HBDA 5175 - Introduction to photography: behind the lens

This course is intended for anyone curious about photography and is keen on learning more.

Students will study how to look at the world through a camera lens and develop a photography language as an image-making medium.

This course will take you through the history of contemporary photography and analyse the work of major artists such as Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe, Anders Petersen, Antoine D’Agata, Michael Ackerman, Martin Paar… It will offer a short overview about: portrait, fine art, documentary, war, fashion, street and conceptual photography. Students will learn about structuring a picture, finding the frame and the light. This course will also introduce the fundamentals formal and informal, on location, and in the studio portraiture. Through demonstrations and discussions the course will explain the various elements of portraiture, such as gesture, expression, pose. The photography practise will cover the technical considerations including camera placement, selective focus and multiple exposures. The course will allow students time to practise and experiment with the medium to define their own language and expression.

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Each week, the student will experiment in class from a practical point of view. If they do not have their own camera, this is not a problem as long as the work is done in groups.

If they can have one at their disposal, this is obviously more comfortable.