The Foundation Course 3-month, full time programme aimed at those with basic or no experience in photography. It offers a comprehensive introduction to both digital and analogue photography, as well as theoretical knowledge in visual literacy and professional practice. 

The Foundation Course is designed to provide you with the skills to photograph and process images, develop a portfolio, and assist a professional photographer under supervision and mentorship. You would also be able to photograph family and community events, and may be able to negotiate a small payment for your work. However, you won’t be ready to charge professional rates or manage a professional brief independently – these skills will be developed further in the Intermediate Course. 

Outcomes 

While there is a lot of thinking, reading, discussing and debating involved in the course, we believe strongly that the knowledge you acquire must be evident in the work that you produce as a photographer. Therefore, we seek to measure your learning on the course through tasks that are practical and applied.  

By the end of the Foundation course, you will be able to: 

• Satisfactorily demonstrate competency in digital and analogue photography skills 

• Formally analyse images and interpret meanings embedded in them 

• Use technical photography knowledge to create meaningful images 

• Use images to create a short comprehensive visual story 

• Use the latest version of Adobe Photoshop to enhance your images for printing or presenting to a client. 

• Compile a decent photography portfolio and a complementary resume. 

 Modules 

• Technical Practice 

• Post Production 

• Visual Studies 

• Professional Practice 

• Visual Narrative 

• Applied Photography 

Duration: Three Months

Course commences on the following dates: 

• FC26-01: 04 February to 24 April 2026

• FC26-02: 06 May to 24 July 2026 
• *Dates may change. 

Time: Mon – Fri   09h00 – 17h00 

  Cost:  

• R7 500 for South African students and students from the continent. 

• R 30 000 International students. 

For international students, It is advisable to pay an application and registration fee of R1100 instead of R100 upon your application to save on bank fees, although it is not compulsory.

Equipment 

The use of Market Photo Workshop equipment is required for all students. Students must pay a refundable deposit for each item they book out. The equipment usage is closely monitored by the Officer: Resources during the course of the students’ studies. 

• For the FC, students pay a refundable deposit of R500. 

Note: If you damage or lose the equipment, your deposit will be kept by the Market Photo Workshop, and you will need to pay a new deposit to continue booking equipment. (Please see the Camera Rental Policy for further details.)