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Diploma in Studio Photography and Technical Detail

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in studio photography and technical detail of vehicles. 8 modules covering digital capture, studio lighting, complete-vehicle photography, macro and focus stacking, documentary and forensic photography, colour management and archiving, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Diploma in Studio Photography and Technical Detail — studying from the United States

Restoration and classic vehicle engineering is a niche but active field in the United States, supported by a large enthusiast community and well-established events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Hershey's AACA Fall Meet. Specialist restoration shops, museums and collector car firms require engineers who understand historic materials, mechanical systems and period-correct design. Work often combines traditional craftsmanship with modern diagnostics and documentation. Professional connections are typically built through clubs and heritage organizations.

Fees for the United States: 2,000 US$ (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in the United States

  • Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)
  • Historic Vehicle Association (HVA)
  • Society of Automotive Historians (SAH)
  • Classic Car Club of America (CCCA)

Typical roles

  • Restoration Engineer
  • Classic Vehicle Technician
  • Historic Vehicle Specialist
  • Restoration Project Manager

Questions from the United States

Can I study from any state?

Yes. Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in the United States with a reliable internet connection.

Is the programme taught in English?

Yes. All programmes are taught in English, with technical materials and assessments delivered in that language.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Master digital capture to the highest technical standards.

02

Design lighting set-ups for reflective surfaces.

03

Photograph complete vehicles in consistent catalogue series.

04

Document technical details using macro photography and focus stacking.

05

Apply documentary and forensic photography techniques.

06

Manage colour accurately from capture to delivery.

07

Archive images with correctly defined metadata and rights.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Automotive photographers.
  • Technical heritage photographers.
  • Auction catalogue photographers.
  • Imaging technicians for expert assessments.
  • Digital retouchers.
  • Photographic archive managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join auction houses.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 12233 (resolution and spatial frequency response of digital cameras)
  • ISO 15076-1 (ICC colour profiles)
  • IPTC Photo Metadata Standard (descriptive and rights metadata for images)
  • ISO 19264-1 (image quality analysis for cultural heritage imaging)
  • FADGI Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials (digitisation quality guidelines)
  • Metamorfoze Preservation Imaging Guidelines (preservation imaging guidelines)
  • Royal Legislative Decree 1/1996 (Spanish Intellectual Property Law)
  • Capture One
  • Adobe Lightroom Classic
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Helicon Focus
  • Zerene Stacker
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Sensors, pixel size and dynamic range
  2. 1.2Macro, wide-angle and tilt-shift lenses
  3. 1.3Depth of field and diffraction
  4. 1.4RAW format and bit depth
  5. 1.5Histogram and correct exposure
  6. 1.6Noise, ISO sensitivity and sensor temperature
  7. 1.7Perspective correction with shift
  8. 1.8Tethered capture
  9. 1.9Resolution and sharpness charts
  10. 1.10Practical: sharpness test with a resolution chart
  1. 2.1Studio flash versus continuous LED
  2. 2.2Softboxes, diffusion panels and reflectors
  3. 2.3Hard light and soft light
  4. 2.4Reflective surfaces: chrome and lacquer
  5. 2.5Light tents and diffusion boxes
  6. 2.6Cross-polarisation
  7. 2.7Colour temperature and mixed lighting
  8. 2.8Lighting ratio
  9. 2.9Controlling unwanted reflections
  10. 2.10Workshop: lighting a chrome part
  1. 3.1Studios with an infinity cove
  2. 3.2Turntables
  3. 3.3Standard catalogue angles
  4. 3.4Light painting in the studio
  5. 3.5Composition and choice of focal length
  6. 3.6Consistency across image series
  7. 3.7Photographing interiors and cabins
  8. 3.8Engine bays and undersides
  9. 3.9Compositing from multiple shots
  10. 3.10Practical: standard angle series of a classic car
  1. 4.1Focus stacking
  2. 4.2Chassis plates and casting marks
  3. 4.3Paint textures and patina
  4. 4.4Upholstery, stitching and leather
  5. 4.5Instruments and dials
  6. 4.6Mechanical components and joints
  7. 4.7Metric scales and colour targets
  8. 4.8Raking light for relief
  9. 4.9Photographing small parts on a background
  10. 4.10Lab: focus stacking an identification plate
  1. 5.1Recording condition
  2. 5.2Documenting damage and repairs
  3. 5.3Ultraviolet fluorescence on paintwork
  4. 5.4Infrared photography
  5. 5.5Before, during and after sequences
  6. 5.6Image chain of custody
  7. 5.7Photography for expert assessments
  8. 5.8Basic supporting photogrammetry
  9. 5.9File integrity and authenticity
  10. 5.10Case study: pre-restoration documentation
  1. 6.1Camera ICC profiles
  2. 6.2Colour charts and white balance
  3. 6.3Monitor calibration
  4. 6.4Batch RAW processing
  5. 6.5Lens and perspective correction
  6. 6.6Ethical retouching versus manipulation
  7. 6.7Colour spaces for web and print
  8. 6.8Export and delivery formats
  9. 6.9Print proofs
  10. 6.10Workshop: workflow with a custom camera profile
  1. 7.1IPTC and XMP metadata
  2. 7.2File naming conventions
  3. 7.3Digital asset management systems
  4. 7.43-2-1 backups
  5. 7.5Photographer's copyright
  6. 7.6Usage licences
  7. 7.7Delivery to auction houses
  8. 7.8Images for catalogues and press
  9. 7.9Long-term archiving
  10. 7.10Practical: cataloguing a studio session
  1. 8.1Briefing and session objectives
  2. 8.2Shot planning
  3. 8.3Designing the lighting set-up
  4. 8.4Complete vehicle session
  5. 8.5Technical detail session
  6. 8.6Processing and colour management
  7. 8.7Delivery with metadata
  8. 8.8Final portfolio
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Capture One, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Adobe Photoshop, Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: a studio session of a complete vehicle on a turntable, macro documentation of chassis numbers and ultraviolet fluorescence on original paint. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO 12233, ISO 15076-1, IPTC Photo Metadata Standard, ISO 19264-1, FADGI Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials, Metamorfoze Preservation Imaging Guidelines, Royal Legislative Decree 1/1996.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 12233, ISO 15076-1 and the IPTC Photo Metadata Standard applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Capture One, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Adobe Photoshop, Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete technical photography commission, from briefing and lighting design to vehicle and detail sessions, colour-managed processing and delivery with metadata, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Sharpness test
Test lens and sensor sharpness with a resolution chart.
Chrome lighting set-up
Design a lighting set-up for a chrome part using cross-polarisation.
Catalogue series
Shoot a consistent series of standard catalogue angles of a classic car.
Focus-stacked detail
Document an identification plate using focus stacking.
Final project
Deliver a complete technical photography commission with portfolio and metadata, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Automotive photographerTechnical heritage photographerAuction catalogue photographerImaging technician for expert assessmentsDigital retoucherPhotographic archive manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Capture One, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Adobe Photoshop, Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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