Located in Christchurch on South Island, the Design & Arts College of New Zealand is government funded and the home to over 400 art students from all over the world. It offers a two year diploma of Contemporary Photography for anyone who wants more than a workshop but is not ready to invest four years. Students participating in this program study the fundamentals of photography, including black and white film developing, digital imaging and studio lighting.
The South Seas Film & Television school is located in Auckland on North Island. This school offers something for everybody interested in digital photography education. Students can choose between a full-time diploma in Digital Photography, one week short courses or customized workshops in digital photography. At South Seas, students learn about the latest technologies in digital imaging and multimedia.
The Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design is located in the heart of bustling Auckland and is the perfect choice for serious photography students interested in mastering all aspects of photography. Students can participate in its four year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography program, with a specialization in just about any aspect of traditional film photography. The curriculum includes 35mm, medium and large format film developing and printing, studio lighting, natural lighting and black and white printing. Students can even specialize in color film and transparency processing and printing.
The Quay School of the Arts is another choice for the serious and dedicated photography student. The fact that it is located in the smaller city of Whanganui on North Island makes it a low-key alternative to the metropolis of Auckland. At this school, students can obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography after completing a four year program. Within its program, students learn the foundations of traditional photography, such as 35mm black and white film developing and printing, but the Quay School of the Arts adds a touch of fun by encouraging its students to use plastic cameras, toy cameras and pinhole cameras. They also teach rare antique processes such as cyanotypes and palladium printing.