School of Humanities  
 
 
MDS-20018 Thinking Photography  
Co-ordinator: Ms Mandy McAteer   Tel:33499  
Teaching Team: Mrs Victoria  Norman, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Mr Sam  Galantini,  Paul  Rixon  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Media, Communications and Culture Dual Honours (Level 2)
Media, Communications and Culture Minor (Level 2)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Barred Combinations
none

Prerequisites
none

Description

Thinking Photography is an elective module for second year students and will be of particular interest to those studying Media, Culture and Communications. The module places an emphasis on both photographic theory and practice. We will look at how ideas about photography have evolved and how theory can inform your own practical work. Alongside this we will be looking at different genres of photography and individual photographer's work and asking pertinent questions about the definition and intent of the work as both artefacts and modes of communication. You will be able to advance both your critical understanding of photographic practice, your own photographic practice and Photoshop software skills.

Reading List

Although no textbook covers everything we do on this module the books listed below give a good overview of the subject area:

Clarkle G 1997 The Photograph Oxford University Press

Wells, L (ed) 2003 The Photography Reader Routledge

Wells, L (ed) 2009 Photography: a critical introduction Routledge

Sturken M, Cartwright L, 2001 Practices of Looking: an introduction to visual culture Oxford University Press

Sontag, S. 2002 On Photography Harmondsworth: Penguin

Burgin, V (ed) 1982. Thinking photography Basingstoke: Macmillan

Soloman-Godeau, A. 1997 Photography At The Dock University of Minnesota Press

Barthes, R. Camera Lucida: reflections on photography. Translated by R. Howard 1984 London Flamingo
Aims
To allow students to develop a critical understanding of photographic theory and develop practical skills in still image production.
Intended Learning Outcomes
demonstrate a structured and objective approach to the analysis and discussion of photographic theory and practice will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2 and 3
research, analyse and discuss theoretical texts and photographic practice, and integrate the knowledge and understanding gained into their own project.
will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2 and 3
plan and complete an individual photographic project, applying the enhanced skills in still-image production acquired during the course will be achieved by assessments: 1
demonstrate critical self-evaluation of their project and its production process in the context of photographic theory and practice will be achieved by assessments: 2
Study hours
24 hours of lectures and workshops.
30 hours practical work in the lab or on students's own digital appliances and project research.
60 hours preparation of creative project and workbook.
6 hours to prepare presentation.
30 hours of reflection, revision and consolidation of lectures, pre production, production and post production of the creative project.
Description of Module Assessment
01: Project weighted 50%
Photographic project
A photographic project using either digital cameras and Photoshop CS3, or mechanical cameras and wet processing. In the project, students have to demonstrate aesthetic and technical accomplishment with respect to breadth of the project (in terms of variety of, styles and tools adopted) and depth of the project (in terms of how theory and practice are integrated).

02: Workbook weighted 50%
Students produce a workbook of at least twenty pages of text and images
Students produce a workbook of at least twenty pages of text and images, including the aims and objectives of the project, a description of the creative process and techniques adopted, an analysis of the work of others, and a critical self evaluation.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.