Contemporary art photography
Time: 18:00 - 21:00
Location: Photography Studio
Course Code: VY637
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course introduces you to both the theory and the practice of photography as a fine art, and how this can influence your work. We will explore the history, concepts and theories behind the position of photography within fine art. We will consider techniques and technologies such as camera types, lighting, traditional and digital printing influencing fine art photography in today's world, and give you guidance on opportunities for exhibiting and publishing work on the commercial market.
What will we cover?
- Historical examples of photography as art
- Current fine art photography practice and current conceptual approaches
- What is published and exhibited in today's art world
- Experimenting creatively with technology
- Exhibiting or publishing work and what is most appropriate
- Describing your work and writing an artist statement
- The ‘business’ of fine art photography including agents, museums, galleries, and opportunities
- Project reviews and feedback during the class
- Showcasing tips and platforms.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- discuss a range of historical examples of art photography
- experiment with technology and formats to realise creative ideas
- understand how technology has affected what is produced in fine art photography
- benefit from feedback and comments about your own work
- identify conceptual strands in contemporary photography
- demonstrate awareness of how fine art photography functions as a business
- develop strategies for the publicity and marketing of your own work.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course. It would be useful for you to have a basic knowledge of the manual functions of your camera and to produce images which can be discussed in class. However the course will also be of interest to those who are not photographers and want an introduction to the subject of contemporary art photography within an historical context.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussions. You should be able to use numbers and be able to undertake simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Illustrated lectures, group discussion and viewing and discussing the work of contemporary artists. You will have opportunities to show and receive tutor and peer feedback on your own work.
The course also uses Google Classroom (an online teaching resource) for you to share comments with your class, download course material and as appropriate, upload images for group crits.
Google classroom login help.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring some examples of your own work to take advantage of opportunities for feedback and progression. If you are not a practitioner you will not be expected to bring work but will be invited to participate in the discussion and feedback sessions.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a whole range of specialised photographic courses and others with a fine art orientation. Browse the photography section of the City Lit prospectus or check the website for inspiration.
Laura is a photographer, picture editor and photography tutor. She holds an MA in art photograpy and has over ten years of editorial experience from a range of roles. Laura currently works as a freelance photographer and picture editor, specializing in portraiture, travel and documentary photography. Her passion is visual storytelling - making images work together to create a meaningful narrative. Before moving to London Laura worked as a university lecturer in Finland, teaching photojournalism. For the last five years Laura has taught digital photography, lighting, image editing and documentary storytelling to adults from all backgrounds and levels. Her style of teaching has been described as clear, inspiring and approachable. "I think holding a camera is a super power. It makes you see the world from a different angle and pay attention to the smallest details. Learning the technical aspects of photography is really important, but it can be done in a fun and creative way."
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.