The Photography Program at Purchase College offers an intensive, fine art–focused curriculum that blends traditional, experimental, digital, and emerging AI practices. Students gain a strong technical foundation in darkroom and digital processes while also developing a critical understanding of how photographs function across culture, perception, and meaning. Our graduates are prepared not only to succeed across the full spectrum of photography; art, editorial, commercial, and new media, but also to shape its future.
Students begin with core courses in darkroom printing before moving into a wide selection of technical and conceptual electives. Formats range from 35mm to large format, with advanced instruction available in silver, color, non-silver, digital scanning, editing, printing, video, and artificial intelligence image generation and analysis. Thematic and rotating courses encourage students to merge conceptual thinking with material exploration, ensuring they remain on the cutting edge of contemporary photographic practice.
Facilities Our state-of-the-art facilities support every stage of the photographic process. Students have access to group darkrooms, private darkrooms, and a non-silver darkroom, alongside a fully equipped digital lab for high-end scanning, editing, and inkjet output. A full shooting studio and access to high-end digital 35mm and medium format cameras prepare students for both professional practice and advanced creative work. Dedicated labs for juniors foster collaborative growth and experimentation, while individual studios for seniors provide the space and independence necessary for capstone projects.
Note: All students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing. All required studio arts classes must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to advance within the degree. Any required studio arts grade of C- or below must be repeated.
Foundation Courses: 16-17 credits
VIS 1050/ComX: 2 credits or VIS 2150/Key Class: 1 credit VIS 1060/Foundation Drawing: 3 credits VIS 1070/Extended Media: 3 credits VIS 1080/Visual Language: 3 credits VIS 1260/3-D Processes: 3 credits VIS 1330/Lens and Time: 3 credits
Art History Courses: 12 credits
ARH 1020/History of Art Survey II: 3 credits ARH 1021/History of Art Survey II Discussion: 1 credit ARH —/One course in the history of art before 1800 (lower-level) 4 credits PHO 2511/Social History of Photography I: 2 credits PHO 2512/Social History of Photography II: 2 credits
This introduction to the basic techniques and concepts of analog black-and-white photography covers the mechanics of light and exposure, film development, silver printing, and critique.
Credits: 3
A continuation of PHO 1010, with a continued emphasis on the basic concepts of photography, the mechanics of light, silver darkroom printing, black-and-white scanning and printing, basic theory, practice, and critique. Assignments alternate between technical and creative concerns.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO1010
An introduction to the creative use of color in digital photography, beginning with image capture using a digital camera and ending with the production of inkjet prints using Adobe Photoshop. Students create original work with a digital camera in response to a series of lectures and assignments. Includes hands-on work and an introduction to the history of color photography. Students must own a digital camera.
Credits: 3
Explores the nature of photography’s capacity to look so precisely and to view not just the object but also the act of looking itself. Students examine how belief systems inform what is seen. This course uses photography and the practice of meditation to understand how and why the world is seen through the lens of one’s own narrative.
Credits: 3
Examine the multiple uses and histories of the photographic image across various geographies, focusing on its links to cultural life in the broad sense. Locate elements of photography’s art history within the socio-political context of its various uses. Consists of lectures, screenings and field trips. Students will be evaluated in discussion, as well as via essays and in an exam.
Credits: 2
PREREQ: PHO1010
Continuing from Social History of Photography I, examine the multiple uses and histories of the photographic image across various geographies, focusing on its links to cultural life in the broad sense. Locate elements of photography’s art history within the socio-political context of its various uses. Consists of lectures, screenings and field trips. Students will be evaluated in discussion, as well as via essays and in an exam.
Credits: 2
PREREQ: PHO2511
An exploration of color and the digital photographic image. Students are introduced to digital RAW capture, color film scanning, and inkjet printing. Adobe software is used for image editing. Includes hands-on work, theory, and the history of both color photography and photo-image manipulation. Students must own a digital SLR camera; please contact the School of Art+Design for specifications.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO1010
A survey of contemporary artists, ideas, and texts in which basic research skills are taught. A combination of slide lectures, discussions of readings, and museum/gallery visits familiarize students with contemporary art discourse and many of its important figures.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2660
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.
Credits: 3
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.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2880
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.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2880
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.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO1010
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.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2660
Photographs and the moving image have been deeply intertwined since the advent of the photography. In order to understand what photographs really are we must look at what they are not. With an emphasis on contemporary art practices students explore the space between the photograph and the moving image. Class will be a combination screenings, lectures and critiques looking at how the moving image changes our understanding of photography.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2660
Students explore the effect of landscapes and surroundings in Pisciotta, Italy, and develop their personal vision by observing and leveraging those landscapes and translating their experiences into powerful images. Working with digital cameras (a simple one is fine), students create a personal photographic essay, depicting what they see through the lens of their surroundings.
Credits: 4
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.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2880 Or PHO2880
In this continuation of PHO 2660, larger work as well as more complex editing and printing methods are explored. Techniques covered include advanced film scanning and sharpening, noise reduction, compositing, and masks. Students are challenged to find ways in which their technical decisions can clarify their artistic intentions. Includes hands-on work, theory, and the history of conceptual photography. Students must own a digital SLR camera; contact the School of Art+Design for specifications.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2660
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.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2880
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.
Credits: 3
Students gain technical professional experience by helping provide a safe and well-functioning studio environment for their fellow students. Studio assistants are expected to have advanced standing in their media area and a thorough understanding of current professional practices. Duties include basic maintenance and demonstrations of equipment, independent or group tutorials and workshops, weekly meetings, and other responsibilities assigned by the sponsoring instructional technician. A maximum of 4 credits in PAD 3950 (or a combined maximum of 6 credits in VIS 3998 and PAD 3950) may be applied toward the BFA.
Credits: 2
PREREQ: PHO1010
Students investigate the history and practical construction of the photo book. Numerous narrative strategies are explored as predominant vehicles for still photography and photo-related imagery. Students work toward self-publishing their own book over the semester. This course is best suited for students who have a body of images that they would like to explore in book form.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2660
Examines representations of violence, as well as the inherent violence(s) of representation. Consists of close readings and discussions of photographs, photobooks, moving image media, and key texts from a variety of fields including theory, criticism and poetry. Involves regular viewing of controversial and emotive imagery, and is thus well suited to students willing to engage in frank and principled debate.
Credits: 3
An intensive seminar and critique required for students during their senior year. Students work on self-directed projects and make an oral presentation on their work, attempting to place it within a context of cultural factors.
Credits: 2
PREREQ: PHO3690
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.
Credits: 3
PREREQ: PHO2880
Extensive study of a particular topic or technique in photography; topics vary each semester. May be taken a second time for credit.
Since actual course offerings vary from semester to semester, students should consult the myHeliotropecourse schedule to determine whether a particular course is offered in a given semester.
Information Changes
In preparing the College Catalog, every effort is made to provide pertinent and accurate information. However, information contained in the catalog is subject to change, and Purchase College assumes no liability for catalog errors or omissions. Updates and new academic policies or programs will appear in the college’s information notices and will be noted in the online catalog.
It is the responsibility of each student to ascertain current information (particularly degree and major requirements) through frequent reference to current materials and consultation with the student’s faculty advisor, chair or director, and related offices (e.g., enrollment services, advising center).
Notwithstanding anything contained in the catalog, Purchase College expressly reserves the right, whenever it deems advisable, to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees; withdraw, cancel, reschedule, or modify any course, program of study, degree, or any requirement or policy in connection with the foregoing; and to change or modify any academic or other policy.
