University of Cape Town
Digital Photography
Discover the art of capturing and editing high-quality digital photographs, serving both personal and business objectives.
Start date
04 September 2025
Course duration
10 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The percentage of marketers who say visual images are the single most important form of content for their business.
Social Media Examiner (2018).
A focus on vertical shots is one of 10 key movements shaping photography currently.
Design Shack (2019).
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
Capturing moments and narrating compelling stories can be effectively achieved through images. Acquiring photography skills is an invaluable addition to your skill set, regardless of whether you intend to use them for personal or professional purposes.
Enrolling in the University of Cape Town (UCT) Digital Photography online short course provides an opportunity to learn the features and functionalities of digital SLR cameras. You will learn to manipulate camera settings to produce high-quality images in different conditions. Additionally, you will learn the principles of composition and basic photo-editing techniques.
By applying the knowledge and skills gained from the course, you will produce a range of images while receiving constructive feedback from professional photographer Roberta Crumplin, who serves as the head tutor throughout the course.
Is this course for you?
The fundamental concepts and methods of digital photography are addressed in this course, making it ideal for individuals pursuing photography as a hobby or seeking to develop and enhance their practical skill set through self-learning. Moreover, this course's material will attract professionals who want to cultivate their digital photography expertise in business settings like marketing and journalism. To enrol in this photography course, students must have access to a digital SLR camera.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
Capturing moments and narrating compelling stories can be effectively achieved through images. Acquiring photography skills is an invaluable addition to your skill set, regardless of whether you intend to use them for personal or professional purposes.
Enrolling in the University of Cape Town (UCT) Digital Photography online short course provides an opportunity to learn the features and functionalities of digital SLR cameras. You will learn to manipulate camera settings to produce high-quality images in different conditions. Additionally, you will learn the principles of composition and basic photo-editing techniques.
By applying the knowledge and skills gained from the course, you will produce a range of images while receiving constructive feedback from professional photographer Roberta Crumplin, who serves as the head tutor throughout the course.
Is this course for you?
The fundamental concepts and methods of digital photography are addressed in this course, making it ideal for individuals pursuing photography as a hobby or seeking to develop and enhance their practical skill set through self-learning. Moreover, this course's material will attract professionals who want to cultivate their digital photography expertise in business settings like marketing and journalism. To enrol in this photography course, students must have access to a digital SLR camera.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
An understanding of key photographic concepts, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and how they impact image quality.
The ability to use light to your advantage, and the knowledge to construct appealing compositions.
The skills to digitally edit photographs and apply a range of visual effects.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Getting to know your camera
Module 2
Aperture
Module 3
Shutter speed
Module 4
ISO
Module 5
How your camera understands light
Module 6
How to make use of your flash
Module 7
Composition
Module 8
Portraits
Module 9
Landscape
Module 10
Basic photo editing techniques
Course Convenor
Dr Ian-Malcolm Rijsdijk
Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Film and Media Studies and Director of the African Cinema Unit, UCT
About the certificate
Enhance your digital photography skills and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
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