The Higher Education Review

In the context of mushrooming colleges and educational institutions in the country, it may seem easy to establish an institute investing money and infrastructure. But most of the time, many fail in their starting stage and just vanish from the field. Apart from investment and super speciality infrastructure, it is the hard work, dedication and commitment of the
institution that brings success to them. When Abin Alex started Creative Hut Institute of Photography, he too focused on moral values, sincere hard work, dedication and commitment to bring together the aspirants and build up their career in Photography; and they resulted in soaring popularity of the institute, the strong network of high profile professionals as alumni and complete satisfaction. In Abin’s words, “Photography is not only meant to preserve memories from the past, but also has the capability to create a better future. At Creative Hut, we believe that beyond a job, mentoring or teaching is a huge responsibility to shape the upcoming generation and lead the photography aspirants towards their professional life.”

Established in December 2007, Creative Hut Institute of Photography is the World’s first Photography Gurukul (Photography Residential School) that combines traditional Gurukul teaching methods and modern technologies. Abin claims that “We aim to impart the values of traditional Indian education system - A Gurukul, where Students (Shishyas) and the faculties (Gurus) stay at one place to learn, share, express and explore wisdom and their creativity. At Creative Hut, we follow the same traditional way of education to explore the creativity in the art of photography. Each candidate is provided with ample knowledge, facilities and hands on practice.”

One Course, Many Specializations
The Photography is a unique field; it is an art at the same time it is a science. The introduction of latest technologies like Mirrorless cameras, helicams, sliders, steady cams and speed lights have literally escalated the scope of the field, yielding increased level of competition in the market. Considering these key notes, Creative Hut offers an exclusive Professional Diploma course in Art of Photography in association with Kerala Government Technical Examination for photography. This one year course presents an entire coverage on DSLR photography, videography, photo editing, photo designing and video editing.

Without investing separately for different streams in photography, this course will impart deep understanding in nearly 13 different specializations in photography such as Nature & Wildlife, Travel & Portrait, Wedding & Fashion, Product, Food, table-top & Studio Photography, Abstract, Landscape & Architecture Photography, Birds & Macro Photography and Photojournalism.

“One Course Many Specializations is the signature statement of our unique Professional Diploma course. The whole curriculum has been well designed by the top-notch professionals and delivers a comprehensive study experience, covering all the factors including Photography, Videography, Photo & Video editing within one academic period. Foreseeing the growing competition in the field, we have introduced English language as a separate subject in the course. Our Interactive English classes help students learn to communicate effectively through writing as well as speaking. It increases their self confidence, improves their personality and prepares them to compete and excel in their future career,” Abin explains. The highlight of the curriculum is the national and international photography study tours, in which students can explore their skills in various genre of photography from street photography to architecture & landscape photography. In addition to one year Professional Diploma course, the institute offers several certificate courses too.

"One Course Many Specializations is the signature statement of our unique Professional Diploma course".

Located in beautiful Mattakkara village, Kottayam district of Kerala, the Creative Hut campus is spanned across four acres of land. The campus is vibrant and consists of advanced facilities, latest technologies, infrastructures, library, class rooms, editing room, cameras, equipments and even charming butterfly park and an organic garden. Abin shares, “We keep students engaged with regular assignments, live projects, handson practice in the indoor studio and outdoor field works. We have the largest and well equipped studio for practical classes in indoor lighting, which will be operational for entire year in the campus and capable to accommodate nearly 8 to 10 studio setups at a time. Automobile, product, fashion and wedding shoots can be easily and comfortably carried out here. Apart from regular class sessions in class rooms and studio, outdoor practical classes are conducted on the river banks, on rocks or under the trees. Students practice their macro photography and birds photography sessions most of the time in our magnificent butterfly park and campus surroundings.”

Exploring the Unique Way of Teaching and Guidance
Creative Hut’s unique way of teaching enables students to lead a valued life filled with dedication,

commitment and pleasant presence of mind. Leading a crucial part in this student journey, each and every faculty at Creative Hut Gururkul always goes extra miles to impart ample knowledge and guidance and ensures that students achieve the best professional and personal life. “Being a Gurukul, Creative Hut’s regular faculties stay in the institute campus. Faculties and students from different regions with varied cultures, languages, qualifications, interests and age come to Creative Hut with an aim to explore their art of Photography. Faculties give 24*7 guidance and individual attention and accompany the students for their portfolio and project works in different out-door places, as well,” Abin added.

Cultivating a first-ever research-based study culture in the field of photography, the institution’s contributions to the industry is priceless. Some of their remarkable contributions include the invention of the World’s first Photography history calendar, World’s first unique and biggest photography wheel and World’s first and biggest photography board game. These inventions have won various glorious awards for the students, faculties and the institute nearly 40+ awards: Limca Book of Records, National Book of Records, World Records India, India book of records, Asia book of records, Record Holders Book of Record, to name a few. Furthermore, Creative Hut produces the best breed of photographers. Many of their alumni are currently working in reputed job positions such as Film Cinematographers and Director of Photography, Official Photographer for Kerala Blasters Football Team, photojournalists, reporters and cameraman for different media houses, Official Photographer for Election Campaign, Faculty and assistant faculty for photography in different media colleges and product photographers for e-commerce companies. Keeping such persistent endeavours forward, the institute has also set several goals for future. They are planning to open Vintage Camera Museum, Exhibition Art Gallery and Research and Project Centre in the near years to support the students with better opportunities and bigger exposure.

Abin Alex, Founder
Abin Alex is a Photo Mentor and Photojournalist from Kerala. He pursued Masters in Design and MBA (Design Management). Rewarded with Honorary Doctorate by World Record University for Photography, Abin is also known for his Street and Portrait photography, Travel and Architecture photography. He has shot two documentaries named “Hoofs among the wheels” and “Christianity and Kathakali, a Personal Quest”. Presently, Abin is the Founder Director of Creative Hut Institute of Photography, Photo Mentor of Canon India Pvt. Ltd, Chairman at National Education and Research Foundation, Managing Director at Alextern Education Pvt. Ltd. and Chief Editor at Photo Mentor magazine.