A brief history of British photography

In conjunction with, and taking place at, The Photographers’ Gallery, this short course will introduce some of the key movements, developments and figures in photography in Britain, from the beginnings to the present day.

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Key course information

Dates
28/06/10 - 26/07/10

Day(s)
Mon

Duration
5 weeks

Time
18:30 - 20:00

Fees
Full fee: £77^NC

Venue
OS - Off site

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Course code
VY605

Availability
Available
(status updated every 15 mins)

^NC: No concessionary fees available as there is no government funding for this course.

Enrol now

Call enrolments: 020 7831 7831

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

Course outline

What is the course about?

This course examines the origins of photography starting from before its formal invention in the 1820s up to the present.
Technical developments to the present day.
What photography has been used for in the past and today, and how that was influenced by technical, social, cultural and aesthetic developments.
The key themes, movements and people who have become prominent, and those conventional history have almost forgotten.

What topics will we cover?

Up to 1900
The camera obscura. Niepce. Fox Talbot, the Pencil of Nature and the Calotype. Hill and Adamson. Daguerre and the Daguerreotype. Bayard. The Wet Collodion Era. Julia Margaret Cameron. Nadar. Fenton and the Crimea war. Carte de Visite. Gustav le Gray. Rejlander. Robinson. John Thompson. Mathew Brady and the American Civil War. James Clark Maxwell and colour photography. Gelatin dry plates. Film and the dawn of ‘snapshot’ photography. Landscape. Portaiture. Foreign Travel. Documentary. Jacob Riis. Pictorialism.
1900 on
The Autochrome. Colour Photography. 35mm Photography
Albert Kahn. Atget.
Stieglitz and Steichen . Gallery 291.
Strand. Walker Evans and the Farm Security Admi9nistration. Dorothea Lange. Lewis Hine.
Ansel Adams. Edward Western The f64 Group. Man Ray.
Magazines – Picture Post and Life.
Eugene Smith. Cartier Bresson. Brassai.
1945 on
Film – colour and monochrome developments. The dawn of the digital age.
Photojournalism. Fine Art Photography. Scientific and Social uses.

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

Know about the developments which led to the invention of photography.
Have a broad understanding of how photography has been used since its invention in the 1820/30s, and can be used today.
Be able to recognise the different technical developments through which photography has passed up to the present day, and identify work from each stage.
Have some insight into the cultural, social and aesthetic uses of the medium, and how technical developments in photography influenced how and why it was used.
Know about the principal figures who have become important in the history of photography; and how the ‘history of photography’ has become an academic subject itself.

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

Introductory for all those with an interest in the subject.

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?

Through illustrated lectures using projected images and video, slide projectors and the internet where appropriate; discussion; hands-on examination of original artifacts, prints and equipment connected with the history of photography including Daguerreotypes and cameras from the 19th century.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

None. Handouts will be given out 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; study support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 189 of the 09-10 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

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

A longer course in the same subject jointly run by the City Lit and the Photographers Gallery – details in our prospectus.

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

Drop-in advice
Term-time: please call for advice

Non-term time:
Tue 17:30 - 18:30 & Wed 12:30 - 13:30

Contact us

Visual arts

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Drop-in advice
Term-time: please call for advice

Non-term time:
Tue 17:30 - 18:30 & Wed 12:30 - 13:30

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