Photography

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.

Updated 9.11.2025