Module 7: Refining The Image Process

This module examines the practical and professional realities of building a photographic career. It covers major working fields such as travel, photojournalism, magazine and advertising photography, while addressing the importance of developing personal style and maintaining ethical practice. Students will learn methods for planning and visualising images, managing colour and file settings in-camera, interpreting previews and histograms, and working tethered for controlled results. The module also explores portfolio development, ongoing self-education, and strategies for staying current in a constantly changing industry.

Why This Module Matters

Highlights the value of continuous learning, self-critique, and staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. In Module 7, you’ll:

• Clarifies the commercial pressures and expectations photographers face in professional environments.
• Refine your pre-visualisation workflow and gain insights into lens technical and creative aspects.
• Gain more understanding about several commercial genres of photography.
• Understand the importance of achieving high-quality captures on camera.
• Build your visual repertoire, create your own authentic style, and ethically use external references and inspiration.

What You’ll Learn

• Commercial Reality & Aesthetics
  Working as a professional photographer, from creative intent to market demands.
• Developing Your Vision
  Build shooting checklists and pre-visualise lens perspectives to refine the creative process.
• Colour & Image Management
  Master in-camera exposure & colour using histograms, previews, and exposure warnings.
• Creative & Technical Growth
  Avoid plagiarism and overreliance on post-production, stay authentic and build your style.

What You’ll Do

• Colour Management
  Depict colour spaces on practical tasks to effectively manage colour.
• Raw Files & Colour
  Investigate colour behaviour on Raw files, refining post-production workflow.
• Use Visual References Practically
  Practice in-camera skills while replicating attractive images that you select.
• Plagiarism & Image Analyses
  Practice your image selection judgement and separate inspiration from plagiarism.

Module Outcomes

By completing Module 7, you will:

• Be confident about the expectations photographers face in professional environments.
• Build a stronger workflow, technically and creatively, through shooting checklists and sharper perception.
• Integrate colour management and exposure control methods during image capture, improving results.
• Build your visual repertoire, incorporating the use of image references as well as avoiding plagiarism.
• Increase your understanding of lens perspective for each genre through pre-visualisation methods.

Guidance Every Step of the Way

Our expert tutors will support you throughout Module 7. You'll receive dedicated and caring guidance to help you develop your own unique style. Gain practical advice from experienced professionals in the photography industry and acquire valuable insights to take further steps toward achieving your photography goals while learning to avoid creative traps.