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Lighting Foundations Intensive

The Lighting Foundations Intensive is a bundle of three Open Education courses that offers intermediate photographers the chance to master the use of light and gain critical technical knowledge. The Lighting Foundations Intensive is an onsite program.

Through hands-on sessions and assignments in both studio and on-location settings, students explore a wide range of lighting equipment and accessories. They gain experience with continuous lights, studio strobes, portable flashes, and natural daylight, building a solid foundation in lighting techniques. This intensive program helps students refine their skills and aesthetics, develop a personal style, and create dynamic portfolio images.

 
Topics of study include:

  • The qualities and characteristics of light as it relates to photography
  • Creative usage of daylight and studio lighting
  • Learn how to use lighting equipment and accessories, including continuous, strobe, and portable lighting sets
  • Contemporary lighting theories and photographic aesthetics
  • Advanced techniques for understanding light in photography 

Expected Outcomes of ICP's Lighting Foundations Intensive:

  • Understand and practice a variety of lighting techniques, tools, and skills
  • Experience a modern studio environment with state-of-the-art equipment
  • Build continuous lighting and strobe-base sets according to your needs
  • Use a lighting guide in photography to develop your visual sensitives and personal style
  • Create personal projects and dynamic pictures for your portfolio

Special Benefits of the Lighting Foundation Intensive:

  • Official ICP digital certificate (see requirements below)
  • $150 total savings after completing all photography in lighting courses
  • Exclusive early registration period before each term

 

See Upcoming Courses      Enroll in an Intensive  

Framework & Courses

This Intensive includes three stages. Students need to complete two required introductory and advanced courses covering the technical and creative foundations of lighting as well as one course from a selection of advanced offerings enabling further development of their photographic practice.

Stage I - Introductory Courses 
(successfully complete one of the following courses): 

  • Lighting I: The Essentials (onsite)
  • The Fundamentals of Studio Lighting (onsite) 

Stage II - Intermediate Courses 
(successfully complete one of the following courses): 

  • Lighting II: Advanced Techniques (onsite) 

Stage III – Below is a sample of Stage III Lighting courses, click the link to see all current courses
(successfully complete one of the following courses): ​

  • Lighting for the Environmental Portrait
  • Fashion: The Inside Story
  • An Emphasis on Light and Style
  • The Fashion Portrait: From Street Style to Haute Couture (onsite)
  • Click here to see all eligible courses this term

Most courses range between 5-10 meetings. Click on ‘Register for Upcoming Courses’ for a list of next available classes including dates, course descriptions, faculty, and tuition (fees are presented before discount). 

Important Notes

  • All courses need to be completed within a period of 1-year from the date of registration (excluding approved past courses).
  • Stage I and Stage II courses need to be taken in order.
  • Retroactive registration to this certificate program is also allowed after completing a Stage I course.
  • Please note that ICP is unable to loan out equipment or studio space to Open Education students outside of class. 

Prerequisites

The Lighting Foundations Intensive is an intermediate photography program: You are familiar with your camera, whether film or digital. You understand aperture, shutter speed, exposure, white balance, histograms, and how to control focus. You are comfortable editing and processing your images. Before enrolling in ICP's program on understanding light in photography, you may want to understand how to utilize your camera in a more thoughtful and articulate way or how to utilize concepts and ideas in relation to your portfolio of work while learning about lighting. Students must meet the prerequisites of each course they register for as part of the program.

Tuition

Enrollment to the Lighting Foundations Intensive is open throughout the year. Once enrolled, students may select their preferred courses (see ‘Register for Upcoming Courses’ above). Use the ‘Enroll in Intensive’ button below to submit your online application form (no preparations are needed).

Depending on students’ onsite and offsite course selection, the total tuition can range between $1777–2410 and includes: 
•  A non-refundable registration fee of $300 
•  The discounted fees of the selected and studied courses. Lighting courses’ fees range between $495–$1065 and enrolled students receive $150 discounts on each of their courses (total discount of $450).

Certification

Photo students must pass all required courses before receiving ICP certification. All intensive photography courses must be completed within a period of 1-year from the date of registration (excluding approved past courses). Once a student completes the requirements, a request for the certificate should be submitted using the button below. 

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Image by ICP faculty member Bobbi Lane
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A single yellow street light with palm trees surrounding it.
Image by ICP faculty member Janusz Kawa
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A shirtless person with tattoos, their arms folded.
Image by ICP faculty member B Proud
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A man with a black shirt standing in semi darkness.
Image by ICP faculty member Nelson Bakerman