Photography | Academic Requirements | Student Learning Outcomes | Courses | Faculty

Undergraduate Photography Courses (VPH)

VPH 1000–2999 (lower level)
VPH 3000–3999 (upper level)
VPH 4000–4999 (upper level)

Note: In sequenced courses (e.g., I, II, III, IV), successful completion of each course is a prerequisite for the next course in the sequence. For example, VPH 3260/Color Photography I is a prerequisite for VPH 3270/Color Photography II. All VPH courses are limited to photography majors.

VPH 1000–2999:

Photography I
VPH 1010 / 4 credits / Every semester
In this introduction to the basic techniques and concepts of black and white photography, exposure, film development, contact printing, enlarging, spotting, and dry mounting are covered. Assignments alternate between technical, aesthetic, and expressive concerns. Offered as NME 1010 for new media majors and as SOA 1110 for students in all other disciplines.

Photography II
VPH 2030 / 4 credits / Every semester
A continuation of VPH 1010, with emphasis on the basic concepts and processes of black and white photography, including an introduction to the Zone System, toners, filters, and preparation of developers. Assignments alternate between technical and creative concerns. Offered as SOA 2110 for students in other disciplines.
Prerequisite: VPH 1010

Looking at Photographs
VPH 2320 / 4 credits / Every semester
A critical and historical approach to photography is developed in this lecture/discussion. Emphasis is given to a vocabulary of photographic viewing, as well as to the interactions of photography, painting, and documentation. The needs of chronology and historical interpretation are also considered. Written papers required. Offered as SOA 2130 for students in other disciplines.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030

The Photograph as Document
VPH 2500 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
This course focuses on a concern for human situations and conditions, while maintaining a respect for the inner vision of the photographer. Topics include imagery about people in both a private and a social environment.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030

The Photographic Essay
VPH 2505 / 4 credits / Summer (offered in France)
Students explore photographic language to develop a narrative related to a specific setting. Using formal elements like color and composition, students construct a document on a selected theme or subject, drawing on the visual and cultural context of Hyères. Development of the content of photographs as a group is emphasized, so that the camera’s language and the cumulative effect of photographic documentation can be explored. Working with digital cameras (a simple one is fine!), students select images for printing and establish a photographic sequence that translates ideas and experiences into a visual story for presentation to the class.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030

Digital Photography I
VPH 2660 / 4 credits / Spring
An exploration of the digital image, from traditional film and digital camera capture to methods of outputting the digital image onto various papers. High-end scanning, editing, and printing techniques are investigated, with emphasis on the use of Adobe Photoshop and appropriate methods for editing RAW files. Printing methods may include inkjet, digital C-print, darkroom work, and nonsilver. Includes hands-on work, theory, and the history of photo-image manipulation.
Prerequisite: VPH 3260 or permission of instructor

Special Photography Workshop
VPH 2700 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An extensive study of a particular topic or technique in photography. Topics vary each semester. May be taken a second time for credit.

VPH 3000–3999:

Visiting Artist
VPH 3050 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Visiting artists work with advanced students to further develop their photographic skills and abilities. Students work independently and meet for group discussions and critiques. Readings and field trips may supplement the visiting artist’s discussions.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Urban Landscape
VPH 3100 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
In this “think tank,” art is developed that deals with the variety of the constructed environment. Diverse approaches are used to shape a concept of urban space. Using photo-related media, students explore and create provocative work; images are made, taken, stolen, borrowed, defaced, and ultimately transformed.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Nonsilver
VPH 3160 / 4 credits / Fall
Nonsilver photo processes involve the use of alternatives to traditional photographic paper. Students work with collotype, a continuous-tone printing process that is one of the earliest photographic processes. Other nonsilver photographic processes (e.g., cyanotype, platinum/palladium printing, photogravure, Iris prints, Polaroid transfer) are also studied.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Portrait/Self-Portrait
VPH 3210 / 4 credits / Spring
A seminar and critique in which visual and conceptual notions of photographic imagery are filtered through philosophical, psychological, and cultural interpretations of dream and reality. The seminar includes readings, discussion, visual exercises, and group critique.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Dream and Reality
VPH 3220 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
In this visual and conceptual investigation of photographic imagery, visual narrative strategies and literary methods like memoir, diary, confession, and autobiography are used.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

View Camera
VPH 3250 / 4 credits / Spring
The basic concepts and techniques concerning field and view cameras, including the use of swings, tilts, shifts, and rises, are covered. Assignments deal with portraits, still life, architecture, and landscapes and the particular problems and opportunities each presents.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Color Photography I
VPH 3260 / 4 credits / Fall
A sequence of technical and critical seminars focusing on traditional color-negative materials and print processes. The crossover between darkroom and digital tools, as well as the necessary perceptual shifts in content and intention, are addressed.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Color Photography II
VPH 3270 / 4 credits / Spring
A continuation of VPH 3260, with greater attention to detail and nuance. Crossover issues between digital and analog printing are investigated.
Prerequisite: VPH 3260 or permission of instructor

Color Photography III
VPH 3280 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
In this continuation of VPH 3270, the production of large prints using traditional and/or digital tools is emphasized.
Prerequisite: VPH 3270 or permission of instructor

