The purpose of this module is to synthesize sophisticated technical and intellectual skills, enabling students to demonstrate expertise in advanced photographic techniques integrated with an ability to visualise personal concepts, set goals and respond to personal needs and strengths.
Advanced Photographic Techniques
Students will be asked to submit a written proposal for a personal project on a theme of the student’s choice, in consultation with the module lecturer. The personal project proposal should outline the student’s aims, objectives, working methodology, relevant areas of research, equipment and materials required, and any other information which may be relevant to a particular project; a working title should be included at this stage, and personal project production work will take place throughout the semester. A tabletop still-life or product photography project will be undertaken, with specific attention to careful composition and ‘still-life’ lighting techniques, the aim of which is to explore a highly precise and methodical way of working, as used in areas such as medical photography, commercial product photography, architectural photography and museum archiving; the student will have the opportunity to make a finely printed large 20x24” high resolution inkjet print, demonstrating one of the advantages of high resolution medium format capture. There will be an overview of traditional darkroom practices and historical or alternative printing methods, in order to facilitate these working practices if required in the personal project; this will be supplemented by a study of the history and applications of the large format technical view camera, citing specific examples of practice. Through in-depth study of the critical, cultural, historical, political, social, philosophical and aesthetic aspects of photography, students will be able to incorporate intellectual theory, and to reflect and integrate a broad range of commercial or artistic methodologies with their own evolving individual working practices. Dawn Ades wrote that “Manipulation of the photograph is as old as photography itself: it has been used in political propaganda, and has also embodied or enlivened satire, publicity and commercial art; it has created evocations of the ‘brave new world’ of the future, and surrealist and fantastic visions.” Using digital imaging software, students will manipulate or reconstruct a photograph or sequence of photographs in order to subvert the original message, or to make a personal or social statement. A review of digital imaging techniques will include the use of cameraless photography and the assembly of composite images using montaging techniques.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |