This course is hands-on and creative, designed for students who want to explore photography further. You’ll learn key concepts and techniques while developing your own projects, working to themes and creating a series of images in the style of a Typology. Expect to spend time outside the classroom taking photographs and building a strong visual portfolio. While we cover essential theory, the focus is on practical work and crea...
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will enhance your ability to identify patterns, make strong visual selections and develop a creative photographic project. Focusing on the concept of Typology—grouping images based on shared characteristics, you will explore how visual patterns, themes, and storytelling can enhance your photographic practice.
Through guided photo walks in Covent Garden and Holborn, you will collect images that fit within chosen themes, such as abstraction, found objects, or environmental similarities.
The course also includes an introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Bridge, where you will learn how to refine your selections, enhance your images, and organize them into a cohesive Typology series.
This course encourages personal exploration while strengthening composition, editing, and selection techniques. You will complete a structured typology series, exploring a chosen theme, presented as a digital or printed collection. Various thematic approaches will be explored, including storytelling, abstraction, and environmental collections.
The studio is fully wheelchair accessible. Part of this course is offsite. You will need to be able to ‘walk/travel’ approx 2km. You will need warm/waterproof clothing as you will be outside for several hours.
What will we cover?
Revision of manual functions of the camera
Exploring themes and different styles of photographs
An introduction to Typology in photography – understanding its history and artistic significance
Guided photo walks in Covent Garden and Holborn to capture images for a Typology series
Introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Bridge for image editing, organisation, and presentation
Techniques for refining image selection and creating visual consistency within a series
Developing a personal Typology project based on individual interests
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand and apply the concept of Typology in photography by identifying and grouping images based on shared characteristics
Use Adobe Photoshop and Bridge to edit, refine, and organize images for a cohesive Typology series
Create and present a final Typology series that demonstrates visual consistency, narrative structure, or abstract patterns
Have greater confidence in refining and presenting a photographic project
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed for intermediate-level photographers who have a basic technical understanding of camera settings, including ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and white balance. It is ideal for those who have completed our 'Photography for Beginners' course, but you can also join if you are confident in adjusting these settings manually on a digital SLR or mirrorless.
A camera with manual controls is essential, the course focuses on creative decision-making and refining selection skills rather than technical fundamentals.
No prior experience with Adobe Photoshop or Bridge is required, as an introduction to both programs will be included.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will also have access to Google classroom as our designated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) where you will be able to access hand-outs, briefs and collaborate with peers outside of course hours.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony), tripods, lenses and flash which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.
It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note: PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers but not written to.) We advise all students to have a notebook (A5) to support the recording of information and ideas.
Whilst not necessary for this course, when you enrol on a course at the City Lit, you are entitled to student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might want to go further into making a body of work with Documentary Photography & Photojournalism. Or perhaps you want to push your idea of photography in a new direction and try Experimental Photography.
