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Photographic and Imaging Arts–Fine Art Photography (formerly Professional Photographic Illustration–Fine Art Photography) BFA
Program overview
The program options in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences are designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in photographic and related imaging fields. Studies in photographic practices provide both technical and creative experiences for visual problem solving. The principles of imaging are taught through courses investigating the tools and processes used to make pictorial- and information-based images and multimedia productions. All first year students are required to have their own hand held digital SLR camera and a professional light meter, among other items.
Students have the opportunity to supplement their course work with participation in cooperative education, internships, study abroad, field trips, presentations by invited guests/guest lecturers, departmental student organizations, and related activities.
Students are urged to take advantage of Rochester’s historic connection with photography. A comprehensive schedule of programs, including exhibitions, lectures, and seminars, is offered by the city’s array of cultural institutions.
Accreditation
The BFA program options and the MFA program in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Fine art photography option
The fine art photography option is designed to encourage and facilitate a student’s artistic development, sensitivity, and uniqueness as a visual artist. The department’s objective is to provide each student with a rich potential for personal growth as well as a lifetime of thought-provoking and challenging work in creative imaging and related fields. Students majoring in fine art photography receive the BFA degree in professional photographic illustration.
Curriculum
Photographic and imaging arts (fine art photography option), BFA degree, typical course sequence, (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| PHAR-101 | Photo Arts I | 4 |
| PHPS-106 | Photo Technology I (SMTL) | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | LAS Perspective 2: Survey of Western Art and Architecture I | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Foundation 1: First Year Seminar† | 3 | |
| PHAR-102 | Photo Arts II | 4 |
| PHPS-107 | Photo Technology II (SMTL) | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | LAS Perspective 3: Survey of Western Art and Architecture II | 3 |
| FDTN-111 | Drawing | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 2: First Year Writing | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| PHAR-201 | Elements: Fine Art | |
| PHAR-202 | Elements: Advertising | |
| PHAR-203 | Elements: Photojournalism | |
| PHAR-204 | Elements: Visual Media | |
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 4 | 3 | |
| PHAR-211 | History and Aesthetics I | 3 |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| FDTN-141 | 4D Design | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| PHAR-212 | History and Aesthetics II | 3 |
| Third Year | ||
| PHFA-301 | Fine Art Core I | 3 |
| Choose one of the following sequences: | 9 | |
| Motion Media‡ | ||
| Analog§ | ||
| Digital Media** | ||
| Fine Art Photography Electives | 6 | |
| CIAS Elective†† | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| PHFA-302 | Fine Art Core II | 3 |
| PHFA-401 | Professional Development for Artists (WI) | 3 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Choose one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| PHFA-345 | Art and the Internet | |
| PHFA-355 | Color Photo Seminar | |
| PHFA-361 | Retouch and Restore | |
| PHFA-362 | The Fine Print Workflow | |
| PHFA-363 | Black and White I | |
| PHFA-364 | Black and White II | |
| PHFA-366 | Advanced Retouching Composite Image | |
| PHFA-373 | Moving Image I | |
| PHFA-375 | Zone System and Fine Print | |
| CIAS Electives†† | 9 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| PHFA-402 | Fine Art Portfolio | 3 |
| Fine Art Photography Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 122 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
(SMTL) Refers to science, math, technical literacy requirement.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two Wellness courses.
† The First Year Seminar requirement is replaced by an LAS Elective for the 2013-14 academic year.
‡ Motion media sequence has two required courses, Moving Media I (PHFA-373) and Moving Media II (PHFA-374), plus one of the following courses: Art and the Internet (PHFA-345), Color Photography Seminar (PHFA-355), or Constructed Image (PHFA-159).
§ Analog sequence has two required courses, Black and White I (PHFA-363) and Black and White II (PHFA-364), plus one of the following courses: Color Photography Seminar (PHFA-355) or Zone System and Fine Print (PHFA-375).
** Digital media sequence has two required courses, Retouch and Restore (PHFA-361) and The Fine Print Workflow (PHFA-362), plus one of the following courses: Art and the Internet (PHFA-345), Color Photography Seminar (PHFA-355), or Advanced Retouching composite Image (PHFA-366).
†† CIAS elective refers to any course in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Additional information
Internships
Our students apply for internships with some of the nation’s most respected print and online photo venues, museums, galleries, advertising agencies and photo archives. They work behind the camera or in creative collaboration on a variety of photo-related professional and cultural activities and have the opportunity to learn from photographers, picture editors, art directors, curators and other professionals in the always exciting world of fine art photography. Students receive assistance from their professors, as well as from the Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services, in identifying and applying for internships. Internships provide real-world work experience, which is an invaluable part of our students’ educational experience.
Career opportunities
Graduates find careers as exhibiting artists, photo educators, picture editors, art directors, photographers’ representatives, photographic archivists or curators, museum and gallery staff, multimedia specialists, self-employed photographers, custom-image printers, and film/video artists or animators. Many students choose to pursue graduate work and earn an MFA degree in the arts.