Diploma in Photography

Purpose of the qualification

This course is aimed at students who wish to become professional commercial or fine art photographers, and for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the photographic, visual arts, media and related industries. It includes training photography-related DTP; creating professional portfolios; writing and research methodology; photographic theory; history of photography and visual communication; business practices and practical photographic skills.

The learner will achieve their own unique visual language based on a thorough knowledge of photographic principles, the photographic; and will obtain a foundational knowledge of business, marketing and project management skills to facilitate self -employment and freelancing opportunities within the industry.

Rationale for the qualification

In order to create opportunities for individuals with an artistic and creative flair, wishing to apply their creative skills in entering the job market in the field of visual communication, the diploma in photography provides a suitable background and knowledge base to enhance employability.

This course attempts to provide the learner with a wide and extensive exposure to photography as a powerful means of expression and communication, which may be used to further the growth of the photographic industry in its many forms.

• Proficiency in the language of instruction.
• Grade 12 or equivalent.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learners who have completed their first year at an accredited institution may apply for RPL based on the body of work completed in that first year, to determine whether they have sufficient and relevant experience in photography to be successful in the Ruth Prowse program.

They will be evaluated through the use of interviews and a portfolio consisting of the learner's own, recent work.When evaluating prior learning, the following is taken into consideration:

• Potential for photographic and compositional skill.
• Potential for concept and idea building.
• Potential for creative and artistic expression.
• Communication through the medium.
• Proficiency in/awareness of exposure technique, darkroom technique, studio technique.
• Use of light, colour, tone, line and shape.

N/A

1. Understand the theory of photography and apply this in practical contexts.

• Range: Camera anatomy, including the viewfinder, lens, focal plane, focus system, aperture/f stop, shutter; basics of camera technique, including depth of field, selective focus, control of speed in an image, re-rating/pushing film speed; electromagnetic energy and how it effects photographic imagery, including properties, theory of light, colour temperature, inverse square law; film processing; printmaking; exposure methods, including reflected method, highlight and shadow, grey card, incident, zone system I & II; optics, including light absorption, reflection, transmission, refraction, dispersion, controlling light (pinhole), simple lens, compound lens, depth of field/selective focus, focal length, lens classification, lens selection criteria (angle of view), magnification, visual impression, specialist lenses; filtration methods, including contrast, special purpose, colour conversion; sensitive materials including structure of black/white film, components of film, latent image, choice of emulsion (speed), contrast, resolving power, chromogenic film, film latitude, reciprocity law failure, re-rating film, sensitometry, manipulation of prints (toning), zone systems; black and white photography; colour processes; darkroom skills; render colour into tones of black & white; create own references in terms of image structure, developers and fixation; tone reproduction; printing (unusual materials, effects and toning); lens design; image quality and calculations; shutters and related equipment; flash synchronisation and exposure calculation; colour emulsions; non-camera methods of creating visual effects - exposure of light-sensitive materials, varied photographic chemicals.

1. Demonstrate ability to apply photographic theory, understanding and skills in various contexts.

• Range: Working with people, on location, and under difficult lighting conditions; professional studio work - still life; sequential shooting; documentary images; CD covers; portraiture; pictures as art; professional portfolios - objects, places, people, fashion; landscape/botanicals; food photography; domestic interiors; photographic narratives; still life.

1. Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of conceptual approaches when engaged in photographic activities.

• Range: Styling; composition methods; value of images; understanding communication principles; fantasy as reality; significant spaces; using language to contribute to understanding of visual imagery.

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply research methodology within the framework of photographic theory and technique.

• Range: Demonstrate the ability to perform thematic and market research for a specified target, including target market; magazines, exhibitions; respond to a brief to produce specified photographic product; research markets locally and internationally.

1. Demonstrate understanding of and practically apply desk-top publishing skills using own photographic imagery.

• Range: Advertising and illustration techniques; use of typography and integration of image and text; meeting specific industry requirements, including posters; book covers; magazine covers; magazine features; advertisements; outdoor media - billboard design; using different media and materials.