Sara Epstein – Photography Tutor Sara is a professional photographer with over 20 years of experience capturing stories through editorial, corporate, documentary, and wedding photography. Her work has been featured in The Sunday Times, Rough Guides, and various charity campaigns, where she specializes in creating authentic and compelling visual narratives. As a wedding photographer, Sara has developed a strong ability to capture natural, emotional moments while working in fast-paced and unpredictable environments. At City Lit, Sara teaches photography classes to students of all ages, often adults looking to explore their creativity. Her lessons provide a fun, engaging, and sociable way to learn, helping students build confidence while developing technical and artistic skills. Whether guiding students through the basics or supporting them as they refine their abilities, Sara believes in fostering a welcoming and inspiring learning environment. She studied at Manchester MET, gaining a BA (Hons) in Photography, and has taught photography for over a decade. Sara's goal is to make photography accessible, enjoyable, and creatively fulfillin
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/typology-photographing-a-theme-or-series3001885Typology - photographing a theme or serieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/y/typology-1-1080_2.jpg229229GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Creative, commercial & documentary photography22851132170217041228511321702<p>This course is hands-on and creative, designed for students who want to explore photography further. You’ll learn key concepts and techniques while developing your own projects, working to themes and creating a series of images in the style of a <strong>Typology</strong>. Expect to spend time outside the classroom taking photographs and building a strong visual portfolio. While we cover essential theory, the focus is on practical work and creative exploration.</p>00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/y/typology-2-john_allys.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/y/typology-3-catherine_litter.jpg3030553Typology - photographing a theme or series229229https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/y/typology-1-1080_2_2.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedSep 2026Art & designVY337229229Typology - photographing a theme or series183149229Sara Epsteintypology-photographing-a-theme-or-series/vy337-2627<p>This course is hands-on and creative, designed for students who want to explore photography further. You’ll learn key concepts and techniques while developing your own projects, working to themes and creating a series of images in the style of a <strong>Typology</strong>. Expect to spend time outside the classroom taking photographs and building a strong visual portfolio. While we cover essential theory, the focus is on practical work and creative exploration.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This course will enhance your ability to identify patterns, make strong visual selections and develop a creative photographic project. Focusing on the concept of Typology—grouping images based on shared characteristics, you will explore how visual patterns, themes, and storytelling can enhance your photographic practice.</p><p>Through guided photo walks in Covent Garden and Holborn, you will collect images that fit within chosen themes, such as abstraction, found objects, or environmental similarities.</p><p>The course also includes an introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Bridge, where you will learn how to refine your selections, enhance your images, and organize them into a cohesive Typology series.</p><p>This course encourages personal exploration while strengthening composition, editing, and selection techniques. You will complete a structured typology series, exploring a chosen theme, presented as a digital or printed collection. Various thematic approaches will be explored, including storytelling, abstraction, and environmental collections.</p><p><br/>The studio is fully wheelchair accessible. Part of this course is offsite. You will need to be able to ‘walk/travel’ approx 2km. You will need warm/waterproof clothing as you will be outside for several hours.</p><p>This course is hands-on and creative, designed for students who want to explore photography further. You’ll learn key concepts and techniques while developing your own projects, working to themes and creating a series of images in the style of a <strong>Typology</strong>. Expect to spend time outside the classroom taking photographs and building a strong visual portfolio. While we cover essential theory, the focus is on practical work and creative exploration.</p><ul><li>Revision of manual functions of the camera</li><li>Exploring themes and different styles of photographs</li><li>An introduction to Typology in photography – understanding its history and artistic significance</li><li>Guided photo walks in Covent Garden and Holborn to capture images for a Typology series</li><li>Introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Bridge for image editing, organisation, and presentation</li><li>Techniques for refining image selection and creating visual consistency within a series</li><li>Developing a personal Typology project based on individual interests</li></ul><ul><li>Understand and apply the concept of Typology in photography by identifying and grouping images based on shared characteristics</li><li>Use Adobe Photoshop and Bridge to edit, refine, and organize images for a cohesive Typology series</li><li>Create and present a final Typology series that demonstrates visual consistency, narrative structure, or abstract patterns</li><li>Have greater confidence in refining and presenting a photographic project</li></ul><p>This course is designed for intermediate-level photographers who have a basic technical understanding of camera settings, including ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and white balance. It is ideal for those who have completed our 'Photography for Beginners' course, but you can also join if you are confident in adjusting these settings manually on a digital SLR or mirrorless.</p><p>A camera with manual controls is essential, the course focuses on creative decision-making and refining selection skills rather than technical fundamentals.</p><p>No prior experience with Adobe Photoshop or Bridge is required, as an introduction to both programs will be included.