Keele Badge

MDS-20078 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

MDS-20078 - Creative Digital Image Production
Coordinator: Mandy Mcateer Tel: +44 1782 7 33499
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2026/27

Creative Digital Image Production (Photography) places an emphasis on both creative digital photographic practice and theory. During the module you will be introduced to different genres of photography and individual photographers’ work and asked pertinent questions about the definition and intent of the work as a mode of communication and its uses in the digital era. You will be able to advance your contextual understanding of digital photographic practice, your own creative photographic practice and your professional photographic skills. In practical workshops we will explore studio and exterior lighting, the use of different lenses and the variety of techniques available to the contemporary photographer using digital image-making equipment. You will produce an individual photographic project and reflective diary which details your idea development and a critical evaluation of your final project.
Previous student projects have spanned a number of photographic genres including narrative, fine art (abstract and conceptual), documentary, studio, sports and street photography covering a range of subject matters such as the representation of women in sport, gender, consumerism, environmental issues, domestic violence, portraiture, memory and the family album.

Aims
To allow students to develop a critical understanding of both theory and practical skills in digital still image production by producing a coherent portfolio /series of digital images and a reflective diary of their work.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate critical self-evaluation of their project and its production process in the context of visual theory and practice: 2
develop professional software skills: 1
acquire and apply enhanced skills in digital still-image production acquired during the module: 1
demonstrate knowledge of photographic theory in the context of their own project: 2

Study hours

48 hours of lectures and workshops.
2 hours of supervisory meetings.
64 hours practical work in the lab or on student's own digital appliances and project research.
120 hours preparation and execution of the creative project.
66 hours developing the practical project idea and a critical evaluation of the final completed project, and writing the diary.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 70%
Students produce a portfolio of digital images on a specific theme or issue
A photographic project on a theme/issue, the content, genre and aesthetic of which will be discussed and agreed with the module tutor. 10 images max per project.

2: Reflective Diary weighted 30%
Development and reflection on practical project
A 1,000-word illustrated diary, demonstrating the development and evaluation of the student's individual practical project.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026