Studio Photography
VPH 3300 / 4 credits / Spring
Technical and creative photographic experiences are put to practical use. Assignments explore artificial and natural lighting, their diverse properties, and uses of tungsten and electronic flash lamps. Technical skills developed also include use of 4x5 cameras, the Zone System of exposure and development for black and white film, understanding of bellows extension factor and reciprocity failure; color temperature, and filtering and exposure of color transparency film.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Day by What by Wow by Day
VPH 3310 / 4 credits / Spring
A course in which students make a page with a photo image, a written observation/description, a question, a political awareness, and a bit of awe or wonder every day.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Photo/Narrative
VPH 3390 / 4 credits / Fall
A practical investigation of narrative strategies as a predominant aspect of still photography and photo-related imagery. Sequence, series, the grid, linear and nonlinear approaches, and literary models are explored as the deep structure of subject. In addition to assigned readings and visual exercises, students complete a self-directed project in consultation with the instructor, resulting in a portfolio of images, a book, and/or a photographic installation.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Photographic Intervention
VPH 3460 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
A studio/critique course that investigates the meaning and application of “photographic intervention.” The style, form, and content of documentary, landscape, portrait, street, and snapshot photography, as well as the differences between objective and subjective approaches to the medium, are focused on throughout the course. In assignments, students apply and discuss methods of photographic intervention (e.g., lighting, perspective, framing, narrative, contrast, tone, color palette).
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Constructed Reality
VPH 3470 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Study and assignments include such aspects of photography as still life, portraiture, fantasy, tableau, genre, sequential and serial, as well as a reordering of the real world. Trends and examples in contemporary photography are studied through slides, books, and field trips.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Contemporary Trends in Photography
VPH 3560 / 4 credits / Fall
An overview of contemporary photography and the major trends that shape it. Through a series of lectures, gallery visits, and critiques, students follow the developments of photographic art through history in order to place their own work within a global context.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Digital Photography II
VPH 3660 / 4 credits / Fall
In this continuation of VPH 2660, larger work as well as more complex editing and printing methods are explored. Printing methods may include inkjet, digital C, photo book, and nonsilver. Includes hands-on work, theory, and the history of photo-image manipulation.
Prerequisite: VPH 2660 or permission of instructor

Junior Seminar
VPH 3690 / 4 credits / Spring
A special preparatory course required for juniors who intend to complete a senior project in photography. Coursework includes intensive critiques, weekly written exercises, and both assigned and self-directed projects—all directed toward making, knowing, and judging each individual’s work.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Professional Practices
VPH 3740 / 4 credits / Spring
Technical and professional information is provided to help students in their transition to the world of professional photography and related fields. Students concentrate on developing a portfolio, artist statement, résumé, and publicity materials, and on learning how to present and exhibit their work.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Independent Projects
VPH 3800 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
For juniors and seniors who are focused on creating a photographic body of work. With guidance from the faculty member, each student pursues a series of independent projects leading toward a cohesive exhibition. Coursework includes intensive critiques, weekly technical work, and assigned projects appropriate for each student’s work.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 and 2320

Studio Assistant
VPH 3950 Refer to VDR 3950 in Drawing Courses for description.

VPH 4000–4999:

The Contemporary Landscape
VPH 4100 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
A photographic examination of the contemporary landscape and a parallel inquiry into the cultural tensions and complexities of contemporary society. Topics include interpretation of land use; the growth and decline of urban, suburban, and rural communities; the politics of climate change; and the myths of conservation and development. Both traditional and experimental documentation are encouraged, as are personal and psychological interpretations. Includes directed, self-directed, and collaborative projects, critiques, and field trips.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Advanced Nonsilver Photography
VPH 4160 / 4 credits / Fall
In this continuation of VPH 3160, both new processes (salt print, gum bichromate) and advanced procedures and practices (cyanotype, combination printing, platinum/palladium, printing-out paper) are introduced. An in-depth study of the digital negative process constitutes a significant portion of the course. Each student is expected to define a long-term project that results in a finished body of work by the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: VPH 3160 or permission of instructor

Senior Seminar and Critique
VPH 4400 / 4 credits / Fall
An intensive seminar and critique for students doing their senior project in photography. Students work on self-directed projects. All students make an oral presentation on their work, attempting to place it within a context of cultural factors.
Prerequisite: VPH 3690 or permission of instructor

Field Trips to Museums and Galleries:
A Practical Course for Working Photographers
VPH 4470 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
A practical course for working photographers that meets regularly in New York City and beyond to view photographic exhibitions and collections. Emphasis is placed on the complex nature of influence, with special consideration given to translating viewing experiences into practice.
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 or permission of instructor

Special Topics in Photography
VPH 4500 and VPH 4501 (second time) / 4 credits
Special topic (offered irregularly)
Extensive study of a particular topic or technique in photography; topics vary each semester. May be taken a second time for credit (VPH 4501).
Prerequisite: VPH 2030 and 2320, and junior standing

Digital Photography III
VPH 4660 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
In this continuation of VPH 3660, advanced techniques of digital photography are applied directly towards each student’s photographic body of work. Printing methods may include inkjet, digital C, photo book, and nonsilver. Includes hands-on assignments and theory appropriate to each student’s body of work.
Prerequisite: VPH 3660

Updated July 14, 2011

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