SPC Academy 4 Weeks Program

Photo I (6 sessions)

• Basics of exposure, camera settings, natural light, composition.
• Practice indoors and outdoors
• 1 or 2 classes in studio to understand the basics of studio lighting
• Critique of student work.

Imaging I (6 sessions)

• Digital image parameters and formats
• File organisation, tagging, IPTC data, copyrights
• Photo management process
• Adobe Lightroom Classic – import, library, retouch, export
• Adobe Photoshop basics

Vision & Style (6 sessions)

Students develop their own unique style and self expression. This course provides them with the critical tools to discuss and analyze their own photos as well as those of their fellow students, so as to give constructive criticism using the basic rules of composition and their own sense of aesthetics.

The course aims to improve the artistic quality and personal expression of the students by:

• understand how an image is constructed, how to compose it, how to present it in a more efficient way,
• develop a certain photographic coherence and students’ own “visual signature”.

In each class, the students will discover 3 different photographers, with different backgrounds, styles, and technics. Thinking out of the box and creating conceptual photos from nothing.

Ways of Seeing (5 sessions)

This course aims to educate students about the history, evolution and current trends of photography. Students analyze the master photographers and they try to re-create their approaches while adding their own style. Exhibition visits can be organized on an ad hoc basis.

Shooting Lab (4 sessions)

Students go on field trips to practice real-time photography skills with instructor feedback.

Business of Photography (3 sessions):

In the 4 weeks program, this module covers:

• Creating a successful website
• Analyse other photography offers with a SWOT analysis
• Set the right goals for yourself

*** each session is around 3 hours, with some exceptions.

Monthly Instalments:

We offer possibility of payment up to 12* instalments. You can combine instalments with your yearly training allowance.

* free of charge up to 3 instalments, CHF 10.- per month for each additional instalments. The instalment is only offered for people resident in Switzerland.

Geneva Yearly Training Allowance (CAF | Chèque Annuel de formation)

For those working and/or living in Geneva, you can apply for Chèque de Formation (CAF) to benefit from a reduction of CHF 750.- for any of the programs. Course references: 5010, 5011, 5012 & 5013.

Who is eligible for the Chèque de Formation ? (En savoir plus)

• Adults domiciled and taxpayers in the canton of Geneva for at least one year at the time of the start of the requested training.
• Adults who have had a frontier worker permit in canton Geneva for at least one year at the time of the start of the requested training.
• Adult Confederates domiciled in the border area and who have been working in the Geneva canton for at least one year at the time of the start of the requested training.

No prior experience is required to enroll in the SPC Academy Photography Programs.

A camera with manual exposure dial and a laptop are required during the courses.

No camera? No problem. We can lend you a camera to use during the courses.

Please consult the links below for all questions related to your entry or stay into in Switzerland:

Residency permits for students (in French)

List of foreign representations in Switzerland

List of Swiss embassies and diplomatic representations outside Switzerland (> select country)

As soon as they receive the Pre-Enrollment Certificate, foreign applicants who require a visa to enter Switzerland must contact the Swiss representation responsible for their place of residence (at least 3 months before entering Switzerland). In principle, the visa application must be submitted from the country of origin. All applicants must be in possession of an entry visa for studies before coming to Switzerland. It is not permissible to travel to Switzerland on a tourist visa and then apply for a residence permit for training. The educational visa allows entry into Switzerland for the duration of its validity. Once you have arrived, you must file a declaration of arrival with the municipal or cantonal authorities in order to obtain a residence permit for training. It is recommended to do this without delay.

The validity of this permit is limited: it is imperative to request an extension before its expiry date.

Even if the person is not a national of a country subject to a visa requirement, he or she must have a residency permit.