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In general, photography is a field of huge competition, since it is not difficult to start in the field of photography. According to the US Bureau of Statistics, the job growth in the field of photography, from 2019 to 2029 is expected to be 4%.
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Among other photography specializations, scientific photography is the least competitive field, since this field requires specialized technical knowledge. Scientific photographers are expected to have at least a bachelor's level degree in any of the science fields like biology, chemistry, engineering, medical, etc.
There are various institutes in India that offer courses in photography. The candidates should take up these courses to develop photography skills and more technical knowledge. Most of them also conduct entrance exams and test the candidates' creative excellence.
Salaried photography positions are difficult to find since the companies find it more convenient to hire freelance photographers. But for scientific photographers, there are chances to get full-time salaried jobs if they are hired by government organizations, research centers, etc.
Quick Facts for a Scientific Photographer
A table for quick facts with the basic information about this career:
| Industry | Scientific, Medical, Industrial and Academic discipline. |
| Eligibility | Diploma or Bachelor's degree in photography |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4,04,130 per annum |
| Job Opportunity | Medical and Scientific Illustrator, Film and Video Editor |
Table of Contents
- What does a Scientific Photographer do
- Steps to Follow to become a Scientific Photographer
- Types of Scientific Photographer
6.1 BFA Photography and Visual Communication
6.3 BAJMC
7.1 UK
7.2 USA
7.3 Canada
7.4 Australia
- Benefits of Career as a Scientific Photographer
- Skills required to become a Scientific Photographer
- Salary of a Scientific Photographer
10.3 Gender Wise Salary
10.4 Experience Wise
What Does a Scientific Photographer Do?
They use their photography skills in the areas of research, medical, industrial, and academic disciplines. They take photographs for the purpose of recording or documenting objective truth, that may be scientific or medical data or a phenomenon. Their skill set allows them to see data through the camera lens and present it in a way that is alluring and captivating. This style of photography is usually used in areas like macro photography, spectral image (ultraviolet photography, infrared photography, and thermal imaging, etc).
Their daily work usually includes shooting bacteria under magnification, super-fine particle research, genome research, hybrid fuel ingredients, and many such extensive areas. Their job is to capture the subjects in their camera in a way that the client wants. They usually capture the scientific and medical data of a commercial grade.
Steps to Follow
There are some important steps that an individual has to go through to build a career as a scientific photographer. Some of them are explained in the table below:
- Decision Making: This is a career that could be taken up at any time. There is no such particular educational background required to start this career. Anyone who is interested in photography can decide to take up this career. Still, the decision to take up this career should be taken after completion of 10+2. The candidates who have completed 10+2 in science and then go for undergraduate studies in photography.
- Subject Choices: A scientific photographer should have some basic knowledge in biology, physics, medicine, or engineering. The individual should have at least completed a bachelor’s study in any of the science-related subjects. Though science till 10+2 can also work. They should have photographic knowledge since taking pictures of minute subjects that can’t be seen with the naked eyes, would require some technical knowledge. Therefore they should go for BA photography, BFA Photography, or Diploma in Photography.
- Entrance Exam Preparation: For taking up photography or visual communication courses, the candidates will have to appear for institute-level entrance exams. All the institutes that offer these courses test the candidate’s creative ability. Some of such institute-level exams are FADEE, LPUNEST, IPU CET, etc. To prepare for any of the institute level exams, the candidates should keep the following points in mind, They should be aware of the syllabus and the exam pattern, they should prepare a timetable to cover all the topics. At least the basics of all the topics should be clear, they should practice thorough mock tests and sample papers.
- Selecting Correct Colleges: To choose the right college, the candidates should check through the following, Ranking, Facilities, Course Fee, Placement, Review
- After Qualifying Exam: After qualifying for the entrance exams the candidates will have to go through the further admission process, which usually includes, Interview , Counseling and Enrollment
Types of Scientific Photographer
The photographers that work in the field of science are referred to as scientific photographers. They are categorized based on the area they work. Some of the types of scientific photographers are mentioned below:
Medical Photographer
- These professionals are responsible for using photography techniques and equipment to produce a high-quality image for healthcare and scientific purposes.
- They work on-site and take images of surgical or clinical procedures and circumstances to help the healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat the illness or injury.
- They create technically sound images that are used for patient documentation, medical education, publications, legal documentation, and insurance purposes.
- They work directly with the physicians, medical staff, and patients to create a standard visual record of the patient's condition throughout their patient’s treatment.
- They earn an average salary of INR 4,20,000 per annum.
Forensic Photographer
Their work is to take photographs of the crime scene and capture every single detail acutely. They photograph the area, the deceased persons, blood spatter, broken objects, and other materials that could work as evidence. These photographs are then used to recreate the crime scene and thus helps the law enforcement officers in solving the crimes. They use highly technical cameras to capture images like ultraviolet, fluorescent, X-ray, etc. They usually work in the crime department or the forensic department. The average salary of a forensic photographer in India is INR 3,85,502 per annum.
Underwater Photographer
These photographers take pictures underwater that include marine wildlife, underwater vegetation, etc. These underwater photographers are certified scuba divers. They use special equipment and special flashes, since light bends and reacts differently when it passes through water. They make sure that the equipment used is either waterproof or is sealed properly in the waterproof cases. The average salary of underwater photographers in India is around INR 3,91,173 per annum.
Astrophotographer
They are photographers that take pictures of celestial bodies like the planets, stars, star clusters, comets, galaxies, etc. They also capture events like eclipses, transits, etc. They usually work through remote areas away from the cities, under the unpolluted skies. They use their photogenic equipment to take the picture of the celestial object and this may either take a few minutes or an entire day. The average salary of an astrophotographer is around INR 8 lakh per annum.
Wildlife Photographer
These photographers take pictures of wildlife and non-domesticated animals. They not only take pictures for artistic value but also for scientific value, usually to understand animal behavior. Their work demands extensive travel and their location is usually determined by the subject they need to shoot. The average salary of a wildlife photographer in India is around INR 4,25,000 per annum.
How to Become a Scientific Photographer in India?
To become a scientific photographer the candidates should start taking the right education and inculcate skills like photogenic principles and techniques. Also, they should have knowledge in physics, optics, and photogenic principles.
School Level Preparation
- At the school level, the candidates should have taken science in their higher secondary education. Though this is not necessary, still having knowledge in the field of science, especially physics could be beneficial.
- They should start their research of photography colleges and their admission process.
- They should start preparing for entrance exams and should keep track of the dates of exams that they need to appear for.
How to Become a Scientific Photographer after 12th?
UG Preparation
- At the UG level, the candidates should take courses in photography.
- They should try their best to gain as much knowledge and learn practical skills through the course.
- They should take some online courses in scientific photography to understand the field better.
- If they are planning to do a master’s degree then they should also start preparing for master-level exams in their last year of college.
PG Preparation
- At the PG level, the candidates should focus on enhancing their skills.
- They should start looking for a job so that they may gain experience. They should build their account on platforms like LinkedIn, Naukri.com, etc.
- They should build their resume and also try to improve their interpersonal skills to sit for the interviews.
- Prepare for the in-campus placement drives and also keep applying outside the campus.
Courses to Become a Scientific Photographer
Some of the courses that could help the candidates to build a career as a scientific photographer has been explained below:
BFA Photography and Visual Communication
BFA Photography and Visual Communication is an undergraduate program of 4 years with a distinct artistic and historical identity. It involves contemporary photogenic practice including a diversity of conceptual and formal approaches. Through the course, they will learn a strong historical and theoretical understanding of the medium.
BFA Photography and Visual Communication: Admission Process
- Admission into the BFA Photography courses is usually based on the entrance examination.
- The top art and media institutes usually test the student’s creative excellence.
- The entrance exams are conducted at the university level, followed by a personal interview round.
BFA Photography and Visual Communication: Eligibility criteria for the Exam
- To appear for the FADEE entrance exam, the candidates should have completed their 10+2 in any stream, from a recognized university.
