COMPREHENSIVE CRUISESHIP PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE
This intensive FULL-TIME PROGRAMME consists of 105 hours over 3 weeks and is aimed at meeting the criteria of employment as a photographer on international luxury cruise liners.
The Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography have developed a partnership with the largest and most successful international photographic concessionaire.
Representing over 400 photographers on 40+ ships at any given time, this program has specifically been designed in collaboration with The Image Group (“Image”) to meet their quality
and training requirements.
It is the first program of its kind in South Africa and Image convey their commitment to our high standard of education by only accepting graduates from the Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography.
All candidates who have successfully completed this program will be availed the exclusive opportunity to work for Image.   

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY (Week 1):
This intensive course is aimed at preparing students with no previous photography experience, training or Adobe Photoshop skills to enter the cruise program. If you have completed the
comprehensive photography course with the Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography, met the outcomes at another institution or have ample experience, then you are exempted
from the introductory course which allows you free passage to “cruise ship” program.
If you feel that you meet all the photographic outcomes but not Adobe Photoshop, you are recommended to complete an Adobe Photoshop for Photographers workshop separately.
It is, however, recommended that you complete our entire three week course to improve your employability with this international company.

 Photography outcomes:
•    History of Photography and Visual Literacy
•    Camera functions, accessories, lenses and flash
•    Digital Photography – exposure, resolution, white balance, colour temperature, pixels, ISO ratings, memory cards, software,
     downloading images, digital camera image noise, image types and sizes, shooting in RAW
•    Aperture and depth of field
•    Shutter and motion
•    Exposure, natural lighting, artificial lighting
•    Lenses and filters
•    Composition, perspective, viewpoint, design elements influencing photography
•    Specialized photography – night photography, travel, close-ups, portraits, sunsets, water and safari
•    Photoshop for photographers

Photoshop outcomes:
Moving around the Photoshop workspace: toolbox, menus, palettes
•    Histograms, levels and curves: adjusting tonal values of photographs
•    Retouching with the clone stamp tool and the patch tool
•    Cropping and transforming Images
•    Using selection tools
•    Making colour adjustments
•    The effect of using Filters
•    Basic introduction to layers
•    The idea of masking to create hand-colouring
•    Opening, creating and saving Images
•    Photoshop keyboard shortcuts

COST FOR WEEK 1: R3 500 (SUBJECT TO 5 PERSONS)    

THE CRUISE SHIP PROGRAM (Weeks 2 and 3)
•    Shipboard living conditions – cabins, food, uniforms, rules & regulations and safety.
•    Customer Service – the importance of excellent customer service, courtesy and going that extra mile to achieve high
     passenger satisfaction scores within the industry.
•    Positive mental attitude - the skills to keep a positive attitude to handle the long hours and the demands of this career.
•    Communication skills – trainees will be taught the importance of having the ability to understand and communicate
     in an environment of cultural diversity.
•    Harassment training –How  to handle uncomfortable situations and the correct procedures for dealing with these situations
•    Sales skills – the trainee will be taught the importance of effective selling, selling the photo opportunity, and the right
     approach to passengers.
•    Embarkation, gangway, restaurant, decks, lounge and costume shoots – students will be given an understanding of the
     atmosphere in the dining room, gangways and
     other events that will be photographed throughout the ship. Composition, exposure, flash, and the importance of shooting quickly,
     efficiently, and consistently will be stressed.
•    Formal portrait lighting and composition – a good understanding of the shipboard studio lighting, composition, and posing will be covered.
•    Lab basics – all aspects of developing and printing in a mini-lab.
•    Practical as well as theoretical exams. Only on passing will you be allowed to further your recruitment with Image.


Facilitators: Georg Strydom, Fransien Fick, Corianna Heise

COST FOR WEEK 2+3:     R7 100 (SUBJECT TO 5 PERSONS)
COST FOR 3 WEEK PROGRAM:  R10 600 (SUBJECT TO 5 PERSONS)

Requirements for the course  
•    An Image approved medical;
•    Your own DSLR camera with additional flash (if possible). The approved equipment is: Nikon DSLR D90/D300/D700.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
•    IMAGE Application form
•    A letter highlighting why you think you should be accepted on the course (and if applying for exemption from any of the
     modules then stating your reasons why) ,
     why you have the right personality for the position and how you would approach a group of strangers in order to photograph them.
•    Your CV
•    Any training certificates in customer service and sales welcome.
•    Your portfolio (ensure that the whole bundle does not exceed 2 MB)

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS:
•    12 colour images: 6 portraits and 6 social. Wedding, portraiture, event, banqueting, lifestyle, costume shoots, outdoor, people, diving,
     restaurants or anything you might feel relevant to your application.
•    Additional black and white images recommended.
•    Package in digital format or copy of print. Digital format should not to exceed 2 MB.

EXCEMPTION REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY & ADOBE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:
•    You may apply for exemption from the Basic Introduction to Cruise Program (Week 1) with Image. A copy of your formal education with
     an accredited training institute, a CV of no less than two years industry experience coupled with a portfolio must be submitted.
•    Or proven 2 year photographic experience.

THE INTERVIEW PROCESS:
•    Applicants will be notified by the Academy to confirm the interview date which will take place on the premises of:  The Stellenbosch
     Academy for Design and Photography, 41 Tegno Road, Techno Park, Stellenbosch.
•    Interview dates will only be confirmed on receiving six Cruise Program applicants. The commencement date of the course
     will be confirmed thereafter.
•    Interviews will be conducted at the Academy premises by an Image representative.


Requirements to Secure Position on an International Cruise liner
•    Successful completion of the Comprehensive Cruise ship Program.
•    Successful completion of Image’s Environmental certification
•    Age must be between 21 – 30, but exceptional portfolios of people over 30 will be assessed.
•    Obtaining an American C1/D Visa -the placement agent will assist you with your application.
•    A medical and a police clearance certificate.
•    An impressive portfolio, an Interview and test by Image.

WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM?

The Stellenbosch Academy is a reputable, accredited training institution, focusing on quality education and business ethics.
Our achievements have been proven by winning various accolades and
achieving great success in securing employment in the competitive photographic and graphic design industry.
•    We are the only educational institute in South Africa to offer this exciting program and the only institute Image recognizes
     and is prepared to work with in southern Africa.
•    The program and curriculum were developed in collaboration with Image to ensure quality and outcomes expected to meet
      the requirements of world-class luxury liners.
•    The Academy guarantees quality graduates and if the graduates do not meet the portfolio requirements of Image, we are willing
      to go so far as to allow the candidate to complete the next operating course free of charge.
•    To improve your portfolio we also offer wedding and portraiture workshops at the Academy.
•    Our facilitators have years of experience within the niche cruise ship photographic industry.
•    You will receive a formal Certificate of Attendance guaranteeing you passage into the world of cruise ship photography.
You are still welcome to access this course if you wish to work through a placement agent, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee
the credibility of the agent or cruise company that you will be placed on.

Contact us at:

fransien@stellenboschacademy.co.za
info@stellenboschacademy.co.za
www.stellenboschacademy.co.za

Cruise Ship Programme Schedule 2010: