FdA Commercial Photography

THE COURSE
The course aims to produce the next generation of visually expressive fashion, documentary/editorial, portrait and advertising photographers. We are looking for those who not only have ambition to produce work of the highest standard, but who also want to push the creative boundaries, challenging industry perceptions and setting the agenda for future generations of successful commercial photographers. You will gain a broad understanding of photographic practice and theory and be guided towards a career in photography and the creative industries. We are firm believers that our students should enter the industry as educated individuals, able to engage in the broad dialogue that is expected of creative professionals.

RESOURCES
The photographic area is extremely well resourced and provides the specialist environment and equipment to experience working at a professional level. It offers extensive studios, black and white and colour darkrooms and film processing, a dedicated digital suite and a location and studio equipment store. All the facilities are supported by a dedicated team of technicians who provide technical assistance and advice to support your studies. Formal lectures, seminars, discussion groups and presentations take place in our dedicated seminar room.

Our experienced staff team has a breadth of professional experience; their active practices include: editorial portrait photography; documentary photography; advertising and fashion photography; digital expertise; and specialist critical theory knowledge. The course also attracts a wide range of guest speakers from industry including photographers, art directors, picture editors, agents, stylists, and photographic assistants.

YEAR 1
Year 1 of the course provides the creative and practical skills that you will build upon during the course. It will introduce you to photographic techniques and processes through units that emphasise digital imaging and studio practice. Photographic themes and concepts in photography are addressed through the consideration of photography as the key medium within visual culture through the 20th and into the 21st century. Guest lectures by visiting photographers and industry professionals will support your studies and your learning will be consolidated towards the end of the year when you will undertake a period of work placement and also begin considering your career options.

YEAR 2
Year 2 of the course will build upon your skills and knowledge and will provide opportunities for you to develop your practice within specific areas of photographic practice. You will be encouraged to reflect on your professional interests and to take responsibility for your learning; developing your creative, research and conceptual skills and combining them with professional awareness and understanding. Where appropriate, ‘live’ projects and professional collaboration will be encouraged and you will consolidate your career or further study plans as the year progresses. You will have the option to select units that will aid your transition either into employment after graduation or to further study. The year culminates with an end-of-course exhibition of your final work and opportunities to promote yourself to the industry and celebrate your development, through your own website and folio.Students who successfully complete this Foundation Degree will have a guaranteed route of progression to the third year of BA (Hons) Commercial Photography.

BA (HONS) DEGREE (TOP UP)
This additional year offers an opportunity to those students who wish to refine their photographic practice, developing and reflecting on their experience gained during previous study. The course nurtures students to develop into creatively mature, commercially focused and autonomous photographers; it offers a supportive learning environment in which to carry out extensive research to advance your practice and to develop your practical, theoretical and intellectual abilities. It will encourage and enable you to evidence a sophisticated understanding of commercial photographic practice and will provide further opportunities to promote yourself as a photographer. You will graduate with the qualities and transferable skills necessary not only for employment but also for postgraduate study.

This BA (Hons) award is not offered as a three year course and is only available to those articulating from a Foundation Degree. Students may also apply to the third year of other Honours Degree courses, where their suitability will be considered by the relevant course team. Students who are not currently studying at the University College may also apply to the third year of this BA (Hons) course if they hold the relevant subject qualification. Applicants to the final year of a BA (Hons) qualification may be required to undertake Bridging Studies to prepare them for studies on the Honours degree course.

For further information, please go to the BA (Hons) Commercial Photography Top-Up course page.

INTERVIEWS AND PORTFOLIOS
Interviews are an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment and self-motivation and to discuss aspects of your chosen course. You will be expected to display an advanced level of photographic skills and an appreciation of contemporary commercial photographic practice and its professional context. Portfolios should exhibit work that evidences good photographic skills, creativity, self-motivation and contextual awareness.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR
We look for students who have clear focus and ambition, who have already demonstrated an interest in photography and wish to channel that commitment into a course that will give them the opportunity to realise their potential as commercial photographers.

As well as a well-developed portfolio, you will need to be able to demonstrate evidence of research (for example through sketchbooks, essays or progress diaries).

SKILLS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
All students undertake a formal placement in Year 1 and many return to continue their work assignment the following year with a view to future employment. Our students have recently enjoyed placements across a variety of creative companies and studios, including: Dazed and Confused Magazine, Nick Knight, Rankin, Nadav Kandar, Marco Santtucci Agency, Wolfgang Tillmans, Balcony Jump Agency, Tim Walker, Platon- NYC, Ewen Spencer and Shona Heath (set building and styling). The course offers opportunities for educational and industry visits both nationally and internationally (to such cities as New York) and to a variety of gallery and studio based visits in the UK.

Many of our graduating students have chosen to go directly into the industry as freelance photographers or assistants within the areas of fashion, advertising and editorial photography. Others have chosen related careers including working on picture desks, working for photographic agents, styling or as advertising creatives.

COURSE DETAILS

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Course Duration:

2 years

Institution Code: A66

UCAS CODES

W641

COURSE LEADER

Conrad Tracy

CONTACT

Admissions