COURSES

Certificate in Photojournalism - starting January

Dates	January - April 2009
Location	The Argus, Brighton
Time of day	9am - 5pm
Course Aims	We aim to provide you with quality teaching so you can get your NCTJ exams, and learn the skills needed to get your pictures and videos published. We help you gain work experience both at The Argus and beyond. The course leads to photojournalism exams set by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) which provides training schemes and qualifications for the best journalism training centres in the country.
Course Content	The course consists of eight study units: General Photographic Knowledge: stills and video Photographic Practice Surviving as a Freelance Media Law for Photographers Video-editing and Production Caption-writing for Press Photographers News Writing for Photojournalists Basic Picture Desk Skills Health and Safety It is an intensive fast track course, taking place over up to six days a week, so that you can take your place on The Argus picture desk on some weekends taking photos and videos of football matches, events and shows. Learn the practical and theoretical skills of image capture on still and video digital formats, the transmission of still and video photography by a range of means and operation of the electronic picture desk. You will get to grips with media law relating to the publication of images from both professional photographers, citizen journalists and other external sources in newspapers, magazines and on websites. And you will learn how to write clear and accurate captions or news stories for images appearing in print and in online galleries and slideshows. You will create, report, write, edit and present video reports suitable for online publication. There is also two weeks' work experience at the end of the course to gather snaps and videos for that portfolio which should help you get a job in photojournalism. The course should build your confidence taking pictures and video as a means of communication so as much skill is devoted to the content and composition of the photograph and video as to its technical accomplishment. It will improve your style and help equip you with all the necessary practical skills to work as a photojournalist in today's fast paced media industry. It is assessed by five NCTJ set and marked exams and by a portfolio of course work.
Who is the course for.	Photography graduates from universities who want to find out how to sell their photos and videos to a range of different media Sixth formers with a Photography A level who want a vocational course in photojournalism Photographers who want to turn their hobbies into freelance careers Career changers who have always nursed an ambition to turn their creativity and skill into profit Photographers already working in the industry who need the NCTJ qualifications Gap year applicants. This fast track course can be part of a structured year to decide whether university is the right next move Creative artistic photographers who want to widen their skills into editorial photography
Work Experience	We have teamed up with the photographers at The Argus and other newspapers and magazines to provide plenty of opportunity for work experience. There is scheduled time on the picture desk of The Argus over some weekends taking stills and video during the course and arrangements with other media outlets at the end of the course. It should all add up to a good portfolio to impress potential employers.
Recognition	Exam success at the end of the course earns National Council for the Training of Journalists qualifications recognised by picture desks around the country.
How will I be selected?	The first step is to apply online. Then we invite you to a selection morning when you take a tour of The Argus, our training room and facilities and have an informal chat about the course and your suitability for photojournalism. You take a short written test and show us your photographic portfolio.
What are the minimum qualifications?	Photography A level or equivalent plus 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English.
Cost of Course	£4,500 inclusive of VAT and exams