BA (Hons) Photography
BA Hons Photography is a 3-year undergraduate program that helps the students to learn all the necessary skills to build their careers as professional photographers. This is a skill enhancement course that would offer acute knowledge of photo aesthetics and visual grammar.
BA (Hons) Photography: Admission Process
- The admission into BA Photography is usually based on merit.
- The candidates who clear the minimum cut-off of the institute can take direct admission.
- The students may be evaluated through an interview.
BA (Hons) Photography: Eligibility criteria
To get admission into the BA Photography course, the candidates should fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- They should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board in any stream.
- They should have secured at least 40% marks in 10+2 or equivalent.
- They should be proficient in the English language.
BA Journalism and Mass Communication
BAJMC is a 3-year undergraduate course that helps the student learn technical skills and social understanding to convey information through various media to the general public.
BA Journalism and Mass Communication: Admission Process
- Admission into these courses is either based on the entrance exam or on the basis of merit.
- The evaluation is further followed by a personal interview or a counseling session.
BA Journalism and Mass Communication: Eligibility for the Exam
To appear for the LPUNEST exam, the candidates should fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- They should have completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized university.
- They should have a minimum aggregate of 50% in 10+2.
BSc in Life Science
BSc Life Science is a 3-year undergraduate program that deals with the study of various life processes in animals, plants, and other organisms. Some of the important subjects that are covered in the course are plant biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, food science, agriculture science, botany, zoology, molecular biology, etc.
BSc in Life Science: Admission Process
- The admission into the life science program is based on entrance examinations.
- The exams are conducted on a national, state, and university level.
- Admission into government colleges is based on national and state-level entrance exams.
BSc Life Science: Eligibility for Exam
To become eligible for the DUET exam, the candidates should fulfill the following criteria:
- They should have completed 10+2 with science from a recognized university.
- They should have a minimum aggregate of 60% in 10+2.
How to Become a Scientific Photographer Abroad
Few lines about which countries offer this career and difference between India and abroad procedure,
UK
To become a scientific photographer in the UK, the candidates do not require any formal education. Anyone who is interested and has a good eye, creative and technical ability can take up this career.
Admission Process
- Candidates can take up a photography course in the college or university to develop skills.
- To take up these photography-related degrees they will need 5 GCSEs (A-C) including maths and English and 2 - 3 A levels including one in art, design, or media.
- They can also go for a level 3 vocational course in photography, art, or design.
Top Colleges
Some of the top colleges in the UK that offer photography courses are mentioned in the table below:
| College Name | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| University of Plymouth | INR 15,63,000 |
| Middlesex University | INR 13,95,324 |
| Coventry University | INR 10,49,189 |
| University of Hertfordshire | INR 14,12,207 |
| The University of the West of England | INR 16,27,878 |
| University of Central Lancashire | INR 14,45,795 |
| University of Brighton | INR 16,27,701 |
| Robert Gordon University | INR 13,94,263 |
| University of Chester | INR 11,36,341 |
| University of Derby | INR 13,25,673 |
Courses available
- BA in Photography
- MA in Photography
US
To build a career as a scientific photographer, the candidates should have a certain educational background and skills. The requirements have been mentioned below:
Admission Process
All the requirements for building a career as a scientific photographer has been mentioned below:
Educational requirements
- They should have a background in biology, chemistry, medicine, or engineering.
- They should at least have an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in scientific photography or a related field.
- These courses should be of 2 - 4 year duration and may include principles of photography, image manipulation, and location photography.
Other Requirements
- They should have an interest in science and should have knowledge in physics, optics, and photographic principles.
- They should be creative and familiar with photogenic principles and techniques.
Top Colleges
Some of the top colleges in the US that offer photography courses are mentioned in the table below:
| College Name | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| George Washington University | INR 44,70,348 |
| Rice University | INR 36,14,117 |
| Louisiana State University | INR 21,40,727 |
| University of Houston | INR 19,43,606 |
| Washington University | INR 42,10,114 |
| University of Illinois | INR 32,90,020 |
| Syracuse University | INR 25,17,094 |
| University of Georgia | INR 23,60,580 |
| Wayne State University | INR 25,10,140 |
| California State University | INR 14,45,273 |
Courses available
The course that can help candidates build a career as a scientific photographer are:
- Associate in Photography
- BSc in Scientific Photography
- BA in Photography
Canada
Admission Process
The requirements to build a career as a scientific photographer in Canada are explained below:
Educational requirements
- The candidates can take up an associate degree or bachelor's degree in photography.