1. Describe the history of photography and visual communication.

• Range: Pre-history, early wet plate, dry plate eras; technical improvements; documentary, pictorial, anti-pictorial, modern methods; assessment and discussion of significant photographers and their methods; printing - cyanotype, kallotype, salt prints; great themes - portrait, landscape, nude, human condition; silver gelatine emulsion technique.

1. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and application of lighting techniques.

• Range: High key lighting; methods; infra-red emulsion; studio lighting; natural; incandescent; flash lighting; control of ambient and flash light.

1. Display an ability to critically assess photographic works of self and others.

• Range: Function; technical aspects; composition; aesthetic aspects.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of good business practice as applied to photography for commercial and fine art purposes.

• Range: Marketing of ideas; combining text and image to be saleable; researching target market; the South African market; creating saleable art.

1. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of a wide variety of visual art principles, media and methods, and demonstrate the ability to translate these within a photographic context.

• Range: Gridform and space, massing and perspective, colour theory and interpretation, right brain/left brain, figure and object drawing, 3D construction, photomontage, composition, structure, tone, texture and presentation, acrylic paints, jewellery design, graphic design, printmaking, stencils, repro.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

Developing entrepreneurial abilities

• Demonstrate foundational knowledge of business, marketing and project management skills to facilitate self -employment and freelancing opportunities within the industry.

The use of science and technology

• Demonstrate effective use of computer skills through the use and manipulation of operating systems and systems application software for the creation, record-keeping and retrieval of different types of communication on advanced level.
• Demonstrate understanding and safe use of chemicals, tools and processes within a jewelry design, photographic and printmaking framework.
• Ability to master technical and creative challenges specific to photographic industry.

Problem solving

• Problem-solving skills are developed through the completion of various assignments and programme related activities.
• The creative identification and solution of problems by use of research, organisation and the evaluation of relevant information.

Critical thinking skills

• Learners are required to apply knowledge gained in practical scenarios linked to programme content in order to promote initiative and problem solving skills in the workplace.

Understanding the world as a set of related systems

• Understand industry requirements in a fine art and commercial context and select a specific product, format and methodology based on this.

Communication

• Visual, oral and written communication skills.
• Photographic vocabulary - images, aesthetics and visual literacy.
• Understanding photography as a means of visual communication and expression.

Collect organise and critically evaluate information

• Research of concept and information retrieval to meet project briefs.
• Ability to collate and reference projects.

Organising and managing oneself

• Sound time-management skills and photographic production.
• Professionalism in execution and presentation of work.

Working with others

• Team-work in a professional studio context.

This 3-year Diploma in Photography is aimed at creating a sophisticated blend of practical technique, theoretical knowledge and personal, creative expression. Learners should be able in their product to demonstrate a balance of all three.

The course focuses on developing the personal vision of each and every student while encouraging a respect for excellence of technique and application of theory. Learners are expected by the last semester of the course to have developed a consistency in their personal signature that defines their work.

The course introduces visual literacy as a means to understanding the language of photography as a means of communication. It encourages a sophisticated literacy (the reading and writing of meaning) in this language of symbols and signs. Learners are expected to be able to make meaningful and communicative statements using the photographic language.

Assessment of all theory and practical work is integrated and occurs formatively and summatively in the following manner:

• Integrated assessment will occur throughout the year - based on evaluation of learner projects. These include theoretical and practical work.
• Practical work is judged on specific assessment criteria (skill, concept, realisation of concept, professional practice and presentation).
• Theoretical assessments are ongoing through written projects, and there is one major theory essay allocated per quarter.
• A mid-year assessment and moderation process occurs in June. The body of work from January to June is assessed by the entire teaching staff and evaluated using the agreed criteria. Marks are allocated and averaged.
• Summative assessments occur in November, and involve the final evaluation the body of work created during the training year. An exam is written and the body of work evaluated.