Creating a picture story

Learn how to put together a story in pictures. With guidance from a working photographer, practical assignments, discussion and analysis of photographs, develop your skills and picture taking style.

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Key course information

Dates
09/02/12 - 01/03/12

Day(s)
Thu

Duration
4 weeks

Time
10:30 - 13:30

Fees
Full fee: £109
Senior fee: £73
Concession: £52

Venue
PS - Photography Studio

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Course code
VY799

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2700

Course outline

What is the course about?

A picture-story is a set of photographs planned and arranged in a sequence, often with carefully worded captions, to tell a story. Making a picture-story is an exciting and skilful aspect of documentary photography and photojournalism. This highly practical course will explore the basic components of making a picture-story through practical exercises and photo assignments. You will develop and improve your photographic technique and compositional skills and learn how to effectively communicate a set of ideas and impressions through photographs. You will learn about the history and development of the picture-story and look at the work of other photographers, including W. Eugene Smith. There will be discussion and feedback on the development of your own and fellow students’ work.

What topics will we cover?

Getting started with your camera - photographic technique
Planning and structuring a story
Composition
Lighting
Communicating ideas through pictures
Picture Editing
Use of words/captions with pictures.
The history and development of the picture story and the work of key photographers.
An outline of the course will be given in week one.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Recognise the key elements of a picture story.
- Plan and structure a picture-story.
- Recognise the importance of lighting and composition.
- Improve your picture taking technique and picture taking style.
- Recognise the importance of editing pictures.
- Effectively edit a set of pictures.
- Use words with pictures in an effective way.
- Demonstrate an ability to be more objective and critical of your own work.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is designed for anyone who is interested in the subject, but some experience of documentary photography and/or photojournalism would be an advantage. This is not a highly technical course but basic photographic knowledge and a SLR camera handling skills are desirable.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.

Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support in your English and Maths skills to help you to take part fully in this class.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Practical exercises and photo assignments. analysis of photographs, illustrated lecture, group discussion and feedback of own and fellow students’ work produced during the course.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Contact us

Visual arts

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Student photography competition

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