- They can then take certifications offered by the Professional Photographers Association like Certified Professional Photography, Certified Forensic Photography, Certified Biological Photography.
Other Requirements
They can take up internships and engage in photographic workshops and fieldwork to explore the creative, technical, and logistical aspects of photography in the studio and also at various locations.
Top Colleges
Some of the top colleges in Canada that offer photography courses are mentioned in the table below:
| College Name | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Emily Carr University of Arts & Design | INR 14,94,360 |
| OCAD University | INR 14,65,800 |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology | INR 7,77,600 |
| Cégep DU Vieux Montréal | - |
| Dawson College | INR 7,20,060 |
| Georgian College | INR 6,18,300 |
| Holland College | INR 1,83,120 |
| Red River College | INR 5,68,440 |
| Seneca College | INR 7,18,740 |
| Nova Scotia Community College | INR 5,10,720 |
Courses available
- Diploma in Photography
- Advanced Diploma in Photography
- BA Photography
- BFA Photography
Australia
To become a scientific photographer in Australia the candidates should fulfill the following requirements:
Admission Process
The candidates can take up a photography course to learn the skill. They can take a bachelor's degree, TAFE, vocational or private courses.
Top Colleges
Some of the top colleges in Australia that offer photography courses are mentioned below:
| College Name | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| University of Technology Sydney | INR 14,70,616 |
| RMIT University | INR 12,38,440 |
| Curtin University | INR 11,32,152 |
| Deakin University | INR 12,44,208 |
| TAFE South Australia | INR 4,98,456 |
| Box Hill Institute | INR 5,05,512 |
| TAFE Queensland | INR 6,56,880 |
| TAFE NSW | INR 4,55,560 |
Courses available
- BA Photography
- BFA Photography
Benefits of Career as a Scientific Photographer
Salary
According to the data of Salary Expert, the average salary of a scientific photographer in India is around INR 4,04,130 per annum. Whereas as a fresher they earn around INR 3,00,580 per annum. In addition, they earn an average bonus of INR 7,517.
Job Security
- The job security depends on the type of organization the candidate is working in.
- Government organizations offer secure jobs. Government laboratories, research centers, and medical centers usually hire scientific photographers.
- If the job is on a contractual basis then there is no job security after the contract is over.
- If a permanent job is offered by the government firm then the individual could work till the time of retirement.
- Whereas private firms are totally based on skills, performance, and the contractual period. There is no such job security in private firms.
Positive Impact of the career
Some of the benefits of choosing a scientific photographer as a career are:
- The scientific photographers earn a decent salary which is not as much as the photographers that work in other sectors but still enough to lead a happy life.
- The competition in this field is quite low since most of the photographers go for more luxury sectors like fashion, lifestyle, wildlife, etc.
- They can work in a variety of industries and places like laboratories, forensics, medical offices, museums, etc.
- They can be self-employed. Either working for other firms they can simply work as a freelancer and work alone for the clients or can set up their own photography firm.
Unique Experience
- With this career, the individuals may be able to photograph objects in the field of nuclear science, engineering innovation, or even space exploration.
- All the photographers cannot become scientific photographers as they should have certain knowledge in the area they are working. Like at least a college-level understanding in biology, engineering, etc.
- They get to maximize the use of the latest digital photographic equipment.
- They learn to tell a story with their pictures.
Skills Required for Scientific Photographers
Some of the skills that are highly required to become a scientific photographer are:
- They should have keen eyes to capture clear and correctly illuminated pictures of the subject.
- They should have a basic understanding of the area they work in like medicine, healthcare, engineering, etc.
- They should have proper knowledge of photography with the ability to capture images with limited equipment and less than ideal conditions.
