BA (Hons) Photography

Photography Image: Paul Gorman

COURSE OVERVIEW

Some of the world’s leading photographers started their careers at University College. Like them you’ll learn to explore the place of contemporary photography in our culture. As well as looking at the historical and critical approaches to photography, we believe it’s vital you learn to express your individual creativity and achieve your personal ambitions.

 

We encourage you to take risks and be open-minded about the broad possibilities of image making. You’ll also face the challenge of critically contextualising your photographic work and undertaking research into historical and contemporary practices. We aim to give you specialist knowledge of photography within a broad understanding of visual culture. And, as the course develops, you should understand how your expertise would lead to a broad range of professional opportunities.

 

RESOURCES

· Teaching on all levels includes visiting lecturers from all areas of the specialism.

· You’ll be able to use professional lighting studios, black and white (wet and dry) processing facilities and printing resources.

· There is also a professional quality colour processing and printing resource, together with a range of digital imaging facilities.

· You have access to a full range of specialised equipment, including time-based kit.

 

YEAR 1

Year 1 introduces you to the technical skills and theoretical issues that are fundamental to photography. These will help you work on a series of visual projects that address contemporary practice, challenge your creativity and give you a grounding in in all aspects of photographic production.

 

YEAR 2

In Year 2 you’ll begin to define your own practice and specialisms. Units of study become longer and more demanding, and experimentation and risk–taking continue to be encouraged. Digital imaging practice and theory are also major components in the production of personal photographic projects.

 

YEAR 3

In Year 3 you’ll focus on your own areas of interest and produce a major body of work for exhibition, a portfolio of professional documentation (website, CV, portfolio etc.) and a critical text. As in years 1 and 2, every unit of study is introduced with a briefing and contextual lecture, followed by seminars, individual and group tutorials, workshops, presentations, viewings and critiques.

 

Photography - Lily Bertrand-Webb
Image: Lily Bertrand-Webb

 

INTERVIEWS AND PORTFOLIOS

Interviews are an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment and self-motivation to a chosen area of study, and to discuss aspects of your chosen course. You will be expected to display and discuss your portfolio. Portfolios should contain examples of work (both finished and work in progress) that showcase your particular interests – not only course or school work, but also any independent work including, for example, photographic contact sheets, research files, sketchbooks and any other evidence of your ideas, your interests and your passion for photography.

 

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

As well as a demonstrable passion for photography, you will possess a mature outlook, with strong interest in research and contextual studies. Ideally, though not necessarily, you will have studied for a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and have a developed knowledge of visual concepts. We look for evidence of photographic ability but understand that not everyone has access to facilities allowing them to fully execute their ideas. You should have an appropriate level of awareness of contemporary photography and visual culture. We are interested in your individual creativity and how you communicate to an audience through the medium of photography

 

STUDY TIME

Study is divided across taught hours, studio and/or work environment time, and independent study. Excellent professional and technical support is available and students are encouraged to experiment and work collaboratively on self-initiated projects. We expect students to spend an average of 40 hours per week on their studies, although it is likely that these hours will vary throughout the academic year.

 

A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS COURSE
More student work, together with a look at our studios, recent projects, exhibitions, industry links and details of our course staff, can all be viewed in the ‘Showcase’ for this course. 

 

COURSE LEADER

Dave Hazel

CONTACT

Admissions

Tel: 01202 363228/363225

Email: admissions@aucb.ac.uk

 

Photography - Nina Hove
Image: Nina Hove