Courses Taught

Advertising Photography I

Advertising Photography II

Advertising I and II are designed to give students a thorough introduction to the practice of advertising photography. We will cover various aspects of commercial photography with a range of subject matter (people and product), emphasizing content and concepts. Lectures will explore the art, practice, ethics, and business of advertising photography, and will include several guest speakers. In design II students work in teams, and a client to develop large scale projects. Students choose roles on the project that suit their particular interest: art director, photographer, tech, stylist, photo editor, etc. as a means of creating a portfolio project that they can use to highlight their specific skill set.

Advertising and Design Photography

The Advertising and Design course teams photographers and graphic designers together in the production of advertising campaigns. Students have the option of working with still life, people, location, and / or fashion. Current advertising campaigns are discussed and analyzed. Emphasis is placed on producing multiple or sequential images. Historical and contemporary examples of advertising is examined. This is an opportunity for students to take the skills learned thus far and push them further through working collaboratively with a designer, much as they will after graduation. In working collaboratively with creatives from other fields, designers in this instance, students have the opportunity to learn the language of designers, how design and photo processes and schedules impact each other and how to develop ideas in conjunction with others.

Contemporary Topics: The Referential Image

The Referential Image: Culture, Material and Technology falls within the framework of the Contemporary Issues course outline. Contemporary Issues are a group of courses intended to foster the study of current issues relevant to imaging-based fine art and related media; how they relate to broader historical/cultural issues, and how they might suggest future directions. Emphasis is placed on the integration of critical theoretical discourse and studio practice. Contemporary Issues courses vary in subject and content. This course is a touchstone to current and future fine art practices through its engagement with a variety of subjects. In this class we will develop the research and concepting skills essential to building referential, narrative imagery. Reference plays a number of roles in image making. Incorporating references that a targeted audience will recognize provides an entry point for the viewer. The use of reference can also be used to attribute specific qualities to the idea or product which the image is meant to convey or sell. Reference can also be used as a narrative tool, inviting the audience in and allowing them to create their own story and connections. Projects will not be confined to the traditional and may be developed with any number of technologies in mind. This is a class for those wishing to fully engage with their working process. While focused more on intellectual process consideration of craft is expected.

Elements of Advertising Photography

This course is meant to give students an introduction to the field of commercial assignment photography. Students will create images from assignments that relate to projects they will experience after graduation. Portraiture and still life photography will be covered both in the studio and on location. Effective lighting (studio and Location) and digital workflow practices will be addressed. Students will also learn about career choices available in the field.

Food Photography

This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of food culture and the many elements that go into staging a food shoot. Topics covered will include, food shopping, food pairing, food handling and styling, prop selection, lighting, food ethics, food in motion, as well as the collaborative nature of food photography. We will discuss differences between food shot for advertising and editorial purposes, as well as recipes and swaps for “fake” food. Students will be expected to shop for food and props, prepare food, style their shoots and produce images commensurate with their level as third and fourth year Advertising Photography majors. Sets and props are an integral part of food photography and we will spend considerable time discussing these elements. An understanding of food and food culture is critical to succeeding in the field of food photography. We will be delving into the world of food blogging to get a glimpse of the broad approaches people are taking to food, its production and preparation as part of this class. Food is also an ethical issue and we will discuss and consider the environmental issues of food production and waste, food deserts and the health implications of what we eat. As photographers the images we make impact those who see our work and it is important to be aware of how what we make affects others whether in the making of those images or the consuming of them by viewers.

Location Photography

This course will cover the technical and aesthetic skills necessary to produce successful photographs on location. Location Photography differs from studio work in a number of ways. There are often numerous challenges involved as locations can be remote, difficult to access, or lacking in facilities. Successful location shoots require pre‐planning, extensive prep work, redundant equipment, an ability to come up with solutions on the fly, flexibility and a great sense of humor as things just don’t always go as planned. Scouting is an essential aspect of location photography and you will be expected to scout your locations. We will discuss what it takes to successfully scout a location and methods of doing so remotely when you can’t physically go to the location in advance. Teamwork is encouraged in this class and is an essential component of location photography. Just how diverse the work being produced on location is can be quickly realized by taking a look at just a few of the super talented photographers working on location today. From Jimmy Chin and his phenomenal extreme sports work, to Rodney Smith’s stunningly formal landscapes (Yes, he considers himself a landscape photographer who happens to add models to the mix), to Bruce Weber’s gorgeous B&W imagery, to Gentl and Hyers moody lifestyle and food, to Tim Walker’s total fantasy world of fashion and Todd Selby’s apartments, homes and kitchens, the range of locations, subject matter and client categories is huge. Location work can try your nerves and leave you with impressive bumps and bruises, but it is one of the most rewarding and inspiring areas of photography. This class will be demanding, but participate fully and you will come out of it with some pretty mad skills and a serious appreciation of what goes into the making of a successful shoot on location.

Photo Arts I

This foundation course will provide an immersive introduction to the field of the Photographic Arts. It will emphasize both craft and visual problem solving. The course will explore: seeing and appreciating the quality of light, image capture, photographic vision, historical and contemporary genres of photography, best practices and work flow as well as an introduction to the critique forum and its practices.

Photo Arts II

This foundation course will reinforce and build upon the skills learned in the first semester’s Photo Arts I. It will emphasize aesthetics, craft, visual problem solving and critical thinking skills ‐ the foundations of the Photo Arts curriculum. In this semester, the studio will be introduced as a space that can be used to create and control light. The Photo Arts series is intended to provide students new to the photography program a foundation in the basics of photography as a media and does not place an emphasis on any one of the specialized areas of photography that students will elect to follow starting in their third year.

Portfolio Development

This capstone course will provide the opportunity to refine your ideas and body of work through the rigorous editing of existing work and the creation of new work. In addition you will develop a business plan, cohesive visual identity and create branded self‐promotion materials, including a printed book and website. Emphasis will be placed on research, strategy, presentation, editing, and the development of a website and portfolio. The materials that you create in this class will be your calling card as you step out in to the professional world. As a number of students in this class may not want to be photographers and the range of areas that shooters can work in varies wildly this class will be highly individualized. Not all students will be working on the same type of projects nor will they be working on them at the same time. All students will be working towards the development of materials relevant to their individual post graduation goals.