A course of study in photography is essentially a study in the fine arts. You could prepare for this well paying career by attending one of the available good art schools. Photography has many areas to specialize in. You may be surprised to know that some photographers specialize in only one aspect of photography, and you can do the same. The following areas of study, though not an exhaustive list, will give sufficient insights to help you in choosing your course of study.
Advertising Photography
In advertising photography, pictures are taken of what is being marketed. The work can vary, so an advertising photographer may find themselves taking photos of cars one day and snapping pictures of electronics for the next job. Advertising photography is also known as commercial photography because the focus is selling a product.
Fashion Photography
Fashion photography may be what comes to mind when someone talks about professional photography. It involves photographers taking photographs of models and the clothing they are modeling. Fashion photography is in many ways commercial photography, but it is so specialized that is thought of as a separate field by many.
Photojournalism
Photojournalism uses photography to tell a story. Photojournalism is often associated with covering wars, but photojournalists cover many other events such as elections. Becoming a photojournalist requires solid training in photography as well as being a reporter. Often photojournalists encounter dangerous or challenging situations.
Fine Art Photography
Fine art photography shares similarities with other genres of photography. Unlike advertising or commercial photography though, the point of fine art photography is creative expression rather than selling something. Often, fine art photographers are trying to make a statement or capture a feeling or idea with their photographs.
Nature Photography
Nature photography may be considered fine art photography, but some often consider it in its own category. Some photographers capture mainly nature shots for prestigious magazines or other clients. These nature shots often include both wildlife and landscapes.
All of these areas of photography require a solid background in the basics. Once you make your choice regarding the area you want to study in your art school, you will get into specialized classes in one field. For example, fashion photographers learn how to make both their models and the clothes look good in their photographs. Nature photographers on the other hand are more concerned about dealing with outdoor lighting and capturing the perfect shot of wildlife. In addition to these fields of study, you could also consider portrait photography among other types of photography. Genres are also changing with more photographers using digital cameras and manipulating their photographs with software to create the kind of image they imagine.