Photography
curriculum
| courses | gallery
Photography majors
take nine courses that deal with a highly technical, multi functional medium
that can be used as a strong visual communication tool. The curriculum helps
students to develop a historical, conceptual, and technical foundation necessary
to use the medium with the control needed for creative expression. Photography
as a fine arts discipline is emphasized. Evaluations are made on an individual
basis in one-on-one and group critiques.
I am pleased to say that the photo program is more exciting than ever. DSU now
has the best digital photography facility within several hundred miles. In the
fall of 2003 we received 19 Apple G5 computers with 22 inch Laice Monitors.
The lab the best consumer level negative and print scanners as well as the latest
technology in archival ink jet printing. The department also received several
new digital cameras and digital video cameras for student use. There are approximately
28 photo majors and many more students who have photography as a minor area
of study. Kim Rushing has recently returned to teaching after eighteen months
of study with some of the best digital photographers and teachers in the country,
like John Paul Cappanegro and Julianna Kost. The traditional photography program
is still in place, and will continue to be an important part of the photography
curriculum.
The introductory courses cover basic traditional and digital photographic techniques
and darkroom procedures. Assignments and critiques emphasize the development
of a camera vision and technical understanding needed to explore the aesthetic
possibilities of visual communication through photography. Intermediate photography
is designed to help students understand various traditional approaches to photography.
This is accomplished through viewing and discussing the work of contemporary
and historically significant photographers. Also, assignments are made that
encourage the student to work in different genre such as landscape, portraiture,
documentary, and still life. to name a few. Photo - Chemistry and Materials
class examines the theory and behavior of photographic materials and processing,
resulting in refine processing and printing techniques, especially as related
to photographic vision. Topics include: exposure methods, photographic chemistry
and formulas, negative manipulation, archival processing, hand coloring, and
safety around hazardous materials. Students are required to produce a self-directed
portfolio to demonstrate their technical knowledge. After these three courses,
technical competency is expected and not emphasized in the advanced classes.
The students are provided with individual enthusiastic encouragement to develop
their own visual language. View Camera and Large Format photography is an introduction
to sheet film handling and processing and the zone system. Studio Lighting is
an introduction to electronic flash for studio use, as well as, basic lighting
techniques.
During Seminar and Thesis classes, photography students pursue a direction of
personal, in depth study. The final semester is executed under the direction
of a thesis committee and culminates in a B. F. A. exhibition in the Wright
Art Gallery.
__________________________________________________________
This web page
maintained by Allison Melton.
| 