Salary of a Scientific Photographer in India
The salary of a scientific photographer may vary due to several factors. Some of the factors include experience, type of organization, gender, location, etc. The average salaries based on some of the factors have been mentioned below:
Average Annual Salary
The salary also depends upon the type of organization the individual is working in. The salary in a government organization is usually higher than in a private organization. The average annual salaries have been mentioned in the table below:
| Name of Organisation | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Govt | INR 3,92,400 |
| Private | INR 3,72,000 |
Specialization Wise
The photographers usually work on the basis of contracts and they charge according to their requirements. They earn per project and the amount varies according to the area they are working in. The salary of some of the photography specializations are mentioned below:
| Specializations | Salary |
|---|---|
| Scientific Photographer | INR 10,000 - INR 50,000 |
| Wedding Photographer | INR 1,00,000 - INR 1,50,000 |
| Portrait Photographer | INR 20,000 - INR 70,000 |
| Wildlife Photographer | INR 25,000 - INR 90,000 |
Gender Wise Salary
Gender is one of the factors with which the salary differs. Male photographers earn a higher salary than female photographers. The average salaries have been mentioned below:
| Gender | Salary |
|---|---|
| Male | INR 3,08,400 |
| Female | INR 2,62,800 |
Experience Wise
The salary of an individual increases as their experience increases. The average salary according to the experience has been in the table below:
| Experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| 0 - 2 years | INR 1,63.200 |
| 2 - 5 years | INR 2,12,400 |
| 5 - 10 years | INR 2,97,600 |
| 10 - 15 years | INR 3,57,600 |
| 15 - 20 years | INR 3,88,800 |
| 20+ years | INR 4,20,00 |
How to Become a Scientific Photographer: FAQs
Ques. What is scientific photography?
Ans. Scientific Photography is taking pictures of subjects that are too small and difficult to see with naked eyes, or subjects that are too far and too fast. These photographs are used for scientific research and in the field of applied science. But they are not just limited to science, they are also used in business, military operations, and the arts.
Ques. What are the types of photography used in scientific photography?
Ans. Types of photography that involve scientific photography are photomacrography, photomicrography, infrared photography, thermography, ultraviolet photography, fluorescence photography, high-speed photography, etc.
Ques. Is scientific photography better than other photography fields?
Ans. Scientific photography is a field of photography that is less competitive than the others. Here the photographers can get a full-time salaried job as they are usually employed by government and research institutes. Whereas the other photographers are usually hired on a contract basis for the particular project.
Ques. Is there a specific course requirement to become a scientific photographer?
Ans. There is no specific educational requirement to become a scientific photographer. The candidates who have a bachelor’s level education in any science background and have technical knowledge in photography can choose this career. Though taking a photography course can be beneficial to improve their skills but is not mandatory.
Ques. What is the average salary of scientific photographers in foreign countries?
Ans. The average salary of the scientific photographers in some of the foreign countries are mentioned below:
- United States - USD 49,641 (INR 37,12,153.98)
- United Kingdom - Euros 40,860 (INR 36,11,615)
- Canada - CAD 57,010 (INR 34,20,600)
- Australia - AUD 71,181 (INR 39,86,136)
Ques. What type of photographers are included in the category of scientific photographers?
Ans. Photographers like the wildlife photographer, underwater photographer, astrophotographer, medical photographer, forensic photographer, etc are included in the category of scientific photographers.
Ques. What is the average salary of photographers in India?
Ans. The photographers in general earn an average salary of INR 3,91,173 per annum.
Ques. What are the other skills that a photographer should have apart from photography?
Ans. As a photographer, an individual should have skills like editing, adobe photoshop, video editing, etc.
Ques. Can I get a government job as a photographer?
Ans. Photographers usually work as freelancers and they are hired by companies on a contract basis. But scientific photographers have a chance to get hired by government organizations for the purpose of research.
Ques. How can I build a career as a freelance scientific photographer?
Ans. If an individual has photography skills and they want to build a career in this as a scientific photographer, then they should do the following:
- Build a portfolio
- Build a social media account and promote it.
- Build a good client relationship so that they may approach you again and also refer you to others.
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