The Department of Photography & Imaging is centered on the making and understanding of images. The curriculum is built around two principal areas: creative practice and critical studies. A comprehensive understanding of the tradition of visual art directly supports the student as she or he develops a personal creative identity. Courses in liberal arts complement students’ creative education. The focus is on the progress of the individual student.
Curriculum
The program leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree. We are a diverse department embracing multiple perspectives. Students work in virtually all models of photo-based image making using analog and digital technologies. Students take classes in studio, critical studies, liberal arts, and electives. Students may pursue double majors and minors from a variety of disciplines through the College of Arts and Science at NYU. For juniors, there is an extensive internship program with opportunities to work in many situations, including artists’ studios, galleries or museums, Web design companies, print and publication, commercial photography studios, and community settings teaching photography and digital imaging.
The Freshman Foundation year includes Visual Thinking, Photography & Imaging Digital and Analog, an overview of black-and-white photography, color photography, and digital imaging learned while working on assignments and individualized projects, and a critical studies course entitled Culture, History, Imaging & Photography Studies. Sophomores and juniors continue mastering various modes of photographic production and developing a personal vision while studying the history of photography and critical theory. Liberal arts courses are completed over four years. During the senior year, all students take Senior Directed Projects where they develop and produce their thesis project, which is presented in senior exhibitions throughout the spring semester. The Senior Focus: Catalog course produces the senior catalog, which represents each graduating senior’s work. The Business of Art course offers seniors the opportunity to prepare portfolios for professional work and graduate school.
