photo images

Learn how to interpret editorial team assignments, work with journalists and liaise with public safety services and the general public. Produce illustrative images that communicate concepts, ideas and factual information in ways to evoke emotive responses in the viewer.

11. Illustrative Photography

CUAPHI521 Make illustrative photo images for publication and display

Get creative and learn how to produce illustrative images that communicate concepts, ideas and factual information to evoke emotive responses in the viewer.

12. Specialisation

CUAPPR414 Develop self as artist

CUAPPR616 Extend expertise in a specialised art form to professional level

CUAPPR513 Present a body of own creative work

Unleash your creative self and refine your skills, develop you own style and evaluate your work. In this unit you will develop a cohesive body of work, seek and apply constructive feedback from others and adjust work processes and practice to improve technical, conceptual and commercial outcomes.

Timetable Information

Timetable

DIPLOMA OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTO IMAGING - CUA50915

Please note; timetables are subject to change.

Course Terminology

Workshop (stage 1)
During this time your mentor will deliver planned training sessions which are aimed to give you introductory photography skills. Activities may include presentations and planned activities to learn how to use cameras and photography tools.
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Workshop (stage 2)
Upon completion of the introductory workshops, you will be equipped to commence more skilled project work. This scheduled time will focus on individual components of your assigned projects.

Collaborate
In collaboration with your peers, you will complete your assigned projects and assessments. In this allocated time slot, you will have meetings with your team to evaluate your project work and photography skills.

Distance Education

Canvas (Learner Management System)
Canvas is your online learning portal. Within this platform, you will be able to access your course learning materials, assessment requirements, and marked submissions. You will also be able to communicate with your Mentor within this platform, outside of timetabled hours. The system is user friendly and will help keep you on track throughout your studies.

Academic Calendars

2025

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