Ahndraya Parlato Headshot

Ahndraya Parlato

Dr Ronald Francis/Mabel Francis Professor

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
College of Art and Design

Office Location

Ahndraya Parlato

Dr Ronald Francis/Mabel Francis Professor

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
College of Art and Design

Education

BA, Bard College; MFA, California College of the Arts


Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

BOOKS

2021    Who Is Changed and Who Is Dead, Mack Books, (monograph)

            Photo NoNo’s, Aperture

2020    Keeper of the Hearth: Picturing Roland Barthes’ Unseen Image, Schilt                   Publishing

2016    A Spectacle and Nothing Strange, Kehrer Verlag, (monograph)

2014    The Photographer’s Playbook, Aperture 

            East of the Sun, West of the Moon, Études Books (monograph)

Currently Teaching

PHAR-102
4 Credits
This course will reinforce and build upon the skills learned in the first semester of Photographic Arts I. It will emphasize aesthetics, craft, visual problem solving and critical thinking skills - the foundations of the Photographic Arts curriculum. In this semester, the studio will be introduced as a space that can be used to create and control light. This course's curriculum will continue to emphasize both craft and visual problem solving required in high-level photographic imaging.
PHAR-150
3 Credits
An introduction to technical, aesthetic, and conceptual topics in black-and-white still photography for non-photography majors. Through weekly assignments, students will become familiar with the operation of a 35mm camera body, lenses, and film processing and printing, while exploring basic principles of lighting, depth of field, principles of design, blur, stop motion, exposure, and tone control. Lectures will address photographic aesthetics, in addition to historical, contemporary and innovative practices. Students will engage in the language of the critique through participation in discussions of photographic shooting assignments. Students are required to provide their own 35mm camera, film and processing, and photo paper. Non-Photo majors only. **Fee: This course has a facilities fee for Non-SPAS students**
PHAR-160
3 Credits
An introduction to digital photography – technical, aesthetic, conceptual – for non-photography majors. Through weekly assignments, students will become familiar with the operation of a DSLR camera body/lens, while exploring the basic principles of lighting, depth of field, design, blur/stop motion, accurate exposure, and image manipulation. Lectures will address photographic aesthetics, contemporary and historical practices, and professional applications. Students will learn to critique work through participation in discussions of photographic assignments. Students are required to have their own DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. Non-photo majors only. **A materials fee is required for this course and an additional facilities fee for non-SPAS students**
PHAR-201
3 Credits
This course will offer students an introduction to the discipline of fine art photography. Conceptually driven projects will be investigated through a variety of photographic techniques; reading, writing and discussion about the intent and meaning of photographic imagery will be emphasized. Aspects of still photography and moving imagery as artistic choices and practices will be presented. The goal of the course is to establish theoretical, aesthetic and technical strategies for the production of photographic artwork. If you are pursing the Fine Art Photography option this course is required.
PHAR-599
1 - 3 Credits
Photography Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, will propose a course of study. Photography Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.
PHFA-402
3 Credits
This course represents part one of two parts of the culmination of the studio/critique experience for students in Fine Art Photography. Having established a working artistic methodology in previous courses, students will begin to consolidate a final body of work through the critical engagement with their peers and faculty. The focus of the course is to create works for the Senior Exhibition during spring semester in the Fine Art Portfolio II course. Studio practices and extensive critique experiences are featured in this course.
PHFA-403
3 Credits
This course represents the final culmination of the studio/critique experience for students in fine art photography. Having established a working artistic methodology in the previous fine art courses, students will consolidate a final body of work through the critical engagement with their peers and faculty. The focus of the course will lead to the senior exhibition and the completion of a printed portfolio or other final expression of their work such as video or installation. Studio practices creation of new artwork and extensive critique experiences are featured in this course.
PHFA-511
3 Credits
A study of current issues relevant to imaging-based fine art photography and related media; how they relate to broader historical/cultural issues; and how they might suggest future directions. Emphasis is placed on the integration of critical theoretical discourse and studio practice. This course is a touchstone to current and future fine art practices through its engagement with a variety of subjects. This course can be taken multiple times but individual topics must be different.
PHGR-611
3 Credits
This course will study current issues relevant to imaging-based fine art photography and related media; how they relate to broader historical/cultural issues, and how they might suggest future directions. Emphasis is placed on the integration of critical theoretical discourse and studio practice. This course is a touchstone to current and future fine art practices through its engagement with a variety of subjects. This course may be repeated with different topics. Topic is determined by the instructor.
PHGR-698
1 - 3 Credits
The Photography Internship will provide students with the option to work in the photographic field. Students may apply for internships to businesses based on the availability of positions and business needs. Students must obtain permission of an instructor.
PHGR-703
6 Credits
This critique course, the first in a two semester sequence, will establish a working methodology, critically engage with peers, and develop a body of new artwork. At the conclusion of the semester, all students will participate in a work share event.
PHGR-704
6 Credits
This critique course is the second in a two semester sequence. Having established a working methodology in Studio Core I, students will continue to experiment and produce a significant body of work through critical engagement with their peers and their own research and experimentation. Successful completion of the course will result in advancement to half-candidacy via a formal review by MFA faculty.
PHGR-716
3 Credits
In this course students will integrate writing, research methods, and experimental problem solving skills to further develop studio practices through integrated project based assignments and projects. Students will hone their skills in art practices, critical analysis, strategies for making, and writing about artwork through developing expanded practices within studio experimentation and artistic thinking. Throughout the semester, the students will become familiar with multiple research facilities throughout the University and the region.
PHGR-799
1 - 4 Credits
An independent study allows graduate students in the Photography and Related Media program the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined goals and outcomes. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. **NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA *
PHGR-887
0 Credits
Cooperative Education will provide photography students with hands-on experience in their field, directly related to a student’s major with an established studio or related business. Students will need to apply for co-ops, and interview as part of the selection process, based on available positions posted by the Co-op and Career Services Office, or found through the students’ own research. In programs where co-op is a degree requirement, students must obtain permission of their program or graduate director prior to enrollment. Co-ops are typically paid work experience, and can be part-time (150-479 total hours within the term), or full-time (480+ hours within the term). Co-ops may be one or two consecutive terms - fall, spring, or summer – with department permission.
PHGR-890
6 Credits
Students produce a thesis as a component of the MFA degree in Photography and Related Media. The completion of the thesis exhibition, from artwork to the installation, is the focus of this course.
PHGR-892
0 Credits
The Continuation of Thesis Imaging Arts course provides students additional semester(s) to complete their thesis research, project, and thesis document.

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