Photographic Practice

Three years full-time or five years part-time.

The course challenges students to explore questions surrounding the applications of both traditional silver processes and digital technologies. Photographic production is evaluated and at the same time, the still image is studied in relation to both the moving image and newer interactive technologies. In addition to lectures, seminars and practical workshops, the teaching programme facilitates critical discussion and analysis of student work, both in the form of individual tutorials and group critiques and develops an understanding of the place of photographic work within leisure, commercial and cultural contexts.

The course encourages exploration of the photograph within practices such as art and independent photography, editorial, product, services and industry, performance and entertainment and communications. Encouraging progressively independent learning, the course will include the development of working to client commissions, personal research methods and the study of photography in a variety of contexts and across a range of genres.

Stage one

Introduction to processes and techniques of photography (from the use of a 35mm camera, digital SLR to medium and large format photography, studio and location shooting and working in both the wet and dark rooms) and the consideration of the different conceptual approaches to photography, supported by theory lectures alongside Fine Art students.

Stage two

Development of a body of practical work around both fine art and commercial applications, supported by theory lectures on the place of photography within a variety of genres and the production of a folder of career development information.

Stage three

Consolidation of practical work, culminating in an exhibition and either a shorter dissertation and a professional development folder, or a longer dissertation for those with strengths in critical writing.

• Excellent traditional and digital specialist facilities
• Research active teaching staff
• Talks by visiting artists and art professionals
• Fine art and commercial approaches to photography

• Critical Photographic Practice
• Converging Practices on Screen
• Photographic Images in Visual Culture
• Photographic Techniques and Concepts
• Photography in a Design Context
• Photography in Arts Practice
• Practice Exhibition
• Understanding the Visual

Theory is assessed through essays, assignments, a dissertation and presentations. Practice is assessed through studio presentations and exhibitions.

We have a large black and white darkroom with 13 enlargers catering for dish processing, and a separate colour darkroom with machine print processing. Traditional photographic techniques are catered for with rooms for wet processing, and washing and drying film and prints. Two large studios (one daylight, and the other with artificial lighting) provide professional standard facilities for a wide-range of studio-based photography using film or digital cameras. There are two digital suites, the larger of which is a dedicated digital training room - a complete Mac suite of 24 workstations. Students have access to a range of film and flatbed scanners (including the Hasselblad Flextight Scanner), and fully colour-managed computers which are linked to the digital print room. Students also have access to a specialist video editing suite, with industry-standard software.

A wide range of career opportunities exist in the commercial and public sector, marketing, public relations and specialised fields. Graduates can develop their practice as independent artists and pursue collaborations, commissions, publication and exhibition opportunities, or in postgraduate study.