3 Steps To Become A Certified Photographer
Many people wonder if they need a formal degree in order to become a certified professional photographer. The good news is that you do not need a formal degree but you do need photography training and knowledge about the photography industry in order to obtain the title of Certified Professional Photographer. Currently, there are only 1,725 certified professional photographers, which is only 8% of professional photographers in the United States.
In order to obtain your Certified Professional Photographer certification, you need to participate in a three step process. First, you need to declare your candidacy with the PPCC (Professional Photographic Commission Committee). Second, you need to pass the CPP exam. Lastly, you need to pass the image submission review.
The first task is actually stating your candidacy. Compared with other sorts of official certifications, this certification does not require several years of industry time. It will need you to pay $100 in order to announce your candidacy and also present client work you might have in the last two years. After this you have three years to complete the CPP examination and also the image application assessment. Unless you complete these steps in three years, then your candidacy is actually voided and you’ve have to start the procedure over.
After you have declared your candidacy then you need to start studying for the CPP exam. There are three types of exams: Commercial, Portrait and Sports. When you sign up for the time and location for the exam, you will specify which version of the exam you want to take. You can take the exam multiple times if needed. It is 100 multiple choice question exam with a two hour time limit . You will need 70 correct answers to pass and it is a Scantron exam.
The next phase is passing the Image Submission Review. Many people pass this first prior to CPP exam. It’s your choice as to which action you would like to acquire first. You submit twenty images to the PPCC. All submissions are required to submit six mandatory photos along with fourteen pictures from client work in the past two years.
The first 6 images must be the compulsory images. The compulsory images comprise of 3 mandatory and 3 elective images. The three mandatory images must separately demonstrate Short Lighting 3:1 ratio, Broad Lighting 3:1 ratio and Selective focus with minimal depth of field within your specialty (note: senior photographers cannot submit landscape photography).
Images 4, 5 and 6 most choose from the following list to demonstrate: High Key Image, Low Key Image, Rule of Thirds, Use of Shape, Form, and Texture, Balance (symmetrical or asymmetrical), color harmony, “s” curve line, assertive, angular, or masculine line, or architectural techniques.
If your first 6 mandatory photographs are not acceptable then a overall portfolio will probably be turned down. You’ll acquire a letter in the mail 1-2 weeks once submitting your images to inform you of the passing or failing of your images. After completing and passing this three step certification process, then you are officially a Certified Professional Photographer.
And finally, if you want to become a Certified Photographer, then visit the Certified Photographer Academy.