</p><p>You will also have access to Google classroom as our designated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) where you will be able to access hand-outs, briefs and collaborate with peers outside of course hours.</p><p>Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony), tripods, lenses and flash which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.</p><p>It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note: PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers but not written to.) We advise all students to have a notebook (A5) to support the recording of information and ideas.</p><p><br/>Whilst not necessary for this course, when you enrol on a course at the City Lit, you are entitled to student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud.</p><p>You might want to go further into making a body of work with Documentary Photography & Photojournalism. Or perhaps you want to push your idea of photography in a new direction and try Experimental Photography.</p>PhotographyCreative, commercial & documentary photographyvirtual183229149VY337NONEMon14/09/26 - 05/10/2614:00 - 17:0014:0017:004 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSara EpsteinSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Art & design229229Typology - photographing a theme or seriestypology-photographing-a-theme-or-series/vy337-2627<p>This course is hands-on and creative, designed for students who want to explore photography further. You’ll learn key concepts and techniques while developing your own projects, working to themes and creating a series of images in the style of a <strong>Typology</strong>. Expect to spend time outside the classroom taking photographs and building a strong visual portfolio. While we cover essential theory, the focus is on practical work and creative exploration.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This course will enhance your ability to identify patterns, make strong visual selections and develop a creative photographic project. Focusing on the concept of Typology—grouping images based on shared characteristics, you will explore how visual patterns, themes, and storytelling can enhance your photographic practice.</p><p>Through guided photo walks in Covent Garden and Holborn, you will collect images that fit within chosen themes, such as abstraction, found objects, or environmental similarities.</p><p>The course also includes an introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Bridge, where you will learn how to refine your selections, enhance your images, and organize them into a cohesive Typology series.</p><p>This course encourages personal exploration while strengthening composition, editing, and selection techniques. You will complete a structured typology series, exploring a chosen theme, presented as a digital or printed collection. Various thematic approaches will be explored, including storytelling, abstraction, and environmental collections.</p><p><br/>The studio is fully wheelchair accessible. Part of this course is offsite. You will need to be able to ‘walk/travel’ approx 2km. You will need warm/waterproof clothing as you will be outside for several hours.</p><p>This course is hands-on and creative, designed for students who want to explore photography further. You’ll learn key concepts and techniques while developing your own projects, working to themes and creating a series of images in the style of a <strong>Typology</strong>. Expect to spend time outside the classroom taking photographs and building a strong visual portfolio. While we cover essential theory, the focus is on practical work and creative exploration.</p><ul><li>Revision of manual functions of the camera</li><li>Exploring themes and different styles of photographs</li><li>An introduction to Typology in photography – understanding its history and artistic significance</li><li>Guided photo walks in Covent Garden and Holborn to capture images for a Typology series</li><li>Introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Bridge for image editing, organisation, and presentation</li><li>Techniques for refining image selection and creating visual consistency within a series</li><li>Developing a personal Typology project based on individual interests</li></ul><ul><li>Understand and apply the concept of Typology in photography by identifying and grouping images based on shared characteristics</li><li>Use Adobe Photoshop and Bridge to edit, refine, and organize images for a cohesive Typology series</li><li>Create and present a final Typology series that demonstrates visual consistency, narrative structure, or abstract patterns</li><li>Have greater confidence in refining and presenting a photographic project</li></ul><p>This course is designed for intermediate-level photographers who have a basic technical understanding of camera settings, including ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and white balance. It is ideal for those who have completed our 'Photography for Beginners' course, but you can also join if you are confident in adjusting these settings manually on a digital SLR or mirrorless.</p><p>A camera with manual controls is essential, the course focuses on creative decision-making and refining selection skills rather than technical fundamentals.</p><p>No prior experience with Adobe Photoshop or Bridge is required, as an introduction to both programs will be included.</p><p>You will also have access to Google classroom as our designated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) where you will be able to access hand-outs, briefs and collaborate with peers outside of course hours.</p><p>Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony), tripods, lenses and flash which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.</p><p>It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note: PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers but not written to.) We advise all students to have a notebook (A5) to support the recording of information and ideas.</p><p><br/>Whilst not necessary for this course, when you enrol on a course at the City Lit, you are entitled to student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud.</p><p>You might want to go further into making a body of work with Documentary Photography &amp; Photojournalism. Or perhaps you want to push your idea of photography in a new direction and try Experimental Photography.</p>PhotographyCreative, commercial & documentary photographyconfigurable
