Lichtblick Medienakademie | Media Arts Education in Zurich

About Lichtblick Medienakademie

Inside the Lichtblick Medienakademie classroom, showing students actively engaged with photography and video equipment while instructors provide guidance.

At Lichtblick Medienakademie, we believe deeply in the transformative power of visual media. Our academy, nestled in the culturally rich city of Zurich, is more than just a school; it's a dynamic hub where creativity flourishes and technical expertise is honed. Founded with the vision of providing accessible, high-quality education in photography, videography, and photo editing, we have become a trusted name in media arts training in Switzerland.

Our approach is fundamentally hands-on. We understand that true mastery in visual arts comes from practice, experimentation, and direct interaction with industry-standard equipment and software. Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to blend essential theoretical knowledge with extensive practical sessions, ensuring students gain both a solid foundation and the confidence to apply what they learn in real-world scenarios. We continuously update our course materials to reflect the latest trends and technologies in the ever-evolving media landscape.

Lichtblick Medienakademie fosters a supportive and inspiring community. Students from diverse backgrounds come together to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and push the boundaries of their creativity. Our instructors, seasoned professionals who are passionate about teaching, provide personalized guidance and mentorship, offering insights drawn from their active careers in photography, filmmaking, and digital arts. They are not just educators but active practitioners, bringing current industry perspectives into the classroom.

From beginners picking up a camera for the first time to experienced artists seeking to refine specialized skills, we offer pathways for everyone. Our location in Zurich provides an ideal backdrop for visual exploration, offering urban landscapes, natural beauty, and cultural events that serve as endless sources of inspiration. We are committed to helping you not just learn techniques, but also develop your unique artistic voice and build a compelling portfolio that opens doors to future opportunities.

Choosing Lichtblick means investing in your creative future with an institution dedicated to excellence, practical learning, and the success of its students. We are excited to welcome you to our academy and support you on your journey to becoming a skilled and confident media artist.

Why Our Students Thrive

Expert Instructors

Learn directly from seasoned professionals and active practitioners who bring real-world experience and current industry insights into every lesson, offering invaluable mentorship and guidance.
Hands-On Learning

Our courses are designed around practical application, featuring extensive exercises, real-world projects, and access to modern equipment, ensuring you develop tangible skills and gain confidence through doing.
Supportive Community

Join a vibrant and collaborative environment where you can connect with fellow students, share ideas, receive constructive feedback, and build lasting relationships within the creative community.

Our Courses & Workshops

Explore our comprehensive range of programs meticulously designed to cover every facet of visual media creation. From fundamental techniques that build a strong base to advanced production workflows that prepare you for professional challenges, we offer tailored learning experiences for all skill levels.

Image representing beginner photography, possibly a classic camera

Photography Courses for Beginners

Embark on your photographic journey by mastering the essentials. This course covers fundamental camera operation, understanding aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, principles of composition, basic lighting techniques, and how to capture well-exposed and compelling images. Perfect for those new to digital photography.

Image representing advanced videography, maybe a professional cinema camera

Advanced Videography Workshops

Elevate your filmmaking skills with our advanced workshops. Dive deep into cinematic storytelling, mastering complex camera movements, advanced lighting setups for video, professional audio recording techniques, working with different lenses for specific effects, and efficient on-set workflows. Designed for experienced videographers.

Image representing photo editing software interface

Professional Photo Editing Training

Unlock the full potential of your images through expert digital manipulation. This training focuses on becoming proficient in industry-standard software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, covering topics such as color correction, retouching, composite creation, workflow optimization, and preparing images for various outputs (print, web, social media).

Image representing video production, like a film slate or editing timeline

Video Production Seminars

Gain a holistic understanding of the entire video production pipeline. Our seminars cover pre-production planning (scripting, storyboarding), production execution (shooting, directing), and post-production finishing (editing, color grading, sound design). Ideal for those looking to manage or understand the full scope of video projects.

Image representing one-on-one coaching session

Private Tutoring in Visual Arts

Receive personalized, one-on-one coaching tailored specifically to your individual goals and skill level. Whether you want to focus on a specific technique, develop a personal project, or get intensive portfolio review, private tutoring offers flexible scheduling and dedicated instruction to accelerate your learning.

Image representing a professional portfolio book

Portfolio Development Classes

Building a strong and compelling portfolio is crucial for any media artist. These classes guide you through selecting your best work, curating it effectively, presenting it professionally online and in print, and writing effective artist statements. Learn how to showcase your unique vision and technical capabilities to potential clients or employers.

Image representing creative lighting setup, like studio strobes

Creative Lighting Techniques

Understanding and controlling light is fundamental to visual media. This workshop explores various lighting setups, both natural and artificial (studio strobes, continuous lights, LED panels), for different purposes like portraiture, product photography, and video scenes. Learn how to shape light to create mood, emphasize form, and achieve stunning visual results.

Why Choose Lichtblick?

Discover the unique advantages that set Lichtblick Medienakademie apart and make it the ideal place to cultivate your media arts passion and skills in Zurich. Our commitment to excellence, practical training, and student success creates a learning environment where you can truly thrive.

Icon representing expert instructors, maybe a graduation cap or experienced person

Industry Experts

Our faculty comprises dedicated educators who are also actively engaged, award-winning professionals in photography, filmmaking, and digital art. They bring invaluable, current industry insights, trends, and real-world challenges directly into the classroom, providing a learning experience that is both foundational and highly relevant to today's market.

