THERE'S more to wielding a professional camera than saying "watch the birdie" and going click, click. And this has been recognised by several third level colleges, which, in recent years have been providing diploma courses. Also, photography is included as a module in a number of communications course.

In 1990 the first 20 graduates of the diploma course in Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design were awarded a National Certificate in Technology Commercial Photography.

Each year Dun Laoghaire takes on 20 students, although the demand for places is far higher last year 300 portfolios were submitted by aspiring young undergraduates. (Applications come through the Central Applications Office.) Over 100 people were interviewed.

"We are looking at people with a creative potential that they would be able to apply to the medium of photography. It is a visual medium and we must see some evidence of visual awareness," says Daniel de Chenu, the course director.

The two year course here offers students "an initial training in photography" and "a chance to develop their skills". The college is now proposing to develop and provide a diploma course in commercial photography in response to the growing demand for more courses of this sort. The level of expertise and sophistication needed to master the art of photography is advancing steadily.

De Chenu believes that the popularity and success of the course reflects a "changing culture in Ireland" and the fact that photography is now a broader based medium.

Photography is "at an evolutionary point," he says. "The economy seems to be opening up to the potential of commercial photography." Although there is still a demand for the traditional high street portrait shops, he says that the variety and scope of photography is much wider. It is being used in a whole range of areas, including advertising, newspapers, by artists and those working in computer technology. People in all types of jobs are using photography as a basic tool. "We are trying to meet those needs. We are giving people a basic training."

The course is a jumping off point for many graduates. "We are hoping with the diploma to provide a number of other stepping stones," says de Chenu.

There is a huge interest in photography among young people in particular, he says. Opportunities to work in advertising, the visual media area, marketing and servicing of photographic equipment and production materials are made available to graduates. Graduates are qualified to pursue careers in photography and its allied specialist industries and services.

The course aims is to equip students with the theoretical, technical and practical basics of the principles and practice of photography. Students learn about location work, darkroom skills, business administration, computing, visual studies and complementary studies, photographic techniques and the history of photography.

Fiona Farrell (23) having studied fine art at Sligo RTC was particularly interested in discovering more about photography. She is in second year at Dun Laoghaire now.

WE are concentrating on advertising just now, but there's still some leeway for a creative side. In that respect it's really great," says Farrell. "Next term it will be totally personal so you can decide what you want to do and where you want to go... You get hands on use of the studios. Every year the equipment is getting better and better. To use the equipment is just like wow It's a total luxury.

Michael Durand (26), who graduated earlier this year and is set to spend three months next summer working in photography in Paris as a result of a contact he made on the course, was also delighted with the hands on use of all the state of the art procession facilities and photographic equipment.

"I'm going towards the art end of things," he explains. "The course doesn't limit you to one thing or the other. It's very open... My only trouble with the course was that it was too short.

Basic entry requirements are grade D3 in five Leaving Cert subjects including English and maths and a portfolio. This should contain 25 to 35 pieces of work. Up to 75 per cent of these pieces should be photographic.

DIT Kevin Street has long been associated with photography and, indeed, when the first college was established in the late 1800s photography was on the syllabus.

After disappearing for a time, it re entered the syllabus in the late 1960s as a part time course aimed at people already working in the industry. This course has now evolved into a three year, full time diploma in photography, listed in the CAO/CAS list. Further evolution is in the offing as a four year degree is planned.

Stephen Coonan, course director, is also looking forward to the move to a new premises in Temple Bar. Students starting the course in September should be going directly into the new premises, if all goes to plan.

The course currently includes photographic theory and visual studies, light, optics, electricity, computer studies, marketing and business, holography as well as German and communications.

Coonan says that the jobs scene has picked up considerably and graduates of the course may end up in general practice, in specialist areas such as clinical photography, architecture or advertising or even working as photographers on cruise liners.

A number of other third level or Post Leaving Certificate courses include photography modules. For instance, the DIT communications course and DCU's BA in communication studies afford students the opportunity to study photography. Some of the PLC colleges, usually those which offer communications and media related courses, also have photography options. For example, Colaiste Dhulaigh's three year communication and media production course allows students to specialise in photography in third