Icon representing hands-on learning, perhaps hands holding a camera

Practical Focus

We firmly believe that the best way to learn visual arts is by doing. Our curriculum is heavily weighted towards hands-on practice, project-based learning, and simulated real-world scenarios. Students spend significant time behind the camera, in the editing suite, and collaborating on projects, ensuring they build practical skills and confidence from day one.

Small Class Sizes

To ensure every student receives personalized attention and ample opportunity for interaction, our class sizes are intentionally kept small. This allows for more direct feedback from instructors, facilitated discussions, and a stronger sense of community, making the learning process more effective and tailored to individual needs.

Portfolio Building

A strong portfolio is your visual resume. Throughout our programs, we integrate dedicated guidance and support for students to build, curate, and refine a professional portfolio showcasing their best work and unique artistic voice. We provide feedback on project selection, presentation, and online presence to prepare you for your next steps.

Modern Equipment

Learning on outdated gear limits your potential. Lichtblick Medienakademie provides access to a range of up-to-date digital cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, audio recording devices, and powerful editing software workstations. This ensures you are trained on the tools currently used in professional media production environments.

Icon representing location in Zurich, like a map pin over a city skyline

Zurich Location

Conveniently situated in a vibrant district of Zurich, our academy is easily accessible and surrounded by cultural richness. Zurich itself provides a fantastic living laboratory for visual artists, offering diverse locations, events, and a thriving creative scene that can inspire your work and provide networking opportunities.

Meet Our Instructors

Our team of passionate instructors are the heart of Lichtblick Medienakademie. They are experienced professionals actively working in the media arts industry, dedicated to sharing their knowledge and inspiring the next generation of visual storytellers. Learn from the best in the field.

Sophie Dubois

Lead Photography Instructor

Sophie is an internationally recognized, award-winning photographer known for her evocative portraiture and profound fine art projects. With over 15 years behind the lens, her work has been featured in galleries across Europe. She brings a wealth of experience in conceptual development, artistic expression, and lighting techniques to her students, inspiring them to find their unique perspective.

Marc Schneider

Senior Videography Tutor

Marc is a seasoned filmmaker and editor with extensive experience spanning documentaries, corporate videos, and commercials for major Swiss brands. His expertise lies in visual storytelling, camera operating techniques, professional sound recording, and efficient post-production workflows. Marc is passionate about guiding students through the practical realities of video production.

Elena Petrova

Photo Editing Specialist

Elena is a highly skilled retoucher and digital artist celebrated for her meticulous attention to detail and creative use of editing software. She specializes in bringing out the best in photographs, from subtle color grading to complex composite images. Elena's training empowers students to master software like Lightroom and Photoshop and develop professional, non-destructive editing workflows.

Thomas Meier

Digital Arts Coordinator

Thomas oversees our digital arts curriculum, bringing a strong background in multimedia production and emerging technologies. His focus is on the integration of different media forms and innovative uses of software and hardware in creative projects. Thomas helps students navigate the technical complexities of digital creation and encourages experimental approaches.

Isabelle Berger

Studio Lighting Tutor

Isabelle is a commercial photographer and lighting expert specializing in studio setups for portraiture and product photography. She is passionate about teaching students how to control and shape light effectively, turning complex lighting diagrams into accessible, practical skills. Isabelle's workshops demystify studio work and build confidence in using artificial light.

What Our Students Say

Don't just take our word for it. Hear directly from individuals who have experienced the transformative power of education at Lichtblick Medienakademie. Their stories highlight the impact of our courses, the expertise of our instructors, and the supportive community we cultivate.

"The beginner photography course was absolutely fantastic! The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and explained complex concepts in a way that was easy to grasp. The emphasis on hands-on practice really helped me understand my camera and build confidence almost immediately. I highly recommend it!"

- Anna Müller

"I took the advanced videography workshop, and it honestly exceeded all my expectations. I learned so many professional techniques for composition, camera movement, and lighting that I didn't know were possible. The insights from the tutor, who works in the industry, were invaluable. My video projects have reached a new level!"

- David Chen

"The photo editing training was a complete game-changer for my workflow. Before, I struggled with complex software, but now I feel much more confident and efficient. The detailed lessons on retouching and color grading were particularly helpful. My photos look significantly better and more professional after this training."

- Fatima Zahra

"Joining the portfolio development class gave me the structure and feedback I needed to finally organize my work professionally. The instructor helped me select my strongest pieces and advised on presentation techniques that genuinely impressed potential clients during interviews. It was an essential step for my career."

- Lukas Wyss

"The creative lighting workshop opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't considered. Learning how to manipulate light effectively, both in the studio and using natural sources, transformed my portraits. Isabelle was fantastic – patient, clear, and inspiring. I feel much more confident in my ability to control the mood and look of my images."

- Sofia Gruber

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Get in Touch

Have questions about our courses, faculty, facilities, or anything else related to Lichtblick Medienakademie? We're here to help! Reach out to us through the methods below, or use the contact form to send us a direct message. We look forward to hearing from you.

Contact Information

Email Us

[email protected]

We strive to respond to all email inquiries within 1-2 business days.

Call Us

+41 44 234 56 78

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CET.

Visit Us

Brandschenkestrasse 30,
8002 Zurich,
Switzerland

Located conveniently in the heart of Zurich. Please schedule a visit in advance.

Find Us on the Map

Photo of the Lichtblick Medienakademie building entrance at Brandschenkestrasse 30 in Zurich

Unlock Your Creative Potential in Media Arts